Ch. 4 Dani & Luca
968 Words
I hadn't eaten in 2 days.
I couldn't. I felt sick to my stomach. My father had turned my entire future upside down with his demand.
Take an alpha heir as my chosen mate.
Someone I don't know. Don't trust. Don't love.
I was 17! I hadn't even been allowed to date like some of the other girls in the pack! It had never bothered me before but now that I was losing control of my future I felt jipped!
Every day I found myself back at the creek. I imagined what Luca would say about this ludicrous command of my father. I smiled at the pep talk he'd give me, the rant about my father that would fly off his lips. My eyes filled with tears. He was on my mind constantly lately. Maybe it was my mind's way of trying to bring me comfort... Thinking back to a time before....
"Dani?"
I heard my mother settle beside me on the grass. We sat in silence for a few moments.
"I'm not doing it mom," I finally breathed, holding my legs tightly, my knees bent to my chest. "I can't marry Blake."
"Let's not worry about that just yet baby," my mom soothed. "Nothing is set in stone. Plus, the current situation may improve soon and your dad won't feel so pressured."
My head snapped up to look at her, "Current situation?" I questioned. "What's going on?"
Mom looked at me nervously, fidgeting with the blades of grass beside her, "There has been talk of attacks. People from neighboring packs have gone missing, only for their bodies to show up later.... Drained of their blood."
"What does this have to do with me?" I said bitterly. "It's probably the moon goddess righting our wrongs."
"Packs are uniting forces, coming together .... Some by force," mom said with unease. "There are always those who take advantage during times of stress."
"Packs are turning on packs...." I said in shock. "Taking over the weakened ones."
I took my mom's silence as confirmation I was right.
"But we haven't been attacked," I said confused.
"I know ... That's why we have time. Alpha Andrew knows we don't have a male heir. If something were to happen, he would make a move to take us over. There would be a lot of resistance. If you were mated to his son already, our pack would not fight."
My jaw dropped. He wanted my people complicit.... obedient when he took over, not if.
"Why would dad agree to this?" I whispered in shock. "Just give our pack away?"
Mom touched my hand, covering mine with hers, "He wants our people safe. And the only way to do that is to make sure they have you."
Tears blurred my vision. My dad had essentially given up and put all the burden on me. After everything we've lost, our relationship ruined, he needed me in the end. If he thought I would just give my future away for him like it's nothing, he had another thing coming.
"If that's true, then I need to hear him say it," I said darkly, Raven's voice mixing with mine.
My mom smiled proudly at me, giving my hand a squeeze, "I would expect nothing less from my daughter."
********
(Luca)
Gray was waiting for me outside of the packhouse when I came home from school. He had a smirk on his face, arms crossed, leaning against the stone wall. I grinned, picking up my pace. Was he going to take me out on patrol tonight?!
"Hey warrior," Gray greeted me.
"Hey," I replied eagerly. "Do I get to come with you tonight?"
He pushed off the wall chuckling, "Perhaps, but first I need to see your skill."
I immediately dropped my bag, "Who do I need to fight! I'll knock 'em out!" I hadn't been this excited in.... Forever.
Gray shook his head with a devious grin, "Me."
My face fell, "What?" I asked in shock.
"What's wrong? I thought you were ready?" He teased.
I held my head up defiantly. So he and my dad were going to play this dirty. Offer me a challenge I was bound to lose. I would play their game if it meant I could finally leave the coven grounds.
"I am ready. Let's go," I said with as much gumption as I could muster.
Gray's brows shot up in surprise but I saw the glint of pride in his dark eyes. He jerked his head toward the sparring grounds. My heart was beating out of my chest as Gray squared up in front of me. I knew it was going to be painful but I knew it'd be worth it. I just had to stay standing. I knew I wouldn't be able to knock Gray down but maybe if I could keep getting up, he'd let me pass his little test.
"Good form," Gray complimented me as I got into my stance. "Tell me what your strategy is since I'm significantly bigger than you."
I smiled an ornery smile, "Tire you out and beat you in speed."
He nodded in approval, "3, 2, 1...."
Gray did not hold back. He was lunging after me as soon as 1 left his lips. I went on the defensive immediately, ducking and dodging quickly on my feet. I saw an opening and snuck in a quick jab, loving the, "oof," that came out of Gray from my contact. I got in a few more hits, feeling pretty good about myself until....
Gray's fist felt like a damn brick wall in my stomach. I nearly hurled the contents of my lunch but I couldn't slow down or he'd get me. I summoned all my grit and strength. I would need to earn my spot tonight.
- Writer
