I have left my home to face what is ahead of me. I have been running in my wolf form for a while now. Running to the Crescent Moon Pack. I am to marry the Alpha's daughter in order to make our packs allies. Marriage between packs says to be stronger than an agreement on paper. It secures the ties between the two families
I wonder what it would be like...marrying a woman I hardly know. I can't deny that she is beautiful. She will make strong pups for me. My mind was instantly dampened by the thought of pups. I would have had a pup by now. He or she would have been around five or six years old...but my mate miscarried. She left me after that. But at the same, I don't blame her. I wasn't the same man I was back then. I wasn't right in the head.
But it's time to move on. I have tried to search for her, she doesn't want to be found. She doesn't want me anymore. I guess everyone overestimates the power of the mate bond. However, that is her decision. Now I am going to make my own. I am going to marry Sophie, Alpha Kendrick.
I finally arrive at the Crescent Moon Pack. The pack had gathered at the front. Waiting to welcome me I guess. As soon as I came closer, the crowd cheered for me. But I wasn't buying it. I just walked past everyone and ignored them.
I saw Alpha Kendrick and his daughter Sohpie, who did not look pleased to see me. If anything, I could see the anger in her eyes. But I don't think it was exactly directed at me, it was the whole arranged marriage situation. Her father is forcing her to get married which is against her wishes of finding her mate.
She has been passed from my brother Xander who didn't want to marry her because he found his mate, to Noah the Beta who did not marry her for the same reason. Then it's me. I am the perfect candidate since my mate hates me and has left me for good.
I approach them. I bowed my head in respect. The Alpha extended his hand to shake, "It is good to see your Soul."
I just stared at his hand and stared back at the Alpha. "It's Solomon."
I didn't like Kendrick. He's a sleezy man, with no moral compass. He once tried to force himself onto Noah's mate, but thank goodness I was there. He knows that I despise him, so I am glad I get to overthrow his rule. By the time I'm alpha...I am going to cast him out as a rogue. But for the time being, I have to be respectful. If I give him a reason to not think I can be Alpha...I'll be sent back to my pack, and he will demand my mated brother to marry his daughter.
Kendrick retracted his hand as soon as he knew I was not going to return the gesture.
I turned to Sophie and bowed my head respectfully. Her face looked numb and emotionless as she bows back to me.
"I hope you travelled smoothly here." She said.
"I did."
"One of the maids will guide you to your room if you wish to rest from your long journey."
I nodded my head, "Yes, thank you Sophie."
She bowed her head respectfully and motioned for one of the maids to take me to my room. She is very stiff and robotic. But I can't blame her when she doesn't want to marry.
I saw an old woman come forth. She gave me a smile and said, "Will you please follow me Mister Nightwalker."
As she walked inside the house I said to her, "Please, call me Solomon."
The elderly female, nodded, "If you wish sir."
The house was actually rather nice. I know that this pack is quite wealthy, so the three story house isn't a surprise.
She lead me to the very top floor, which I am guessing is for the more elite members of the pack.
When we stop at a door at the end of the hall. She have me a key.
"This is so than no one will go in or out unless you want then to. I hope you approve of your room Solomon. If it does not appease you than please let me know and I will shift you somewhere more to your liking."
I shook my head, "No, that won't be necessary. This room will be just fine."
She bowed her head again and walks off.
I go into my room. It was a nice room. It had dark blue walls, cherry polished wooden floors that shine. The bed was black, grey, white and navy. It was a king size with a black canopy up top. The whole right side wall was completely glass, making an illusion that there is no wall at all. It faced the front if the pack house with the trees and mountains. It was a view that he thought was actually quite calming.
I unpacked my things and organised them in drawers and walk in closet. I went to the in suite to set up my toiletries. Once I was done. I made my way down stairs. I wanted to walk around a bit, get a feel for what kind of pack it is.
But then as I was walking out the door, Sophie was walking in.
We bumped into each other.
"Whoa. Sorry Sophie. I didn't see you there."
I saw her stare at me intensely and it was not the pleasant kind.
"Just so you know Solomon. I do not want to marry you. I hate this whole situation, okay? So don't expect me to fall in love with you. This is strictly pack politics. Agreed?"
Well she's a happy person now isn't she?
I nodded my head, "I understand your distaste for this marriage. But it is out of our control. We are getting married whether you like it or not. There is no fighting that. I do not expect either of us to fall into love. I do not expect you to like this marriage. But I do expect you to honour this marriage by being a good wife and Luna. We do not have to be a couple Sophie. But we should at least get along as friends."
She seemed surprised at my words. I see her relax a little and nod her head slowly, "Okay, I think I can accept that."
"Good." I went to walk out ofthe house when she said, "Wait! Where are you going?"
I looked over my shoulder back at her, "I am going for a walk. I just want to get to know the territory."
Sophie walked towards me, "I'll come with you. I can show you the key places where you will be involved."
***
Sophie was helpful today. She showed me the training grounds. The pack hall where pack meetings are held. She showed me the infirmery. The elderly house unites. And the residential areas as well.
The training sucked. All of them weren't even training. They were just play fighting and wrestling. There was no structural program that taught them anything about hand to hand combat. Or maybe the teacher was just a lazy ass too.
Many of the people looked friendly enough. They would now and us in respect when other's looked like snobs. They came to me and was complimenting me. I rolled my eyes thinking they were the biggest kiss asses. They would probably kiss my ass even if there was shit all over it.
When we got back to the pack house, the formal dinner was ready. I was not in the mood to sit at the same table as Kendrick. But I knew I had to. And that is where I am now.
"So how did you like the territory Solomon?" Kendrick asked.
I internally groaned. I can't believe that he is trying to make small talk.
"The grounds were beautiful. However there was something that concerned me."
"And what was that?"
"The training grounds looked quite...inactive today. Is that what it's like every training session?"
Kendrick chuckles and shook his head, "Of course not. Today was just a relaxed day because of your arrival."
I lean forwrd, "So you stopped your men's training session because of me? That does not sound right to me. Training sessions are to be structured, on time and disciplined. You do not stop training for any kind of arrival unless it's the queen or king themselves. That fact that you let them "relax" as you put it, just shows how undisciplined and unorganised it is. No wonder you need our warriors to protect your pack. Your men are to lazy to do so"
Kendrick's face looked red with anger.
But he kept his form composed, "Fine," he said through his teeth, "I will make sure the trainer knows."
I shook my head and took a bite of the meat, "Don't bother. I'll take over."
Kendrick slammed his fist into the table and growled, "That is not your authority."
I was uneffected by his childish outburst, "It is my duty as the future alpha to get to know this pathetic pack. Consider this as me getting to them."
Kendrick growled, but did not say a word. He couldn't argue against me because he knew I was right.
I stood from my chair an looked down at the Alpha, "If you will excuse. I think I will retire to my bedroom for the night." I turned to Sophie and bowed my head, "Thank you for walking with me around the property Sophie."
She bowed her head back and resumed eating her food.
I marched up stairs and went straight to my room. I got my key out if my pocket and locked it. No one will disturb me.
I went to my bed and flopped into it. Well that was eventful. I miss my old pack. I miss Xander and Lizzy Xavier, Zapora and Eddie, Noah, Mia and Kieth and Lincoln. I wanted my family. I especially missed Mia. After we agreed not to date, she became a good friend.
I groaned and rubbed my face. I just need some sleep. As I lay comfortably on my bed, I could feel myself starting to doze off into a dream. I could hear a beautiful lullaby echoing into the air around me, slowly pulling me to peace.
AYLA
I look to my right and see he is asleep. I roll my eyes. finally! I quietly get out of his bed and go back to my room...in the attic. This is where I was put when they found me.
I was light on my feet as I walked out of his bedroom. I made sure I made no noise so than people won't wake up. I looked at the clock on the wall of the hallway. It was around midnight. I cringed. I was two hours late. I usually get off at around ten so than he wouldn't freak out and think something happened to me.
As I entered my room, the attic. I looked around. There wasn't much, but it was enough to get by. the roof of the room was angled into a triangle, meeting in the middle. But it was pretty high. The room itself was quite big, but there were major problems to it. The roof leaked...alot. We would have to sleep under some plastic bags I tied together so than we wouldn't get wet and sick. We would have to be careful with walking around in it because some of the floorboards are rotting, so it would be dangerous. In the corner there was a sink, a cupboard with a little bit of food as well as some clothes since we had no where else to put it. We had a big metal tub for our baths. We are not allowed to use the main bathrooms. But sometimes when no body is home. We would sneak into some of the guest rooms and use their ensuites. There was an old double bed in the middle of the room, where he was sleeping.
I sighed, I was exhausted. I made my way to the bed and pulled the covers over. I quietly laid down so than I wouldn't wake him. I looked at him sleeping and smiled. My man...my strong man. I cuddled closer to him and I felt myself finally relax. I took a deep breath and slowly drifted off.
***
I woke up in the early morning. I looked up towards the window and saw it was about an hour before sunrise. My usual wake up time. I turned over to my man, and shook him awake slightly.
"Baby, wake up. Let's start the day!" I said cheerfully.
I saw him role over on his back and opened his eyes slowly. He still looked so sleepy. He rubbed his eyes and said, "Mommy, can I please sleep for a little bit longer?"
I ran my fingers through his long hair and smiled, "I'm sorry baba, but you can't you know the rules. Mommy has to get you ready before she has go to work and you have to do some school work too.
He frowned, but then his eyes suddenly brightened, "Mommy! I will be five years old in three sleeps!"
"You know what? You are totally right baba. You are almost a grown man." He puffed his chest out and smiled. "Okay come one! It's time for our exercises!"
Because we are not allowed out of this attic, much, I make up random exercises so than he isn't unhealthy or weak.
After our exercise, with my hand I motioned for him to me, "Come on. It's time for our baths."
He raised his small arms so than I could take off his shirt. When he was fully butt naked I lifted him up and put him in the bath. I started to take off my own clothing and sat in the bath as well. I know it must seem strange that I do this, but what else could I do? My son is allowed out of this room once a month when the whole pack goes out on their moonlight runs. Only then is he allowed out. Other than that, he has known nothing else ever since he was born. We are trapped here and there is no one to save us. But it is my responsibility to care for him, keep him safe and sound, to be his mother. That is why everything I do is necessary because it is all for him. So than he will be okay. If I don't keep him safe and away from the people of the pack...the Alpha will come, and he will take my son from me. But I am not going to let that happen. Not now...and not ever.
We both wash ourselves in the warm water. Once we are done. We both change. I get into my uniform and he get's into one of his clothes. His clothes were all second hand. They are either too big or too small. Most of them are big. But at least they are clothes none the less.
As I sat down on the bed to put my slip on flats on, he came to me and stood right in front of me. His brows furrowed and his eyes sad, "Can I play outside with the other kids mama?"
I looked down and sighed. I took both of his hands in mine, "Milo, we've talked about this. We have to wait here so than we don't get in trouble. Old Ken won't give us any presents anymore if we leave, remember? Do you still want presents?"
He slowly nodded, "But...I hear the other kids. They have fun. Why am I not allowed to be with them?"
It broke my heart to see him this way. And it made me angry knowing it was all of his fault. "Because baba, you know how we can go out once a while to play when no one is there?"
He nodded his head, trying to understand.
"Well that's what they are doing. Today is their day to play. Then they go back to their rooms like us. And then it's your turn to play outside."
I know how hard it is for him to be here. He has only known this room for five years, except the occasional outing. I tell him things to protect him because if he knew what he was missing out on...he would go crazy and I can't do that to him. so I try my best to make him happy here so than I can keep him safe from Ken.
I pull on his arms towards me. I hold him to my chest. He wraps his tiny little arms around me and grab a hold of my dress from the back, trying to get as close to me as possible. I close my eyes and took a deep breath. I could feel the tears building. I hate that we are trapped here. I hate that Ken won't let us leave. I hate how Milo doesn't have a normal childhood. I hate how he can't experience beautiful things in the world. And what I hate the most is that he doesn't know his father.