The Right Girl

TEN

Leona

**39 years earlier**

He leaned over top of me, feathering kisses across my face. A smile broke out across my face and a giggle escaped my lips as he kissed my eyelids. “I have to leave my love.” He whispered in my ear. I pulled him back down beside me. “Just a little longer.” I pout, snuggling into his chest. He propped himself up on his elbow, his eyebrows knotted together his voice growing stern. “Don’t do this to me Leona; you know I have duties to attend to. Soon we won’t have to hide, as soon as I recognize you as my mate, I won’t ever have to leave.”

I sat up in a huff. “Oh I see how it is!” I explode, throwing my hands in the air. “You can sneak down here to get a little, but you can’t stay to enjoy the experience afterwards. f**k you Richard; your name really suits you.”

He reaches out to touch my cheek, I pull back immediately. “Leona, come on. Everything will change tomorrow. You know it. I will be back tomorrow, normal time.” His voice had gone soft again, he was almost pleading with me. I scoffed, turning my back to him. I began busying myself cleaning up the picnic rug and basket until the rustling of his footsteps disappeared. I hated fighting with Richard and I knew it wasn’t always going to be this way. After all we were sure we were mates.

I sniffed back the tears, heading home. Tomorrow will be different. It all will change, I thought to myself. I am going to be Luna of a pack. My heart was fluttering; my sour mood had been lifted at the thought. I threw myself backwards onto my bed “Luna Leona.” I whispered out. Laughter filled the silence. The alliteration, it sounded perfect. It will be perfect! “I am Luna Leona of the Crystal Lake pack.” I said with resolve. I smiled rolling over to hug my pillow. Tomorrow it will all change.

The gentle wind pushed past me making my dress dance around my ankles. I spent hours choosing the right dress, the right make up, the right hair style. My brown hair hung in loose curls down my back, the thin straps of my dress left my neck exposed. Anxiety bubbled in my stomach as our meeting time fast approached. I checked my watch 3 minutes left. I turn my sights to the thick tree line which he usually appears from, furiously sniffing the air. We have been taught out mate will have the most beautiful scent you had ever smelt. I couldn’t smell anything though. Just the damp smell of the forest. I let out a small sigh and plopped myself onto the carefully laid out blanket, my eyes still fixated on the tree line.

The time flew by 10, 20, 30… An hour.  Tears began to flow freely down my cheeks. I lay down, curling into a tight little ball, memories of the previous night running through my mind. Maybe I finally pushed him away? Did he think I wouldn’t show up? Why did I have to be so stubborn? I knew it was all going to change and I still created an argument! You stupid girl, I scold myself. The upbeat music coming from the main pack house stole me from my thoughts. He really wasn’t coming. He started his birthday festivities without me. Fresh tears sprung free from my eyes. The plan was simple. We meet, his wolf would connect with mine, he would mark me and we would turn up to his party as a newly marked couple. Rage bubbled inside. How dare he stand me up like this, he knew I would wait here for him, fight or not!

The night dragged on, I lay on the rug, patiently waiting, not willing to accept the events of the night. The music from the pack house died down, taking my heart with it. The rage had bubbled away all of my tears, leaving a burning feeling inside me that I couldn’t shake. I walked to the waters edge, took a deep breath and plunged my head into the freezing water, screaming until there was no air left. Definably not completely satisfied, but a more manageable burn.

The nights rolled by and I went to the same spot every night, like a dutiful mate would. Worry began to consume me. What could possibly keep him away for this long? Surely it wasn’t that stupid argument!

On the Fifth night, I sat starting across the lake. The moonlight shimmered, the crickets chirped softly. A slight scent of Cedarwood began floating around the clearing. It was intoxicating. I stood up, my eyes darting around looking for him. A tall masculine figure appeared at the edge of the tree line. My heart leapt into the throat, anticipating the long awaited arrival of my Alpha, only it wasn’t him. The smell grew stronger and I felt my legs moving towards the mysterious figure. “Leona?” His strong voice questioned me. “Phillip?” I mimic his question.  “Oh dear, this is not how this was supposed to go.” He sighs. I move to put a hand on his arm; I want to see if the tingles are a real thing. He abruptly pulls away. “I am here on business Leona.” His voice turns harsh. My face falls; I can’t help the anxiety bubbling in my stomach. “Richard has found his mate; he will not be seeing you again.” I feel my heart break, I choke back a sob. “And it would appear I found my mate.” He continues his face is contorted; it is not happiness, but a pained look. “I can’t accept someone who will cause issues with my rank. I Phillip Dalgarins future Beta of the Crystal Lake pack reject you Leona Timms as my mate and my female Beta.” He finishes and clutches at his chest. If I thought the pain of hearing about Richard was bad, this had me on my knees. I too clutched at my chest, unable to breathe. “Leona, are you ok, can I help you home?” He questioned, the harsh tone replaced with concern. “Go.” I mustered the energy to give him one word. He turned, disappearing back into the thick trees, leaving me to break into a million pieces alone.

The gentle glow of the morning sun glistened on the lake, I sat there mulling over the past week. I was surprised at how fast the night had passed. My eyes burned from the constant stream of tears falling. The devastation my poor heart had suffered was more than one she wolf should suffer. First my lover then my mate, my mind was made up. I packed the rug and basket up for the last time, dried my eyes and hoisted it over my shoulder. I began walking with purpose. My heart was breaking, the pain in my chest was excruciating, I wouldn’t let it slow me down though. I couldn’t live in a pack that those two pigs would be in charge of. How could I face his Luna daily, how could I face Phillips rejection daily? No, I couldn’t and for this reason, I cannot let a broken heart slow me down.

I landed in the human settlement just as the sun was going down. My legs were aching and my chest was burning. I looked a mess, a small girl with puffy red eyes, a dirty torn dress, carrying a picnic basket. I slumped against a tree, sliding until my bum hit the hard ground, and then buried my head into my knees. My heavy eyes were closing, reality was slipping away. A gentle hand rested on my shoulder. “Are you ok?” The warmth of the voice made me lift my head. I met with her piercing blue eyes. “Oh dear, you are not ok. Come with me.” She offered me her hand and helped me lift my tired body from the ground. Her hand was tightly tangled with mine, she lead the way to a small cabin, just inside the woods. “Here, you will be safe here.” Her smile was intoxicating, I gratefully returned it. “Thank you.” I whispered.

“My name is Jenna. Please make yourself at home. I am not here often. My line of work sees me away often.”

“How long can I stay?” I mutter. Her smile widens

“You are from the nearby pack aren’t you.” She questions

I can’t hide my surprise. I couldn’t sense anything about her. My nose was so snuffed from crying I had lost me sense of smell.

“What makes you say that?” I shoot back, getting defensive. If I don’t know what she is, she is a threat.

“I can smell you my dear, and might I add it is not just you I can smell.” Her hand moves to my stomach. I jump back defensively.

“ What are you?” I demand. Pointing my finger at her.

“Oh my dear little wolf, there isn’t any need for these defenses. I am of no threat.” Her cackle at the end sets in stone her nature.

I take a better look around the homely cabin. Examining the jars upon the shelves, the big dusty books, and the obvious cauldron. “Am I pushing it to ask if you are a Witch?” I wonder aloud.

She smiles again. “Yes little wolf, you have indeed found yourself in the Witches lair.” A sentence that should strike fear into my heart, oddly enough gave me comfort, I felt at home.

Time flew past and my stomach swelled, I often wondered if anyone cared to look for me. I doubt they had. I was not their priority and the little Alpha onboard wasn’t known about. The rage consumed my life. I felt the anger bubble from the early morning until late into the evening, every damn day! That stupid b***h stole my life, I had learnt her name was Margie; she was a girl from our pack. Not exactly striking, I was better, he had better with me!

“My dear all this anger is not good for the baby. Come, let’s meditate.” Jenna gently pushed me forward to a small mat set out on the floor. I fumbled, trying to get my body to comfortably fit.

“Deep breaths Leona, in and out. Release the anger and tension. Forgive them, not for the pain they caused, forgive them for being stupid enough to cause it. Forgive them for listing to their human brains instead of their wolves instincts.” Jenna’s soft voice danced around my ears as I took deep breaths, pushing the negative energy out into the universe.

“One final deep breath Leona, send those vibes out, push them far away. They can’t hurt you anymore. You are stronger than this.” Her voice was filled with confidence. I blew my one final breath out, expelling the toxicity out into the abyss.

“ Here little wolf, let me help you up.” Her eyes were shining with delight. “How do you feel”?

A large smile broke out and I grabbed Jenna’s hands. “AMAZING, I feel free and light.” Her smile matched mine. “You are free and ready for your next challenge. It won’t be long until he is here.” Her words sent a pang of anxiety through me. This wasn’t going to come out as easy as it went in and it terrified me.

He arrived on a breezy Sunday morning, just as the sun was poking its head over the horizon. John Timms, A healthy baby boy. He cooed at me and I was won. This boy was worth giving up everything I ever thought I wanted. He was all that mattered now.