01|You promise?

Davina’s POV

The moon hung high, casting shadows across the courtyard. I stood in the clearing, my breath steady, my muscles tensed with anticipation as I watched the man before me with narrowed eyes.

I swiftly moved to the side, barely avoiding the hand that came at me. Shifting my stance, determination fueled me and I charged forward, using my fist to direct a blow at him.

“Too slow” He frowned as he deflected my attack effortlessly with his hand. I yelled in frustration and directed a kick to his side but he seemed almost bored as he avoided me, sidestepping the attack with ease, his eyes never leaving mine for a second. 

His attention was on me, watching and accessing my every move. His eyes flashed amber when he noticed my kick and he jumped back, dodging it.

“Too predictable” He yawned, blocking my punch with just a casual flick of his wrist. Strands of my wet hair stuck to my face as I groaned, my breath coming out uneven. I watched him smirk, undisturbed and unbothered. 

I was angry, frustrated, and gasping for breath. Sparring with Father wasn’t exactly how I’d imagined spending the day before my 18th birthday. But, of course, my relentless father had other plans. According to him, since tomorrow would mark my first shift, I needed to push myself harder than ever.

I glared at him, wanting to at least land a strike since I was going to suffer but I knew that was impossible. My fighting was as bad as my grades and against an Alpha, I stood no chance.

He cleared his throat when he noticed I was glaring at him. “Alright, come at me kiddo. I won't avoid you this time I promise” He said with a smile and my eyes instantly brightened. I quickly aimed a punch at his ribcage, but before I could react, I watched him chuckle, catching my wrist in his grip.

“Tsk, too naive” In a blur of motion, Father twisted my arm behind my back, forcing me to my knees. “I give up, I give up!” I yelled, tapping him with my hand for him to release me. He laughed as I rolled my eyes at him, not finding it funny.

“Dad!” I pouted as he handed me a towel to dry myself. I could see him trying to keep his laughter down which only annoyed me further.

“Why do you always make me train when you know I hate it?” I asked and he finally stopped laughing, looking at me with a serious expression.

“Because you are the protector, Davina. You have to learn to train and–”

“And control your powers” I finished his sentence, knowing what he was going to say. Sometimes I always wondered why he called me the protector and what kind of powers he and Mother always talked about.

“Dad” 

“I will tell you everything tomorrow, I promise” He smiled, using his hands to pat my hair. His eyes moved to the necklace on my neck and I followed his gaze, using my hand to touch the necklace. 

The necklace he had given me on my 10th birthday, he had made me promise to never take it off and I haven't since then, even when these days, the crystal kept getting hot. It had started a few days ago, it would burn red for a while before restoring back to its original color, white.

“Davina!” I looked up to see my twelve year old brother running towards me. I laughed as he eyed Father with a glare. “Dad, stop pushing her so hard, she is a girl you know” He scolded and Father scoffed, crossing his arms together. 

“Then should I train you instead?” Sebastian’s eyes widened in pure horror as he shook his head.

 “What I meant is that, you should train her much harder, she is really lacking behind”.

I snorted and hit his head, watching as he threw me an apologetic smile.

“Enough training you guys, come and eat” Mother yelled and we all looked at her with a smile as we made our way to the packhouse.

“Good afternoon Alpha” The maids greeted with smiles and Father returned the greetings. Everyone respected him since he's a great leader and a good man. He always made sure everyone got a fair share of the pack resources. I had always hoped that  I would be able to lead the pack like him when I grow older.

“Oh! We are having my favorite today” Father smiled in delight, kissing Mother's head. I rolled my eyes as I watched him act like a love stricken teenager.

 “Let's eat,” Mother smiled as we all sat down. Taking a bite from food, I nodded my head in satisfaction. Mother was a good cook, it was obvious from the way Father and Sebastian wolfed down the food.

“Take it easy boys” Mother shook her head and I laughed. 

“They are animals, Mother. What do you expect?”

“Well technically if you put two and two together then we are all part animal” Sebastian voiced out and Father high fived him, chuckling.

“Speaking about that, my daughter will finally be able to shift to her wolf for the first time tomorrow” Mother giggled and I smiled, excited about what color my wolf’s fur would be. 

 

“What are you getting for my birthday gift” I asked and just as Father was about to answer. Elijah, his Beta walked in stopping our conversation. 

“Alpha Dalton, I am sorry to disturb you but this is urgent” We immediately quiet down, the atmosphere now intense. I could see the fear in Elijah’s eyes when he whispered in Father’s ear.

Father’s gaze turned serious, almost sinister as he stared ahead, taking in the news. I had never seen Father make that expression before and I knew I would forever remember it.

“What happened, honey?” Mother reached out to touch his hand, snapping him out of his daze. He turned to her and uttered only one sentence.

“The Lycan king has been killed.”.

Everywhere fell slient and Mother’s hand shot up and covered her mouth as we all stared in shock. The Lycan king was the leader and the strongest among the werewolves so how could he have been killed? 

“I am needed in the palace immediately”. Father stood up, grabbing his coat from the chair before kissing Mother and Daniel on the head.

He turned to me and tried to smile, to reassure me but I knew something bad was going to happen.

“Dad” Before I knew it, I held his hand tightly. The words I was about to say got stuck in my throat and I couldn't utter a word.

“I'm sorry that I have to go, kiddo. I will be back tomorrow and we will celebrate your birthday together” He promised, giving me an apologetic kiss on the head. 

“You promise?” I asked, holding his hand. I didn't want him to leave. I wanted him to stay and not go to the palace, who knew what was going on there, how dangerous it was right now.

“Yes, I promise and you will get your birthday gift by then”. He said and his gaze fell to my necklace. He looked hesitant, as if holding back something he didn’t want to say. 

“If something happens, something that leaves you no choice then break the crystal” 

I stared at him, bewildered, my heart racing so fiercely that I could almost hear its echo in my ears. When I met his intense gaze, I nodded, earning a proud smile from him.

He turned to Mother, giving her one last reassuring smile before leaving with his beta.

“Dad will be back, right?” I asked Mother, my voice barely above a whisper as I grasped Sebastian’s hand. She forced a smile, nodding her head but deep down, a chilling thought crossed through my mind.

Something bad was going to happen.