All Chapters of Werewolf Origins: Aria The Beginning: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

CHAPTER 1: The wind danced through the leaves on the trees making a rustling music as it went. The white she-wolf’s snowy white fur joined the ensemble as the breeze teased it while she sat on the rock. Her eyes closed as she sniffed the air for hints of anything exciting. It was a perfect day for hunting and she’d hoped to find a rabbit or two that should be out grazing on a beautiful morning like this. Instead, she caught the scent of something that didn’t frequent the forest. It wasn’t totally foreign, but it didn’t belong there. Man. The she-wolf’s ears perked and her blue eyes shot open. Down below the rock on which she sat came the hoofbeats of a large charger on which sat a very handsome man with dark hair and a clean-shaven face. He was dressed in brown trousers with knee-high black boots. A white tunic and tan vest hugged his torso, buttoned down to a glistening belt. An uncomfortable tension crept up her neck. A crest on the button at his collar bore a lion wrapped b

It had been a week since she’d been trapped in the castle. She looked around at the stone and tapestry covered walls. The same walls she’d seen every day since being brought to this dreadful castle. How did they do it? How did they live day after day in this boring place with their boring routines? She walked to the balcony grateful Philip had left it open for her. She missed the breeze whistling through the trees of the forest. She missed the hunt, though she couldn’t entirely complain about having a full stomach every day. She even missed hiding from the wolf packs and the sense of adventure and slight danger.The latch on the door to the chamber rattled, then the door opened. She spun her head to see a maid sneaking in to clean. She must have been new because she didn’t close the door behind her like the others had. While the maid set to work making the bed, the white wolf slunk across the room by the wall and out the door.The hall was empty outside the room, but soft voi

She had spent the day wondering the castle and avoiding people. Occasionally she’d hear a gasp from a servant as she’d pass them in the hallways, but she was used to it now. One would think they’d be used to seeing her and know by now she wasn’t interested in eating anybody except the castle feline, though she did vow not to kill anymore of the king’s pets. It was getting colder, and the stone floors were starting to make her toes numb, so she headed to Philip’s chamber to rest for the night. She would have rather gone to Morgan’s room, but the air between them felt awkward now that she had damaged the relationship between him and his father. As she approached the chamber door, a familiar scent hit her nose, then she heard the giggling of the tramp that was supposedly Morgan’s betrothed. She scrunched her nose, wrinkling her snout in a canine grimace. Better see if Morgan’s forgiven me. If not, there’s always the balcony over the garden.She padded down the hallway noticing she

Aria lay alone on a stone bench in the garden. Morgan had let her out of the castle, hoping it would help calm her nerves, but her mind swirled as she strained to grasp at memories that might explain what had happened in his room that morning. Only foggy remnants came to her. Flashes of a little girl running through some forgotten forest. An old woman with long silver hair. A village of little wooden houses. Was the little girl her? And how long ago did these flashes of memory take place? Were these memories even hers or were they things she’d seen? Aria groaned in frustration and adjusted her position on the bench. Her thoughts now turned to the events in Morgan’s chamber. His body had responded to her advances… but why? He knew she’d been a wolf. Was it possible that he could love her even as she was? The idea was ridiculous. She had been naked and what man wouldn’t take advantage of a naked woman who was so willing to give herself away? And yet, he’d said something t

The next morning a shiny black carriage trimmed in gold rolled through the gates pulled by six black horses in gold gilded harnesses. Eight mounted knights wearing engraved armor escorted the carriage, and behind them followed three more carts drawn by four horses each, piled high with various shiny treasures, foods, and gifts for the king. Whoever this was, desperately wanted to show off their wealth and impress the royal family.Aria watched from the portico as the carriage and carts came to a stop. King Aaron breezed by her to welcome the guest. He seemed desperate . . . and excited, which unnerved her.From the front carriage emerged a tall woman decorated in the finest blue silk and black lace, with a full head of plumes and dark, shiny braids. “Good morning, King Aaron,” she said through red painted lips behind a blue veil. She lowered into a perfect curtsey, making Aria realize how little social graces she, herself, had as a human.The king took one of her hands and kissed th