by KC Kellersen
“What does this story have to do with you leaving?” Mom asked.
I looked at her for the first time. Her worried eyes had a strange emotion running through them. Hope, maybe? She was still trying to hide her feelings.
“Yesterday, when I went to Stillforest for the supply run I saw the boy, well man now. He is one of the alphas. I overheard them talking about needing servants for the castle. They are picking out of volunteers at the market in 2 days. We need someone inside the castle to get information and I think we may have a chance to get through to him. If he would draw the sentries away from a scared girl, leaving behind his bird, perhaps he can be trusted.”
I took a deep breath and pushed the fear as far back as I could. “So, I am leaving for the castle tomorrow to get any information I can and in hopes of getting him on our side. Before you guys freak out, I only have a month before I am granted my wolf-spirit. I will not be gone long.” One month, I could be strong for one month! I could be courageous for one month, right?
My father said, “No” at the same time my mother asked, “Are you sure?” They stared at each other for a long moment. I knew they were talking through the mate bond, so I stayed quiet. Again, not sure of which one I truly wanted to win the conversation.
After a moment my father sighed, and I knew my mother won this round. I smiled at him in attempt to ease him and myself. He smiled back but it was forced. Was that how mine appeared?
“Before we make any decision, I need to know exactly what you talked about with this boy 10 years ago. Everything you can remember of the conversation,” Mom said.
“It was a long time ago...” I said letting my words drift off.
“Just try Alina,” Dad encouraged.
I closed my eyes and recalled that night. As the memory flowed through my mind I started talking. “I remember thinking it was Liam, so I called out to him. When he got closer, I realized it wasn’t him and the boy started asking where Liam was. I was scared and didn’t know what to say so I asked him… why he wanted to know… He said something about it being for the Queen. His comment made me mad and I replied something along the lines of you shouldn’t listen to her because my mother said she was a bad person… I think I also told him I liked his bird. That’s when he changed and started being nice. He told me the bird was named Zev and he was his companion... Then the sentries came.”
I opened my eyes to see my mother and father exchanging another long look. I couldn’t read the emotions passing between them this time and it frustrated and confused me. That’s not exactly the point of the story I was trying to get across. I only told them to point out that we had a chance of trusting at least one of them.
“Alright Alina, it is time that you know the truth.” She took a long breath and looked at Liam who nodded, then turned back to me. “First things first, you should know that Liam is not just any wolf-shifter that Lillian is interested in. He is the first-born son of Alpha Connor and Luna Willow. He is the future Alpha of Ironridge.”
“Wait, what? I thought the Queen took all the future alphas?” I asked gaping at Liam. He smiled sheepishly at me, his dimples only showing slightly.
“She thought she did, at first. Now that you know that, let me tell you the true story of Queen Lillian’s beginning… It all started 21 years ago. When King Caleb and Queen Lillian were expecting the imminent arrival of their daughter and heir. Lillian and I had prepared her birthing room with such joy. Joy that turned bleak, when I was forced to tell her that the princess was born without life. When word spread about the princess despair swept over the kingdom.
“Caleb and Lillian gave themselves over to their grief and never surfaced as the same people I knew and loved before. In the 10 years that followed the Queen refused to use her royal power and the four packs fell into chaos. War threatened with the Queens inability to complete her royal duty. The King, with the Queens’ four protectors, raised the royal army and rode into the battle. Trying to stop the four territories from destroying each other...
“After two long days of fighting many lives were lost, human and wolf-shifter alike. It wasn’t until the King took his last breath, did a hush finally fall over the battlefield. The packs dispersed, taking their dead home to bury, and left their lust for blood behind,” she paused, but I knew it was because the pain of so many losses.
“The Queen was filled with rage. She vowed to avenge her lost mate and child, claiming revenge on me and the alphas of Ayorlyn. She finally started using her royal power, but for hatred of the packs instead of protection. Her revenge started with stealing the future alphas, who were still pups, from their homes. With them she took control of their future, and the territories of Ayorlyn with them.
“But Luna Willow had received word before they came for Liam. In hopes of saving Ayorlyn, she hid Liam away and to her dismay, they took Oliver instead,” Mom concluded sadly.
I could read the pain in Liam’s eyes as well as my mothers. The future alphas had gone through hell since they were taken 10 years ago, though we don’t know exactly why she took them. We also don’t know exactly why they are following her now; They have more reason than most to hate her. All we do know is at first, they were killing, now they were capturing wolves and taking them back to the Queen. It must have been hard for Liam all these years, knowing Oliver suffered because he was with us. And knowing that his own brother is working with the Queen.
She didn’t give me time to voice a response before she continued. “The second thing you might have realized, is we are not just hiding from Lillian because of Liam or because we have been trying to stop her sentries… Queen Lillian is my sister and since she lost her mate, she has been looking for me.”
My eyes snapped from Liam to her and it all fell into place with a SNAP! Oh Goddess, my mother is the 2nd Princess of Ayorlyn. Holy shit!
“Mom?” I prompted, unable to say anything else. My mind was whirling with the tale she just told me and the stories I have heard over the years of the Lost Princess of Ayorlyn. I knew now that none of them were true. It was hard to think about them, knowing they were talking about my mother; My sweet and kind mother who wouldn’t hurt a soul. Many people blamed her for the state of the Kingdom, all because Lillian blamed her for the death of her heir. I, too, once thought the Queens sister had killed her child, but my mother would NEVER hurt a child. So, what did happen?
“Yes Alina. I am of royal blood and so are you. You can see why your father and Liam both want you to stay as far away from the castle as possible. I, however, believe you are meant to go. I had a dream of this many years ago.” My mother has always had dreams that glimpse into the future, never very concrete visions.
I was having a hard time processing. All the new information on Lillian, Liam and my mother. And now she was supporting my own decision to go to the castle. I looked back to Liam for support. He was my rock, and always helped to settle me.
“Sorry little one. What’s that human phrase you like to use… oh yeah, it’s above my pay grade,” he said with a chuckle. Then added solemnly, “I don’t want you to go.”
I liked to learn about the outside human world when I could get my hands on a book or a movie, but this was not the time. I looked at him like he had grown another head. A few minutes ago, we raced like children and teased each other. Now, he is a future alpha and I am of royal blood. I’m drowning here and he won’t even throw a life raft.
“Wait. Why is me having royal blood of any consequence? If you are the 2nd Princess, that doesn’t exactly make me a royal. Why don’t you guys want me there?” I asked. Turning my gaze back to my mother.
“If what you said about the boy 10 years ago is true, and he did in fact change his manners while speaking to you. I think you used your power on him so ‘he shouldn’t listen to the Queen anymore’. I believe you have the royal power inside you,” Mom replied simply. The worry was no longer in her eyes, but the hope remained.
“We’ve suspected it for a while. Liam can’t tell you no to
save his own life. I even have a hard time telling you no,” Dad said with a grin, then gestured at Mom. “She’s the only one who stands a chance. Which is why I know; this is a losing battle.” He sighed heavily, this was weighing on him.
I looked into the matched pair of my eyes and said, “Dad, if I do command some of this power, which I am not sure I do. It just helps me prove my point. We need eyes and ears inside the castle. I am the only one who can do it, especially knowing the truth of things. I am the only one left, royal power or not it only makes sense. We need to know about these rogues and find a way to free the alphas.” I would prove to myself and to my family that I wasn’t a coward, no matter how scared I was. I would prove myself worthy of the royal blood.
“What exactly does the man have to do with this?” my father asked suspiciously.
“I think he can help us. We need someone on the inside we can trust for information. And if it takes me going there to set it up, then that’s what I will do. If we could get one of the alphas on our side in the process of getting information, we might stand a chance of finishing this war,” I said by way of explanation, completely ignoring his implied question. The man was gorgeous, and I felt drawn to him. But I was not going to tell my father that. If he in fact different from the other alphas, then perhaps he really could help us.
“I will help you pack Alina. I believe this is the right thing to do. No matter how much I want to protect you here,” Mom said. She rose from the table gracefully, ending all conversation on the matter. Now I understood exactly why we all follow her, everyone in the first village. She is a royal.
“I will prepare dinner while you ladies pack,” Dad said solemnly as he too rose from the table.
I followed after mom. When Liam whistled, and Zev flew off my shoulder. I looked back at him and regretted it. He looked devastated. I left the kitchen and headed for my room, with a heavy heart and fear threatening my resolve.
Chapter 2
Alina’s POV
“You don’t want to take too many clothes, and no personal items,” she said, which was laughable. I didn’t even have many clothes and hardly any personal items. Only in the last year did I even start thinking about personal things.
I looked over my small collection of human things that I had managed to get my hands on. A few romance novels, a few children’s books, one older history book, and an old calendar. I also had a television and a few movies, but it’s not like I could take those with me. It wasn’t much, but with limited money and opportunity while we were on the run, it was what I had.
I grabbed two pairs of jeans, a few shirts, sleep shorts, and undergarments, and threw them on the bed. It was light enough to fit into my pack and would last me a month if I rotated them out. My mom was visibly irritated as she went through what remained in my closet. With a huff, she left the room and came back with three dresses and a small pouch. Most women in Ayorlyn wore dresses but I didn’t like to wear them. I looked at her skeptically. She read the look easily.
“You will need to, to blend in at the castle. In the pack territories it’s common for women to wear pants and shorts. At the castle, it is not done. Period,” she chided in her motherly tone as she stuffed all but one of the dresses into the bag. Surely, she didn’t think I would wear that on my journey to the castle.
I wanted to argue with her, but I let the issue drop. It was petty and defeated the purpose of the whole damn thing. This was my chance to prove myself. Prove that I wasn’t a coward. I wouldn’t get anywhere by fighting the clothing choices. I sat down on the bed after we finished getting my pack filled. She sat down too and handed me the pouch she had brought in. I opened it and inside lay a map and a key.
“This is a map of the castle and grounds. I don’t know if it will come in handy, but it never hurts to be prepared.” She picked up the key, “This is a key to the training center on the property. It contains all the training materials you could ever need. It is also protected, anyone on the outside will not be able to see, hear or smell inside. This is the only key for the building, I took it when I was banned. I thought I might need it one day, turns out I was right.”
I looked over the maps she handed to me. The castle was extremely large, with many intricate hallways connecting in weird locations. “Why is the castle so scattered?” I asked.
“The original castle was built over 750 years ago, by the first wolf-shifter Fenrir. It has been added on over the years. Expanding it to fit the royal family, and the family of all four protectors. The latest addition was done by my parents before they disappeared. They remodeled the training center, as a gift for Lillian’s daughter. To my understanding, it was never even used.”
“What do you mean before they disappeared?”
“After I was banished, I lost contact with them. It was hard for them to talk with me. Especially with Lillian so set on blaming me for the death of her daughter. I had a friend in the castle back in the day, she said, ‘They just disappeared.’ My parents were never seen again. Lillian lost everyone she ever loved, and it turned her into the Queen we all know today.”
“What happened to your friend in the castle?” I asked with hope, maybe I didn’t need to go after-all. Though, she would have said something before if she were a possibility. It was an irrational hope, I knew that. It was just my cowardice shining through once more.
“She was a wolf-shifter. When they started disappearing 10 years ago, the wolves in the castle were the first to go. To my knowledge the only wolves there now, are the three future alphas, Liam’s brother and the Queen.”
“What is it like there?” Maybe knowing what I was up against in better detail would help.
“I don’t know what it is like now, except for the rumors. I won’t lie to you; I know the head of the household staff has a nasty reputation. You will want to watch out for Irene, she has a vicious temper that could make a wolf-shifter cower in fear. But like any bully, it just takes the right person to end the charade. Even knowing that, I know you will be okay.” Her eyes were kind on my face, but the worry was evident.
“Is it bad that I am terrified?” Shame filled me at even asking the question. I needed to know what my mother thought of me and my fear. I couldn’t just imagine it anymore.
“No honey! If you weren’t scared, then I would truly be worried. Even I get scared sometimes.”
“You do?” I couldn’t imagine my mother being afraid of anything. She was always rock steady, clear minded and always had a plan. To imagine her being afraid, was harder than imagining her as a princess.
“Of course! Just don’t ever let your fear stop you from doing what is right.”
I nodded slightly. Knowing that made me feel better, just a little bit. We left my room and the shared moment behind.
Dad and Liam had dinner on the table and were waiting for us. It continued like any normal night. Liam and dad were arguing and laughing, while mom and I interceded when it started getting out of hand. No one spoke of my upcoming departure, but I could see the sadness in their eyes. A sadness that I felt, and I am sure, reflected in my own eyes.
Late into the night I laid in my bed. Stupidly, thinking of all the things that could happen in the next month. At first, the fears of all that could go wrong, seized me. I started breathing through the fear and focused on the good stuff. All the good things I could accomplish in one month.
One month. That was all the time I had. One month to see if the alpha was on our side. One month to figure out how the alphas were being controlled. How to free them. And, anything I could on the rogues being created. One month until I received my wolf-spirit on the moon of my 20th year. I had to get out before I shifted for the first-time. Otherwise, Lillian would know I was there, and I would disappear as well.
The next morning, I showered quickly and put on one of the dresses from my mother. It was a black dress with green embroidery. It had high slits on both sides, so I had free leg movement. I pulled a pair of leggings and put them on underneath to keep myse
lf covered. This was not a normal dress and I am glad I didn’t argue with my mother. For all appearances sake it was a dress. But it didn’t constrict my movement and I would be able to ride my horse with no issues. I pulled my long blonde hair into a tight bun.
I looked myself over in the mirror. There was so much of my mother and father in my reflection. My silver eyes, like dads, dominated my tanned heart shaped face. Like mom, I had a small button nose, full pink lips, and high cheek bones. I resemble them both enough that just looking in the mirror caused an ache. I missed them already and I had not even left yet. I looked like them, but I could see the uncertainty and fear in myself; A look I never saw them wear. I took a deep breath to settle the emotions and left my bedroom.
My parents and Liam were outside the packhouse waiting for me. I whistled to Zev and he flew straight to me, from Liam’s shoulder. Such a good sweet boy. I gave him neck scratches, as I walked over to my family.
“Are you ready?” Dad asked and I nodded. I was afraid to speak because I knew my voice would choke.
“Did you get the pouch?” Mom asked, and I nodded again. When she didn’t look convinced, I showed it to her. She took it from me and peaked inside. “Be safe my daughter, I love you.”
“I love you too Mom, I will be okay. We all know I cannot stay there longer than a month and it will go by faster than you think,” I said to reassure her and myself. She pulled me into her arms and hugged me close. I felt the wetness on her face, but I couldn’t start crying now. If I did, I would never leave. I pulled away and squeezed her shoulders. “One month.”
I turned to dad and opened my arms. He walked into them and hugged me just as close. “I love you baby. Don’t forget alphas, rogues, and missing wolves. Don’t get caught. Stay safe. And most important of all, come back to us,” his words rambled off quickly but sincerely. I could hear the hitch in his voice as well.
“I promise,” I said and left his embrace before I started crying. When I looked at Liam, he was holding Kion’s reins in his hands. Always so thoughtful. I was going to miss him so much! I was going to miss all of them.