Nia: Betrothed Luna

Chapter 5: Home Away from Home

They walk outside as I trail behind them. Once again, I found myself in our backyard facing a wall. I never realized how many stone walls and large metal fences surrounded our home until today. I always thought it was to keep the animals out, today I realized it was to keep me in.

“Please tell me we aren’t going back into the forest! I almost died there, remember?” I bellow as my body begins to tremble. Come to think of it, “Mom where are all the scars that I got earlier today?”

“I forgot to tell you, they healed. Although you will not be able to speak to your wolf until you shift, you have her healing abilities as of midnight.”

I guess being a wolf has its perks. I can heal…...does that mean I’m immortal. No, I doubt that Mom and Dad age so I can’t be immortal. I pulled out my phone and texted myself “ask Sol how long we live since we aren’t technically human.” As I put my phone away the huge stone wall beside our pool slowly moves into the ground displaying a beautiful forest. Unlike the forbidden forest this one was full of life and had a magical glow.

“The floor didn’t tremble,” I say out loud.

“Nope, we normally go in here after you’ve fallen asleep. Come on the pink quad is yours!” he says as he points to a beautiful pink quad that is hidden to the right of the entrance.

“There’s only one, what about you guys?” I ask as the four of them shift before my eyes. I couldn’t help but stare at them with admiration. The four of them are beautiful. I hop on the quad and nod at them, praying that the Moon Goddess would take care of me in my new life.

Several miles into the forest we come up to a trail. They halt and shift back into their human forms. “Sol, how are you able to shift and shift back with your clothes still intact?” I couldn’t help but wonder if it was some form of magic.

“It was a gift from your mate when he found you. He never wanted anyone to see you naked baby girl and I couldn’t be more grateful,” my father says as my brothers burst into laughter.

Great I think to myself; my mate even has wizards. This can’t get any better! We begin to walk down the trail, and it is then that I realize we are at a beautiful village. There are cottages lined along the right side of the trail and beautiful homes for what appears to be miles. A market in the center that has everything a village needs to thrive and a huge hospital that can be seen from the center.

“Do we have a home in here?” I question as I take in my surroundings.

“Our home is twenty miles up the road, and it is our last stop of the day.” My mother states as she gazes at me.

“This is beautiful, am I allowed to speak to them. Or am I only allowed to speak to the women?” I had to ask because I did not want to break a treaty that has been going on for eight years in one day.

“Your fine, Axel, over there is the seer that was sent from your future husband, mate and Alpha. He has told him that you are okay to mingle with your people since you are now old enough to understand what is at stake.” she then gestured to the people to come.

I spoke to so many people, received hugs, candies and even a rose from a sweet baby boy. The pack knew I was coming today, they had expected me that morning but due to the gauntlet and our family matters my mother had delayed my homecoming. I was finally home. I couldn’t help but smile as I realized this is the reason why I never fit in…...I was never truly aware of the real me.

We continued our walk and my family shifted once again. I couldn’t help but wonder how I was going to make the rest of the way until Mitch nudged me. He bowed to me and lay beside me. “You want me to get on?” he pants and jumps up and down several times before lying beside me once again. “Is it safe?” he nudges me again until I oblige and climb on top of his back. I grab on to his sides and scream as he takes off towards our home.

After several minutes we reach a huge castle that is nestled at the top of a beautiful mountain. The stairs leading up to it (although there aren’t many) have the pack symbols engraved in them. It is enchanting!

We walk into what appears to be a preparation. Everyone is talking about seating arrangements, where to place the dance floor, music selection, the list is endless.

“What is everyone preparing for?” I couldn’t help it my curiosity got the best of me.

“We are throwing a ball. It will not only celebrate your sixteenth birthday, but it will also be the night of the full moon as well as…” she paused for a second before continuing, “as well as your engagement. You will meet your mate there.”

“In front of everyone? Is that how it is normally done?” I couldn’t help but sweat at a time like this. It would be unacceptable for me to voice my opinion to this man if we had an audience. They are constantly throwing me to the wolves!

“Yes, Mitch and I had a ball as well and for everyone who isn’t an Alpha or a Beta we still host a party or ceremony every month in their honor. It is a big deal sis.” Sol said as he smiled sweetly.

“It’s pretty cool Nia, you dance and have fun then when midnight strikes you could possibly find your mate and the coolest part is that you shift at 12:15 with everyone.” Mitch screeched.

“When is my ball Mom?”

“This Friday!” she whispers.

My face lost all color because it is Wednesday. That means in two days I will meet the man that the Moon Goddess chose for me, shift and move away. I literally just got here! Do you know how many girls dream of growing up in a castle? I’ll tell you one of them was me and I got it ripped away from me because of some Alpha and his lunatistic ego!

The next couple of days flew by and I slowly opened my eyes Friday morning. My room is beautiful. There are portraits of me everywhere and the beautiful lilac color is soothing. I have a large balcony that allows me to look up at the stars at night and my sleigh bed is the definition of comfort. Do I really want to get up today? I sadly think to myself.

As I rise out of bed, I cannot help but wonder what he will be like. Will he like me? Will he actually love me and want to cherish this bond that was gifted to us? Only time will tell; it was already noon when I finally decided to step out of my room. The ball starts at 8 p.m. so I had some time to wander around and get lost. I was still asking myself questions when I ran into a wall.

I closed my eyes and braced for an impact that didn’t come. When I opened my eyes a beautiful pair of hazel eyes were staring at me.

“Are you hurt?” he asks.

“N No,” I stutter. Besides my family no other man has ever touched even one of my shoulders.

“What’s your name?” he asks.

“I am Nia, I am Alpha Nix’s daughter. If you do not mind me asking, who are you?”

“I am Marcellus, but you may call me Marcel” he says through a devilish grin.

“I do not feel like that would be appropriate……we have just met, and my mate would not be fond of us being on a nickname basis” I say. I couldn’t help but find this man attractive.

I glanced up and stared into his hazel eyes. His beautiful caramel skin, brown hair and smile! Nia stop this you have a mate. Even though you’ve never met him you have an obligation.

“You look pretty young to have a mate, care to explain?” he asks, amused.

“Well, my mate found me when I was eight. He has a strict set of rules I must follow or it’s game over for my family. I have already said too much, but it was a pleasure to meet you Marcellus.” I go to walk away but he grabs my arm and swings me around into his grasp.

My body automatically reacts, and I slap him! “Do not ever grab me again! I just tell you I have a mate and you do this! He will have my head if he finds out what you have just done! I may have never met him, but I am fully aware of the power he holds now please let me go!” My heartbeat was beating a mile a minute. This man was so attractive I had to look away.

“I will let you go on one condition” he states. I gesture for him to continue. “I get one dance with you tonight, whichever I choose, and you cannot say no.”

“Fine! Now please release me?” I question because this man’s strength is beyond any I have ever felt. Once he releases me, I run towards my room and slam the door. Nia, exactly what have you just done!