Lone Wolf: Heir Of Selene

Past (23 years ago) “And so the prince and the peasant girl lived happily ever after, the end!” Mama said her beautiful face was covered with a smile. “Let's read another,” I giggled, sitting up on my bed and stretching my hands towards her as she hugged me. “No my treasure, you have to go to sleep now” “But please mama, I really want to—” “Tomorrow night I promise” She chuckles drawing my duvet over me. “Mama where is Papa?” I asked drawing my teddy bear closer to me. She smiled patting my head before replying “he is surveilling, checking around to make sure we are safe.” I nodded, Papa did that everyday so I wasn't surprised, I pondered, what else can I ask Mama, I really don't want to sleep now. “Mama, you always say wolves stay in a pack, why don't we have a pack?” I asked sitting up properly to listen to her answer, and she looked sad. “That's because we had to leave your father's pack, although it is a bit lonely, but once you're with the one you love, it doesn't matter.“ “The one you love, is that papa?” She smiles nodding her head “Yes treasure, when you're with your mate, nothing else really matters.“ She looked so happy talking about it, which got me curious. “Mate? What is a mate?” I asked leaning closer “ I want to know please mama, tell me, tell me.” She laughs leaning closer” alright I'll tell you so listen closely okay!” “Okay!!” She looks at me with a soft smile before speaking “A mate is your destined partner, your soulmate the moon goddess destined you with.“ “They are the one person that would always be with you regardless of whatever happens, even when the world turns against you, they would always be there for you, because they would love you no matter what and do anything to see you happy” I simply stared at her, her features slightly glowing under the lamp light, her beautiful silver hair looked even more beautiful and her blue eyes looked even brighter as she spoke. “A mate sounds so complicated,” I mumbled, why would the world turn against a person? “Oh wait…is a mate like papa?” I asked suddenly grinning, I know it now, a mate is someone like papa, papa always makes mama happy. She laughs hugging me, her flowery scent filling my nose, mama always smells like flowers, I like it. “Yes, something like who your papa is to me, your papa and I are mates and in the future you're going to meet that person who would always be there for you, that would love you no matter what.” I hugged mama more tightly nodding as I listened to her words, I'm going to meet someone that makes me happy like papa makes mama happy. A loud wolf howl suddenly breaks through the silence, it is from the distance…huh? Is that Papa? Mama freezes her smile changing into a terrified expression “Get up Lyra, now!“ She suddenly drags me up wearing my shoes for me as she pulls me to the kitchen my teddy bear still in my hand. “Mama? What's going on???” She doesn't answer opening the back door as she carries me in her arms and she starts running. “Mama?? Where are we going? What of Papa?” Mama runs faster not slowing down at all “Your papa would join us Lyra” Mama's voice is trembling, she never calls me Lyra unless she's completely serious. I wrapped my arms around her neck as she ran into the forest at the back of our house. Mama, Papa, and I live alone in the woods, there's a huge forest just at our back, and I play there sometimes. It has always been the three of us, I have seen other people but never really spoken to them. I only see people whenever mama, papa, and I are moving to another house, which we do almost every year. Another howl sounds from the distance sending shivers down my spine, it sounds hurt…is that Papa? “Mama? Where is Papa?” She does answer still running until we reach a clearing and she puts me down. “Mama wha—” My eyes widen watching tears roll down Mama's face as she clutched her chest. “Mama?? Mama! Are you okay?” She hugs me drawing me close “I'm so sorry my little treasure, I don't think I'll be able to read you another story tomorrow” “Mama? What…what are you talking about?” Why is my voice trembling? Why am I crying? Why can't Mama read me another story tomorrow? “I'm sorry little treasure, you're a strong girl, you'll survive, don't worry…they don't know about you, mama will make sure they never do so please survive, mama needs to go back…I can't follow you anymore.” “No! No…mama!! Don't go, don't leave me let me come with you mama!!” Tears stream as I hold her tightly, why does she want to leave me, I want to go back with her to meet Papa.” She pulls back cleaning her tears a look of determination on her face “You must go now Lyra, don't worry for now you'll forget us including most of the things I taught you, but when the time comes, you remember everything…when the time is right.” “Mama, please don't—” “Lyra! We don't have time for this!” She cut me off placing her hand on my head whispering something under her breath before standing up and backing away tears still rolling down her face. “I need you to trust me, so please… run, my little treasure. Don’t look back. Your papa and I love you so much, and we will always be with you. You’ll meet the one meant for you.” She gave me a sad smile. “It’s a shame I won’t get to meet them. Now run… RUN, LYRA!” I turned and ran as fast as my legs would carry me, tall grass and thorny bushes scraping against my skin. I didn’t stop. Not when my legs burned. Not when my body felt too heavy to hold itself up. Not even when every breath tore through my chest like it weighed a thousand pounds. How long had I been running? Why was I running? Why was I crying? Where was I going…