The Fifth Bloodline

Episode2

Celine's POV

Father was still busy welcoming the visited Alphas, which meant I'd have to wait before we had our talk.

That was fine. I had another important problem to solve.

Tomorrow I was becoming Alpha.

Which also meant I couldn't walk into my Ascension wearing the wrong dress.

I smiled to myself.

Maybe I was worrying too much.

No...

I definitely was. But I really don't have fashion sense and I need some help. If anyone could help me, it was Theresa. She had a better fashion sense than anyone I knew.

Although...

The moment she arrived, she probably wouldn't let me hear the end of her mate theories.

Honestly, I envied girls like her. Tomorrow's full moon meant excitement. For her and the rest of my age mates.

For me...

It meant responsibility.

For everyone else...

It meant finding the mate Moon Goddess had chosen for them. Sometimes I wondered what that felt like.

To hear your wolf whisper...

"Mate."

How I wished some miracle would happen tomorrow... that my wolf would finally awaken and I'd hear that one magical word.

But deep down, I already knew the truth.

I'd never felt a wolf inside me.

Maybe...

There was never one to begin with.

I shook the thought away.

It wasn't important.

Even if I had a wolf, my future had already been decided. Among the Wisdom Bloodline, an Alpha's first duty wasn't love.

It was the future of the pack. Among the Wisdom Bloodline, Moon Goddess may choose your mate...

But duty always comes first.

After an Alpha discovers their destined mate, an ancient ritual severs that bond forever.

The Alpha then marries for the good of the pack.

Political marriages were common to protect the pack. Alliances saved lives. Feelings came second.

I'd accepted that a long time ago. Besides... If I really had a choice...

I wouldn't choose one of the Strength Bloodline Alphas, even though that was where our pack usually formed its alliances.

Yes, my mother was from the Strength bloodline.

They were powerful... Sometimes too powerful. They believed every disagreement could be solved with claws.

I disagreed.

That very mentality cost my mother her life during the war against the Spirit Bloodline. Maybe if she was home...

To me, the strongest Alpha wasn't the one who could win every fight. It was the one who knew when not to fight at all.

"My Princess?"

I was snapped out of my thoughts as Elena walked onto the balcony with a grin so wide it looked painful.

"I finished cleaning your room."

"Already...? Thank you!"

We exchanged warm smiles.

Elena clasped my hands for a brief moment before turning to leave. Halfway to the door, she stopped and looked back.

"I... I... I may have added a little surprise."

I laughed.

"A little surprise?"

"I think you'll like it." She nodded proudly.

"I hope I do."

"Trust me my princess, you will,"

"Elena... you shouldn't have but thank you, I can't wait to see what you have for me."

She smiled, bowed a little and was about leaving.

"I almost forgot. Call Theresa for me, and make sure to add Please."

She giggled and hurried away. Watching her leave made me smile.

My friend Theresa, so lunatic! She said anytime I request or need something from her, I must say please.... Elena knows about it too.

They're more like family than friends.

Although Elena was an omega.

Most Alphas barely noticed omegas. I couldn't understand why. They worked harder than anyone else.

When I became Alpha...

That would change.

I hurried to my room.

Everything sparkled. My bed had been neatly made. Fresh flowers decorated the windows. Even the curtains had been changed.

"Elena..."

I muttered.

Then my eyes landed on a gift box kept closely to my bed.

Inside was a beautiful pendant made from moonstone.

Beneath it lay a folded note.

𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑔𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑑.

𝑆ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑠ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝐿𝑢𝑛𝑎. 𝑆ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑦. 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑖𝑠 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒. 𝑀𝑎𝑘𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑑.

—Beta Rex.

My chest tightened. Such a sweet uncle.

But he could've presented it directly to me.

Tears dropped from my eyes. He knew how much I missed Mother. She died birthing Danny being fatally wounded, she could've been alive if she had listen to my dad.

I fastened the necklace around my neck before turning toward the mirror. It looked beautiful.

For a moment...

I felt like Mother was standing beside me.

"Say please before I come in!!"

A voice echoed from outside.

I smiled.

"Please."

The door burst open. Theresa threw herself at me.

"I knew you'd say it!"

I laughed.

"You've become impossible."

"No." She grinned.

"We've become eighteen tomorrow..." She grabbed both my hands excitedly. I smiled and hugged her.

"Celine... I think I know who my mate is."

"Already?" I sighed.

"Yes, It's Jude."

"The Red Hill heir?"

She nodded so fast I thought her head would fall off.

"I know it's him!"

I couldn't help smiling. "You both believed that since we were 14."

"Then I think we are right."

"How do you know? Tomorrow is your First Turn. Only then will your wolf tell you who your mate is."

She folded her arms looking at me.

"Lots of wolves think they've already found their mate before the Full Moon.

Then Moon Goddess proves them wrong."

"The Moon Goddess wouldn't dare make that mockery of me."

I burst into laughter.

Only Theresa would threaten the Moon Goddess before even meeting her mate.

Her smile slowly faded.

"What about you?"

I looked away. "What about me?"

"Yes! what about you. Aren't you curious?"

I forced a smile...

"Sorry, I understand your duty but I mean... Aren't you ready to meet whoever it is first."

Before either of us could speak again, Elena appeared at the door.

"Princess."

"Alpha Kael requests your presence."

I exchanged a glance with Theresa.

She nodded at me.

"I'll see you later. Wait for me here though." She nodded and I left to see my dad.

When I entered Father's court room, Aunt Jorah was already there.

"Celine." She smiled warmly.

I rushed into her embrace. "It's been too long."

"It has."

She cupped my face.

"You've grown into a beautiful young woman."

Father cleared his throat. Then I immediately took a seat, I'm sure he has a lot to tell me.

"I have something important for you." He handed me a carefully wrapped package. Looked like a book.

"I need you to accompany your aunt to her pack."

"To deliver this?"

He nodded. "Personally."

I frowned. That was disappointing. Of all days, Father wanted to send me on an errand? He said he wanted to talk to me.

I hesitated. Only for a second.

"Of course, Father."

He smiled proudly.

"That's my girl."

• • •

The journey began in silence.

Outside, every pack we passed was preparing for tomorrow's Full Moon festival.

At first Aunt Jora tried making conversation about it. I found it annoying instead.

Eventually...

Neither of us spoke.

The road stretched farther and farther away from home.

I looked out of the window. Then looked again.

Something wasn't right.

"Aunt..."

She looked at me.

"I don't get why my dad should send me... I mean he could've sent Danny or his Beta, Rex... Tomorrow is my Ascension."

She gripped the steering wheel tighter.

Silence.

"Aunt?"

Her eyes glistened.

"I'm sorry, Celine."

My stomach tightened.

"Sorry?"

She swallowed.

"You won't be going back."