The Howling Prophecy

A New World

Kari felt as if she was floating, somewhere stuck between dreaming and awake. She would hear voices she recognized and then be sucked into flashbacks of her childhood. Trent would chase her around with Lindsey. He would stop and look at her with a glint in his eye. It always made her giggle. Her parents would bow at his attending large gatherings, it was always a happy time. Kari felt safe in those memories as they almost seemed like a fairy tale. She tried to move her arms or legs when she would hear voices with no luck. She couldn’t really open her eyes either, but a tingling feeling would erupt on her arm when she thought she heard Trent’s voice. She tried to open her eyes again as her body was in agony and her head in a vice.

Am I dying? I feel like I can’t move, and my head is pounding like crazy. I would have to be dying after that beating, no way I would survive that. I feel pain everywhere, but it feels more like growing pains I had in middle school. This really doesn’t make any sense. I need to see what is going on...come on eyes OPEN!

“She’s waking up!” Trent rushed to the side of the bed.

“Easy son, we don’t want to scare her. Be patient,” a smooth deep voice instructed.

Trent reached up slowly and gently caressed her cheek with his fingertips. Kari leaned into the touch.

“It’s okay Kari, you’re safe now. I am so sorry...I should have never left your side,” regret spilling out with every word as Trent hung his head. Trent lets out a deep sigh as Kari’s eyes once again did not open.

“Alpha I am very sorry, I should have heard them coming or something…” Trent didn’t look up to Mike. It was easy to be mad at the situation, but he also had terrible senses. Mike had a horrible upbringing and was found outside the territory as a teenager. Abuse was clear to be seen as his full potential was stunted which did not make him much better than human at times.

“SHH...I told you not to call me that around her! What if she heard her? I already have enough explaining to do. I would like to avoid having to do it all at once. Leave Mike, we will discuss this later.” Trent flashed an angry look in Mike’s direction which made him flinch, turning his gaze toward the ground. Mike quickly and quietly excited the grand bedroom with his tail between his legs in a whimper.

“Alp...Trent I mean, uh...her parents are here, and the girls are waiting outside.” Alex reported to Trent while standing at attention.

Trent lets out a sigh of frustration. He wanted to make sure to stay by her side in case she opened her eyes. At this time all she has done is flutter them a few times and wiggle in her sleep.

“It is time for you to begin by making your announcement. You saved her life, but the transformation is not complete. You are running out of time before it becomes dangerous.” Trent’s father, Charles, encouraged.

“I know father, I just hope she will trust me when this is over.” Trent rubs the back of his neck with his right hand while keeping his left hand over Kari’s “Alex send in Lindsey and Terra to sit with her. it might actually be easier on her to see them first. Please don’t hate me Kari, I love you.”

Trent lets out another sign filled with remorse.  Alex leaves to go get Lindsey and Terra to attend to Kari. Before he is out the door he looks back and gives his best friend a reassuring look.

“She will forgive you. She is your mate after all, and you need to trust that. She liked you before knowing and she will again, it will just take time for her to adjust. Be patient. A future ruler must know when to strike and when to wait. When it comes to your woman, you always let them steer the course for what they need and want, especially emotionally.” Charles smiles softly at Trent.

Trent returns his father’ smile. He remembered how his parents would argue and the knowledge his father had. The only one his father was ever afraid of was his mother when she meant business. He missed his mother and wishes she was here. She would know what to do and how to manage this as she was a human too.

“Don’t be too harsh on Mike, you know he would have done anything if he could. According to our trackers they used an effective scent remover at the time, and he wouldn’t have noticed without his scent. I will speak to her parents for her to remain here so that we can keep her safe. The transformation will need to be completed here. I am also sorry son, we should have come up with a better plan as we knew bringing her back would put her in danger again.” Charles pats his son’s shoulder and Trent gives him a nod. 

Trent knew his father was right, he was always right. They chose not to tell her right away and to allow her to finish school like any other human. They thought her ignorance would protect her, but now she was known. The thought of her being found out so soon was not something that crossed his mind. Trent stands up and kisses Kari’s forehead. He runs his fingers through his hair unsure of what to do. Charles clears his throat signaling his son to exit the room with him. Lindsey and Terra arrive at the door. Terra gives Charles and Trent a low bow, while Lindsey gives her brother a tight hug.

“She will be alright, I promise. We will all help her.” Lindsey tries to lift her brother’s spirits.

Trent tries to smile at his sister and hugged her back. He looks at Kari again with concern in his eyes. He can’t leave her again, but this time he knows it is for the best...at least for now. Trent and his father exit the room to go speak to her parents for preparations on her staying here. Lindsey sits in the chair next to the bed and Terra leans against the bedpost at the end of the bed. 

“I am sorry Trent was so hard on Mike, we all know it wasn’t his fault,” Lindsey remarked while fidgeting with her fingers.

“I know, he will be okay. I will lick his wounds later.” Lindsey looked at Terra and they both let out small giggles.

Lindsey looks closely between Kari’ right shoulder and neck, “her mark is already healed. Her arm healed just yesterday as well as her cracked ribs, the doctor said.”

“I know Alpha feels terrible about doing it against her will, but she would have died if he didn’t” 

Lindsey nodded her head in agreement with Terra. “I know she needed the Lycan blood to heal her, or she wouldn’t have made it to even a hospital. I just hope we can help her understand that. ...When we were little my father used to tell us the stories about the legacy. Of course, to Kari they were just fairy tales. Trent and I knew it was really about her. The only human

born into a pack since mom was born.” Lindsey suddenly looks up at Kari as she

begins to stir.

Kari’s eyes were starting to flutter more as she was going in and out of consciousness. She was hearing things more clearly now and started to wiggle more extremities.

I must have really hit my head. Everything I am hearing makes it sound like I fell into one of my stories. My arm actually feels better now, and I can take a deep breath with no pain. How long have I been like this? Where am I?

Kari opens her eyes and bats her eyes against the bright light. She looks around a giant room you would find in a fairy princess castle. She stops when she sees Lindsey and Terra smiling next to her bed on the left. Kari groans as she tries to move her right leg in a blue cast. The bed she is in could fit at least three more of her.

“It’s okay Kari, try not to move too much. You were badly hurt and need to give your body time.” Lindsey responded to Kari’s confused look gently.

“Where am I? What happened?” Kari questioned.

“You are at my house in the mountains, remember we used to come here in the summers?” Lindsey responded nonchalantly.

Kari looked more around the room to find it both regal in size and style. Large drapes of red velvet lined large, beautiful windows. The sun was beaming in and lighting up the entire room. It hit the chandelier making it shine with diamonds hanging from the middle of the room. The bed she was in was so soft and looked to have a hand carved bed frame. It was the most beautiful

room she had ever seen with satin sheets to match.

“Uhm no... I don’t remember any room looking like this,” Kari astonishingly stated.

“Oh yes I forgot, we actually would stay in the cabin by the lake. We are in the actual main house now.” Lindsey smiled at Kari trying to be reassuring.

“Where is Trent, I thought I heard his voice. I heard his voice actually and weird nicknames for him. He was even there in one of my dreams, but it was terrifying.” Kari shivered remembering pieces of an attack.

“How about something to eat? You have been asleep for two days so you must be hungry. Terra can you go see what we can get her from the kitchens please?”

Terra leaves the room without question and Kari’s eyes shoot up to match Lindsey’s.

“What do you mean I have been asleep for two days!” Kari couldn’t believe her ears.

Lindsey sighed and responded,” it wasn’t a dream, Kari. The attack, Trent being there, and Vicki, it all actually happened.”

“Oh, come on Lindsey, there is no way. In my dream there were werewolves and those aren’t real.”

“I promise you Kari it was not a dream. I can even prove it, but don’t think you are strong enough to handle it. I mean you just woke up.”

Kari’s face lightened as reality hit her. “Wait...so it’s true then? Everyone is a werewolf but me?”

“Well yes and no, most of us are werewolves, but Trent and my father are Lycans.” Lindsey gave up on being reassuring as her friend was strong and knew she just needed to say the facts now.

“Lycans? Like super werewolf ones are real too?” Kari begins to look excitedly at Lindsey as it’s like her books are coming true. She was relishing this news.

“Let’s stop for now and get you some food, we have lots of time today to talk about the rest.”

“The rest? What else could there be?” Kari raised her left arm and noticed it was fully healed and didn't hurt. She raised her hand to her head and felt no wound on her forehead. She dragged her hand down the side of her head and it brushed passed between her right shoulder and neck. She jumped as she felt funny touching that area. She had a flashback to feeling immense pain and then her body flooded with pleasure. She let out a moan and shook her head, snapping herself out of it. “What is happening to me? I am fully healed in some places and feel like I am getting stronger by the minute. Why do I have this weird feeling every time I touch this spot? Please tell me!” Kari was starting to panic, searching her friend’s face for answers.

Lindsey scrunched up her face thinking for a moment, “Trent bit you there.”

“Bit? He bit me, like with teeth? Why the hell would he bite me?!” Kari was flabbergasted with this bit of information.

“I really shouldn’t be the one telling you this, but I suppose someone has to sooner the better...Okay, don’t freak out, but Trent is actually the Alpha Prince, and you are his mate…” Lindsey quickly let out the last part.

“Mate? As in soulmate like in the fairy tale books?” Kari laughed, “I am a human and he is an ancient being? How can something like this happen? Are my parents in on this, do they know?” Kari lets out more of a nervous laugh thinking of things that have passed. She desperately pieced things together.

“Well, if you mean we are playing a cruel joke then no, but if you mean are they werewolves as well then yes...yes your parents are also werewolves.” Lindsey tries to put on a reassuring smile. “I know this is a lot to take in but unfortunately things have changed and the time table we had before has sped up. Do you remember those stories my father used to tell?”

“Wait...your father, he is a King, you said Trent is a prince? So, you are a princess? How the hell did I wind up playing with a prince and a princess?” Kari reaches for the glass of water next to her bed and takes a big drink. She lets out a sigh and looks at Lindsey. “Alright, I am listening, what about the stories?”

“Lindsey, well to answer your first questions, yes my father is the Alpha King of all werewolves with Trent being a prince and me a princess. As for why you were playing with us, your father is my father’s right hand, the beta. Our mothers were also best friends, just like us.” Lindsey stood up and placed a pillow behind Kari to help her sit up straighter. Lindsey then sits on the bed next to Kari. “I really think Trent should be the one telling you all of this or one of your parents. Your parents are working right now with my father with a new plan and well Trent is scared, and he thought me telling you would be better.”

Kari just nodded her head as it was spinning. She felt like her eyes were shielded all of her life and were starting to clear. 

“It was Vicki, wasn’t it? Her and a lackey of hers named Derrek. They wanted to kill me, for being with Trent...for being his mate? I remember him tossing me around like a rag doll, I thought I was going to die. Then an earthquake or something stopped them, and Vicki ran away. I couldn’t keep my eyes open, but I thought I heard Trent’s voice. Then I felt the worst pain which changed to amazing pleasure.” Kari’s face blushed with the thought of pleasure. She tried to steady herself as her heart was racing.

“Well, that sums it up anyways. To clarify a few things. The earthquake was actually Trent growling and howling once he sensed you were there. He was furious and ended up tearing Derrek into multiple pieces, which was a tough clean up. But yes, Vicki wanted you killed, and Derrek was actually her mate, but she has always wanted Trent instead. She never let him mark her but would use him as a pawn. Umm, you were actually dying, which is why Trent bit you to give you the Lycan blood. This is why you are healing so fast and why you survived. He is having a tough time with it as he wants you to live of course, but it is against our nature to force our mates to be our mate. So…the biting was technically against your will, but it has started the mating process.” Lindsey patted Kari’s hand giving her a hopeful look and letting out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.

 Kari begins to hyperventilate as everything is hitting her at once. She started to get dizzy as her heart raced.

“Trent this is not going well, she is in a full panic, we need

you!”

The door slammed open against the wall as Trent plunged into the room straight to Kari’s side. Kari jumped at the instant sight of Trent next to her side. She looked at him with wide eyes and continued to struggle to catch her breath. Trent slowly reached out his hand to touch her hand to avoid spooking her. Kari at once looked at her hand as it felt warm and comforting. 

Trent pleaded with his eyes slowly reaching out to her with his other hand. Kari tried to nod, grasping his hand over hers and giving it a tight squeeze. Trent slid in next to her on the bed and wrapped his arms around her. 

“Shhh...It’s okay Kari. Focusing on me holding you and breathe.

The feeling will calm you, please trust me.” Trent whispered gently into her ear.

Kari listened to him intently. Their bodies pressed into each other was making it harder to concentrate as a wave of electrical sensation overtook her panicked body. She had never felt something like this before with an overwhelming smell of pine after a heavy rain. Her body relaxed seconds after contact leading her to snuggle into Trent. A growing need and desire for him caused her body to flash into arousal and preparation for entry. She looked at Trent and his eyes changed into deep black pools. Trent shook his head and blinked his eyes quickly. He left out a huff while cranking his neck sideways.

“It’s okay Kari, what you are feeling is normal. The panic with all of this new information and the sensations you are feeling now with me holding you. I... I am glad you are doing better, but I need to…ugh...go for a quick run. I don’t want to leave you but if I don’t, I won’t be able to fight

myself off much longer.” Trent fumbled over his words as his body and mind, along with his wolf, continued to encourage him to finish the mating process.

Trent inhales deeply into Kari’s skin on her back and releases her. A growl releases from his chest as he exits the room and closes the door. A louder growl is heard, and some snapping commotion quickly followed with nails scraping against a hard floor with thunderous pounding.

Lindsey tried to suppress a laugh when looking back at Kari’s confused raised brow line. “You got him all hot and bothered so he had to leave to make sure he wasn’t going to jump your bones.”

“Oh…” Kari’s cheeks flushed, and she felt like she was coming out of a haze as his scent diminished.

 Terra entered the room carrying a tray consisting of a sandwich and bowl of broth that smelled amazing. Kari’s stomach rumbled loudly, and her mouth watered. She just realized how hungry she was.

“Welcome to this new world of yours my princess, I am so happy we don’t have to pretend anymore.” Terra had set the tray down and bowed enthusiastically to Kari.

“Princess? Ah I suppose since I am Trent’s mate?” Kari rubs her eyes and holds her head as if added weight has come upon it.

“I know it is a lot to take, but one step at a time. We will get you up to speed and then you can make your choice.” Lindsey gives a look to Terra and Terra bows again and leaves the room closing the door behind her.

“I have a choice? But everything I have read, the stories I mean and the one your father used to tell never mentioned a choice.” Kari reaches for half the sandwich and takes a bite. 

“You do, we just don’t talk about the other possibility very often. Look you are destined for my brother to be as one ruling over the werewolves and lycan alike. The other choice is rejecting him as a mate. This would mean you have to say a specific line to him face to face and then leave the area. I have heard rejecting a mate is very painful and have been known to not live after the bond is broken. It would also mean you would have to say goodbye to your parents.”

“So, I don’t have a choice then.” Kari finishes the first half of the sandwich with a look of despair.

“No, you do, and anything you choose we will support, it’s just too dangerous for humans to stay around us if not necessary. I didn’t mean it as a threat, I just want you to know the facts.” Lindsey hands Kari her glass of water and gives her another smile.

“I have no intention of rejecting Trent...this is just all so new to me. Every time he is near, my body craves him, and my mind goes foggy. I become aroused and feel warm tingles everywhere. I feel like I have no control over my body. It’s embarrassing and I hope he doesn’t notice.” Kari’s face flushes and she looks away from Lindsey trying to hide it.

“It’s the mate bond. We all feel that when we are near our mates and after you complete the mating process it intensifies. The longer you are away from them you feel like half of you is missing and then when you are back in each other's arms you feel whole. He feels it too trust me, that is why he had to leave as he couldn’t handle being that close to you and not kissing you or ...more. Trust me I know, you already met my mate Alex.” Lindsey smiles and tilts her head away from Kari removing her hair off of her shoulder showing her mate mark. 

Kari leans back against the pillows with her eyes growing heavy.  Wow this is a ton to take in. I am a mate or a perfect match to a lycan who is a prince. I also now have some weird lycan blood or something that is healing me. My parents are werewolves as well as the entire town. I am also apparently some chosen one that will help other werewolves, I don’t really remember the story as much now. Sigh...and apparently, I have a timeline that everyone knows about that I need to complete this mating process with Trent. I wonder if this is kind of how a bride feels when they do the gift thing the next day, everyone knows you had s*x or will think you did anyways.

Kari closes her eyes as she listens to Lindsey babble about Alex and how they met. The reality of her surrounding environment was exhausting and sleep had overcome her .