{ Olina }
The pain of the rejection seeped into my bones like a poison. I’d never known this kind of sadness, and my royal blood wasn’t helping me now. It doesn’t matter where or who you are from, rejection feels the same. His eyes never left mine, they had settled into slits and I could hardly make out the flickering yellow that always sparkled in his irises.
“Accept it,” he told me, his voice hoarse as if he was fighting himself to get the words out and get this over with.
“You don’t want to do this, she is not who you think she is,” I find my voice speaking without even realizing it. I have to give him one more chance, the consequences of this effect more than just he and I.
His eyes open slightly more and I can see the anger boiling inside him now. I finally realize it is too late, and the same time I realize this, she steps up next to him with her smirk plastered on her face and I see it.
“It’s too late, accept it,” he says again. His eyes haven’t left mine but his arm snakes around her waist and she snuggles into his side.
“You marked her…” I say incredulously. I couldn’t believe it, I couldn’t believe that my mate, my Syn would do that. I’d known him since we were young, since I was 2 and sent to live in this pack. He never knew who I was really, he never knew that I knew who we were destined to be and have always known, unlike him who found out a year ago when he turned 18. He thinks I just found out last week on my birthday. But I’ve loved my mate since I was 2 years old. And this man, wasn’t him.
Before he can speak again I find the resolve to end this, the way he wants. “You’ve clearly chosen your path, I accept your rejection, Syn.”
As soon as the words flow from my mouth I turn on my heel and walk with my head up through the crowd that had gathered to watch the show. He hadn’t even had the decency to do this in private, he had made it a public affair, pun intended.
I walked straight through while everyone looked at me confused. From the grunts and pain behind me I realized that the rejection was finally working through Syn as our bond broke forever. It was already mostly gone for myself, I finally understood what the pain I had felt last night was. He had marked her. But now he was the one dealing with the pain, while the nobody girl, daughter of the misfit, walked away head held high.
I was at my door within minutes and was surprised to see that my family was home. They must have known I would come here and unfortunately, I knew they wouldn't be filled with empathy.
“Stupid, stupid girl. He was the Alpha. He was our ticket out, and you hadn’t even been able to manage holding onto him,” Jod slurred. He hadn’t been drinking earlier but I guess he started once he got home and the stuff he drank worked fast. “I never should have taken you in, we’ve had nothing but trouble since then.”
I didn’t have words, so I nodded and walked up to my room numbly. My sister was following behind but I didn’t stop her, I knew she had something to say too.
“I’m sorry,” she said with the smallest tears escaping her eyes. I knew she truly was, she had been deceived just like everyone. And if she hadn’t have seen the truth with her own eyes, she would still be back at the packhouse celebrating the new Luna with everyone else.
“I know you are, but don’t hold onto it for long, be thankful to be one of the ones who knows the truth,” I told her as I pulled her in for a hug. She was 17, just under 2 months younger than me. She didn’t know the whole truth, she didn’t know that I knew who her mate was, and what her future held, and that she was truly a sister to me in ways she would not know for another 1.5 months. She simply knew the bits of truth she needed to know for now.
“She’s horrible. How can they not see that?” She said as she shook her head.
“Because she is good at what she does,” I replied with a wave of my hand.
“Are you going now?”
I paused where I was, my hand reaching for my closet knob as my heart reached out for my sister.
“Yes, I’m sorry, but its time,” I told her without turning around.
“Don’t apologize, I understand. I have a few things for you to take with,” she disappeared out the room into the hall and I heaved a deep sigh.
I returned to my closet and filled my bag in just a few minutes. I had been preparing to leave home already, but I had thought it would be to move in with my mate, not go back to where it all started.
“Here,” Lana said as she handed me a small bag filled with things. “To remember me by, and remind you of here. The good parts of here.”
“I will not need anything, I will always remember you. And I will be back before you know it,” I told her with as much honesty as I could without telling her the truth.
“I know,” She simply said as she leaned in and hugged me. Then she disappeared into her room. She didn’t ask me where I was going. She didn’t ask me why. She didn’t ask to come or anything. She just knew I couldn’t stay here. And I knew the next 1.5 months before I could hold her again would be difficult.
I waited until dark fell, and then I went out my window. Backpack on my back, I knew exactly where I’d be crossing the border. I found him there, as he always was during the week at this time.
“Oly?” his deep voice echoed off the trees as he registered my scent coming towards him.
“Hello, Preston.” I said with my voice remaining monotone.
“What are you doing out here?” he asked as he approached. I saw the moment that his eyes registered my backpack and seemed to understand.
“You know I should leave, so let me leave quietly. You want me gone as much as any of them.”
Preston had always hated me. Call it a gut instinct, but he always felt like I was hiding something and lying. The ironic part is, that he was right about me. But he can’t see the same traits in his now Luna.
I watched his eyes work over me once again, as he internally decided.
“Fine, but if anyone asks, which I doubt they will, I’ll deny letting you go,” he said as he stepped aside.
I couldn’t’ help the chuckle that left my lips as I took the 5 steps and crossed the border. As soon as I did, I was safe and heaved the breath I had been holding all evening. Preston and the other patrols could not come get me unless I Was under attack or attacking the pack. They could not cross outside of the territory without those conditions. So now, I was free of them.
“Like I care whether they care,” I muttered and I stopped a few steps outside of the territory for a moment.
“You’re gonna die you know, you’re useless, there’s no way you survive as a rogue. I guess that’s better for Syn anyway,” he spat at me.
“Do me a favor,” I said as I turned around calmly and looked him in the eyes. “When you realize who she is, and shit hits the fan and the entire pack goes to hell, tell Syn I said ‘I told you so’.”
He looked at me for a moment and then shook his head.
“And don’t worry about me, not that you would, I’ll be home and safe by mid day tomorrow.” I added.
“Home? You think there is home for you out there? No one will want you!”
“I haven’t been home in months now, I was trying to get used to it, as I was going to be able to travel back less and less when I became Luna, but now I’m looking forward to staying there again.” I smiled as thoughts of being home with my real family seeped into the darkness and filled me with joy again.
“Why do you keep saying home? This is your home? You are leaving your only home, rogue”
“If you or anyone in this pack had bothered to ever speak to me, get to know me, ask me about myself, you would have known that just because I’ve been in this pack for 16 years, doesn’t mean it is my home,” I spat at him.
“Wait.,.. 16 years, you’re 18?” He asked confused.
“Exactly, dipshit. Exactly. I came here when I was 2. This isn’t my home, but it was supposed to be. Be sure to tell Syn that this was supposed to be the next most powerful pack. And now, you will be deemed the weakest. Mates shouldn’t be taken so lightly.” I told him as I regained my composure hearing the movement to my right.
“Sorry I took so long, I had to sneak past a few more than I thought,” Ryn told me as he approached.
“Ryn? What the fuck are you doing here?” Preston asked as he grew angry. Ryn was a warrior in the pack. But what no one knew, was he came here with me as toddlers. He was my watcher, my guardian. And now it was time for us to both go home.
“Escorting Oly home, as is my duty,” Ryn simply says as he reaches out and takes my hand, pulling me away from the borders. I stop him and turn my head over my shoulder one last time toward Preston.
“One more thing Preston, fuck you. Fuck him. And fuck her.” I say sweetly before turning back with Ryn. I muttered out the words to denounce my connection to this pack and these wolves and Ryn did the same, once we felt the bond break we began walking into the dark forest. I heard a howl in the distance and Preston muttered a curse word under his breath. The last thing I heard was Preston calling out my name relentlessly as we continued walking until we couldn’t hear him anymore.
We arrived at the border mid day, just as I suspected we would. We had walked most of the journey in silence, Ryn had always been able to read my moods and I knew he sensed the turmoil inside me that I didn’t want to acknowledge just yet. We stopped a few feet from the pack lands and I could feel the energy surging from the border, calling to me like an old friend.
“Can you feel that too?” Ryn asked
I looked and saw a smile on his face and his eyes closed.
“Yes, it feels like…”
“Home” he finished for me.
“Yes, Home. I am sorry for all the years you have had to be away because of me. Especially since it turned out to be for nothing.” I told him as the guilt seeped in thinking of his mama and pa whom I know missed him dearly.
“Don’t ever apologize, your highness. It was worth every day away to ensure you were safe. And despite the past few days, it wasn’t all bad.” He told me and I could see the honesty in his eyes.
I was about to reply when the pounding of paws sounded from nearby. Sure enough, from behind the trees three patrols arrived.
“Your highness, we were not expecting you back,” they told me in mindlink as they bowed in their wolf form.
“I know, it was an unexpected trip back. But we are ready to be home.”
They all nod respectfully and then split apart to allow us to pass through. They never would have attacked us if we had crossed on our own, but it was better not to risk it.
As we walked I couldn’t help the way I inhaled deeply the scents of our land, our people. Our pack lands were the most remote of everyone’s. We only did socializing as was needed, otherwise we kept to ourselves and focused on our land, our agriculture and our way of life. We were more natural than most, we hadn’t embraced the new era and technology in any way other than what was needed. Did we understand it? Absolutely. But we embraced the raw and old way of life. We grew our own food, had our own animals for meat, eggs and milk. We had everything we could possibly need within our borders and appreciated things more because of the way we were brought up here.
As we approached the castle I could feel the tears welling from how long it had been since I saw my family. It had been 6 months now. I had been practicing staying away, I would have seen them at my Luna ceremony and then less and less often after that. Now I Was home, and I couldn’t help the fact that the idea of being here all the time, for the first time since I was 2, was healing my heart over again.
Her scent hit me as I rounded the first corner in the entry into the common area. As I smelled her the tears welled up and soon enough I was engulfed in her hugs.“Oh my baby, oh I’ve missed you so much!” She told me.I hugged her back just as intensely.“I’ve missed you too, Mama,” I told her through the tears.“Why are you here? Do you need something?” she asked as she pulled away and held me at arms length. “Like help to plan your Luna cer-”She suddenly stopped as she took in my tears and my demeanor. I knew I couldn’t hide from her, no matter how much I might have wanted to.“What happened.” She said, this time her voice was steel and her smile gone.“I’ll tell you, but first lets send Ryn home to see his family and go to the kitchen, I’m
A soft knock echoed through the room as I was leaving the bathroom, freshly showered and in my robe.I walked over and opened the door to find Ryn standing there with a box in his hands as he shifted his weight between his feet. His eyes caught mine and then they widened as he glanced over my frame, realizing I was just wearing a robe. We had been friends all our lives, very close friends, and he had seen me naked from shifting, but he had always been uncomfortable with it.“Oh… I, uh, um… I can come back your highness, so sorry, I Didn’t realize you were…” he trailed off as he couldn’t seem to finish a sentence. I saw he was about to take a step away so I reached out for him to stop.“Ryn, it’s fine, of course. I’m fully covered. And for the love of the Goddess, call me Oly. Just cause we are home doesn’t mean we aren’t the same friends we were b
I open the door and see she isn’t here yet so I walk around the room. We call it her office, but really its her cave. She does have a desk to one side that she uses for all her queenly duties that require her attention. But the rest of the room is where her heart truly lies. She has an enormous table that is on wheels in the middle of the room. The room itself is rounded and the entire rounded part of the wall is completely made up of windows, overlooking the forest. On the large table are her two sewing machines and cutting mats, along with random fabrics from whatever her current project is. Shelves line the other wall, all completely organized with fabric by color, art supplies, canvases, scrapbooking. No matter what creative mood strikes her, she has all the supplies she could ever need in this room.On the walls, the little bits there were anyway that were visible, is art that Quai and I made when we were younger. The one that catches my eye was suppo
"What are you doing here?” I spat at Darin as he shifted back, standing stark naked by the water and looking me up and down as if he could see my naked self.“Want some company, princess?” he said as he took one step toward the pond.“Want another broken nose?” I asked with my eyebrow raised.“Lucky shot,” he said as his eyes narrowed into slits.“We are gonna find out if thats true if you take another step toward me, Darin,” I warn him as I pick up a rock below the surface.He didn’t seem intimidated and took another few steps into the water. I had my grip tight on the rock and was about to raise it up to throw it at him when I heard another voice. This one, was pissed.“Get out of the fucking water, Darin.”I feel some of the weight off my chest as his voice comes f
There was a knock on the door and I opened it to find Ryn standing there. We hadn’t seen each other much since he accepted the General position the day after the waterfall. He was now busy learning the ropes officially from his father as he would take over in a year the same time as Quai and had a lot of catching up to do.“Hey! They really rely on you to do everything with me like you’re still my guardian, don’t they?” I joked but he only smiled.“I am your guardian, I always will be.” he told me softly.“Well, I guess technically thats true, as the general of the army you’re all of our guardian in a way.”He didn’t respond only held out his elbow for me to take. He was wearing a navy blue dress shirt with it rolled up to his elbows, black jeans, dress shoes, and his jet black hair was shorter like he had buzzed it since the last time
{ Ryn }Seeing her in that pink dress was physically painful as her hand settled comfortably into the crook of my elbow and she relaxed at our touch. I felt my own heart rate subside as she drew closer to me on instinct and the corners of my mouth turned up.My anxiety was through the roof at the prospect of what the night might hold. For her. For us. I’d felt a draw toward her ever since I turned 18. I can’t stop thinking about her. She is practically my reason for getting out of bed. Protecting her is all that matters and watching Syn hurt her brought all of the feelings I’d been suppressing come up full force. He wasn’t her destined mate after all. She was a royal, she absolutely had a mate. Which meant she had another. And I had an inkling, I wasn’t just drawn to her because we were good friends.We walked arm in arm through the party as if we belonged together. I shot glares at any men
When I woke up the next day it was pouring rain. I put together my bag and loaded it up in the sedan that Catalina had waiting for us. We said goodbye to her parents and then set off. We had a long drive at first so we settled into a rhythm as we drove of chatting and snacking. It was late afternoon before we came to the borders of the second most southern pack. We needed to cross their territory before we made it to our destination. We stopped at the border as patrols came up. As soon as they came and scented Catalina they dropped to a knee and allowed us to pass. We were both starving so Catalina had called ahead and asked if we could join the pack for dinner. The Alpha had accepted, and we were almost to the packhouse now. We both got out of the car and stretched as we had been in there all day. I glanced around, taking in the packs’ lands. This area was absolutely gorgeous. It sat deep in the woods with rolling hills and farm lands a
{ Olina } I was still processing the sparks that erupted on my chin from his touch when suddenly his lips were on mine. He moved his lips against mine and I couldn’t stop the moan that escaped my mouth. My hands found their way up to his neck and I wrapped myself around him, pushing my chest into his. I deepened the kiss and he growled appreciatively as he plunged his hands into my hair and kisses me harder. The kiss was passionate, needy and I couldn’t get enough of it. I pushed into him, wanting to feel every bit of his body against mine. He responded by putting his hands on my hips and gently moving me back a few steps until I felt my back hit a tree. He hooked his hands under my thighs and lifted me so that we were the same level, he being a good 10 inches taller than me. My hands moved to touch him, anywhere and everywhere I could. I couldn’t stop all the thoughts that came crashing in of everytime over the years I’d realized how go
We all look to my dad in confusion and he repeats himself, this time I don’t miss the tone that slips into his words. It was one I recognized from when we were younger and he thought we were lying to him about something.“Olina, what new disadvantage are you at?”I glance at my mother and her eyes shift from calm to suspicious and meet mine as well. Shit, we haven’t told them yet. I find my mate’s eyes and he nods his head towards them with a small smile on his face. He leans over and whispers in my ear.“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to, but its a good time to tell them”“Easy for you to say” I whisper back. He kissed my cheek and then helps me to my feet. I walk over to where Dad’s bed is and lean against it, arms length from them. I don’t say anything though. I just place my hand on my stomach protectively, and glance down at it. They follow my movements.“Inopportune timing, huh?” I ask with a small laugh, unable to hold back my smile though. I meet their eyes and see my mother’s hand
“That makes more sense.”I turn and see Quai resting on his elbows watching us and listening. I rush over to give him a hug and he returns it.“That explains everything.” Ryn says, reiterating what Quai said. “Especially about the witch’s origins, how this began, and why they are after your father and brother.”“They are basing all of this on the fact that they don’t believe you can be Queen though? I mean that seems like a lot to leave up to chance, I’d bet they are going to kill you too.” A growl erupts behind me while Quai is talking and I just roll my eyes.“Like hell..” Ryn mutters.“You know what I mean,”Quai defends as he lays back down.Ryn stands up and walks over to me. I have to lean back to be able to look into his eyes. He hovers over me, his eyes moving from my eyes to my mouth to my chest to my nose to my lips again. His gaze alone is enough to make my skin burn and my chest pound.“So, mate, what is our next move?”“We set a trap.” I say quietly and he smirks, knowing
{ Ryn }I press my lips to her forehead and try to pry myself away from her but I can’t resist. It’s felt like ages since I’ve touched her and my entire body feels rejuvenated just from this simple contact so I lean down and press my lips to her, feels that release that she always gives me. My stress levels decrease, my brain clears. And I pull away before turning and running out the door.She is here. She is safe. She is here. And She is safe. I repeat this to myself and my wolf as I shift and head to the front line.They are safe.My wolf gently reminds me of the weight on my heart. I wasn’t trying to forget it, but it was so new that it still slips my mind. The doctors came in after they got her settled into the bed, attended to and ran her blood work and tests. They seemed to have assumed I didn’t know. They were right.I was leading a war right now, commanding thousands of soldiers and fighting along side them everyday. I had more blood on my hands than I’d care to reflect on. Bu
A soft beeping echoed through my ears when I finally woke up. I wasn’t sure how I knew, but I knew I’d been asleep for a long time. It was the most rested I had felt in weeks. I took in a deep breathe, and tears filled my eyes when his scent hit me. It washed over me, calming me yet also exciting me. My skin burns from not having contact with him for a few days now. Just before my eyes open, a feel sparks erupt on my hand and more tears come.“I know you are awake, Oly.” his voice is soft, but edgy. I know instantly, I’m not forgiven.I force my eyes open finally and he comes into view. His hair is a mess, but his shirt and pants are clean for the first time since the war started. He clearly hasn’t been at the front line today and that brings up a heap load of guilt. I had gotten information, good information, I knew what this war was about. But in the process I had gotten injured, I had done what I’d swore I wouldn’t do…. distract him.“I don’t suppose saying I’m sorry would mean muc
{ Ryn }“Commander”“Yes?”“The newest platoon has arrived at the south base.”“Good, have them switch out with the 304th and send them back to main pack lands for rest and recouping. Please advise the medical crew of more wounded wolves coming in as well.”“Right away.”I crack my neck as another division leader leaves my tent. My joints are stiff and achy from being in wolf form and sleeping on the ground if I’m sleeping at all. Physically I could still carry a train, but it was beginning to wear on me bit by bit. Thankfully my brain was still sharp as a whip and I was seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with this war if I could get us through the messiest part we were in now.“Anything?”Quai steps into the tent, covered in dried blood and in just shorts like I am. We have been more wolf than man since the war started and uniforms aren’t exactly practical in a werewolf war.“Yeah, the new platoon just arrived.”“Good, news from the castle?”“Nothing today, no.”He nods and th
“With a date.”“What?”I look at him confused and he just smirks that stupid smirk I used to hate.“Preston what the fuck does that mean?”“It means, that place is a stronghold. The only way in, is if you work there, or are going to a bedroom there.”Oh. Well, I’d already mentally prepared for the possibility of flirting my way in. But he had opened up another one.“Do you know anyone who works there and doesn’t hate you?”He looked offended but responded.“Yeah, I know a girl.”“Would she help us?”“I mean, we aren’t close. More like booty call buddies.”“That’s perfect!” I shout out and I can tell that amuses him.“Thanks, I’m pretty happy about it too, she is great.”“No not that part, but you could call her! And if she is here, with you, not in my bed, but here and she needs to take off say, her uniform, then I could borrow it.”“There are so many ways that is messed up.”“Oh please, help me. The hardest thing you have to do is screw a girl you regularly screw.”Again, that same o
He passed by the door and went straight into my bedroom. Was he the one sleeping here?My mind flashed back to the memory of the day we got the call from Carlisle, the mediation call that turned out to be a distraction. Carlisle had claimed to be the Beta. But was that true? If Preston was sleeping here, then it was definitely true. The Beta would be in the packhouse. Especially with an Alpha like Syn. They demand to know where their Beta is, because they don’t trust anyone, even them.He throws himself down on the bed, my bed, and I see his chest heave a few times. He hasn’t scented that I’m here. I mean to be fair, I barely have a scent, but he definitely was living here considering how comfortable he was and trusting he was alone without searching the house. I watched him through the crack of the door, unsure what to do. I decided that I would at least need to wait till he went to sleep but that could have been hours away. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance.He stood back up an
I straightened up and fumbled my jacket like I was trying to fix it and had just dropped something.The woman, who looked about 5 years older than myself, walked up and greeted me.“Hey, are you alright?” She looked me up and down. I had made sure to change into normal clothes. I Was rocking a hoodie and jeans with vans sneakers. I looked like a regular teenager from this pack.“Yes, I was just… there was this guy that I didn’t want to run into” I tell her, lowering my voice.She lets out a laugh, a good one.“Oh, gotcha, been there. Need a hand getting by him?”“Actually, that would be awesome.”“Where are you headed?”“Not that way,” I joke as I throw my head back the way I came and she laughs again before nodding.
I slipped out the door once I was dressed and nodded hello to the warrior stationed just a few feet from our cabin. Ever since things escalated, WAryn insisted, as did my father.The warrior nodded back and then followed at a distance as I made my way to the castle. Once I was at the entrance I turned and did a once over of the training fields. Some of them were still in fact training fields as training continues despite a war. But two of the fields were no covered in white medical tents for the wounded as they recover. There were two more tents just like this at the EAst and South holdings. They made my heart ache.On my way to the library entrance, I passed by Lana. She waved me over as she was discussing something with one of the kitchen staff.“Hi darling, how are things?” she asked, her words diving deeper than they seemed.“Restless at the East I guess, gone before sunrise.&rd