The Black Rose

Chapter one

Clarlyn's

"Come on Clara, your father is going to kill us, let's go!" Paden bellowed from outside the door. Paden and I have always been great friends since we were young cubs. Our families have always been very close friends for years before us kids were even in the picture. His family at one point lived in Scotland until he was nine years old. I was six when they moved here to London with our pack. One of the reasons they moved here; our fathers wanted for Paden and I to become mates; but thankfully our mothers had put an end to that idea very quickly. My mother was one of those die hard love fanatics. Always telling me that love was suppose to come softly then all at once. Then you would have a long happy life together as one. She was wrong about one of those things.

I did grow to love Paden; but just never in that way. finely when I was twelve years old when most of us shifters hit puberty. Paden and I decided to become linked warrior partners. We actually called Maketes. When we become Makete's we are rarely seperated. Drawing on each other strengths and energy. If anything were to happen, and we were badly injured enough, we had the power to heal each other. Fighting with each other was a thousand times more efficent. We'er way more sychorinzed with each others moves. Better together than before. When we hit the twenty first century video cameras came out; we started video taping our training sessions. Watching ourselves was beautiful, it was like watching a dance. Everything was on point with no flaws whatsoever."Come on man!" Paden slamming his fist against my solid oak door. I shook my head as I came out of my own thoughts.

"yeah! Give me a sec!" I hollered back rolling my eyes. throwing my long black hair into a high ponytail. I slipped on a pair of black sports shorts, and a matching sports bra. I tied on my black pair of running shoes. walking out of my room into the hallway where Paden was waiting for me. His large arms crossed in front of his built chest. His royal blue eyes looking up to the ceiling as if he was day dreaming. He was six feet tall; only a foot taller than me. compared to him I looked like a rag doll. You wouldn't have guessed that I had the capability to pound him to the ground. For a hundred eighty-four year old he looked great. He could pass as a sixteen year old. Well... a very large built one. Seeing him in his other form would give any human a heart attack. He was larger than a normal and instead of orange and white with black stripes. we was midnight black with beautiful grey swirls. The swirls showed us what type of powers we have. "What is the rush?" I asked in a harsh tone, still pissed that he had used such force on my poor antique door.

"Your Father has called for a pack meeting," he pushed off from the wall with such ease.

"f**k! why didn't anyone else tell me?" I muttered under my breath.

"Clara; not to be an ass but you're kind of a b***h in the mornings... well mostly all the time." he whispered the last part under his breath. I simply ignored him even though his thoughts were louder than his words.

We both rushed to the stair case, and in one swift move we threw our bodies over the railing to the bottom floor; landing perfectly on our feet. With Paden still following me into my fathers office. I walked towards my fathers large oak desk that we had for centuries. The desk was so large that any human man sitting behind it would look puny. The fire place was lightly lit to keep the room somewhat warm. Walking to the left side of the desk I reached for one of the torches hanging on the wall. Grabbing ahold of the torch I pulled it down until I could heard a click. The wall popped open for a split second as we quickly slid in just in time for it close. We glanced at each other; I could see his glowing blue eyes.

The best part about being a shifter is that we could see in the dark.

I'm sure my father was getting restless waiting for us. So we made a through the tunnel as quickly as we could. The closer we got the pack the louder echoes became; it sounded as if we were getting closer to a stampede. I could see the flickering lights dancing on the wall ahead of us. walking in we watched everyone banging their fits against the wooden tables. It looked as if we were preparing for war. The excitement oozed everywhere. We all could feel the shift in the air for weeks. Something big was about to happen. Sadly we wont know for sure until it happens. El Shaddia our God unusual keeps us in the dark; unless he wants us to know. Of course he would send us Seers to tell us news for what's to come.

I made eye contact with my father as we entered the humongous room. A large smile spred across my father's face, but It never reached his eyes. I could tell he was pissed that I wasn't fast enough in getting here."that's what he gets for not letting me know sooner about the meeting" I snarled in my mind. Of course I could never say it to his face. it was apart of our law to always have respect for your parents and all the elders. unfortunately for me my father was both.

"Daughter you have made it," he opened his arms to greet me; never making contact with him. The only reason he even opened his arms to me was just for show. We were never alowed to show the pack that we were angry with each other.

"Yes Father sorry for my lateness," I lowered my head in respect and to show my submissiveness. My father was the Alpha that's what made him a elder. Whatever station you were in you respected him no matter what. He is position of great power. Even the other Aphas respected him; we are one of the most strongest packs in the world. Mostly because we are such a large of a pack. My father also scared the crap out of everyone he stood in front of. He is a eight foot tall extreamly large built like a bulldozer. He has the same jet black hair as I do except he had nice military hair cut. His electric blue eyes could stop anyone in their tracts; but the thing that scared everyone the most was the long scar that ran down his face across his lip. My father has had it for about a hundred years when my mother was killed. I think the scar bothers him more because it's a consant reminder that she is gone.Thats face it my father was never the one to care about his looks.

"No problem my darling," he turned away from me. He walked closer to the belcany to address the pack. The cement walls allowed for your voice to carry; allowing everyone to hear. Torches were placed all around the room. There was two reasons we had this room made: usually used for meetings (like now), or if we were under attack. The women that had children can come down here o keep safe. Everyone else has to fight."I have brought you all here because the pack in the new country hat we know personally needs our help. The war is changing we all can feel it. the more of us together the safer we are. I will be sending my daughter Clarlyn first to make our preparations for us there. The next few years we will be moving to the Veron's territory. The pack went so silent you could hear all the creepy crawlers running across the floor.The name Veron echoed in my mind. My blood drained from my face; while I tried to register what my father was saying. I could feel my blood going ice cold as my mind slipped to the past agian. In a instinct my blood turned from cold to blazing hot. My anger increased by the second as I stood still. Its been a long while since I went to that pack. I never thought I would ever have to step foot on that land. Everyone knew I hated going there and even talking about that pack. unfortunately for me my father has already made up his mind that I shall be the one to go. The look on my fathers face told me he knew I am pissed and he gave two shits about it. "Alright you two," my father fully facing Paden and I "you leave in the morning your flight is at seven. I suggest you get what you need all sorted out for tomorrow. " I looked him dead in the eyes; as it took every ounce of sanity I had left to bow my head to him. Soon as I lifted my head I tilted my chin up in defiance, and turned right on my heel. Storming right back into the hall way without making eye contact with anyone. I watched as everyone backed away from me giveing me a wide birth and not once did I see eyes on me. They were all scared of my wrath I would set apon anyone who dare get in my way; like my fathers. When I finely got back to the main part of the house I could sense Paden catching up to me. I was heading to the training center. I watched as all the maids scrambling around trying to find all of our suit cases; Paden must have told them to get started. They looked as if they were missing heads trying to figure out what to do and where to go. I have noticed my presence does that to people.

"Miss..." I stopped abruptly

"What!" I hissed.

"We were all wondering if you have chosen Sky and James to go with you?" she squeaked. I knew if I were to turn around I would make her drop to her knees with the energy that was coursing through me. I knew without looking at her; her neck was tilted in submission. I find it heartless to make people submit when I dont actually need to do so. I could feel I was starting to lose control of my alpha aura. I steped forward trying to keep my distance from the poor girl.

"Yes of course. Get them ready." I waved my hand to dismiss her; trying to get her away from me. Soon as we made it to the training senter I went straight to a punching bag. My claws are extended I attacked the punching bag with no swiftness. If it was a live enemy I could very well have ended up dead. for the enemy still wouldn't have a easy win. In our training as little cubs you learned that you never fight with your emotions; that's the fastest way to get yourself killed. As my energy was decending the swifter I was becoming. The only thing that was bothering me now was how I could feel Padens watching my every move. My mind took me to a time where every was happy and just perfect. Just after most of us cubs learned how to walk we would learn how to dance. All types of dancing. Fighting and dancing were on in the same. El Shaddia loved dancing and of course Singing; he stated that both were great for the soul and this long fight we all have to inder.

"So are we going to talk about what happened?" Paden asked; laying down on the bench trying to get comfortable.

"what is there to talk about?" I slammed my fist right in the center of the bag. Making my fist go right through it; grain poured out all over the floor.

"We all know you are not prepared to make this trip." he pulled out a knife from his boot tossing it up into the air and catching it perfectlyon the hilt.

"Yeah, and we all know I gave up my right to make this decision a long time ago. I have no more say in what I do and don't do."

"Do you think El Shaddia told your father to send you?" Paden sat up to look at me; as I moved on to the next puchching bag .

"Of course he did. He always has the last say." I rolled my eyes; focusing on the punching bag. Across the room I could hear the door open; two more heart beats entered the room. From the corner of my eye I could see Paden's mate Sky skipping along right beside James. He was going to be my Beta before I turned down the title.

"Darling there you are," Sky sweetly greeted Paden. Once she reached him he quickly pulled her into his arms. Bring her lips to his, they started to both pur. I wanted peace that's why I came here but no they always have to follow me around. Of course I didn't really enjoy Padens and Sky's affection towards each other. I held nothing against them as a couple; I hated all couples affection.I finely turned around only to be make eye contact with James; his arms crossed over his chest glaring at me.

"what?" I crossed my arms as I leaned to one side; my chin held high.

"I knew you were going to snap at them, just because you're miserable doesn't mean everyone else has to be." James raised his eyebrow as his hazel eyes pierced mine. a small growl left my lips unfortunately for me James didn't even flinch. A small smirk inched across his face. With that stupid look. Pisses me off that my growl doesn't cause him to any discomfort. Of course we both know I can still get him to submit to me; but he knows I wouldn't do it unless I know I'm hundred percent sure I'm in the right.

"you know sometimes I really hate you," I muttered.

"I know," he laughed at he drapped his arm around my shoulder. We watched as Sky licked Paden cheek treating him like her little cub. Paden's purring was loud enough that a mere human could hear him across the other end of the room. The floor slightly vibrating. While it always looks weird when they do it in human form but in our other form looks completely normal. Luckily we have no humans near us for hundreds of miles.

"But...come on, that's kinda gross," I pouted to James; Trying to get him to agree with me.

"Last time a checked, you were this gross with Loki..." James froze as soon as he mentioned his name. "I'm sorry," he muttered under his breath; looking down at his feet. The look of guilt was washed over his face. His very large are dropped from my shoulder.

"so you guys wanna go for a run before we start helping the maids pack up? I know Sky is wanting to make sure her herbs are packed nicely." Paden pulled away from Sky. Saving James and I from the awkward silence that was between us.

"Sure sounds good," James nodded holding out his arm for me to take. He usually gives me his arm when he has had a prophecy. James is what we all like to call a seer. Luckly for him time stops when the visions come forth. Each of us were granted a gift from El Shaddai. My gift allows me to get into people's minds, and see everything you have ever gone through. I can even see what you felt when you were inside the womb. it is quite a cozy strange feeling . I'm what they call Soothsayer, James and mine gift works somewhat the same. Except for I have to touch people right on the skin. As I have gotten older I can also pin point what I want to see and for how long I'm in it. I sometimes can can hear peoples thoughts as long as they are loud enough for me to hear. I hooked my arm in his making sure our skin was touching. Soon as our skin is touching. Soon as I felt his skin my body went cold as ice, as I was being sucked into this pitch black portal. Felt as if I was free falling with my stomach reaching to my throat. Until I was landed into James vision.