DANCING WITH LYCANS

CHAPTER 4: HEAVY MAGIC

"If a human were to try to go into our portal, they'd simply pass through into the next town over. It doesn't affect them at all. You've also mentioned your friends, and as much as I hate to say it, you will not be able to contact them here." Mom continues. "Wait...what?! Now you guys aren't going to let me talk to my friends?! All because I didn't play along with your joke?" I stand up from the table in a surprise from the words my mom just spoke, and the chair fell back behind me.

"Not by choice, Angelica, none of this was our choice. We never intended on you getting hurt by our decisions to keep you safe in the mortal realm. We couldn't risk anyone trying to take you from us to use your powers against you!" My mom shouts at me, and my eyes go wide.

"I don't have superpowers! I have an outstanding sense of humor and a strong will to achieve my goals, but outside of that, I am as normal as they come!" I huff and turn to pick up my chair to sit back down.

If they continue this mess, they will be doing the dishes tonight because I'm storming to my room and soaking in that gorgeous tub. I cross my arms and tap my finger, waiting to see what my parents decide to say next.

Father speaks up "On your 18th birthday coming up, at midnight, your bones will crack, fur will emerge, and you will finally get a chance to speak with the lycan laying dormant in your mind. When she awakens, your power will only grow from there, and you need guidance so you don't hurt yourself or others, Angelica."

A smile forms on my face, and my eyes flutter as I try to make sense of it all.

"You got me!" I say.

"--Angeli-" My dad starts, but I shut him down quickly. "No! You win! I'll play along with your charade. Time will tell, right?"

"Yes," my dad calmly replies. My mother clears her throat and hooks her finger in one single come hither motion, and the sugar container slides across the table to her. My eyes go wide. "I can -....I can-...DAD DID YOU SEE THAT?!"

"Sugar for your tea, dear?" Mom asks dad.

"Yes, thank you, Darling." Dad takes a spoonful of sugar for his tea and stirs it in.

"Your mother is a sorceress, one of the very few left in our world. It's rare for a lycan to be mated to anyone other than another lycan or werewolf." Dad explains.

"So, does that make you a lycan?" I ask, shaking but unable to move.

"Yes. Do not be scared. It's our duty to protect you, Angelica. We want to help you embrace your future and flourish in a life beyond comprehension. You're a gift.

For a lycan and sorceress to conceive a child is almost unheard of."

Mom speaks up after dad. "We were approached by a seer before you were born. She told us a prophecy of united kingdoms and unimaginable power. She was telling us about your future, Angelica."

"We already know who your fated mates are, and they know of you as well." Mom smiles and fights back tears. Dad holds Mom and rubs her back to comfort her.

"Did I just hear that correctly?" I ask. "I have an arranged marriage to more than one person?!" Crossing my arms, tilting my head to the side and dipping my chin down with a look of question and disgust on my face.

"Well.. You would eventually have to choose one of them. They will both try to win your hand in marriage to become their luna." Dad explains.

"What is a luna? The moon to a wolf, or lycan or whatever?" I ask with furrowed brows.

"Yes, and no. Fated mates are the moon goddess' blessing for all werewolves and lycans, their other half if you will. We don't have to search for love, it finds us. Being that you are fated to the two Alpha lycans on opposing territories, there would be war unless you chose to be ones queen... their Luna. The power you possess will undoubtedly make one of the packs stronger than the other as their queen and Luna and the other pack will have no choice but to submit to your ruling."

"You guys couldn't have prepared me for this? Not even a little?" I ask with irritation in my voice. They shake their heads no.

"Your dad and I were an abnormal couple. We were never royalty. One can't explain what one doesn't know." Mom says just above a whisper and leans closer to dad.

"Everything will be okay, Angelica, your mom and I have been traveling back and forth through dimensions in order to make everything safe for you. The alphas have agreed to be cordial while courting you."

"And if I refuse?" I ask, feeling slightly rebellious after discovering all of my choices in life have become narrow. Few and far between what I was used to.

"If you refuse, then there would be war and many will die, to include your family. Your mother and I will be hunted and so will you. Most see you as a prize to claim, rather than a person with feelings and purpose." Dad says grimly and mother frowns.

"You want me to marry such vicious creatures?!" I yell.

"It's not necessarily the alphas choice either. They want their fated mate as all werewolves do... well as most of them do. They don't get to choose their situations either. We're all just pawns in a bigger game." Dad tries to reason with me.

"This is all too much for me right now. If you don't mind, I'm going to go to bed early. I need to think and make sense of everything that was said just now." Sighing and standing up from my chair, I don't wait for a response but one is given regardless as my father stands up, grabbing my arm and pulling me back to look at him. "On Monday we go to a meeting with the council to meet your fated mates. We need you to be ready for what's to come."

"Greaaat. Yesterday, was graduation, we moved into a different dimension apparently. My parents drop a ginormous bomb on me and give me ONE day to recover." I slap my forehead and drag my hand down the right side of my face in exaggeration.

"Everything will be alright, okay?" My father says to me with compassion in his voice. I no longer believe it's a game or a joke and suddenly feel my world crashing down around me as the news sinks into my mind and skin absorbing all of the responsibility that was dished out at the table tonight. I manage to smile briefly before looking towards the floor, and pulling away from my father's hold.

By the time I make it to my bedroom I feel like I have two ball and chains strapped to my ankles and I feel really tired. Is this depression? All I know is that I miss my friends. Monday night is Brynna's birthday party. I won't even be able to tell her happy birthday. My friends will probably feel like I abandoned them. This is too much too soon.

"Mates." I say to myself as I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling.

If they want a fight, they'll get a fight. I am no pushover. Before being told I have powers I was a force to be reckoned with. I hardly met anyone with as much determination and willpower as I have.

If they think I'll just roll over like a good little dog, they will be in for the ride of their life. "Why did it seem like my parents were being forced to comply?" I ask myself in a low whisper.

Drifting off to sleep as the cool breeze flows through the open window, causing the sheer curtains to dance in the wind as it rolls through and caresses my skin. My eyelids feel weighted, and I let sleep take over.