Fall Harvest Moon

Chapter 2. Dreams

Aurora looked at her parents, both waiting for her answer. Brooke's hand was holding Gabe's arm, as he kept a calm expression, Aurora could feel the powerful aura her father had. His strength could bring comfort and calmness in chaos or he could quickly gain control and have subordinates submissive. He was the best beta her clan had ever had. Aurora truly believed her father would be a great Alpha, he was a natural leader, he was well respected as a pack trainer, but the Alpha role was usually hereditary, passed down from father to son. The Alpha family lived in the Clans house with many of the other clan members. After Azalea's passing, the tribe gifted her parents a house, so they can mourn in peace and take their time to adjust back into pack life. It's been 3 years, and even though they are back into their roles within the clan, and back to work, her parents still chose to live in the house.

Aurora worried about what they would do if she were to possibly leave with her mate after tonight. would they live in an empty nest or move back in with the pack. She didn't want to ask. She didn't want them to be worried, she wanted them to be happy for her. She knew they wanted a good mate for her, she wanted a bond like her parents had. She saw the love they expressed towards each other, even without words, she could feel the love that showed in their eyes when they saw or spoke of their mate. Zara was thrilled at these thoughts and Aurora allowed Zara through to share her excitement.

Aurora/Zara smiled brightly at her parents, feeling their love and pride. "I can't wait! You should see how everyone is preparing the courtyard, it looks amazing and I know tonight is going to be fantastic" she admitted to what was true. She knew Zara caused her eyes to light up to a bright purple whenever she was close to taking control. Aurora's parents never said anything, but decided to go along with Zara's excitement.

Brookes attitude brightened as she smiled up at her husband, who looked pleased at his wife's mood change, then she turned towards Aurora. "That's great sweetheart, I have your dress ready for after your nap, speaking of, you should finish eating your breakfast and go get some rest."

Aurora looked at her plate, not feeling hungry anymore. Zara's eyes felt bigger than Aurora's stomach can handle. She felt a pit in her stomach and wish she could tell her parents, she was worried and how she felt she wasn't ready to leave home. Zara remained quiet, even she didn't want to alert her parents. She excused herself, saying she was already full, thanked her mother for the wonderful meal as she cleared her plate and then went to her room, unsure how she'd get any sleep now. Zara was feeling excited as she was dancing away at the possiblity meeting her mate during the first dance. Aurora blamed Zara's hype on the full moon, that why she was so restless.

Looking at her clock on the nightstand, she saw it was already 8am. Less than 10 hours until the festival and even though now she was tired from running all night, Aurora felt uneasy and knew she wouldn't fall asleep right away. Zara was trying to be quiet, she just wanted the best for Aurora and she knew how the Moon Goddess would bless her with a good mate, Zara promised to protect Aurora even if meant rejecting her mate if she felt she couldn't leave. But Aurora could feel Zara's restlessness at that suggestion, and Aurora promised it would not come to that. Turning towards her ensuite bathroom, she decided maybe a bath would help her relax.

After a hot soak in her favorite vanilla and brown sugar bubble bath, until she felt her muscles relax and Zara left her in peace, Aurora walked into her closet and gasped as she saw the dress her mother had hung out for her. Freshly pressed and looking amazing. A beautiful full length red satin mermaid style with black floral lace with black rhinestones covering it. Her mother always had wonderful taste in clothes and Aurora knew this was something she would never buy for herself. She didn't know much about fashion and she didn't really care. Azelea was the one with style. Aurora loved her sister's fashion sense and loved to play dress up, when she was in Highschool, Azelea would always be eager to give advice, even without being asked sometimes. Thank goodness her mother was able to get her dress for her, because Aurora hasn't had time to go shopping at all. Grabbing a comfy pair of shorts and a baggy t-shirt, which was probably 2 sizes bigger than her, she quickly got ready for bed, braiding her hair, because she decided probably would be easiest to style when she woke.

Crawling under her favorite quilted blanket, she could smell the crisp fresh autumn air from when her mother hung her blanket outside yesterday, it helped her relax and still feeling satisfied with her breakfast. Aurora could feel the love her mother had for her family. Closing her eyes, Aurora thought of the love her parents had for each other, that what Zara wanted, it was the best every one could dream of, that's all she wanted give Zara happiness, taking another deep breath of the autumn freshness from her blanket, thinking of the forest which she ran all night. She felt herself slowly falling asleep. Holding tight onto her pendant, Aurora thought of her wolf as she felt sleep finally take her.

Aurora dreamt she was running through the forest, Zara's grey and white fur shimmering in the moonlight as she felt the ground under her paws. She knew she wasn't alone and was trying to run from whatever was behind her. She heard a hair-raising howl, but she didn't feel afraid. Instead, it excited her and she ran faster as she pushed her paws harder into the ground as the forest blurred around her.

Running until she reached a clearing, Aurora/ Zara stopped and gasped at the sight in front of her. There was a majestic waterfall with a huge pool of water at the bottom. Perfect for swimming, Aurora/ Zara immediately felt tempted to dive in. She stared in awe at the celestial beauty of the night sky. The moon was so huge and bright it lit the whole clearing like daytime. Aurora felt at peace and laid down in the wildflowers surrounding the pool of water, rolling in the fresh grass. She forgot she was supposed to be running.

A deep possessive growl came from the forest behind her, Aurora jumped up, not feeling afraid but exhilarated from her run and her new-found spot. She stood her ground and eagerly faced whatever made that sound.

Red glowing eyes emerged from the trees, she saw the huge white fangs of a majestic black wolf that had grey and white streaks of fur along its side that reminded her of lightening during a night storm. She didn't feel fear as she looked the other wolf in the eyes. Taking a deep breath, she could smell fresh cedar and citrus that reminded her of cool fresh lemonade on a hot summer day, licking her lips in thirst, inhaling the enticing aroma, she stepped closer to the other wolf, who seemed surprised she wasn't going to run.

The huge black wolf stopped his approach as she stepped closer, not yet dropping his guard. Aurora thought his eyes glowed like fire embers; red with golden specks, displaying his power, she knew he was a strong wolf and human. She didn't fear of getting burned by the fire they held, she wanted to feel its warmth and she felt safe as she got closer.

When she was standing right in front of the other wolf, she noticed how much taller and more muscular he was to her. She could faintly smell cigar smoke and whiskey, mouthwatering, she closed her eyes trying to memorize every detail of what was in front of her.

Another growl from the black wolf made her eyes snap open. She saw aggression and a look Aurora didn't recognize or like in his eyes as he lowered as if he was about to attack her. Feeling the fur raised on her back, she suddenly felt uneasy as the wolf eyed her neck, ready to mark her and claim her as his. She wasn't ready!

A whimper escaped as she tried to back up. Immediately, the other wolf stopped growling, as he sneered as he seemed to take control, he didn't take his eyes from her neck. She tried to turn, ready to run, but the other wolf used that movement as an opportunity and quickly tackled her to the ground. Laying on her side, she would feel her skin tingling from sparks from the other wolf's touch as his paws held her pinned down. It electrified her and she tried to escaped but couldn't move. She looked into his eyes and they glowed with possessive anger. She wanted to run she tried to kick, but her paws were only digging her deeper and she couldn't move as he growled, she wanted to scream but couldn't as she felt his fangs strike her neck