Beautiful Ocean Moon

Welcome

“...ss Mira, Miss Mira.” I heard someone calling me and then I felt a hand on my shoulder give me a very slight shake that had I not already started waking up I probably would not have even felt it. “Hmmm.” I mumbled as I stirred, and blinking open my eyes I saw Dixon kneeled in front of me. “We are here Miss Mira, so it is time to wake up.” He said standing and then ducking out the carriage door. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes before stretching my arms up to wake my body up. Then I moved to follow Dixon out of the carriage. Stepping out I found the evening sun hanging low over the horizon. I took Dixon’s offered hand and looked around me in awe. Archduke Kain’s home was said to be dark and gloomy but that's most certainly not how it felt. The beautiful castle before me was made up of silver, blue, white, and black. Parts of the castle reminded me of the moon. “Kain calls this place Aysu, it means.” “Moon Water.” I interrupted him, still staring in awe at the architect. The stone walls were a work of masonry art as were the designs of the crescent moons and Polaris stars craved into and painted along the outside stone walls. The front wall had twin towers on either side of it that were large oval openings at the top of each tower there was no gate in the archway which I thought was strange as even we had gates on the entryway of the pack lands and especially the wall that surrounded the homes of the pack members, but before I could ask why I heard growling.

Turning my head slowly I saw three giant dogs moving towards us. ‘These must be the hellhounds.’ I thought as I stayed completely still knowing that if I took off or made any kind of sudden move, I would be dead but that did not mean I wasn’t petrified at the moment and knew that these beast could smell my fear. The beast in front started making its way towards me and I stayed rooted to the spot watching it. I blinked and the massive creature was in front of me, I gave an “eep” as I fell to the ground and slammed my eyes shut waiting for the attack. “s**t Duke no.” I heard Dixon swearing but I knew he wouldn’t get to me in time. However instead of feeling teeth or claws, I felt a wet muzzle and small lick to my face. Opening my eyes in surprise I found the one called Duke sitting in front of me looking at me with worry and then I looked to Dixon to see him stopped dead in shock along with the others that I had not noticed before. Duke the hellhound gave a small whine and nudged me with his nose trying to get my attention back. I looked back at him and slowly raised my hand to pet scratch one of his ears. “Hello, I believe I heard your name is Duke, my name is Mira.” I said and apparently that made the animal happy because he was up and then I was laying on the ground with him above me licking my face like crazy and his tail wagging like nothing I have ever seen. “Hahaha okay, okay enough Duke enough.” I say laughing as I try to push him off.

“What the f**k!” I hear as Duke lets me at least sit up. “What I have never seen that...” “Is Duke actually being friendly with an...” “Um should we be...” I heard a variety of different comments as I managed to climb back to my feet which was not easy considering Duke kept wanting my attention and affections. “What is going on here?” Everyone around except the three hellhounds froze as the voice boomed across the entryway of the castle. “Archduke Kain.” I heard one of the people that I now could tell was a sentry, greeted with a bow. As did all others but Dixon who merely inclined his head. I gulped and lowered my head to look at the Archduke from beneath my lashes. “Dixon do tell me why....” I heard more than saw the Archduke’s words cut off before I suddenly felt a warm energy surround me. “What?” I said looking up suddenly to come face to face with the infamous Archduke himself. Who was suddenly towering over my small form in a blink of an eye from where he had been standing just seconds ago.

“Milord.” Dixon called moving towards us. “Your name pup?” The Archduke asked me as I froze, staring at him before I remembered myself and immediately lowered my head back down. “Raise your head pup and look me in the eye when I speak to you.” He said, taking my chin gently in his hand and lifting it so that I was looking him in the eye. “Name?” He asked again once I was looking at him. “Mira, my name is Mira Ayla Stone Milord.” I responded to him fearfully. “Dixon.” The Archduke called as he let go of my chin and stepped back. “Yes?” Dixon’s tone clearly showed confusion in his Alphas actions. “Take Mira to the east wing and have the servants prepare her a suite there.” He told Dixon as he turned and started to walk away but then stopped and looked behind me. “Duke stay with her.” I blinked and turned my head to see the hellhound sitting and watching patiently beside me, and then stood again at the Archduke’s command. “Welcome home Mira.” He added and then turned and continued to walk away.