The Wolf Spirit

The Promise

*Stormy POV*

I used to love my birthdays. Jacob and I would leave the pack to go into the woods and that's where our hideout would be. We would play married couples. Make mud pies and talk like royalty. He would be the Prince and I would be his Princess. We would lie in the fields close to our hideout looking up at the stars. We would play tag and then tackle each other. When we went home, we would get scolded by our parents for how dirty we looked. We were inseparable. Our hideout was a small cave hidden between two bushes. You wouldn't find it unless you stumbled between the two bushes and fell into the hole that opened up into the cave. Well, that's how we found it. The cave was big underground. We would draw pictures on the wall of the people we wanted to be. We would take old chairs and tables down there to make it more comfortable. After my mom got sick, I went less often. Jacob would have to drag me away when my father yelled at me when I was too close to my mother. One time my father threw the healer's book at me, saying it was my fault she was dying. My father's Gamma had to step in to calm him down. That's the day Jacob made a promise to me to protect me from him. Jacob's eyes were soft and caring. That was the last time he saw me cry. Jacob was this blonde-haired, hazel-eyed boy. He would do whatever was told to him. Yet when he was with me, he was free to be a kid. That all changed when we turned 12. Jacob's interest in being free was stricken. His beta parents decided that it was time for him to become a stronger beta and possibly a future Alpha. Slowly he stopped going to the cave. Once his eyes set on Lora's newly founded body (as we hit our teenage years we lose our baby fat and start to get into our figures more).

Our once chubby yet healthy bodies would turn slim with slight muscles for girls and big muscles for boys. The teenage females would give off aromas that would have the boys fighting over her. I covered my body so no one knew how I looked.

My Stepmother said to me to never over-shine their future Luna, and if I did, I would be locked away for days, maybe weeks, depending on her mood. Luna Lorraine never allowed me to be at any events or any celebration of any kind. Yes, the pack knew me, but they lost all respect once they found out the true heir was Lora. As if I wanted to be the Luna for this Pack. As I grew older, I put my nose into books. There I found out our pack was in the lower ranks of this country.

There are 10 packs in our piece of country. The Moon Stone Pack is the biggest and strongest pack, followed by Fire Stone, Water Stone, Earth Stone, Air Stone, Ice Stone, Black Stone, White Stone, Flower Stone, and our pack Red Stone. It was once a high-ranking pack, but after my mother passed, it quickly lowered in rank. We used to be one united country, but greed spread like rapid wildfire and then the Elders decided to make 10 packs. Each pack had a healer and 5 ranks of leadership. This way, the packs never fought over land and reduced the possibility of wars. We lived in peace for a while, but like most stories, peace never lasts long.

Jacob used to pretend he was the strongest warrior of all 10 packs, he would want me to be his Luna and I would agree with whatever he wanted me to be. I loved him for how he protected me, he made me feel safe. When my father or Lorraine yelled at me or punished me, Jacob would find a way to bring me something to eat and make me laugh. He even cleaned my wounds when Lorraine lost control. Jacob was always so gentle. I would play his promise in my head over and over.

"I will protect you and make you my Luna, you will never suffer ever again" Jacob's words would replay over and over. They gave me the strength to keep me moving forward.

I woke to a splitting pain in my head. My eyes were blurry, and it was hard to focus on my surroundings. "OH she is awake, Mother" I heard Lora say. "Yes my dear little one, I see that," said Lorraine, and she pulled my hair up for my eyes to connect with hers.

"You thought you could run from me, you little b*tch, how dare you disobey me," said Lorraine as she laid a smack across my face. The pain was so severe from the blow that I could taste the blood in my mouth. I didn't lower my head but kept my eyes connected with hers. I knew if I looked away or lowered my head I would be hit again and again. I was terrified because anything I said or did would result in punishment. All I know is that after years of punishment, not crying, not looking down, or screaming for help would result in fewer beatings. I could barely hear what Lorraine and Lora were saying because the ringing in my ear from the blow of her smack hadn't stopped. I could see them laugh and pick out their next item for a beating. Lora loved the whip. Lorraine would always coach Lora on how to beat me, so I wouldn't leave visible marks and that wouldn't kill me. Lora would whip me over the same old wounds. At this time, it is the only time my screams and crying would be OK. If I didn't cry or scream, they would get the hook whip which would dig into my skin and be pulled as she retracted her whip. I don't know how long it lasts because the pain will take me back into the darkness. I would wake up to be thrown into the cell of nothing but a cold floor and a small window to see the moonlight and a towel with tears in it. I was in and out throughout the rest of the night and partially in the morning. I don't have my wolf yet to heal. The maids would bring me ointment and wraps to keep my wounds from being infected. It was the only gift my father would send me. I laid on my stomach, giving my back time to heal. I would pray to the Heavens. Please take me. I don't want to suffer anymore. Yet, each time I would wake up in pain not knowing what time of the day it was. The night of the first party I could hear the guests cheering and clapping. Lora must have announced her Alpha. I didn't want to move, but a sweet scent hit me. Pine and Ember aroused every inch of my body. Yet pain followed behind it. Over and over the pain would deepen. This pain was different. This pain felt as if it took life from me. I had to get up. The urge to move was all I had to go by. From there I was able to stagger up and take the painful steps forward. Every step was like walking on needles and glass. I made my way to the cell gate to find it unlocked. I didn't ask questions about why it was left that way. Maybe my father allowed this to happen. So I kept going. Out from the cell up to the first floor where I would be at the entrance of our back storage area near the kitchen. I could hear silence in the house. Which is weird due to it always lasting for three days. Maybe the three days passed.

I made my way into the kitchen where a glass of full water would be waiting for me. I didn't hesitate and gulped down the glass of water. I gasped as I finished it. Pain hit again. I clenched my heart as I kept stepping forward. The smell got heavier when I reached the dining room and then the ballroom area. I reached the hallway that opened up to the staircase that led to the bedroom. One side of the house was for Luna and Alpha's beta, gamma, and omega; the other was for their children. Each room was big with high ceilings. Each room had a theme to match its owner. A big master bathroom, with gigantic beds, elegantly styled dressers, and side drawers, and also had a balcony to overlook the garden nearby.