Her Fated Mate

~Rissa Waking up everyday in the Royal house of the Silver Moon pack had always been a roller coaster of event. Sometimes, it was so sweet and cool and some other times, it wa so annoying and frustrating. Ever since Father died, Mother had been the Luna of the pack, heading and controlling them and I always had to support her as she had begun to groom me to be the next Luna after her. At first, it was quite difficult as a lot of people objected to it. Being a woman and heading a pack of several males was not so easy. There were several obstacles. A lot of issues arose giving mother and I a lot of sleepless night. Mostly Mother. Mother pretended severally to be fine but it was quite obvious that she was not. I had watch her cry severally. I had seen her break severally. I had watched her get fed up several times yet she pretended to be fine everyday and would continue to shuffle between being a good mother to me and a good leader to the pack. Mother would fight even in the sun, in the rain, to be able to protect her pack and me, her only child. That however made our people love her and cherish her. It was quite amazing to see her grow to be the strong woman she was. Prior to Father’s death, Mother was the typical housewife whose only chores were to make sure Father always had the best of meal to have, make sure I was fine and supervised the maids. Never had she imagined she would be the Alpha. Everything suddenly changed in just one day. One night. As usual, Mother and Father were curled up in other’s arms, litting several torches as they talked about their future, our future and there I was opposite them, munching on some snacks while reading one of my favorite novels, blocking out the distractions even though I failed at that as they would continually giggle and laugh. Their love story was one I had always admired and wished to have when I grew older and would have a mate. In a split of a second, everywhere suddenly changed as the atmosphere smelt toxicity. I frowned as I knew something was definitely wrong but no one seemed to notice until a guard ran to tell Father that there was chaos in the pack as we have been attacked. Father had insisted Mother and I returned to his room while he checks what is going on and would check back on us. Mother nodded and pulled me away quickly and we ran to his room, waiting for him to return but….. he never returned. We waited to see Father return but we heard nothing. Minutes rolled into hours and we still did not hear anything. Mother finally gathered up her courage and decided to go check what was going on as everywhere had gone quiet but then, a guard walked back in, interrupting us. His face seemed drained of color and I could remember Mother questioned what was wrong. He kept mute and bowed as a body was wheeled in. I prayed within me to make it all a dream as Father’s lifeless body was wheeled towards us but it turned out to be real. It was not a dream. I stood there, shocked. Not knowing what to do. “It was Marcus. Marcus had attacked us, my Luna” The guard informed, his head bowed. Mother shook Father’s body severally but he was gone. She could not take the shock hence she collapsed. ** “Rissa!” My personal maid, Nita called out to me, making me shiver that the novel I held fell to the ground. Yes, it was the same novel I was reading the night Father died and each time I held the novel, I remembered everything like it was yesterday. I never forgot it though. “I am sorry I startled you. I have been here for quite a while and I have been calling out to you, that was why I yelled. I am sorry” She bowed. Of course, I understood her. I had been carried away by the thoughts of that horrible night. “You should get prepared. Tonight is the fifth remembrance ceremony of the Alpha. It is almost time” She informed. Of course. I wiped off the droplet of tears that had formed in my eyes as I got up and headed to the room. I lit the torch that was in my room and shut the window quickly so it would not go off. The light from the moon was not enough to illuminate my room. I sighed as I picked the black dress I had bought the previous day to mark this day. “Help me out” I instructed her and she bowed, walking towards me. “Where is Mother?” I questioned, looking at my reflection in the mirror. I was heartbroken. I missed Father so much. Everyday had never been the same without him and I knew Mother would be more hurt. “As usual, conversing with the priest. Although, there seems to be something different they are discussing” She bowed. I raised my brows as I wondered what she was talking about. “The Luna seemed to be upset” She added. “But I have no idea why” What could have gotten Mother upset? I shrugged as I could find out from her later on. I hurriedly wore my dress and stepped out of the room, heaving a sigh as we headed towards the floor, where the ceremony was to take place. “Mother” I placed my hand on her shoulder as soon as I sighted her . She smiled at me and I could tell it was fake. She looked quite worried. “I have something to say to you” She held my hands and placed it behind hers, her voice, calm as usual. “After we are done with Ken's remembrance ceremony” she added. Before I could say any more word, she walked away from me. Why was Mother acting so suspicious? I kept mute as we carried on with the procession. I stared at her always but she constantly looked away from me, keeping an hard face. Unlike other times, Mother did not cry. She looked so strong and her face also bore a strong expression. Had she been able to get over it so quickly? I was uneasy. I was far from okay. Something just did not seem right. As soon as the procession was over, I walked up to her again but then…… “I have to see the people. Wait for me in my room” She instructed. I had no choice hence I nodded. Mother turned to leave immediately. Why was she this different? Of course, becoming the Alpha had made her a bit stronger and strict by she had never been that way. Slowly, I walked to her room, ignoring the gossips of the maids who always had something to say. I had several thoughts running through my mind and the last thing I wanted to do was to listen to all they had to say. The door creaked open as I pushed it open. It brought back memories of how I used to sneak in many years ago to see Father. The door had become weak yet Mother had refused to change it. She had refused to change anything in the room. Father’s clothes were still intact. I lowered my self to Father’s cradle rocking chair. The same chair he would sit on and place me on his legs while he told me stories of our ancestors and how glad he would be the day I find my mate. Just then, the door pushed open quickly and Mother walked in. She looked startled as she saw me on the chair but then, let out a sigh. “Come” She called on to me and sat on the bed. I nodded and moved closer to her, sitting on the bed. I was unsure of what Mother wanted to say but my heart raced. I hoped it was something easy to say as she looked very worried. “Mother….. is everything okay?” I questioned, wondering what the matter was. I was tired of the suspense she was putting me in. She looked at me and let out a sigh. “I….. our pack needs support. I want to form an alliance with a pack; a Lycan king for the benefit of our pack” She answered. I let out a sigh and shook my head. She had gotten me worried. “Oh you scared me, Mother” I held my chest. “To form an alliance…. I… I have to get married” She added. I yanked off my hands off hers as I was quite shocked. I had not expected to hear that. She was getting married? I knew she had waited for a long time but….. “Get married? I thought you loved Father?” I question, expanding the space between us. My brows were furrowed as I had not expected it. “I do. I still do but the only condition given to me is to marry him. I am doing this for your Father” “You are not doing it for Father. You are doing it for you!” I yelled at her. “I am still your Mother. Don’t you dare yell at me” She answered calmly but even in that calmness was coldness. I could not believe what was happening. Was Mother really speaking the truth? I still could not wrap my head around it. “The wedding is in fourteenth days from now* She added. “So you better get prepared” She looked away from me. I was even more shocked. What was Mother saying? I pinched myself to be sure I was hearing right. What on earth had come over her? “Fourteenth day from now is the pack's fifteenth ceremony celebrating our family’s Ascension on the throne.” “And?” She sounded so unbothered. I shook my head to be sure I was not dreaming neither was I hallucinating. “Who are you getting married to? Which pack?” I questioned, crossing my arms. “Marcus” She spat. Wait, what? Father’s murderer?