The Alphas Nightmare

Chapter 12

The next day

Today marked our final complete day within the realm of the kingdom - our home away from home. As dawn breaks tomorrow, we shall be preparing ourselves to leave the castle and its familiar grandeur. Our route will lead us back to the rustic charm of our pack house, our original home that is waiting patiently for our return.

There are so many things that we need to focus on, a rather extensive list of preparations to get ready for our own annual event, ready to be tackled with a little bit of urgency. We are anticipating a significant number of wolves coming to this event that is getting closer, making the need for excellent preparation and detailed organization more pressing than ever before.

My mother, the wise Queen of this royal compound, made the judgment call, informing us that the twins wouldn't be participating in the grand festivities of the party. Instead, she resolved to leave them behind in the protective embrace of the kingdom, under the careful watch of the wise women. As much as the thought of their absence was a bit of a disappointment, and made me upset that they would not be present, I did agree with her decision. There is a realization that it is for the best, clearly understanding the nuances that motivated such a decision from my mother.

As the soft light of dawn breached the horizon this morning, my mother informed us that she had scheduled our breakfast under the open, blue skies. The skies were displaying a spectacle of unparalleled beauty. Daniel and I woke up to the elegance of the sun, throwing its amazing shine over everything it touched, its warmth seeping into our skins. The sight was hypnotic, with not a single cloud in the sky to hinder the relentless radiance of the sun.

My ever-diligent mother took it upon herself to organize this morning meal in the lush flower garden, a wonderland she diligently created behind the towering stone walls of the castle over the course of many seasons. Every petal, every blade of grass out there has been caressed by her nurturing touch, making the garden a perfect exhibition of her tireless efforts and dedication. Over the relentless passage of years, her dynamic vision of the place has transformed it into a breathtaking spectacle, a sight that demands to be seen, to be admired.

It was a morning laced with anticipation, as Daniel and I united in an affectionate venture, our hands linked together in firm, comforting grasp, making our way out of the back of the castle toward the fragrant expanse of the flower garden for breakfast. This serene space, heavy with the scent of blossoming buds and the gentle hum of diligent bees, was a place all too familiar, a scenery that coiled around my life like treasured tapestry. I envisioned my mother when I was a small child putting this beautiful escape together with her own hands.

To our immediate surprise, we were not the first to step foot out into the fresh air. My parents, already sitting at the table set or us all enjoying the light of the day, were already immersing themselves in the rhythmic tranquility of this botanical sanctuary. Alongside them were my aunts and uncles and my cousins, who tend to act more childlike with relentless energy and were momentarily tamed by the serene surroundings, were also present.

The one obvious absence from this family gathering was Donna. The empty space where she should have been was evident, a silent testimony to her decision in not joining the family breakfast earlier that morning. Some might argue that her absence was justified considering the controversy surrounding her ex, Matrius. His actions had sent ripples through our family life, shaking our bonds with tremors of guilt and regret. It was a situation that painted Donna into a reluctant corner, her presence often resulting in a bitter taste of resentment.

Yet, despite this somewhat awkward situation, an overriding sense of happiness washed over me. It was our last day here, Daniel's and mine, a reality that left me yearning to reinforce the ties that bound us to everyone here.

Among everyone at the table, I smiled with so much joy seeing Baby Serinity Eve, an innocent baby whose presence added a new dimension of love to our family dynamics. I gravitated towards her, leaving Daniel's side to approach Aunt Elle and Uncle Chris, who were tending to her lovingly. With every step, an undeniable sense of affection grew within me. It was an affection encased in longing, fuelled by the knowledge of our soon to be departure.

As I reached them, I made it a point to plant a gentle kiss on each of their cheeks, a tender show of affection and gratitude for their comforting presence. I then turned my attention to Aunt Elle, her arms cradling baby Serinity with the utmost tenderness.

"May I hold her?" I ventured to ask, my voice quietly laced with hope. Amusement softening her features, she happily entrusted me with her precious bundle, allowing me to clutch onto the symbol of our family's resilience and future. As I held Serinity, I was met with a sense of tranquility, a moment of bonding that I wished could stretch on indefinitely. And even though time was against us, even if this was our fleeting farewell, I chose to live in the moment, luxuriating in the joy that baby Serinity Eve brought into our lives.

Serinity and I had been entangled in a delightful play time for the last 45 minutes. This invigorating time was a glorious experience and I could not help but get completely absorbed in the giggles and laughter that came from her. But soon, I noticed a peculiar change in Serinity's demeanor. The beautiful baby who was about a minute ago gleefully giggling at my funny faces was starting to get fussy. Her laughter diminished, her little forehead creased in frustration and her cheerful nature seemed to retreat. Recognizing the signs of her restlessness, it was time for her to return to the comforting presence of Aunt Elle, her mama.

I gently lifted the little bundle of joy, now a bit less animated, calling out to Aunt Elle. Seeing her welcoming arms opened wide, I carefully handed Serinity back over. Aunt Elle's loving embrace immediately comforted Serinity, who snuggled against her lovingly. My baby cousin was content in the arms of her mama, it was time for me to rejoin Daniel and the others. I walked back to our original position, my feet echoing the soft conversation weaving around the garden. There Daniel was, lounging casually, his face lighting up as he noticed me approaching.

His welcoming smile sparked Hera into joyous leaping and grunting. I gracefully took my seat next to him, both of us wrapped in a comfortable silence for a moment before turning our attention to the sumptuous feast that was beginning to be laid before us.

The tantalizing aroma floating around outside was an index of the culinary expertise of the chefs. They had worked on all of this food since before the sun came up, mastering the warming dishes of breakfast to feed all of our morning hunger. The sight was nothing short of a beautiful spectacle, an array of delicious food that promised to be as tasty as it looked.

The atmosphere around was filled with anticipative silence as we, along with everyone else, were about to partake in this savory feast. The vibe was indeed a meal of its own. I was ready; we all were, to taste the scrumptious dishes, created with love and skill by the dedicated chefs, a perfect start to our day.

By the time breakfast had come to a satisfactory conclusion, with the remnants of the dishes cleared away, leaving just a few half-empty glasses of various drinks dotted about the expansive dining table, the conversation took an inevitable turn. We all became engrossed in an animated discussion about the upcoming party set to take place at the pack house.

"Nevada has made an exquisite choice to make this party a masquerade ball," Daniel remarked, speaking to the entirety of the group gathered around the table. His voice held a note of pride. "We've arranged for the best artisans in the region to craft the masks and create the beautiful decorations."

"Oh, a masquerade ball is indeed an amazing idea," chimed Uncle Ben with a radiant smile stretching across his weathered face. "Sounds nothing short of a truly exhilarating experience!"

The statement stoked the excitement of my cousins, who, much like many of the pack members, were also mateless and that is why they had been invited to our event. I was genuinely thrilled for them with wishes in my heart that this event might play a pivotal role in their lives, leading them to find their fated companions.

After a little while, I excused myself from the conversation around the dining table and ventured over to Aunt Malia and Uncle Ben, seeking an opportunity for a private chat with both of them. They understood my gesture and got up from the table, and Daniel readily accompanied us. We had previously talked about a certain matter and had opted to act upon it.

"There is something we would like to ask you, Aunt Maila, Uncle Ben," I began, choosing my words carefully, "Daniel and I would like to offer an invitation to Donna. We're aware that the not-so recent events have led her to a self-imposed isolation from social interactions with anyone other than the 2 of you. However, we sincerely wish she would join us at the masquerade ball and seize this opportunity to potentially meet her destined mate. Of course," I added, "we would love to hear your thoughts on this since both of you will be attending the ball as well."

Aunt Malia exchanged a glance with Uncle Ben. Emotion shone in her eyes, and I could see them welling up with unshed tears. She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. "Nevada," she finally managed, "we are truly honored that you considered Donna. I have no doubt that she would cherish this golden opportunity to participate in such a grand event. Rest assured, I will personally take up the task of informing her about the invitation."

Daniel and Uncle Ben shared a firm handshake as confirmation, while Aunt Malia and I shared an emotional embrace. It felt good to know that my parents had already given their approval to our plans for inviting Donna. The feeling of unity in the family seemed to solidify just a little more at that moment. Even if I had small reserves for her and her actions. She and I were once the best of friends.

As the radiant sun sinks lower into the sky, revealing the velvety darkness of the night, this moment of transition evokes a pang of nostalgia and a bittersweet sense of leaving behind the house I lovingly called my childhood home. This kingdom, with each corner steeped in uncountable memories, suddenly seemed alien, as if I were visiting for the first and last time. As the seconds ticked by, counting down the last fragments of our stay, it was not just sorrow that marked its presence, but another feeling rose in its wake - a sense of need and want.

Since our arrival here, deep within my sanctuary, there hadn't been a moment for intimacy with Daniel. As if we were teenage lovers all over again, avoiding the prying eyes of family, my desire for him - the yearning for his touch, his warmth, his closeness - seemed to have only intensified. My thoughts of him, heavily laced with potent passion, have been relentlessly gnawing at me, eating me alive from the inside.

Tonight, as we lay entwined in the intimate setup of our shared sleeping quarters, it was excruciating to keep my thoughts pure. It felt as if my mind were a switch that got stuck in the on position, determined to keep churning out X-rated thoughts about him. This created a palpable tension that hung heavy like the air before a storm, evident in our restless attempts to find sleep on the bed we shared.

Our special bond allowed him an unfiltered view into my thoughts - my raw, relentless desires. I could feel his discomfort, and one look at him confirmed it. This uncanny connection only intensified the situation for him, adding to the torment we were enduring.

The proximity, our bodies merely whispers away from each other in the dimly lit room, served as fuel to the smoldering flame of our restrained passion. It was becoming almost agonizing for us to maintain our composure, to keep our insatiable hands off each other until we returned to the sanctity of our home the following afternoon. The anticipation of what lay ahead was acting as a sweet torture, making the hours stretch longer. As each heartbeat pulsates with pent-up desire and a promise of the passion that awaited at the dawn of our homeward journey.