Chapter 4
1308 Words
After twenty-two years Aerly suddenly realised she didn't know much about her mother. William had always told the girl of the strength of Carlina, a formidable opponent much like herself but otherwise, she didn't know much. It was the first time she had ever heard that her mother was pureblood, a full-blown Lycan and it left a distaste in her mouth her dislike of them was quite known and now she knew she had that blood running through her veins. Aerly also had no interest in returning to that meeting her fathers dismissal of her was aggravating and as for the silver-eyed woman's mate she had no interest of becoming to close but the questions swirled in her mind Lycans and Mates she only knew some things about them so she decided to see the only pure-blood she actually liked.
In the infirmary was the girl she was looking for. Lilah, her petite frame easily sat in the infirmary cot, her fair skin, dark raven hair she was the epitome of a real life snow white despite the terrible wounds she carried but the strength in her is what gained Aerly's admiration even if she had only known her for a week. "Well, well, well what did I do to get a visit from Miss Alpha" Lilah couldn't help but laugh to herself.
"You know I don't actually have a title right?" Aerly simply shook her head but couldn't help the smile forming as she sat herself down onto the seat beside the bed.
"You don't need the title. You're a natural" Lilah adjusted herself on the bed as she slightly turned to face Aerly.
"Just here for a visit?" Lilah couldn't help but question always being curious of nature.
"We have guests today. A young man rising up the ranks to take over his fathers spot as Alpha of the entire region of Lycans" Aerly spoke and instantly noticed the nervousness of Lilah "don't worry, Lilah. His name was Raiden and he said he wasn't going to turn you over."
"Raiden?" she breathed a sigh of relief "I only met him a few times but he is a kind man even though Lucian is his cousin."
"Lucian, your mate?"
"Do you know how old I am?" Lilah suddenly asked to which Aerly shook her head in response "I'm fifteen.. I won't know my mate until my birthday."
"Then why?" Aerly directed her gaze to the scar just above her collar bone what was obviously once a marking now stood a scar of coiled and puckered unevenly burnt flesh.
"Why did he mark me... I've been here a week and now all the questions?" Lilah let out a heavy sigh making it obvious of the toll the past weighed on her shoulders.
"I didn't want to pry but now consider me curious plus I have questions I need to be answered" Aerly replied her silver eyes trained on the girl.
"Lucian was my sister's mate. She was so strong. My family had four girls but my sister Sophia was the strongest but as soon as she realised Lucian was her mate... She killed herself" Lilah let her eyes close as though the words were already too much to bear "she would rather be dead than be with him, Aerly that is just the kind of monster he is."
"She couldn't of run away? And if she was his mate why are you bearing his mark?" Aerly couldn't help but question.
"She couldn't run from her mate. Once found mates are bound for life the only way out of it is if one of them is dead. If you really don't want your mate the only option is either to kill yourself or try and kill them" her eyes remained focused on the simple white cotton sheet covering the lower half of her body while her fingers picked aimlessly at the loose thread "he didn't want a mate either.. Him having a mate meant she was equal to him and.. Lucian couldn't have that but my family comes from a strong bloodline and I wouldn't be a threat to his power so..." she gave a shrug "here I am. I had to wait for months until my family fled to the safety of Raiden's fathers pack until I could finally run."
"Lilah, why didn't you flee with your family?" Aerly couldn't help but edge closer the tales spilling from Lilah's mouth setting her deep into curiosity.
"My family wasn't under watch like I was so it was easier for them to leave. I came here because it was closer. Apollo's pack is further easier for my family but I would have been sent after plus It's okay. I'm okay now my family is safe with Alpha Apollo and Lucian dare not try anything even in the midst of Raiden taking over" Lilah explained with a nervous look still holding place on her delicate face.
"How are they so different? I mean they are cousins, right? And you said Raiden is nice but Lucian is a monster" Aerly couldn't help her curiosity even if she didn't want to admit it she was interested to learn about her mate.
"Have you ever heard of Caliban Crane?" As soon as Lilah asked Aerly couldn't even keep her mouth from opening in shock. Even if she grew up in the sanctuary everyone knew of Caliban Crane he was a powerful and respected warrior no one ever dared cross he was the first to mate with a regular werewolf despite him being a pureblood. "I take it from your face you have?" Lilah let out a chuckle "Caliban is Raiden's grandfather. Raiden's mother's father when his father Apollo mated with Caliban's daughter Elara such a powerful match taking over the packs Luan, Apollo's brother grew terribly bitter and jealous I suppose he passed that on to Lucian and Julian they really despise Raiden" Lilah let out small chuckle "at least that is the tale heard through the packs."
"Living here you tend to miss these kinds of things" Aerly simply noted.
"Well I believe the story anyway... Lucian really is bitter and jealous and many more things" the petite teenager spoke with clear disdain.
"Is that why you?" Aerly directed her gaze to the scaring across Lilah's neck.
"I would have rather burnt myself to death than have to bear his mark" Lilah sneered. Aerly was quick to reach out and take the girls hand in comfort.
"You know Lilah, you are one of the strongest people I have ever met" Aerly flashed the girl a kind smile to which Lilah was quick to return as the embraced the comfortable silence between the pair.
:::
Aerly had let time slip by until nightfall when she made her way home. Her home is one of her favourite places of the entire Sanctuary just a simple cottage at the edge of the clearing right beside the blossom tree she had planted almost ten years ago when they finally settled on the property it was a seedling then but now bloomed the most beautiful of white blossoms as pure as silk something she loved to admire from her bedroom window but it was night and the season was fall so the branches were naked and instead rattled and shuttered against the wooden slates of her small home.
To her surprise once Aerly had finally settled in bed the warmth of the covers wrapping her in comfort a knock caught her off guard. With a heavy sigh she dragged her feet across the recycled wooden floor just for another knock to sound "impatient" she grumbled hurrying to the front door before another knock could be heard again the silver-eyed woman yanked open the door. Stunning her into silence seeing her mate standing in front of her.
"Evening Aerly..."
- Writer
