"Sharlee!" Rushing toward her family, I felt hope bloom in my chest. I could see them crowding around something, and I could only hope it was my dear friend. Perhaps she had collapsed from the long night once she left the fringe of the forest, or maybe Sharlee was just so happy to be home she couldn't stand. Pushing my way through the small crowd that had begun to gather, I could now hear the cheers.They were congratulating her family, but why? Women were hugging her mother, as men clapped her father on the back. Coming to a halt beside her mother, I noticed she was holding the small white silk jacket she had given Sharlee before the beginning of the ceremony. As I gazed at the white silk item in her mother's arms, I felt my stomach drop. She had been chosen by the beasts in the forest. My close friend, who I'd never been apart from, was now gone.Gently placing a hand on her mother's shoulder to grab her attention, she moved her head in my direction with a broad smile. Her red tear-
Running towards the hut I could hear my father screaming, as loud crashes and banging sounded from behind the closed door. Coming to a stop by the door, I found my hand hovering over the wooden handle. It shook with each cry that fell from my father's lips. Taking a shaky breath, I clasped my hand around the wood, only to be pulled away. Turning to the person who now held my own in a vice-like grip, Gabriel stood before me with a blank look on his face."Come." He said before tugging me away. Giving my hand a reassuring squeeze, he pulled me away from the sound of my father's screams and the sound of banging.The sounds felt as if they were following me the further away I got from the hut. I hadn't seen my father in three days, not since he went to a neighbouring village to sell a few of his weapons. I hadn't known of his return until I overheard a few people talking about him. They said father had rushed in with his horse, Scraps, before jumping off and running towards the house. The
Running through the woods, I welcomed the adrenaline that coursed through my veins. Gritting my teeth, I fought the tears that kept falling from my eyes. My mother had left us. She had left my father and me. I knew something was wrong with her the past couple of days. Whenever I tried to play with her, she would look at me with disgust.Ever since she had returned from selling her gowns at a nearby village, she had acted weird. She had not unpacked her gear or taken me to the village like she usually did. She was cold. No longer was the loving feeling I once got from her received with open arms.Pushing my legs faster, I fought to find her. An elderly man told me she went into the woods after fighting with my father. Sobbing, I screamed out for her but was greeted with silence.Coming to a stop in a small clearing, I gazed up at the night sky. Rain pelted down from the dark clouds, soaking my white nightdress. Crying into my hands, I started to shake."Mummy!" Sniffing, I turned aroun
I stared wide-eyed as Gabriel advanced towards me. He looked angry, no he looked beyond angry, and with every step Gabriel took, I couldn't help but feel he was going to turn into a beast. I wasn't sure why I had yelled at him, and at this moment I honestly couldn't care. I had to remember why I was even in the Choosing, to begin with. I had to find Sharlee and if I had to use Gabriel, then so be it. He and I hadn't seen each other for a long time, and considering I didn't know anything about this whole Chosen thing, I wasn't about to let myself fall for him again. Long gone were the days we were kids and I would fantasise about being his. Right now, we were adults, and I knew what I wanted from my life. I needed to help my father and if marrying Matthew was the only way, I would swallow my pride for my father. Right now though, I needed to keep with my plan of finding Sharlee. I had seen Sharlee's family mourn the loss of their daughter for months, and I wouldn't let my father go
Since the night the young girl was found, all women and children were to be home before dark and to not travel alone. This meant Matthew stuck to me like a bad smell. Although I promised my father I would go on with this marriage to appease him, I still found myself longing to run into Gabriel's arms. I hadn't been able to see him for five days now, and those five days felt like hell.My body would always heat-up of a night time and with the new moon approaching it felt like it was getting worse. Five days, that's all it took for my body to crave his presence and five days we were in peace. At least that's what we all thought.When I woke that morning, I found my father seated beside my bed. He looked like he was deep in thought, and the longer I gazed at him the more I noticed he seemed tired. "Father?"The sound of my voice caught him off guard, causing him to jump slightly but he masked his surprise with a bright smile. "Good morning, Annabelle. Did you sleep well?"Nodding, I just
So many voices could be heard inside my head, but every time I tried to decipher what they were saying, they faded. It was as if something in me didn't want me to know what was being said. Frowning as the voices faded from my mind, I felt someone gently place a kiss on my forehead. Groaning at the sudden feeling, I slowly opened my eyes.Everything around me was bright, and as I continued to blink away the sleep that had taken me, I noticed a blurred face in my vision. Continuing to blink, the person's face cleared. As I stared at the person in front of me, I felt my stomach churn.Smiling down at me with relieved eyes was Matthew. I had hoped to see the one person I had seen last night before I welcomed the darkness. Frowning, I gazed around the room. "Where am I?" This wasn't an area I knew.With a long sigh, Matthew handed me a glass of water. "You're in my room."Chocking on the water I had about to swallow, I stared at him with wide frantic eyes. Why was I here? Why could Father
"Anna!" Turning around at the sound of my name, I spotted my father running towards me. Pulling me into his arms, I felt his body shaking slightly, as I wrapped my arms around his waist."Father, you're shaking," I whispered.Nodding, I felt his head move into the crook of my neck. "I couldn't find you... I thought..." Father was unable to finish his sentence as his shoulders began to shake uncontrollably. "Where were you, Anna?"Pulling back, I turned to where Gabriel was once standing, only to see he was nowhere to be seen. He had vanished without saying goodbye. Frowning I turned back to look at Father, placing a smile on my face, I whispered. "I was with... Gabriel."As soon as the words left my lips, my father frowned down at me. With a shake of his head, he looked towards Matthew. "I can't have you here anymore, Anna. I'm sending you and Matthew to the nearest town."I stared at my father for a few seconds as I tried to register the words coming out of his mouth. Surely I had he
Glaring at the older male in front of me, I felt a chill run down my spine. How did he know my name? More importantly, how did he know we were going to be here? Quickly glancing around the forest, I couldn't help but silently call for Gabriel. I was praying that he would somehow come out of the woods and help me. At least I hoped he would, but then again he probably thought I left him."I must say you are gorgeous." Licking his lips, the male took a step closer. Gripping my hand, Matthew held out his sword. "One more step and I will end your life."Laughing the intruder, raised his hands. "I wouldn't want that to happen... besides, I'm sure this lovely creature wouldn't like to see your end."Taking a step forward, the male stopped before his attention was taken by the sound of growls behind him. Following his gaze to the intruders, I spotted the black wolf with silver eyes I had grown to yearn for. Just at the sight of the wolf, I felt safe, as my body began to feel weak.A sudden mo
Sorry for the short chapter!Gabriel’s words rang through my head. Let’s hope not, yet I knew the answer to it. They had to have something to do with the man I had been seeing in my dreams. Why else would they suddenly be showing up around here? Regardless of this notion, I knew I would need to demand answers the next time I saw the man. If he could speak to me in my dreams, surely, I could communicate with him… but at what cost?Pressing my hands tighter to my flat stomach I wondered if I'd ever be safe enough to have a child. Yes, I was young but the urge to start a family was starting to pound within me. It was as if an unknown source within my soul was driving me.“What’s the matter?” Came Gabriel’s concerned voice.Glancing up at him, I tried to choose my words carefully. I still was unsure of Gabriel’s views on children, and the last thing I wanted to do was scare him with my urging thoughts. “I was just pondering over something,” I stated.Taking my hand, Gabriel led me towards
It had been a few days since Ailee left, and everything around the pack seemed to be going smoothly. The members were starting to go outdoors more as a harvest was soon to take place, and the preparations for the Luna announcement were well underway. Walking through the valley towards the market stalls, people seemed to be in high spirits, although, I couldn't help but notice some of the members refused to look my way. had I done something to upset them? or was it because they still didn't trust me after everything that had happened? I could understand their anger with our choices but, I only hoped that they would soon begin to see the reasoning behind them. "Excuse me miss." Came a soft voice. Turning my attention to where the voice came from, I noticed a small girl standing before me. Wearing a soft yellow dress that fell to her knees, a small smile graced my lips at her cute little freckles. "Hello there." I softly said. Bending to her height, I made a mental note of all the peo
“Annabelle is my chosen.” Growled Gabriel, “So I suggest you treat her with the respect she deserves.”Scoffing, the council member took a small step back. “With all respect, Alpha, she is yet to be crowned as Luna for our people.”“Is that so?” Growling, Gabriel’s eyes began to glow. If someone didn’t step in soon, I knew things were going to escalate to a place we wouldn’t be able to control. Clearing my throat I took Gabriel’s hand in mine. Feeling the tingles run up my arm and his hand relax within my grasp; I knew my plan had worked.“you're right, councilor.” I said, “I agree that I am yet to be crowned, but as Gabriel’s chosen mate I do expect respect from every one of you.” Releasing Gabriel’s hand, I took a step closer to the man in front of me. “Unless you wish to make an enemy of me, Councilor Grover.” I knew using his name would get my message across. After all, I assumed these men thought I had no clue who they were.Frowning, Grover took a step back with a small bow of h
Frowning at Gabriel I couldn’t help but notice his eyes were trained behind me. Glancing over my shoulder I spotted one of Gabriel’s warriors standing there with his head down. His stance was stiff as if he was waiting for an attack at any minute, and the longer I gazed at him the more I noticed something familiar with him. Turning my attention to Gabriel I narrowed my eyes at him. “I don’t need to be watched.” Gabriel sighed as he moved towards me. “I need to know you’ll be safe, Annabelle.” “I am safe.” I insisted but I knew he could see right through me. Of course, he could, how couldn’t he? Since mating with him everything I felt he could too, and that meant he knew that I was hiding something from him. As if sensing my realisation, Gabriel nodded at the young warrior before the sound of the door closing filled my ears. We were alone and I knew exactly what was coming. “Tell me what happened last night.” There was, a question I didn’t want to answer. I wasn’t sure exactly what
Listening to his heartbeat calmed my racing mind. Who was the man in my dreams, and why was he calling out to me? There seemed to be this strange pull, and if I was being honest with myself, it scared me. The only person I felt this way with was Gabriel. Closing my eyes I thought back to the man I had seen. He seemed so familiar to me yet he seemed to have some sort of danger about him. “Come to me, my red rose.” Whispered a voice. Startled by the sudden voice, I gazed around the room as if the young man would appear from within the darkness. “What has you so distracted, my love?” Came Gabriel’s husky voice. Glancing up at him, I couldn’t help but become in awe of him. Even with his sleep-tousled hair, he was handsome. Smiling, I shook my head. “Just a bad dream,” I whispered, loud enough for him to hear. Wrapping an arm around my waist, Gabriel tugged me closer. “If it helps, you can talk about it?” Rubbing my back, Gabriel moved closer till there was no space left between us. Coul
Staring at Gabriel in shock, I couldn’t help but wonder if he had lost his mind. I understood we had to do something about Ailee, but to banish her was not something I thought he would do. To banish his blood and watch her walk off into the forest, would be sentencing her to death regardless. Taking a deep breath, I mulled over his words. “If you do this Gabriel, there’s no turning back. The council members won’t allow you to bring her back.” Nodding Gabriel walked towards me. “I have no other choice, Annabelle.” As if someone had set off a fire within me, a small idea popped into my head. “Maybe we do have another, choice,” I whispered. Frowning, Gabriel gazed down at me. “What do you mean?” “What if we say we’re banishing her, but find somewhere safe for her to live? Have her set up in an area where no council member would look for her. If we don’t, she will die out there and I don’t want you to have that on your shoulders.” I said. As if understanding the pain he would go throu
The lights from the candles flickered off the temple walls, casting shadows along the dented coble stone. It was as if the shadows were dancing a dance for the devil, calling to him in song. As humming began to fill the hall, a strong smell of blood filled the air almost causing the shadows to dance faster. On their hands and knees, men in red hooded robes lined the aisle that led to a coffin. Each one of the men was slowly bobbing their heads up and down, as the chanting became louder. Laid carefully down the aisle, sat a blood-red carpet with gold trimmings, and as the light hit it at the right angle it looked as if it was flowing. Walking into the large hall, a smirk graced the older male's face. With each step he took down the aisle, the men who knelt along its edges trembled. They feared him. They feared the power he possessed and the reputation he held. His was Satan himself, powerful and full of evil. His blood-red eyes were solely fixated on the coffin at the end of the aisl
Days had passed since my father's death. Each day, I found the anger building and the want for revenge seeped deeper into my veins. I found myself lashing out at the servants, and the lack of having Gabriel around only seemed to heighten my anger.I missed him and yearned to be near him, to touch him, but as quick as the thoughts broke in my mind, anger took over its place almost instantly.Standing in front of the large floor-to-ceiling windows in Gabriel's room, I watched the sun break over the horizon. Its soft pinks and yellows almost thawed out my frozen veins, as a rare small smile graced my lips. Opening the window, the soft breeze gently brushed against the silk of the silver dress I was wearing.I had found it on the bed this morning, a small note in its place. The dress was picked by Gabriel. Why he couldn't give it to me in person, had my veins filling with anger once more. Shaking the thoughts from my mind, I decided to leave the room for the first time since my father's d
The further I walked into the forest, the more I noticed a foul smell emitting from the trees and the soil the roots connected to. Every tree I passed smelt of rotting flesh and mould. It was a smell I had only ever smelt once in Matthew's father's shop and when my mother had shown up in front of me. It was as if the area was filled with dead animals, the bodies waiting to decompose back into the earth. With each step I took, I felt bile rise into my throat, as swallowing slowly became harder."You've made it easy for me, Anna." Came Ailee's comment. "I thought I'd have to kidnap you..." She said. Her voice was low, as her head moved from side to side as if her eyes were watching the forest around us. "The cursed ones were willing to crash your little ceremony to take you away... so thank you for making it easier for us."Glaring at the back of her head, I wanted nothing more than to hit her. The urge to cause her harm outweighed the want to run back to Gabriel. Lifting my head higher