The Myth of Midnight (A Bit of Time Series: Book 1)

Prologue Continued...

"Beautiful, aren't they" Beta Jake exclaimed, pulling me from my own thoughts and bringing me back to reality. "Luna Serefine takes pride in her gardens. Calls them her beautiful children." He added with a quiet chuckle.

"She should take pride in them, I've never seen a garden quite as mesmorizing" I stated honestly, not being able to pull my eyes away from the sight.

"Well, that's probably because you haven't seen many, if any, gardens cared for by a hedge witch. They take their plants, whatever they may be, with the utmost seriousness. The pack house is filled with potted plants. She even keeps a small garden growing in the kitchen. She refuses to let anyone here cook with store bought herbs." He casually explained.

My head snapped towards him so quickly that I thought I might get whiplash. With wide eyes I asked him "Your Luna is a witch? That's so f*****g cool!"

He laughed out loud at that. I could see the relief in his eyes when he finally looked back at me. "That wasn't the reaction I was expecting, Serefine will love to hear it."

"I would love to meet her. My father never allowed witches onto our packlands because my mother was terrified of them. But my best friend, Bethany, her mates pack has a family of them that were accepted into their pack years ago. They are wonderful people, and have some of the best wisdom to share when one of them senses its needed." I rushed out, feeling more and more excited with each word. Other than that Michaelson's, I've never met another witch. But I've always felt that my mother's fear of them was irrational. When Beth joined Jon's pack, my assumption of my mother's fear was proved true. Father knew about the witches in the Mountain Lake pack, but neither of us breathed a word about to to mother. She would have a heart attack and forbid me from visiting ever again.

"Let's head to the office. Alpha Wilton is waiting" The beta told me. He had his arm stretched out, as if to say "ladies first". Sexy and a gentleman, panty dropper indeed.

Oh my Goddess Annie, the man is holding the front door open for us! Val purred. That's it, I was officially swooning. I agree, I could just lick him all over Val voiced with a slight growl. Perv. She giggled don't even lie, you would too b***h. If I'm a perv, your my pervy pea in this pod. I couldn't argue her point. she was right. I almost laughed out loud, but thankfully held it in. I saw the Beta glance at me. I could feel myself blush, even though I knew the man couldn't hear me and Val having this highly inappropriate conversation about how lickable he was.

I'm not a virgin by no means, I mean I'm almost 20 years old for Goddess sakes. But I haven't met my mate yet either. Why should I have to be a prude at my age just because I have a mate out there somewhere? I can drool over a sexy specimen of a man when I see one. And the day I meet my mate, I'll drool over his ass just the same. We walked passed the set of stairs, turning to the right and following the hallway. I haven't been paying attention to the decor, thanks to my lust filled thoughts, but I did notice the color scheme was mostly pastels and woodwork. It flowed together perfectly.

We came to a stop in front of a set of double doors with a satin gloss finish. It looked so smooth to the touch. Beta Jake rapped his knuckles against the wood three times before I heard a deep voice that sounded like silk call out "Come in!"

The beta opened the door and stood to the side, saying "ladies first" out loud this time, before stepping through behind me. That man sure knows how to convey a message with his eyes Val commented, sending the mental image of the look he gave earlier.

"Alpha Wilton, this is Annabell Trice. Miss Trice, Alpha Wilton." Beta introduced.

I walked over to the large desk in towards the back of the room, behind it seated a mountain of a man. He was handsome, no doubt. With bright green eyes that held a smile, and hair the color of rich milk chocolate. You could tell he was a little older, but not much. Maybe late twenties, early thirties I would guess. He stood to greet me as I reached the desk. My Goddess he was tall, atleast a foot taller than me, if not more. Scratch that, definitely more. I stood at a mere five foot three, and this behemoth of a man towered over me. I had to strain my neck a bit to meet his eyes. I held my hand out, as he shook it I stated "N-nice to meet you sir. Thank you for granting me entry to your pack lands."

"Of course, my dear. What kind of alpha and man would I be if I were to turn away a young lady as yourself?" He asked, before adding "especially one with such tragic circumstance seeking refuge. My Luna would skin me alive if she had heard I turned you away."

"Skinned you alive, then told you 'to get to steppin' and made you go looking for her. And would have forced me and the warriors to fall in right behind you." the beta joked.

The look that crossed the Alphas face was priceless, it was one of utter horror as he thought of the mental image his right hand man had painted. I couldn't help the laugh that bellowed out of me. That brought the alpha back to the present. He gave m a small laugh as he tried to physically shake the image from his mind. "Indeed she would have. And Goddess help us all if any of us would have shown back up without the woman in question." He took his seat once more and gestured to one of the matching seats on this side of his desk "Please, Miss Trice, have a seat"

"Annabell, if you don't mind Alpha." I asked, as I took my seat. Beta Jake then moved to take his leave "Beta Jake, I sincerely appreciate the escort to your Alpha."

"No thanks needed, ma'am. It's part of the job. Plus, who am I to pass up the opportunity to walk with such beauty at my side. The pleasure is all mine." He exclaimed, sending me a wink and that panty dropping smile. Val was practically salivating at him as he stepped out the door, closing it behind him.

"So, Miss Tri- Annabell. My apologies dear. Nate had replayed the incounter of when you met him at the boarder, but do you think you could give me a bit more details? I met your father when I was just a wee little pup, but neither of us held our Alpha titles at that time. We got along well enough, but had only met a handful of times back then. He was a good man from what I remember. Never thought he could make such an enemy to have his entire pack decimated." Alpha said with a grimace. He gave me an apologetic look.

I took a deep breath to try and steady myself, as my heart was pounding and I could feel the tears starting to pool already. What the hell is wrong with me? I knew I lost the only family I had left and everything I ever knew, but I've always been able to separate from my emotions at times when I needed to. This was definitely one of those times."Well, Alpha, if I'm being honest, there isn't a whole lot I could tell you. I hardly remember the attack, and I cannot recall a single moment of my escape from our pack lands." I told him, my voice catching every few words. Another deep breath. "My father had a system installed, when he brought his mate and my mother home as Luna, to alert the pack should their be an attack."

"Was he anticipating an attack to happen after she bame Luna?" he questioned. Almost everyone who learned of his alarm system over the years had asked the very same question.

"No sir, Alpha. You see, when my mother was but a pup herself, her former packlands had been attacked as well. I don't know the whole story behind it, as she didn't like to think of that time in her life. But from what I do know of the attack, she had to suffer from watching her eldest brother and his best friend, both of which had carried her to the lake to swim that day at her request, try to fight off the enemy while doing what they could to keep her out of harms way. They were caught by surprise though. She was in the water, both men sitting on the dock laughing and joking with her, when she saw movement in the trees behind them." Another deep breath. I had to reach up and wipe the few tears that had fallen, thinking of the uncle I never got to meet. Mother had pictures of him hung all around our pack house, but she never would speak of him. Father said it hurt her to much to try. One more deep breath, then I continued. "When she realized that what she had seen was not another pack member, and was moving as a foe, not friend, she called out to her brother. Both men had smelled the intruder and his comrades at that time though. They had both jumped up and were in warrior mode. As they started up the dock to fight, her brother had mindlinked her and told her to swim across the lake as fast as she could and that when she reached the bank on the other side, she was to run. Run and not look back. Not to stop until she reached their warriors or the pack house. Mother said she couldn't though. She said she had bee frozen with terror. She watched as the intruders fought her brother and his friend. They put up a good fight, but their were to many against them. She was finally able to move, but only because she had watched her brothers life fade from his eyes while feeling his familial bond snap." The tears were falling freely at this point. "The friend fell soon after. But before the intruders could come after her, their warriors surrounded the lake and quickly took them out. She heard someone screaming as their beta was pulling her out of the float she was on in the water. She didn't realize the screams were coming from her until her father had her wrapped in his arms, crying with her over the loss of his son. She had jist reached the beginning of her teenage years when it happened. It was so traumatic for her that when she met my father, she refused to lay claim to him. Her wolf did as well. So my father left after hearing her past, and set up the best alarm system he could at the time. After he was sure his pack would never be caught by surprise like that again, he requested her packs beta to come and witness it himself so she would have proof. When he arrived back in her pack, she was waiting inside their front gate, with her suitcases lined up behind her, a smile on her face, tears in her eyes, and love in her heart. Corny, I know. But those were her words, not mine."

The Alpha chuckled then looked over my shoulder with a smile. I turned to look at our guest as I heard the most beautiful tear stained voice say "oh my, dear. Such a tragedy, but what a beautiful love story your parents had. I had met Cynthia not long after that attack. She was such a broken soul, and when she learned of my families gifts, she begged her parents to send us away. You see, the only reason that attack was able to be what it was, was because the rogue congregation who initiated it had the help of a coven of witches who were drunk in the practice of dark magic." I gasped. The woman who spoke reminded me of a pixie. Tiny, flittery, but had an elegant sort of grace about her as she moved. It was a sight to see. She practically glided over to her mate as she walked. I was in awe.

As she sat in Alpha Wiltons lap and he wrapped his arm around her tiny little waist, it registered what she had said "you met my mother?" I cried.

"I did, my sweet child. You are a mirror image of the beautiful, but grief stricken woman I met that day." She sighed. "I am Serefine. Do you mind if I call you Annie?"

I don't know what has come over me, but I couldn't keep the sob that fought its way from my chest. Luna Serefine left her mates lap and came around to my chair. She pulled me up and into her arms and held me while I cried. She whispered soothing words into my hair while she while rubbing my back and hold me close. "I am so sorry sweer girl, i did not mean to upset you."

I could hear the worry she had in her voice. As I willed my tears to a stop, and Val helped my heart slow and my breathing to calm enough for me to pull away, I looked to the Luna "no, Luna Serefine. You did nothing to upset me. I am usually a pro at keeping my emotions at bay, no matter the reason. I'm not sure what's going on now, but still. It's just that, well, Annie was the name my mother has called me for as long as i can remember. I've never known anyone else to coin the same name for me."

She hugged me once more "I know dear. I seen flashes of memories coming from your lovely Val, and before I knew what I was even saying, I had asked if you minded. My apologies dear. Honestly, sometimes I have no control of my gifts and say things I shouldn't before I have the chance to stop myself."

She is even more wonderful than I imagined, "it is not an issue Luna, I promi-" I started.

"Call me Serefine, child. None of that Luna nonsense. You are an alpha by right, after all. Yet, you choose to omit your title when stating your name. Formalities are not needed here. We're going to be great friends, and dare I say even family, so I insist, call me Serefine." She finished with a nod. Her eyes held a look of determination while her face held the most loving smile.

"Oh," I stumbled over my words "of- of course. Serefine, then." She gave another nod, satisfied with my acceptance, gave my shoulder a light squeeze then made her way back to take her place in her mates lap. I adored the confidence this strange woman had about her. "It's just that, when you had asked for permission to call me Annie, it had felt so surreal. My mother was the only one who ever used that name for me. And even though it was strange to hear it coming from a literal stranger, it was even more comforting. It's like I found the tiniest bit of her essence here in Crystal Cove, hundreds of miles from where she lay."

I could see a tear forming in the corner of her eye, watching as it fell she stated "well then, my child, I would be honored and happier than a witch is able if you would allow me to be the one to give memorial to your mother for you." All I could do was nod.

"Wait, Serefine, did you say you saw flashes of my memories?" I asked her, remembering how she said she thought of the name.

"No, dear." She giggled "the memories were Val's" Val pushed her way to the surface, I knew my eyes were shining with the color of the ocean on a stormy day when the Luna smiled even bigger my way "or may I call you Valentine? I would hate to show favoritism to one daughter, and not honor the others mother as well."

I could feel Val's heartache as well as the awe she held for this woman. This really is where we're meant to be Val I told my wolf counterpart. "Hello Serefine." Val choked out, voice full of tears, "yes, please. I have missed hearing my mother's special name for me. Thank you for living her memory."

Serefine nodded to us "always, sweet pup. Always." Val nudged me back to the forefront. "Now, Annie. If it wouldn't be to much, could you tell us what happened?"

I had almost forgot that I needed to recount what I remembered of the attack. s**t. "As I told Alpha Wil-" I cleared my throat at the pointed look she gave me. The Alpha chuckled, looking at his luna with love. Right, no formalities. "As I told wilton" I paused, waiting until she gave a nod of acceptance with a smirk "there isn't much I do remember of the attack. And I don't remember anything of my escape from the pack lands." I explained. Then I continued to tell them everything that happened from my reoccurring dream. They listened intently, both held grim faces that matched so well i almost laughed.

When I finished with my story, I cleared the tears from my eyes and took a few deep breaths to calm my shaking body. Goddess, could I be anymore emotional.

"Dear, you have every right to be emotional at this time. You suffered a great tragedy. And you haven't had much time to grieve or to accept that you are a surviver, and now the alpha." Sereifine exclaimed. I must have looked as shocked as I felt because she then stated "oh! Right, I never answered when you asked of my gift!" She shook her head to herself and her mate smiled, like this is an everyday occurrence. "You're probably wondering if I can read your mind, and although that would be pretty cool, that is not my gift. The Moon Goddess gave me the gift of knowing. At times, it does present itself as receiving the exact thought that someone may have at that time, but it's not the same as being able to read minds. It's more like if you were to mindlink me." She explained. Only continuing once I nodded in understanding, wanting to make sure I was following along. "And then at times the gift shows me flashes of thoughts or memories. Even going as far as to show me the image of who the thought came from, especially when it comes from a werewolf." Oh, okay. That's strange, but still pretty damn cool. Agreed, human. Val spoke up. I like her, we're staying. Well, okay. Seems like I'm overruled.

"Well, now that you understand my mate a bit better, let's get back to the attack. You said that you can only remember what came to you in the form of a dream?" Alpha wilton asked me. I nodded. "And you can't recall anything of your escape?" I shook my head.

"After I felt the familial bonds snap for both my mother and father, I guess the pain was to great for my body to process at one time. I blacked out. Val said that she had taken control as we were coming to, she didn't want me to witness any of the m******e as we made our escape. So she took control and blocked me off in our mind. She refused to recount anything she saw as well. Which I am thankful for her for that." I remarked. Val purred at me in appreciation. I couldn't ask for a better wolf than her. She truly was my best friend. I love you Val. I told her before giving my attention back to the alpha couple in front of me.

"When you say she took control, do you mean she forced a shift?" Alpha Wilton asked, genuinely curious. Serefine had her head c****d to the side, with a look I couldn't name on her face.

"No, alpha. She took control of my human form." I explained. It was no big deal. We've been able to do it since my 15th birthday, the day Val revealed herself to me. She came a year early. Most people don't get their wolves til they turn 16. They can shift for the first time on the night of the first full moon after their 16th birthday. But Val was a whole year early. I never told anyone, because we still couldn't shift until we turned 16, and Val agreed that we should keep it to ourselves when I suggested it. But she's always been able to take complete control over my human form. I thought all wolves could, but seeing the utter shock on the alpha and Lunas faces says otherwise.

"You're wolf is able to have complete control? WITHOUT having to shift into your wolf form?" The Luna questioned like she just couldn't believe it.

"Yes, Luna. Is that not normal?" I asked her, seriously confused. I know Nate, the warrior from the boarder, had said it wasn't normal, but that had made me think that it was something unique only to alphas orLunas.

"No, child." Serefine answered softly. "But it does make me wonder." She glanced down at me, not sure what she expected to see. It wasn't like Val was magically going to be sitting in my lap. "When did you have the first dream, recalling the attack?"

Huh? I wonder what made her question that. Oh well, she's the witch, not me. "um," I began, as i tried to remember when the first dream surfaced. It was almost 3 weeks ago. You woke up the next morning and took back control for the first time since it happened. Val told me. Huh, i didn't realize that was what had woken me up that morning. I recounted what Val had said to me, to the alpha and luna. Serephine looked deep in thought, then she looked towards her mate, then back at me. She seemed to be trying to make a decision. With a nod, she must have made up her mind "it must be the child" she stated. Val was growling quietly, or trying to, to keep it from coming out. My mouth was working faster than my brain as I started telling her "no, that can't be it. I've been able to give Val complete control since the day I got her at 15." It was then that my brain finally caught up and I realized what she had said. At that moment, Val couldn't hold in her growl. It was low enough that only those in this room could hear it, but it had so much power pulsing through it that it still shook the entire pack house. "What do you mean, it must be the child" I asked. I could feel myself starting to panick. Take a deep breath, Annie. Try to stay calm. Val was trying to coach me out of this attack. It wasn't working. My breathing started coming out erratically, and I my vision was getting blurry "what child?" I asked her. Atleast, I think it was me. s**t s**t s**t. Listen to my voice, Annie. Come on human, BREATH. I could barely hear Val as she became frantic. My own voice sounded like it was on the other side of a tunnel. I didn't want to hear her answer. I already knew it. But that couldn't be possible, could it?

I stood up, and asked again "what child, Serefine?" Annabell, sit back down. Val was screaming by this point, trying to use her Alpha command on me, knowing it wouldn't work. I would have snorted at her for even trying if this were any other time. It wasn't. I should have just listened to Val.

"Annie, dear" Serefine began, reaching for me "didn't Val tell you, you're going to have a pup?" f**k. Val was snarling in my head, my head was spinning, black spots danced in my vision, growing by the millisecond.

Im pretty sure I heard someone yelling at me, demanding I tell them whats wrong, but I could have imagined it. I couldn't answer them even if I wanted to. I could feel my consciousness slipping away, the most I could do that could be considered talking was growl out at Val in our mind Val, what the hell did you do? I didn't even feel myself hit the floor as everything went black.