BLOOD MOON LYCAN QUEEN

"Rae run!" My mother's terrified voice echoed in my head, barely audible over the beating of my heart. We were running through the woods, attempting to make it to King Caspian's pack after our pack was attacked by rogues. We weren't from King Caspian's kingdom, we belonged to King Masons kingdom, but our capital of Sedorah was days away, and we'd never outrun the rogues still chasing our small party. My mother, father, elder brother and about twenty pack members had fled with us when we began to hear the screams coming from one of the bunkers. How they got in there was a mystery to us, but we didn't have much time to dwell on it as we ran through the first. But no matter how long we ran, they were still catching up, and my parents weren't running anymore. They had to fight, but my mother begged me to run ahead, but I was afraid to move. I was only seven. I shouldn't have to make this decision. Finally, my mother ripped off a large piece of bark from a nearby tree, and gripping my wrist so tightly that her nails dug into my skin, she pulled me along while I heard growling and the sounds of fighting. "Baby, listen to me," My mother whispered as she placed me on the bark that sank slightly, wetting my clothing and sending chills through my body, "Mommy and daddy love you so much, even if we're gone, we'll always love you. Live a good life. Find you mate and one day you'll have a family again." Tears fell down my cheeks, blurring my vision, "Please, mommy, come with me." "Mommy loves you, always!" She said as she shoved the bark further into the water, and a powerful current swept me away. "MOMMY!" I screamed, but it was too late, she was already back on her feet. She shifted and was running again. The last thing I saw before I was taken around the river bend was four large rogues rushing after her. I held onto the bark as tightly as I could manage, but eventually I landed on the bank. I was freezing, and I had no idea where I was, but I kept walking in one direction, praying to the Goddess that I'd find a pack and someone there would have news of my parents, but after walking all day and night, I found nothing but exhaustion. I tried to continue on, but my small body just didn't have it in me, and finally I passed out on the cold wet ground, my final thoughts of my parents and brother. I frowned in confusion when I woke up, no longer was I in the forest, but instead, I was in a tent on an uncomfortable cot, but I was warm and dry. Had my parents survived and found me? Excitedly, I cast the quilt aside and stumbled from the tent, hoping to see my family's smiling faces at the fire, my mother laughing while my father cooked, and my brother joking that our mother was the worst cook in the world, but the sight that greeted me was not that of my loving family, instead there were troops from my capital. "Look alive, the girls up!" One man called out as he ate. "Young lady, don't be afraid, I'm Beta Johnson," A tall man smiled at me. He was very handsome, dark black hair, warm brown eyes and a long scar down his arm. "What's your name?" He asked me, as he knelt in front of me. "Raelynn Callahan, or just Rae," I told him as I looked around, hoping to see my family. "I was from Silverwood. Do you know if there were any survivors? My family were in the woods." Beta Johnson looked down in pity, "I'm so sorry, child, but no one survived. As for your family, we don't know, but we have a tent over there with the dead. Would you like me to come with you? I nodded, and he gently took my hand. No, there had to be survivors. My family had to be okay. We walked together, hand in hand, Beta Johnson needing to bend slightly as I was much shorter than him. As we reached the tent opening, he hesitated, "Are you sure you want to do this? It's not a pretty sight. It'll haunt you forever." "Not knowing for sure will haunt me." Beta Johnson frowned at me, "How old are you, kid?" "Seven." "Really? You seem more mature, come on," He said, gripping my hand tighter, "Don't be afraid, I'm here with you." I took a steadying breath before walking inside, and my heart ached as I saw the rows of dead men, women and children. The scent of death and blood was overwhelming, and I gagged, but Beta Johnson quickly tied a handkerchief around my face, blocking most of the smell. I was grateful for his kind gesture, but I kept walking, I had a mission, I needed to look at everyone and prove my family were still alive. But as I walked around it became apparent that my hopes were going to be dashed, for the next body I saw was my brothers. His face was cut up, but I'd know him anywhere. "No!" I screamed and sat down. I grabbed his shirt and shook him, "Lyle! Wake up!" But no matter how much I begged and pleaded and cried, he didn't move. "I'm sorry, kid, but he's gone." Beta Johnson said sadly but firmly. "No, he's only thirteen, he'll be okay. He's just sleeping!" I said in between sobs of pain. When I finally pulled myself away from my brother, I glanced around and there they were, my mother and father, both dead. I felt like my world, that I'd only known for a few short years was collapsing all around me. I was alone. There was no one who loved me now. "MOMMY!" I screamed and crawled over to her body. I pressed my face into her chest, which was covered with a white sheet, and I cried harder than ever. "How could you leave me!" I don't remember crying myself to sleep, or perhaps I just passed out, because the next thing I knew, I was waking up in the tent again. I didn't move, I just stared at the tent's roof, not feeling anything. Was it normal to go numb after losing everything? I laid there for an hour, maybe two, when finally Beta Johnson came in. "You're awake." He stated the obvious. I didn't answer, I just turned away. "I know you've been through a terrible ordeal, but we should talk about what happens now," He said as he sat beside my bed and offered me a piece of candy that I ignored, so he unwrapped it and popped it into his mouth, "We've finished collecting the dead, and everyone's been burned, even your family. I'm sorry, but we couldn't wait any longer for you to wake up. You've been asleep for two days. I've spoken to the King, and he's said you can come to the capital and he'll take you on as his personal maid, you'll work and go to school and once you're old enough, you can choose your own profession, or... Is there any other family you can go to?" I shook my head, "My family is all gone." "I see. Well you can come with us then," He told me, "I've put your family's ashes there" He pointed to the left of me and I saw two small containers. "I put your parents together." He told me, before I could ask where the third one was. "Thank you." "I'm sorry for your loss, child. No one should have to go through what you did. Losing not only your family but your whole pack, it's not easy to bounce back from, but you're young, and you can adapt." "I don't want to adapt, I want my family back." "I know you do, I'll let you rest a little more, but I'll have Julia bring you down food. We'll leave in the morning." I nodded but didn't answer. The capital was grander than I'd imagined. My daddy had promised to take me here for my next birthday. I'd been so excited, but now, all I wanted was to go back home to my little pack. The tall buildings, and street stalls filled with delicious smelling food, and the pretty paintings and sculptures held no interest to me now, though nothing did anymore. I sat in Beta Johnson's carriage as it took us up the street towards a massive castle, but even that sight meant nothing to me. I wanted to go home. I wanted my mommy. Tears filled my eyes and I looked away. I was tired of seeing the sad putty expression on Beta Johnson's face. Finally, we made our way to the castle and Beta Johnson climbed out ahead of me, but he offered me his hand, that I took to climb out, I was too short for the carriage and needed help. "John!" A very pretty woman with one blue eye and one brown eye called out and ran towards him. "My love." He said, as he swept her into his arms and spun her around. "Good to see you back in one piece," An identical man said to Johnson, they must have been twins, only his twin had blue eyes. "It was touch and go there for a minute." "Who's the kid?" His twin asked, and I looked down. "She's the only survivor from Silverwood." He told them. "Her names Raelynn but she prefers Rae." "Oh, you poor darling." The women knelt and hugged me. Her warmth felt nice, but it was foreign, so I pushed her away. "Where is she staying?" The women asked. "She'll live in the maid's quarters, the King said she can work as his maid until she comes of age." "Nonsense!" The woman shook her head, "She's just a baby. She'll live with us until she's come of age, and she can still work for the King. I'm Jessica, and that's Ryan," She told me, as she stood up, We have twin boys around your age, they're really lovely, you'll get along great." "Okay, fine," Beta Johnson said, as he smirked at his mate, "I will tell the King, I have to report anyway." After Johnson walked away, Jessica stood up and reached for my hand, "Come along darling, we'll get you settled and I'm sure the King will want to see you about the attack." I nodded but didn't speak as we walked through the huge castle. I noticed pack members staring at me, and I knew why, it wasn't the attack. Most of them wouldn't have heard about it, it was my dark red hair. Only Dragons and Phoenix had red hair. I remember overhearing an argument my mother had with my grandmother, my dad's mom, a few years ago, about her doing a secret paternity test with a witch, because she was convinced my mother had cheated, but the test confirmed I was my father's child. I'd asked my mom once why I looked so different, and she looked uncomfortable, like she had a secret she wasn't ready to tell me. She just told me not to worry about it, that it made my unique and special. We continued to the third floor, and down a hallway. "The Royal family, the late King and Queen, and our family are in the wing, on this level," Jessica told me, as she pointed to doors, "And this is us." There were guards walking up and down the corridor, all waved to Jessica and Ryan. "The girl will stay with us from now on," Ryan told them, So don't arrest her if you see her here." "No problem, doc." One guard said, as Jessica pulled me into her home. "You're not a head Beta like your brother?" I asked as Jessica pulled off her coat." "Me?" He laughed, "No way, I leave the fighting and daily grind of the pack to my brother. I like helping people. Speaking of which, you've had a bad few days, I should do a check-up on you." "That can wait, she needs a bath and some food, and I suspect, some sleep." Jessica cut him off. "Yes, please." "Mommy!" A young boy came running down into the small lobby area we were standing in, "Where's daddy? You said he was home. Who's she?" "Nick, this is Raelynn, Rae for short," She told the boy who looked just like his father, Ryan. "Where's Charley?" "Here," Another boy came out holding a book, "Where's dad?" "He's talking to the King, this is Rae. She'll be living with us from now on, and I expect you to treat her like one of the family." "I don't want a sister. Why couldn't you bring home a boy?" Nick complained. "Well, you don't get to pick," Ryan told him, "Now be nice, she's just lost her family and pack in a rogue attack, she needs peace right now." "Fine, but mommy's new baby better be a boy." He pouted. "You're pregnant?" I asked Jessica. She smiled and touched her stomach, "I am, only a week though. Come on. I'll show you your room." She took my hand again, and led me down a hallway, past the living and lounge rooms, pointing out the boys rooms, and his and her mate's room, a guest room, and then finally, a second guest room. There was nothing much inside, just a double bed, chest of drawers, two bedside tables and a plant. "Once you've settled in, I'll take you shopping for some clothes and trinkets." "But I don't have any money." "Don't worry about that. I'm rich, I come from an Alpha line, and my dad gave me a huge sum when I married, and I've always wanted to go shopping for a girl. The bathroom is through there and stocked. Go take a bath, and I'll go find something to fit you." "Thank you." Jessica smiled and left me alone in my new room. It didn't smell like home. It didn't feel like home, but I was grateful for her kindness. It was more than I'd expected upon entering the city. I'd had been years since I arrived in the city, and, despite how kind they all were, and despite Jessica's love and kindness, I still felt like an outsider. I didn't belong here. There was somewhere else I was meant to be, but I couldn't explain why I felt that way. I knew it didn't have anything to do with my family. I just felt drawn somewhere else. That night I couldn't sleep, I kept having strange dreams, I kept hearing a man's voice calling to someone. Her name was Nora, but it felt oddly familiar, like I'd heard that name before. Those dreams continued over the next three years. Every night was the same thing, a man, an extremely handsome man would grab my arm and call me Nora, he'd beg me to calm down, to control my emotions, but whenever I tried to speak back to him, my voice wouldn't come out, and I'd wake up sweating and confused, why couldn't this man haunt someone'l else's dreams? Though at the same time, not seeing his face again would upset me. I had grown to have a crush on my mystery dream man. Not that I'd ever tell anyone about it, they'd think I was crazy. It was a Saturday today and the day of my twelfth birthday, and like every year, Jessica had prepared an elaborate feast, pancakes, toast with spreads, bacon, eggs, waffles and fruit. "There's the birthday girl!" She called out. "Jessy, you're pregnant. I told you not to bother this year." Jessica was determined to get a daughter, and had convinced her mates they needed another child, but just like the last two pregnancies, she was having another boy. A fact she had yelled at her mates for and made them sleep in the guest room until she calmed down and accepted things as they were. "Oh hush, it's no bother, now come sit and eat!" We all spent the day by the river. It was fun, but like every year on my birthday when I blew out the candles, I wished I was home with my family. I was in bed sleeping, my dreams once again plagued with my dream man who was kissing me, despite clearly being in his twenties, when I was woken by a crushing pain in my chest. I screamed and coughed up blood, before I scrambled shaking from my bed and pulled the door open. "Help!" I screamed, as my arm broke. Johnson was the first to reach me, and his eyes widened. "Oh my Goodness, she's shifting.'' He said in disbelief. ''How... This shouldn't be possible.'' ''Are you sure she's only twelve?'' Jessica asked. ''Yes,'' Her husband answered, as I screamed again. "But if she's really only twelve she shouldn't be shifting, only powerful Lycans shift at thirteen," Jessica argued, as she pulled on her robe, "And everyone else shifts at sixteen! I've never heard of anyone shifting at twelve." I screamed as my leg broke, and Johnson lifted me into his arms. "Well, clearly she's powerful, I have to get her into the woods," He said, as the twins came out rubbing their eyes and looking confused. ''Do you think it's because of the bloodmoon?'' Jessica asked, but then she fell silent, as Johnson lifted me into his arms. ''I'll be back in a few hours,'' He told him mate, before we left the home. Johnson carried me into the forest, getting a few deep scratches for his troubles. I tried to apologize, but he brushed it off, and once we were far enough into the trees, he laid me down. "I'm sorry, kid, but there's nothing I can do to help. You just have to go through it, but it'll be over soon." I didn't believe him, but I had no choice to endure anyway, so I just cringed in on myself. The pain was unbelievable, and I felt like passing out several times, but I somehow got through it. I was covered in sweat and blood, from all my bones breaking, and fur ripping up through my skin, but then finally, I felt my whole body rip inside out, and I was no longer in charge of my body. No... It wasn't my body, it belonged to someone else. I was just along for the ride. "Where am I?" A female voice echoed in my head. "I'm Raelynn, you're my Lycan. What's your name?" I asked, as Johanson watched us wearily. "Zhixia, or Zhi for short if you like," She answered and shook out her body, and I noticed her fur was red. I'd never seen anything like that. "How did we get here? I don't remember what I was just doing. Who is this man?" "Can't you see my memories?" I asked in confusion, "He's Johnson, we live with him and his family." "What? No, this is all wrong," Zhi argued. "Rae?" Johnson spoke and took a step forward. "What was I doing? Why can't I remember?" Zhi said, ignoring Johnson, "It was important, I know it was. I have to go home." She took off running, but her mind was chaotic. She wanted to go home, but had no memory of where that was, she thought she had an important mission, but she couldn't remember that either. The only things he could remember were the names, Caspian and Axel. She needed to find them, whoever they were. I didn't understand what was wrong with her. Was she crazy? Lycans were usually born at the same time as their host, how could she have possibly been doing something before the shift? It made no sense. Suddenly Cort, Johnson's Lycan blocked our path and growled, "Rae, go back now!" "How dare this Beta dog order me!" Zhi shouted and attacked. "No!" I screamed, and she stopped, shocking me, was she actually listening to my order? "Rae? Are you in control?" Johnson asked through the link, "Take control and shift back. Just think of your own body and it'll happen." I listened, and the pain started again, but then I finally passed out. When I woke up. Johnson was carrying me naked, back to the pack. "What happened?" He asked when he saw me open my eyes, "Your Lycan was out of control." "She was scared and confused, she kept saying she was doing something important but couldn't remember what. She was trying to find two men, Caspian and Axel." Johnson paused for a second before he continued walking, and I frowned at him. "Do you know them? Have you heard of them before?" "The only Caspian I've heard of is the immortal King, but I doubt it's him your Lycan was searching for, everyone usually avoids him. He's dangerous. Just rest." The immortal King. I'd heard of him before. According to the rumors, he killed his mate and was cursed to walk the earth alone, even his capital residents were cursed with immortality. But if it was him, that Zhi was trying to get to. Why? Who was he to us? Was he the man I dreamed about? ''We were running there the day my family were killed, maybe she's just confused and thinks it's years ago.'' ''Perhaps,'' Johnson commented, ''My brother can give you a check-up, and we'll see what's wrong.'' "Zhi? Are you awake?" I asked, but there was no reply, she was still out cold, and soon, I was again too. As I took my usual seat in history class on Monday besides Jodie, I noticed everyone was staring at me. "Did you hear what the guards are saying?" Stephanie, an annoying girl in my class whispered, but thanks to my shift, my hearing had amplified. It was hard to get used to, "They're saying she shifted the night of her birthday." "Are you okay?" Jodie asked. "No way, but she's only twelve." The girls friend responded. "You look pale, maybe you should go home." Jodie continued, oblivious to my distraction. "No, I'm alright," I smiled and started pulling out my books. "There's always been something off about her," Stephanie went on, as the teacher walked in. "She survived her whole pack being slaughtered, and now this. Plus. They say her Lycan is red, and tried to attack Beta Johnson." I tried to contain my temper as I skipped the pages to today's lesson plan. "You know what I think," He friend said, lowering her voice more when the teacher glanced at them, "I'll bet she just went crazy and killed her whole pack and family and that's how she survived." "SHUT UP!" I screamed, as I jumped from my chair. I don't know why I was so mad. This wasn't the first time I'd heard the pack whispering about me and my pack, but today, it felt like a red hot fire building inside me, and my vision blurred. "YOU TWO B*ITCHES KNOW NOTHING ABOUT MY PACK. THE HARDEST THING YOU'VE EVER BEEN THROUGH IS MISMATCHING YOUR CLOTHES TO YOUR BAG. WELL OUTSIDE YOUR PRIVILEGED LITTLE LIVES, LYCANS ARE BEING SLAUGHTERED AND ABUSED. IF YOU EVER SAY I KILLED MY FAMILY AGAIN, THE ONLY ONES ILL KILL ARE YOU TWO!" "RAELYNN THAT'S ENOUGH," Miss Macintosh shouted, "Go to the principal right now!" "GLADLY!" I shouted back, and I marched out, leaving everything behind. Why couldn't I calm down? I was away from the girls, but I still felt so angry! By the time I reached the principal's office, my rage still hadn't subsided. "You should go back and beat the hell out of them!" Zhi demanded, but I pushed her back. "Rae, Principal Valary is waiting for you. Go in," The receptionist, Miss Clair said, so I walked past her and pushed open the heavy oak door. Principal Valary was sitting at her desk drinking some coffee, but she smiled as she looked up. "Come in and close the door." I frowned as I complied, it's not like her hands were broken, she could do it herself. I sat down and angrily waited for the scolding. "So. I hear we had an incident in class?" She commented and put her coffee down. "It's very hard after your first shift to control your emotions, and it must be very confusing shifting at twelve, but you have to learn to keep your temper in check. I've spoken to Beta Johnson, and he's asked Jessica to come get you. You'll take the week off and learn more about calming breathing techniques that helps the older shifters. Okay." "Fine." I snapped, "Can I go now?"