Fated or Mated

My Heart is under Seige

Ashton:

I run expertly through woods. The stench of rouge wolves becoming strong. They are close. As soon as my eyes fell upon their mangy bodies, I knew it was over. My large claws sliced through them effortlessly. One of the few perks of being an Alpha, I suppose. There isn't many. This is my predestined life. It was set in stone before I was born. As soon as I could walk, I was trained to fight. As soon as I could talk, I was trained to speak properly. School work during the day, shadowing father and his work in the evening. Any other time I had to spare was to train. One day, I would find my Luna, and she too would be trained to be my other half. Just as calculated and determined as me. Or so it was expected. That is what my father had done. Mother and Father never had a loving, caring bone in their bone. Father locked himself in his office more often than not tending to pack duties. Mother kept up appearances during the day, then retired to do whatever daunting paperwork Father left for her in the evening. Father even ate dinner in his office, Mother tended to have a martini or two before heading to bed. Cold, mechanic, rigid. That is my life. So, of course I know Arianna. As a young boy I would peer out my window to the west. Fields sprawling as far as the eye could see. Nestled close to the woodline is a modest two story home. It always looked too warm and inviting. That's were she lives. The little girl that had free-will to roam and explore. She ran around mainly in her tees and overalls, covered in mud ofcourse. Digging in the garden planting, picking vegetables, taking her fishing pole to the creek. I could spend hours watching her when I was little, with jealousy and astonishment. As I got older, the jealousy subsided, and something else arose. It was something I couldn't place a word on. The way her warm chesnut hair glistened in the sun, the bright beaming smile that was always plastered on her perfect sun kissed face. She was something else. Not like the girls here. No. They were bold, aggressive, wore too much makeup and too little clothes. All the other warriors loved when they hung around. Not me. I slowly fell in love with the carefree girl out my window.....

"ASHTON, ARE YOU HERE!" my father yells through mindlink.

"Yes Alpha! Just a mile from town center!"

"Good! Come quick! We need help!"

I shift as I reach the center of the neighboring pack. The smell of death is everywhere. Young men and women mourning over so many of there loved ones.

Their Alpha met me and my father in the midst of the chaos. "Thank you so much for helping.... We could not stop them.... Many warriors had taken the night off because of the ball.... We thought it was safe...." The Alpha choking, straining to hold back tears he had for his people. "I know it is alot to ask, but if you could please help us clean this place up, it would be greatly appreciated...."

"Ofcourse Alpha.... Anything we could do to help...."

Hours went by of removing dead rouges, and taking passed pack members to the mourge.

"I think we can handle it from here, please send your warriors home to rest. I have alot of families to speak with. It will be a long night for me." We both nod and give our condolences.

"Father, I think I may go for a quick run home in our pack lands. I should do a perimeter check and look out for escapees."

"Good idea, son. Mindlink if you see anything questionable."

"Of course, Father."

A couple of hours go by. It is now 1:00 AM. I am tired, no exhausted. My body and mind are numb. I stop by the creek to get some water and rinse this blood from my fur. The cool spring water rinses the aftermath from my fur effortlessly. I stand there motionless, wishing it could do the same for my mind. After the dip, I lay down for a moment. This is my favorite spot of all the packland. There is only one reason why. This little hill right here. It has just enough height to gaze down at her favorite reading spot. I can picture it now. Her strolling gracefully down to the bank, laying down her blanket and dipping her toes in the water as she read her favorite novels. She can read for hours, and sometimes she would read aloud. I know she thinks she is alone, but I can hear. I would listen and hang on to every word she read. It was mainly in the summertime when I was supposed to be training. Being the next Alpha means I was faster that the rest, so I had some time to kill before it was time to return to reality.

Before I could realize what I was doing, I found myself nearing the edge of the woodline, peering up to her window, a warm amber glow seeming to call out to me. She must have fell asleep with it on. Poor thing..... What am I going to do.... She doesn't realize who I am.... the Alpha, next in line to the forsaken throne. She isn't meant for this life, not mine. No matter how good she felt to finally be in my arms. The way her sweet wildflower and honey scent invaded my nose, and my heart. No. Not my wildflower, I can not, and will not, take away her innocence. I will not pluck her and place her in the cell I call home. She is too tender, to wholesome, to wildly perfect for such a life. She is meant to roam and run free, and I could never take away her freedom. No, Adrianna. I have known I have loved you for such a long time, but I will have to continue to love you from afar. You are too pure and sweet for me. Your happiness is worth every pain I will have to endure making this decision. But I will do this for you, my dear sweet Arianna. Stay carefree for me my love.