His Native Beauty, Her Ruthless Beast

A Tale, as Old as Time

Sarah’s POV

Sitting down at the table, my father reaches across and takes my hand into his, smiling gently at me but I can see the sadness behind his smile.  My aunt sits beside me, placing a comforting hand upon ours. 

“My dearest child, you know that we came to these lands under the protection of the two neighboring wolfpacks who joined their lands to shield us from intruders.”  Auntie begins.

I nod.  “Yes but Auntie, I do not really know from what we need protection.”  I state, nervously.

“I am going to enlighten you, with a tale as old as time.  What you will hear this evening will be a lot to take in, but child please know that your father and I have done everything we could to ensure you the best outcome, so please do not be angry with us.”  Auntie says gently.

Looking into her worn and weary eyes, I know that what I’m about to hear will forever change my life, but I know that neither she nor my father would ever do anything to cause me unnecessary distress.  I nod again, “I understand Auntie, and I’m ready for whatever it is you have to say.”  My father squeezes my hand and nods to my aunt.

“There is a prophecy, passed down through generations of all supernatural beings and our indigenous people that one day a princess will be born from our bloodline who can wield all the elements of the earth, and she alone can bring peace or destruction to our world dependent upon the path she chooses for herself.”  My aunt pauses, taking in a deep breath before continuing. “Our ancestors shared the prophecy, year after year, and we’ve worked tirelessly to protect the young females who were born into our family.  Unfortunately, as was the case with your mother, we were not always able to intervene in time to save all from the horrors who sought out the chosen one.”  My aunt’s grip tightens on the hands of my father and I. 

My father speaks up in the silence, “Sarah, do you remember a time when you were young when you and your mother were taken from me?”  Tears fill his eyes as he looks to me for recognition.

Darkness closes around me as I remember the stench of death and decay all around me and my mother’s calm, comforting voice telling me to keep my eyes closed within the confinement of the cell where we were being held.  Closing my eyes tightly, I take a slow, steadying breath. “Yes.”  I whisper.

My father gently rubs the back of my hand. “Yes my dear. Your mother was a strong force to be reckoned with but we knew from the moment you were born that you were our princess, the one chosen to lead our people into a new world. Your mother often was away to lead the trail far from you, as evil forces tried to close in to our location.” Flashbacks of relocation time and again, with the longing for my mother each time she would leave made my heart tighten in my chest.

Auntie spoke again. “I made the grave error of trusting a witch of our tribe to help conceal our family bloodline so that your mother could come home to you. The destruction of seeing you kept from her, and her from you was far too much to bear.” My aunt’s hand began to tremble. “We were betrayed by the very one we trusted to conceal us. Your mother and you were taken by rogue wolves. The senior Alpha Thorne had also lost his Luna to the same rogues, and he led a hunt along with the senior Alpha Thatcher and your Uncle Terrence to find you, your mother, and his Luna. They were too late. The Luna and your mother both died protecting you. The Moon Goddess revealed herself to Alphas Thorne and Thatcher, to warn them of the prophecy and the importance of your existence. They vowed to keep you safe, and merged their lands to provide a haven for our family, ensuring you security to thrive and harness your gifts from the Mother Spirit, known to them as the Earth Goddess.”

Tears fell from all around the table. So many questions consumed my mind. Finally I settled on one. “What does the prophecy say?”

Auntie paused for a moment, closing her eyes. Once she opened them again her eyes were clouded over white as she spoke with an otherworldly voice. “Lines are drawn, species against species. War is peaking, the earth is quaking. One princess with all the powers of the earth, destined to her mate will hold the key, to restore peace or end the world as we know it for all eternity.” 

Fear begins to flood my heart. Peace or destruction of the world. How can this be that I am the one who is responsible for all the species of the world? There has to be a mistake.

“Auntie, surely this isn’t right. There isn’t anything extraordinary about me! I’m a high school dropout who cannot even decide what I want to do with my life. No, you must be wrong.”

My father kisses my hand. “Princess, you have already mastered the earth and wind, and dabble with fire and water. Once you find your mate and join your soul to his, it is said that you will be an unstoppable force, able to manipulate even the spirit. You are the chosen one.”

My heart is pounding, my blood rushing in my ears. “Wait. I do not have a mate, how do we know if he exists?”

My aunt smiles warmly. “He exists, and he’s here.” 

“Are you certain Diane?” My father asks anxiously. 

My aunt nods. “Yes, and he smells of rainstorms, which proves he’s the one for you dear Sarah.” 

My head turns to the window, the figures on the hill. The smell which intoxicated my soul and the feeling of security when I looked into his face. Standing up from the table, I look to my father and aunt. “I’m sorry but this is all too much. I need to think.” 

My father is crying, but my aunt smiles gently. “We understand, please take time to process.” Hugging her tightly, then leaning down to kiss my father’s cheek, I run up to my room before I collapse upon my bed allowing my fears and grief to consume me as I cry myself to sleep.