The Wolf God’s Mate

Chapter Two

Crouching on his feet and pulling out a particularly stubborn weed, a man wearing a faded oversized shirt and loose trousers tucked into muddy boots smiles in satisfaction. He delicately caresses the beautiful pale pink petals of the flower in front of him and with a hand pressing down on his frayed straw hat, raises his head to look up to the burning sun. His brown eyes squint at the sun's glare and he looks back down at the flowers.

"Looks like the sun is completely out today Betty", he says with a gentle smile. "I better give you all something to drink", he says towards the rest of flowers, then stretching out his right hand to side, while using a gloved hand on the ground to steady himself, picks up an iron watering can and proceeds to drizzle some water onto the plants.

"There you go", he announces, "That will cool you down from the heat", and then smiles brightly.

"Marcy!!"

"Marcyyyyyyy!!"

"Marcyyyyyyyyyy!"

He hears coming from afar, and with a sigh and soft smile, he places the watering can by his feet and stands up straight.

Right at that moment, a little girl wearing a dirty white dress with even dirtier blue satin shoes comes skipping into the garden.

Catching sight of her, a doting look appears in his eyes and his face becomes even gentler. Taking off his gloves and slipping them into his pocket, he braces himself for impact. And just as expected, the little girl vaults herself onto him. Staggering a little from the weight, he manages to steady himself with his arms wrapped around her.

"Marcy!" she shouts excitedly, looking up to meet his eyes, "you're really here!"

"Yes", he answers with a little smile, "I just got back home last night".

"Why did not you not come see me?" Amelia asks, pouting, "You promised you would!" she complains, pulling at his shirt.

"Oh but I did. In fact, it was the very first thing I did the moment I got back" he answers patiently with a wide grin. "And can you guess what happened?" he asked teasingly and she shakes her head with wide eyes. Using a hand to pinch her little nose, "I found a little piglet fast asleep in bed, wrapped up in her cozy blankets", he answers.

"And my name is Marcus, that's Uncle Marcus to you young lady", he adds, flicking her forehead.

Giggling cutely, she grins, "Alright Uncle Marcus. I forgive you."

With arms still wrapped tightly around his waist, Amelia looks down to the flowers at their feet, the damp earth and then at the watering can to the side. She then looks back up at her uncle, "I see that you just watered the flowers Uncle Marcy, but were you talking to them again just now?" she inquires with curiosity in her eyes.

Embarrassed, Marcus looks away evasively and answers quietly, "No"

"You were!" she bursts out laughing. "Why do you do that Uncle Marcus?"

Pulling her by the hand, he leads her to the stone benches situated to the side and sits down. He then pulls her down beside him. "What have you been up to today young lady?" he asks, changing the subject.

Successfully distracted, Amelia launches into a tirade about what transpired that morning between her and her brother, Prince Alexander. "Papa ordered that he clean all the weapons used by everyone during training today. He's going to suffer a lot", she says gloatingly. And with a huff, she adds haughtily, "How dare he argue with me? That will show him!" she adds, nose in the air.

"All I wanted to do was watch some swordplay so I can practice on my own later, but he would not even let me!" she rants, "And can you even imagine Uncle Marcus, he even said I was too young for it?!" she complains some more. "That's not true is it Uncle Marcus?" she asks, looking up at him with big doe eyes.

And Marcus, looking down into the honey brown eyes so identical to his, nods subconsciously. He had never been able to deny his little angel anything.

With a wide-toothed grin, Amelia looking satisfied, says, "I knew you would support me Uncle Marcus", and gives him a hug.

Marcus however was unbothered about his slip-up. He knew his brother, as well as the three other protective princes would never let the little princess near anything as dangerous as a sword. However, he knew that now that he had unwittingly agreed that she was fit to learn some swordplay, Amelia would never let him go and demand that he teach her. In order to escape, Marcus seriously considers getting himself injured somehow in order to create an excuse for himself. He shelves the away for now to the back of his mind for serious consideration.

Confused about something, Amelia looks up at Marcus and asks with furrowed brows, "But how did he know I was there Uncle Marcus? I was extra careful and was really quiet too. I even tip-toed and everything!" he exclaims, looking confused and annoyed.

"It didn't matter how quiet you tried to be, he would have heard you anyways. In fact, he probably heard you right from when you slammed open the castle doors."

"How?!" she asks, looking incredulous.

"Alexander has already shifted into his wolf remember? So his senses are much more heightened that yours", he reminds her.

"So that's why!" she exclaimed, then crosses her arms across her chest huffily, looking disgruntled.

Remembering something, he looks down at the girl sulking girl and gently patting her head, says "More than that, I think you've been tricked Amelia".

"Huh...?" she lets out with a confused expression.

"Alexander would have had to polish those weapons even if the King hadn't asked him to."

"What do you mean?" she asks with a frown.

"Your brothers are all responsible for cleaning whatever weapons they use during their training" he explains patiently. "Also, there really aren’t that many weapons to clean today. Last night, there was a celebration down in town and everyone went down to participate. They all got to their homes late at night so they were given the morning off to rest. So you see, Alexander really only has his own weapons to clean." he says sympathizingly. "You have most definitely been tricked", he reiterates, patting her head once more.

Horrified, Amelia puts on a comical expression of shock on her face. Then face reddening in indignation, she stands up and makes to run back to where she had just came from, planning to settle the scores.

Marcus hastily pulls her wrist and sits her back down beside him. "Wait, wait, wait!! No need to be hasty. You live in the same home anyways so you'll definitely get him later", he coaxes, "After all, it's never too late for a gentleman's..." he playfully pinches her cheek, "...or lady's revenge".

Face red with outrage, she grumbles out, "I just cannot let this slide Uncle Marcus!", her face pouts again, "If I don't teach him a lesson now, he'll just get more and more impudent! Who knows what he'll dare to do next?!" she conveniently forgets that it is her dear Papa who had helped to trick her and places all the blame on the unfortunate Alexander.

King Damien was known to the werewolf populace as an incredibly powerful and intimidating man. As the King of all werewolves, he was definitely the most powerful wolf. He was thus was held in awe and admiration. His twin brother, Prince Marcus though not as powerful as the King, also had the admiration of all for his incredible wisdom and acuity. He was known as the most sagacious State Preceptor to have ever been born into the Royal family and was incredibly knowledgeable. No one could quantify how deep his intelligence ran.

King Marcus's mate, Queen Josephine, was loved by all and was known for her incredible kindness and empathy. She was definitely the perfect matriarch.

The three princes born to King Damien and Queen Josephine were; Adrian, the eldest, an almost perfect copy of his father, both in looks and temperament, was the heir to the throne; Adam, the second child was gentle in temperament, just like the queen; and Alexander, the youngest prince was fun-loving and mischievous in nature.

As respected and awed as the werewolf world was to six individuals just mentioned, no one knew that the most important person was actually the Princess Amelia, who was the youngest child to the King and Queen. Amelia was born the only girl born within three generations of the Royal family. At birth, it was also foreseen through some auspicious signs that she would grow to be incredibly gifted. So one could only imagine how spoiled the Princess was. She was definitely pampered to the heavens.

In the Royal family's hierarchy, the one at the top was definitely Princess Amelia. The King and his brother Prince Marcus treated her like a pearl and so the three princes were relegated to the position of being her servants. Not that they minded either, they loved her to bits and spoiled her just as much. Ironically, it is only the Queen who was somewhat able to be stern with Amelia. In short, she was the apple of the Royal family's eye.

So it is no surprise that though knowing fully well that Alexander had committed no wrong, but was actually just enforcing a decision which they had all collectively agreed upon, Marcus decides to nod and say, "Of course! Here's an idea, why don't you get your eldest brother to spar with him?" hammering the final nail into the poor boy's coffin.

Eyes brightening, Amelia jumps to her feet and hops on the spot while clapping her hands excitedly, hair bouncing with her movements, "Uncle Marcus you're a genius!" and with a loud his kiss on his cheek, runs away.

"See you later Marcy!" she shouts back when she gets a distance away.

"It's Uncle Marcus!" he shouts after her but she disappears with a mischievous giggle.

Left alone, he sighs and smiles gently with a shake of his head.