"Dark roses, there's something about them that always gets to me - like how can something look so beautiful on the outside and still manage to make you feel like it's hiding a thousand secrets within it's petals". I pondered, watching my aunt to tend to the flowers as I arrived at her tent.
"Stop right there". She ordered, her harsh tone making me stop in front of her prized garden.
With the way my aunt looked at me with so much hatred and disgust in her eyes, I could already tell that getting what I wanted from her, wasn't going to be easy an easy job. Without saying a word to me, she turned her attention back to her garden, carefully nurturing the petals of her dark roses.
"What's up with people and ignoring me like am invisible or something?". I thought, giving a silent sigh.
"I warned you never to show your face here ever again, so why have you come?". Catherine demanded.
"I know I shouldn't have come here but I had no choice". I admitted "I promise, after this, I'll disappear forever and you won't have to see my face ever again".
Catherine raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity on her face. "You've got my attention".
"Well, you see, recently I've been thinking a lot about my past and about my bloodline too." I cleared my throat, trying to find the right words to speak. "I'm not sure how you'll feel about this, but I've made up my mind to search for my biological mother".
As soon as I said those words, Aunt Catherine let out a laugh so loud and hysterical that I almost started to question her sanity.
"The apple really doesn't fall far from the tree does it?". She asked "You're just like your mother always looking for ways to disturb my peace".
"I... I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to say". I said, confusion written all over my face.
"You know, from the very day your mother set foot in this pack, I knew for sure that she was going to be nothing but trouble". Catherine said, her eyes suddenly welling up with tears. "I begged my brother to get rid of her, to take her back to where she belonged but he never listened. And in the end, I lost everything I had, everything I loved all because of her".
"I've heard you and my mother never saw eye to eye, but isn't this taking it too far". I asked, a puzzled look on my face.
"Your mother took everything from me - the one I was supposed to spend forever with, my chosen mate. I had to bury him with my own two hands and you think am going too far?". Catherine spat, her voice rising In frustration.
"But that's not how it happened". I protested "Everyone knows Uncle Felix was killed by rogues, not my mother".
"None of it could have happened if you're paranoid mother hadn't fed my brother with all
her lies and insecurities. He wouldn't have sent us away just to give her peace of mind and my husband he... he would still be alive today".
I shook my head slowly, trying to stay calm. "There must be more to it than that. I'm sure it's all just a misunderstanding."
"Believe it or not, it doesn't matter anymore. Your parents got what they deserved". Catherine smirked, her fingers snapping off a rose from it's steam. "And you my dear niece, are the only one left to reap what they sowed".
I sighed, my shoulder slump in defeat. "Well then, I guess it's no use asking you for help now. Since you've already made it clear how you feel about my mother".
"If you really want to find your mother, then of course I'll help you". Miranda smiled with a cold smile as she handed me the dark roses. Their steams covered in thorns.
"Are you being serious or maybe you just want to get my hopes up for nothing?". I hesitated for a moment before accepting it.
"You want to follow your mother's footsteps? Be my guest. I won't even try to stop you. Because I'm sure you'll suffer the same miserable fate as she did". Catherine picked up her basket, shot me a sly glance before disappearing into her tent.
High Noon
Night fell, marking the time for the marking the time for mating ceremony. Derrick finally announced to the whole pack that I was his chosen mate, only to reject me at the same time. The pack members pretense of surprise was almost laughable, but I just shrugged it off - this was all part of the plan and I was ready to move forward.
In the end, Daisy Darkwood, daughter of the
pack's Gamma was chosen as the new Luna queen of Dawn runner pack and they couldn't
be more happy about it.
The rise of the full moon, marked the beginning of a grand celebration for the Alpha and his new mate. But I knew that my time at the pack had come to an end.
There really wasn't much to take, just a few cloths, a water gourd and some berries to eat along the way.
I stood at the edge of the pack, my bag casually slung over my shoulder.
"One more step, and there's no turning back. Are you sure you're ready for this". I asked myself, taking one last look at the pack.
"You bet I am!". I laughed, throwing my fist in the air as I took off.
Leaving behind the only life you've ever known isn't something that comes easy. But when you no longer feel like you belong anymore, then it's time to find a new place to call home.
I could already picture the disappointed look on my father's face, as if he were watching from wherever he was, knowing that the last of his bloodline had turned its back on the pack he worked tirelessly to protect.
But he couldn't really blame for choosing my own path. Not after he'd chosen to break tradition and pass the Alpha's position to a stranger instead of his own daughter.