Hearts Desire

Best Friends

Ana woke this morning to her best friend Selena hitting her with a pillow.  "Get up lazy bones! Your burnin' daylight. We only have 2 weeks to get everything done for the festival!" Selena said.  Ana replied, “I know! I know! I just don't think it means I have to go out and purchase a whole new wardrobe. What is wrong with the clothes I have now?  I happen to like my clothes.  With that Ana got up and stumbled to the adjoining bathroom to brush her teeth. 

Selena feeling that she needs to respond simply states, “Do you really want to meet your mate wearing the same clothes your mom picked out for you?  You are going to be an adult.  Don't you want to choose your own clothes now?  Plus it will be fun!  And we have been saving for this since we were 12." 

ANA 

Ugh fine we will go but, I'm driving! Selena I love you but, your driving sucks!  Plus mom says after the last repair bill you’re not allowed to drive my car.  My Jeep was far from new but she is my baby.  I worked for three summers at the old wolves’ home to earn the money for that Jeep.  I even had a secret compartment installed to hide a spare set of keys and wallet in case I needed them.  Dad had insisted on bulletproof glass and re-enforced the body with Kevlar for more protection.  I mean I guess technically I am a Royal but I just never could see myself as a princess.  Selena knew of course but she never treated me any differently.  To her I am now and will always be her sister.  She did not know that I have gifts.  It is the one and only secret I kept from her. Dad says I must be careful and never tell anyone what I can do.  He is afraid that someone will want to exploit me.  My gifts make me a strong and fierce fighter.  That is why I appear to everyone else as skinny and weak.  I am not skinny or weak but, my clothes help hide the muscle very well. 

I wonder what my mate will look like. Rose what do you think he will look like? Rose is my wolf she is the greatest!  "I hope he is tall and handsome with a kind heart and that his wolf likes to run!" Rose answered.  I only hope he likes us, Ana thought.

SELENA 

Ana is talking to Rose again. I wish she would hurry up! I want to go shopping already!  Nat is my wolf she is strong and fierce!  Nat says that she hopes our mate is a nice wolf. And that we need something sexy to wear to the ball.  

FLASHBACK

 I remember what happened when Sharon found her mate Sean 2 years ago. He was nice and treated her well for the whole festival.  She came home to pack and move to The Blood Rain pack where he was a warrior.   No one would hear from her for almost a year.  Her parents requested to visit her and they were shocked when the request was denied by Alpha Steele. 

Sharon was skin and bones when she finally made back. Her auburn hair was dull, she had dark circles under her eyes and she had fresh marks from silver shackles on her wrists and ankles.  All she would tell them was Sean had been killed in a battle two months after her move.  She told Alpha Grey she had escaped and would be killed if she returned to Blood Rain Pack.  Alpha Grey allowed her to rejoin The Royal Celestial Pack and started an investigation into the death of her mate Sean.

She told Ana and I a lot more.  Apparently the Alpha Steele of the The Blood Rain pack chooses which of the warrior’s mates he will use for his own pleasure.  The mates have no choice in the matter as Alpha Steele sees defiance as a crime.  If they try to refuse the mates are put to death, but not before the alpha makes the male watch as he tortures the female. 

Sharon was chosen by the Alpha and Sean cried.  Sharon was beaten and r***d daily for almost a month.  The damage the Alpha had done to her resulted in her no longer being able to have pups.  She was so heartbroken. She could not bring herself to tell Sean any of what she endured.  After Sean's death, Sharon was taken to the Alpha's quarters and shackled.  The alpha used her for his sick pleasures   He made sure she knew every detail of her mates’ death and that he paid for his warrior to die.  Sharon was the only thing he wanted. Yes, Thing to him she was not even a wolf.  She was his new toy and he liked to play with her. He wanted to keep her so he had her mate killed.  

Sharon had escaped while he was sleeping. It was one of the rare times she was unshackled for his torture.  She had found some sleeping pills in the medicine cabinet of Alpha's bathroom.  Alpha liked to hurt her but insisted she be clean.  So daily she was made to bathe in cold water and wash with lye soap.  She did not have clothes to wear, but he did allow her to wear a hospital type gown when the maids came to clean or serve food.  When he was in a good mood he would allow her to eat too.  

One night Alpha Steele had fallen asleep after his torturous fun. He had been too exhausted to get up and shackle her. Instead he left her free to roam his chambers and she put her plan into motion. While he slept she went into the bathroom to bathe and put on a fresh gown.  When she returned he was still asleep and Alpha Steele’s' dinner was brought in.  She worked quickly, but also quietly as possible.  She crushed the pills she had been stealing and put them into the wine he always drank. The maids had helped her when they could, but would also die if they had been found out.  The maid took the chance and left the whole bottle of wine with the meal.  She also helped Sharon get out of the pack house and across the border.  Once across the border they split up. Sharon shifted for the first time since she moved to Blood Rain, carried her clothes in her mouth and ran as fast as she could.  She ran for almost a week when she finally came to the gates of The Royal Celestial Pack.  Her brother was working at the gate and allowed her to enter the territory.  She dressed and ran immediately to her parent’s house.

  ANA 

I do not ever want to go to The Blood Rain Pack. After Sharon's torture Ana decided if her mate was from Blood Rain Pack, She would give him the option of joining her Royal Celestial Pack or be rejected.  Either way she would be safe.  

“Selena are you coming or not?  This mall trip was your idea.  What is taking you so long?  Ugh I'm going to the kitchen.  I need food!”  Ana huffed.

As I entered the kitchen mom was making waffles for breakfast and asked me to set the table.  Selena was still up in my room so, I used my mind and the table set itself.  Mom warned me not to do it again. Selena could have come in and caught me.  I would never be able to explain to her what I can do.  

Yum waffles!  I so love you more today mom!  Where's dad at this morning?  He was called to Alpha Grey's office early this morning, mom said.  SELENA BREAKFAST!  

The drive to the mall was boring.  Selena is so wrapped up in the whole mate bond thing; she has been picturing herself mated to an alpha since she was 14.  

After walking the mall for what seemed like days, I called mom to let her know we be heading home in 10 minutes.  I had finally found the dress I wanted after hours of looking.  Only it wasn't a dress exactly.  It was an outfit.  It has an off the shoulder top that stops just above my navel. The skirt was just above the knee in the front and has a chapel train in the back with a wrist loop for dancing. The fabric was satin in the skirt and appeared to shimmer like an Opal with boning in the top to maintain the shape and spandex which makes it fit to my body.  The shoes are satin and match my dress exactly.  After a quick stop to show Selena my choice Selena decided to get the same thing in black. Her dress appeared as though she was wearing Onyx.  Next stop the jewelry store!  Selena insisted I get everything in White Diamonds.  I agreed but only if all the jewelry for her outfit was Black Diamonds.  The finishing touch was two matching tiaras!  One in Black Diamonds and one in White Diamonds.  

I was so happy to get to the car.  I'm going to the Starbuck's Drive Thru before we head back home.  I need caffeine!  Two hours later we pull up to the pack house.  Wolves are running around frantic.  I stopped one of the Royal Guards Charlie, “What is going on?"  Charlie explained that the territory was under attack.  At first they smelled like rogues, but once they made it to the School the scents changed.  It was Blood 

Rain; Alpha Steele came to look for Sharon.  The King informed Alpha Steele the girl would not be returning to his pack as her mate had been killed and she wished to return home.  Alpha Steele stated that she belong to him and he wanted his property returned immediately.  The Elders were called to the Kings Throne Room, Sharon was summoned as well.  The King, The Elders, and Alpha Steele are in there now.  Sharon has to testify before The Elders about the way she was treated by Alpha Steele.  I called my parents and told them what was happening. They said to wait for them to arrive.  My parents got there just as the Throne Room Door opened.  I ran to Sharon and asked what happened.  She said The Elders took her side and informed Alpha Steele he will be stripped of his Title as Alpha. He has been taken to the dungeons to await sentencing for his crimes.  Due to the Festival coming up in two weeks Steele would have to be held until after the Ball for sentencing, however the Elders Stripped him of his Title before leaving the Throne Room. 

Selena ran into the house to find her parents.  She came back with her parents just as my parents walked in the front doors.  Our parents were talking when the doors to the Throne Room opened.  Selena ran with me to Sharon while our parents walked in together.  Steele was escorted to the dungeon and his men were arrested for attacking another pack without just cause.  Sharon broke down crying, happy that the alpha could no longer hurt her.  

As the crowd dispersed my Dad walked up to speak with the King.  If anyone other than my family approached they would have been executed before they could speak a word.  My grandfather called me over. The King and Queen are my Grandparents.  My Father is next in line for the Throne.  Grandpa wanted me to read Steele and try to get information about Sean.  This is going to be tricky.