Black Blood

Chapter Two

Yawning, I rolled onto my side when something kicked me awake. I rolled upward again, as my wolf yanked her head up to see what had happened.

Larry, the old wolf had been laying by me. Must be having a nightmare of him chasing someone because his feet is still kicking. Nancy curled up into a ball on Larry’s other side.

What time was it? Almost all of the wolves were already out of the den and preparing for the day. Looking at the clock leaning up on the side wall, it read 8 o-clock. The mating ceremony is today, so that’s probably why.

Stretching my front legs, I gently slap Larry with my tail causing him to stop kicking wildly. That’s better.

Taking a deep breath, I walked outside to see amazing beautiful blue skies. Today was going to be an amazing day, especially for Gemma and Jonah.

Speaking of which? Where did they go? We always slept by each other in the den, why didn’t they wake me once they got up like they always have?

“Hello Miss Rylee.” Greeted Ted, one of the packs guards.

I smiled back at him as I made my way to my father’s apartment in The Hall. It wasn’t much, but it was more of a luxury than sleeping in the den sometimes. Normally I preferred sleeping with the pack, but last night seemed to be more colder, and the ground just seemed to be more harsh towards me. It’s hard to describe.

Maybe I’m just overthinking.

I make my way up to my bedroom, and as soon as I open my closet door my dads head pops out behind the door nearly startling me to death.

“Dad! What are you doing in my closet?!” I breathed out painfully holding my chest.

“Sorry my dear, just looking for the perfect outfit for today’s ceremony! You need to look your best for Aiden.”

“In the dark?” I asked, raising a brow.

“No, the light was on.” He laughed. “I turned it off once I heard you coming into the apartment.”

“That’s a b***h move!” I hissed, still trying to catch my breath.

“Yeah, but it was worth the laugh.” He grins, holding up a red silky dress that hung to the knees. A dress I’ve never seen before. Where the hell did that come from?

“Your mother’s. Go, try it on.” He puts it up to me and my jaw drops.

“My mothers?”

I grabbed the dress and rushed to my full length mirror. Matching the beautiful dress up to me.

“You look just like her you know? She wore that at our mating ceremony.”

I just stared at him, lips parted to speak but no words came out. I’m speechless.

“You will wear it for Aiden now.” He smiles, standing behind me.

Aiden. The memory of last night flooded my mind. The way I rushed out of the dining room after what happened. He probably thinks I’m a scared dork.

I am a scared dork.

Sighing I dropped the dress down. “Dad, it’s nice what you’re trying to do but Aiden isn’t going to announce me as his mate today, I don’t know what happened yesterday, but he wouldn’t go for someone like me.”

“What do you mean someone like you? You’re the betas daughter. You’re a good choice for an alpha.” He paused. “Plus I believe your wolves chose each other last night at dinner. Stop thinking so low about yourself.”

“Dad.” I paused, listening. The sounds of screams erupt into my ears. What’s happening! My chest tightens up as I toss the dress onto the bed and rush outside. Everyone is running towards the woods. Dad and I chase after to see what’s wrong. Once we get close enough, we push by everyone to see Aiden and Ezra looking down at a dead body. A child, the throat slit. Hunched over sitting against a tree. Looked like it was a fresh kill.

“Who did this!!” Angered Ezra. Everyone fell silent, some burst out in tears over the small boys death.

Pain filled my throat seeing the young pup Charlie like this, but I had to fight it. I had to be strong for the pack. It is my duty as the beta wolfs daughter.

“Who found him?” I asked.

“Gemma did.” Alpha Ezra replied, meeting eye contact with me. First time we’ve spoken in a long time. Usually I just stayed away from the Black brothers due to my crush on Aiden.

My eyes searched the crowd, and Gemma was sobbing in Jonahs arms hysterically. Oh my god.

I rushed to her and wrapped my arms around them both. “I’m so sorry honey.” I breathed out.

Gemma didn’t answer, only sobbed more.

“This has Gage Morgan written all over this!” Yelled out Ted. “The Scarlet Eclipse wolves are known for this! Look how the cut is shaped as a crescent moon!”

“I see it too!” Yelled Larry. Furious as hell. “Those fuckers should burn in hell for their crimes.”

“Hold on.” Alpha Ezra rolled his eyes. “We can’t assume. No one here has smelled an outside wolf of any pack.”

“That doesn’t mean anything! Gage Morgan is a sneaky bastard. I bet it was him!” One of the female sentinels Holly snarled.

“I don’t think Gage would attack us, we have only been kind to him. Plus, your Luna is from his pack originally. He has no reason for this.” Stated Aiden. “So let’s all stay calm and try to figure this out.”

“I find it kinda funny the child has their mark slit into his throat!” Nancy yelled through gritted teeth. “It looks familiar when our packs were at war forty years ago, that’s exactly how they killed their opponents.”

Gemma had calm down, and I broke away from her and moved over to my dad. He was quiet. “Is that true? During the war, did they attack us like this?”

He nodded his head yes. “This is how the war started in the first place, he was mad over some petty fight between alphas and snuck onto our land and slit some of the guards throats with their signature mark, but never a child.” He scratched his chin. “I don’t see a reason why he would attack us again. We have been quite helpful towards them lately.”

Voices erupted immediately, people assuming the worst and freaking out.

“We’re going to die!”

“We’re at war.”

“They have a spy in our pack!”

“Quiet everyone!” Ezra roared. “I will go at once to see Gage, and put an end to your assumptions. I do not believe he was behind this attack. Go back and go about your day, and do not think of this.”

Shocked everyone slowly started piling back towards our home, some gossiping and starting rumors, others crying out of fear. It was a sad day to see the pack like this. Very disturbing.

I looked up from the boy to see Aiden looking directly at me. Emotionless. I wish I knew what he was thinking. I gave him a small sad smile, and turned around to go back home.

******

Later on that evening, I’m standing in front of my full length mirror again. My long brown hair dangling down my back. The red gown I was holding before is now on my body and I look amazing if I do say so myself. The only part of it that I didn’t like was the part where a lot of cleavage is showing. I’m even wearing black strapped heels that match.

“Wow.” Smiled dad as me moved into the room, holding some sort of chain in his hand. I took a deep breath. “This is really happening. Gemma and Jonah are actually going to be mated officially.”

“I saw that earlier.” Dad nodded. “They have been all over each other all day. Good for them.”

“Yeah, who would knew that both of my best friends are mates.”

Dad nodded once more before moving to me. “Hold up your hair.”

Confused, I did just as he asked as he hangs a beautiful ruby on my neck, attaching one side to the other.

My jaw dropped. “It’s so beautiful! Dad where did you get this!”

I saw pain rush to his eyes, and he had to clear his throat before continuing. “Your- Your mother would have wanted to you have it. I’ve kept it stored away with the dress for this very moment. Along with this.”

He let out a sigh, and dug into his pocket revealing an old folded up piece of paper.

“I’m going to need alcohol later.”

I glared at him while taking the note. “No. No. No. tonight is full of happiness, not the past.”

He gave me a sad look, before walking to the door. “Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind. I love you sweetie.”

I watched him walk out, and it felt like my chest had been ripped out. I hated him being so heartbroken over this woman. Whoever the hell she was. Was she even worth it?

Curiosity ate at me as I looked at the note, should I read her excuse? Should I just throw it away? Why wait until now to have him give it to me? Maybe he didn’t think I was ready?

I closed my eyes shut hard, groaning and stomping my feet.

“FINE, I’LL READ IT!” I yelled at myself, furiously. It’s not like I’ve wondered my entire life what happened, and it doesn’t matter either way. Still gonna hate her for breaking my father’s heart.

“My dearest Rylee,

Today is your day and I’m proud of you! You’ve found your soulmate, your true mate. I love you and that will never change, I’m not there with you and I’m sorry about that but we will be reunited again soon. I’m sorry I left you with your father when you were an infant. The truth is, I had many responsibilities and couldn’t bring you along with me or your father. It is too dangerous, one day you will understand this and forgive me.

I love you always

Selene”

“Selene?” I paused, brows furrowed. That was her name? What is so bad that she couldn’t bring us with her? This is bullshit. Like I thought, excuse.

Anger and frustration filled me to my core and I ripped up the letter, letting the pieces float to the ground. Satisfied, I turned and marched out of the apartment. It’s finally time for the ceremony.