embers and claws

They usually say an unmated female was a lost female, maybe they were right; I am lost both literally and metaphorically. My father had thought he was doing me good by sending me to mate with an unmated Alpha of another pack, for the daughter of an Alpha I deserved nothing but an Alpha. It had been going good, in fact great, but the demon that had been following me for the past five years of my life refused to let me be. He if he happens to be part human refuses to be ignored nor unacknowledged. I had thought it nothing, that it was probably my alter ego playing hide and seek with me, tried with everything in me to deny it existence, but he had given me something in return for my defiance; something that will forever remind me that he wasn't only existing in my head nor mind. The moon hung big and bright on the sky, and the eyes of the man before me although grey was almost as bright as it. For him, he could not continue to wait for a mate that refuses to show for a century, it didn't matter who was beside him. All he wanted was a companion and a partner that would rule as one. Our power is at it peak, but I couldn't stop the nudging in my mind. Alastair's fang elongated in anticipation for the mark he would be leaving on my neck, and the whispers in the crowd ebbed away. I watched with my heart in my throat as his face approached my neck, more of curiosity than fear. I had never had a mate, would our bond be like one of mates. Listen Something compelled Alastair, its power so strong he could not resist. So, he listens He paused, sniffed and confusion graced his face. His eyes bore into mine, searching for the truth. A small frown graced my face. You bear another's child I heard his voice in my head. It wasn't a question, it was a statement. What. My confusion was palpable I cannot have mistaken the heartbeat His voice carried unconcealed threat His face harden and I watched as he struggled to control his fury. All he said to me sounded like a gibberish. Bear a child. It was only through intimacy one could have the privilege of doing so. I was still untouched. It's not possible The heartbeat says otherwise As I tried to listen to it, I could not hear a thing. My wolf, Sala wasn't answering. I'm not without wolf, I could sense her. These days, the coward leaves at the sniff of trouble, but something tells me he wasn't lying. Go. Go before I lose my wit to anger. My eyes widened and tears blurred my vision. This was the first time Alastair got upset with me. I could not tell what his reason for letting me leave was, any Alpha disrespected in sure manner had the right to kill on the spot, but I knew I could not wait to find out. He would let me leave to hide this humiliation. He would let them believe he rejected me to keep his dignity, and I'm fortunate to keep my life. It's like something in me had been anticipating something going wrong As I turned to leave, the whisperings felt like spikes on my skin, stripping me to bare my secrets for all to see. My body trembled in horror as I sped away from Alastair. This was his revenge against me, his way of keeping me in check. My heart chilled knowing I have no control over my body nor the situation. I didn't know if the tears was that of anger or humiliation as it rained down my cheeks. My throat clogged by the weight of the sudden occurrence. I was carrying a child, a taboo of no origin. My steps turned jerky as I wrapped my arms around myself and my bottom lip quivered. What was it, this thing tormenting me, invading the spaces in my body. "Sala", my voice trembled "Sala! I yelled in exasperation. Unlike her name, this creature that was supposed to be my companion wasn't bringing me peace. This one time that I didn't want to be alone, the both of them left me be with the emptiness in my head. A baby, how possible is that. Who would I say it belonged to? How would I wash myself clean of the condemnation and accusations to come. My hands clamped my head, my eyes spin and my head full. My thoughts were scattered, but I knew one thing for sure, I could not go back to my father. I refuse to bring to him such humiliation. Come to me I paused, a tear dropped slowly from my tear-filled eyes. He was right, I should go to him, after all he put me in this situation. I shook my head to drive away such thought, how could I trust such thing that brought chaos into my life. I would rather go to my father. So, I let my legs lead me in the direction of home. I took one hesitant step after another, then it became quick before I knew it I was half running half jogging. I just wanted the comfort of the man who loves me like no other; my father. The dew-coated leaves smacked my face My body swayed as I stood before the sun hanging on its horizon, yellow halo bath me like the exhaustion that rack my body soft. I was home. A gasp left my lips as I lifted my face to allow sunlight bath it. As my feet tether at the edge of the slope, he warned. Careful I wasn't listening, not this time. My body tilted forward and arms flailed to find my footing. Along the slope and the dirts that coat it, I rolled down. His fury burn in my chest and spread like wildfire. A loud gasp left my throat as I stumbled to my feet. He was quick to retract his punishment. My heart jumped to my throat knowing he could punish me at his will. I let the sight of home before me bring comfort to me. I walk down the familiar path leading to my father's house, I'm glad I was still a part of them or I would have been sensed as a predator. By now, Papa must have sensed my presence. As I walked into the clearing in front of our home, there he stood, Papa with his black hair and soft expectant blue eyes. I stood there watching him, and he with his legs and arms crossed with his back against a pillar. He is my home. "Papa", I sprinted toward him and as I got closer his arms opened to bury me in his embrace. His embrace security that blanketed me. "Naia", my father's voice thicken with emotions and confusion. Sob racked my body as the gravity of my situation dawn on me, if I got found out what sort of humiliation would Papa go through. I should not have returned Papa sighed helplessly "Let's go inside", he lifted me against his toned body. Papa placed me on the sofa before he resumed wrapping his arms around me. "Was yesterday not your mating ceremony, did Alastair do something", his soft voice quieten the chaos in my head. "No, Dad", Again, he sighed. "Thought it would do you good, guess I was wrong", He whispered in self-deprecation. "It's not your fault, Dad. I just didn't feel good about it", Nathan knew there was more to it, but as long as his daughter was unharmed then he'll let her be for now. At least, she was not mated only to be abandoned. He looked down at his daughter whose breath had quietened, lifted her up and ascended the stairs. Her room had remained untouched, may be he was hoping one day she would return home. He was selfish, he hoped his darling daughter would be by his side forever, for him, he could not trust anyone with the blessing his mate left behind. He pulled the comforter up her chest then the door burst open, and the breath of the person heaved. "I felt Nataia", Nathan turned to look at the young man behind him, his eyes the reflection of his own. He gestured outside. "Is she alright? Alexie whispered, fearing he would wake her. "She isn't", Nathan brushed his palm down his face. "She was hysterical when she arrived, Alexie", "I will kill him", Alexie vowed, his eyes contorted in fury. "Don't be rash, and I don't think it's him", "Besides, he is older than me your father and you think you can have a go at him", Nathan tutted and looked at his son in mock disappointment. Alexie blushed in embarrassment and his hand palmed the back of his neck. "Then what can I do", "We will have to wait, she will tell us when she's ready", Nathan patted his son's back and pulled him along to stop him from camping in front of his sister room. Alexie protested but his father wasn't having it.