For the Love of The Guardian

The rev of the engine cleared the path ahead, as animals scattered quickly from the surrounding area. The tires picked up traction from the dirt road and kicked mud about the legs of the rider. The trees bowed in reverence to the wind that the vehicle ushered in, just as the sun began to kiss the edge of the night sky in the distance. The early morning hour always had a magical quality to it, drawing Sarah from her bed and out into the crisp air. Her black hair was pulled back in a tight pony tail, flapping about behind her as she maneuvered the dirt terrain that would take her back to the small cottage of her favorite fae. The stone wall and iron gate were coming into view, as Sarah slowed the engine on her motorbike. A simple dirt bike her father and her had built over the last several years. She wanted it to travel, but she knew he only agreed to spend time together. Her fingers gripped the handles firmly, as memories washed over her. Sarah bit her lip as she thought about her dad. In the twenty years she’d been alive, he’d been the strongest force she’d ever met. He was the one that pushed her the hardest, but encouraged her the most. As of late, his plate was full and his time for his “little girl” was growing less and less. He was orchestrating a summit of the alliance packs, in a hope to solidify information and leads on how to break the curse. Sarah rolled through the rot iron gate, just as a rabbit hurried across the path ahead of her. The amount of testosterone that would be invading her home was overwhelming and she quietly hoped that hiding away at the small cottage would prevent her from attending. She knew he was baiting her with this gathering, hoping she’d find “The One.” Everyone wanted her and she wanted to be left alone. Elders wanted to see her marry and see the alpha line secured, young dogs wanted to mate her. Sarah gritted her teeth, all she wanted was to enjoy her life and finish her degree. The site of Sebastian’s dark blue pick up parked outside of Vera’s small cottage warned her of the encounter to come. Sebastian’s dark skin and shaved head gave an imposing appearance as he stood from his seat at the porch steps, just as Sarah’s motorbike roared into the clearing and slowed to a stop beside the pickup. “Come for tea?” Sarah smirked at her father’s beta, the closest person she had to an uncle. His son, Malin, and her had grown to be best friends over the years. “Not really.” He stepped from the porch and smiled as he embraced the petite young woman, his sneakers crunching on the gravel path. “Well, Vera will be mad if you don’t come in.” She pulled from the well built man and climbed the porch. The door clicked open softly and the familiar hum of Vera’s singing filled the small space. The twisted wood furniture shined with fresh polish and the smell of citrus and bacon filled Sarah’s nostrils. Vera had already been up cleaning and was starting on breakfast. Sarah smiled to the blue haired fae, as she watched her move gracefully about the tiny kitchen. “Best take those shoes off!” Her melodic voice rang out. Sarah chuckled and kicked off her boots, placing them to the side of the door. She looked to Sebastian and motioned for him to do the same. His head shook slowly as he knelt to remove his laced up sneakers. “Auntie, we have a third for breakfast.” “Oh good! Sebastian made it here safely.” Her blue eyes lit up as she smirked at the raven haired woman. “I feel like I’m the only one not in the loop.” Sarah looked from Vera to Sebastian before taking a seat at the small dining table. “No loop, dear.” Vera came to the table and set two plates down. “With all the commotion going on with the packs, I knew you’re father would send someone for you.” She winked to her god-daughter and went back to the kitchen for her own plate. “I’m sorry, Sarah, really I am.” Sebastian’s large frame took a seat across from the young woman. His chocolate skin hid his age well, and his frame was larger then it was in his youth. He’d taken Jhera’s death personally and begun to workout more extensively, several years back, really building his muscle mass. Sarah’s gray eyes looked across the table to the man, the look she gave reminded Sebastian so much of the red haired woman that left them so many years ago. Sarah trusted him with her life, but the last thing she wanted was to be in a stuffy room with arrogant males. The alpha’s weren’t bad, but their sons had left a bitter taste in her mouth. She growled under her breath as her lips tightened. Her eyes turned to the plate of food, her fork moving the eggs about their space. “Sarah, just eat your food.” Vera had taken a seat beside her and gave one of her soft smiles that eased all tension in the room. Sarah was convinced it was magick. “Auntie,” Sarah’s gray orbs turned to engage her blue eyes, “it’s a bad idea. Those boys are horrid, arrogant jerks.” “Then give them a reason to respect you.” Vera spoke casually, sipping at her tea. “Show them that you are the daughter of an Alpha, a descendant of the Crescent. Show them you are smart, talented and elegant, worthy of their respect and honor.” Her blue eyes glistened an aqua color, as she saw the pain expression on Sarah’s face.  It was a loud sigh that eased the tension, as Sarah took a bite of her food. “I don’t like it.” Sarah spoke quietly, her jaw tight and the muscles at her neck flexing. She was trying so hard to not feel like a child, but the lack of available decisions didn’t help. “I know,” Sebastian spoke up, “but your father wants you their to greet the Alpha’s as they arrive.” “When is that?” “Tomorrow.” Morgan finished off the last of his meal and smiled to the two women. The audible groan from Sarah caused the others at the table to grin. The tell tale sign of her submission to the situation. Sarah reminded herself that she needed to act like an adult, although being an adult seemed to suck even more now then before. So much was expected from her, and here she hoped to gain favor with her father about her college courses. She was done with all her digital classes and wanted to attend a semester in person. With the hope that doing as he asked would gain her favor, she begrudgingly agreed to return to the pack house that evening. “Should I stay to escort you?” Sebastian eyed the raven haired heir. “No, I promise, I will be back in time for training in the morning.” “I’ll hold you to that.” Sebastian hugged her tightly. “Please don’t betray my trust.” His voice was a whisper in her ear. “I wouldn’t dream of that.” Sarah’s sincerity was palpable as they withdrew from their hug. She watched as his blue truck pulled from the lot and down the dirt road. Sarah remembered being about ten when they decided to put in a road to Vera’s. She smiled as she recalled helping them, that was the first time her father let her work alongside the other packs, the first time she met the alpha’s. She let out a sigh, as she recalled a time in her life when the curse wasn’t a blip on her radar and the biggest worry was staying out of the kitchen. The tail lights of the blue pickup were gone and the birds began to sing their afternoon song. Shaking her head, to clear her thoughts, she began the walk to the garden. Holding true to her promise to Vera that she’d repair the fence around her garden and put up some defenses for her tomatoes. Her eyes took in the damage from the fox that dug into the garden and the wood that had rotted through. She remembered digging in the garden during one of her early shifts. She smiled as she moved to get the tools and supplies. Images of her as a small wolf filled her mind, the sound of Vera yelling as she ran from the house. A chuckle moved passed her lips as she remembered the frightening look on her father’s face when he saw her. Vera was furious that she’d been digging, but her dad was so worried that she’d shifted so young. As a five year old, her daddy was the scariest thing. Her fingers grasped the tool box firmly and hoisted it into the wheel barrow. She was still worried about upsetting her dad. She wanted him to be proud, like the Alpha’s were of their son’s. She wiped a small tear from her cheek and set herself about her tasks. Vera always had a slew of tasks for her, but it was better than trying to face the suitors that kept trying to impress her. So many males from the packs had come trying to make her their mate, she wasn’t even of age yet. “Only a few more months.” She spoke to herself, unsure if she really wanted to ignite the conversation about it with her wolf again. They’d gone back and forth, and the only agreement they had was that they didn’t want anyone that wasn’t their mate. “Few more months until what?” Sarah watched Vera walk into the garden, taking in the realization that the sun was starting to set about the cottage. “My birthday.” Her words carried across the yard with a smile, as she rose to her feet and took the glass of water from her godmother. “That’s right.” She winked to the woman, “We’ll have to do something for that.” Sarah smiled brightly and chuckled. Her eyes brightened as she thought of what Vera might come up with this year. The best parties were always thrown by Vera and she was excited to see what was to come this year. “You’ll have to survive the Alliance Summit first,” she winked to the dark haired woman, watched the pain wash over her dark eyes. “Ugh, did you have to ruin the moment?” Sarah feigned offense as the pair laughed together. She’d come to terms with having to go and really hoped her dad would see reason. “Always, young pup.” Vera smiled and helped Sarah clean up the mess from mending the fence. It wasn’t long before Sarah was on the road home, the sun had set some time ago and half of the moon glowed brightly from the cloudless night sky. Her eyes watching closely on the dirt road from Vera’s to Azure Rise. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was clear and safe for her to ride on her motorbike. The bumps in the road were easy to spot and the deep track tires kicked up dirt and rocks behind her. Silently Sarah cursed herself for waiting as late as she did to leave. Vera had insisted on her staying for dinner, and then Sarah insisted on helping to finish the fence. Then they talked for several hours on the porch before she even hit the road. The sun would be rising soon if she didn’t kick it into high gear. All she could think was she needed to be there by the morning training and Sebastian needed to see her on that field on time. She pushed her little motorbike to it’s limits, as she shifted her weight and accelerated the vehicle. Her body lifting from the seat and hovering as she moved quickly down the dirt path. The bumps in the road causing the shocks on her bike to crunch, as she made a mental note to fix them when she got to the shop. Mud splashed up from nearly empty puddles and it wasn’t long before a wolf could be seen running parallel with the rider. Sarah’s eyes shined as she recognized the wolf that had come to escort her home. She rounded the last bend and his the gas on the straightaway home. She watched the trees and bushes blur by as the wolf lunged from the forest and continued to nearly keep pace with her. She smirked to the four legged friend, as she accelerated one last time. Dirt spitting up behind her and a yelp coming from her friend as she sped into the clearing of Azure Rise pack house. “Was that really necessary?” A young man, about Sarah’s age came around from behind the house. His khaki cargo shorts were low on his hips and his muscle bound chest glistened with sweat. He ran his hands through his dirty blond hair as he moved it from his green eyes. His bare feet moved quickly across the grass as he approached the heiress. “Always.” Sarah smiled and hugged her friend. “Where’s Hera?” She looked about the space, taking brief notice that the first signs of daylight were shining on the side of the white washed wood. “Sleeping, I hope.” He smiled to the she wolf and began to walk across the field. “Think I made it in time?” Sarah asked as she pocketed her keys and moved to fall in beside the blond male. “Sure, training hasn’t started yet.” He smiled brightly. “How do you know?” She eyed him up and down, her left brow raised. “Because, I’m the new trainer.” His face emitted a smart aleck reaction as he dodged the hand that came for his shoulder. “When did that happen?” “A few days ago,” he moved back to her side as she settled down, “Beta Eli offered it and I accepted. I think he was just happy to be able to sleep in again.” The pair laughed as the moved across the gravel edge to the large open space. The meadow was used for picnics, gatherings and training. The grass had been beaten down to the dirt in many places and the gravel space gave room for them to park or run a bonfire. Soon the weather would shift and it would be filled with hot summer nights around the large bonfire once more. Sarah looked around the clearing, seeing the familiar faces of her pack. Her brothers in arms all trusted her with their life. She’d earned their trust and respect, yet it was the other packs that always had something to say. These men would defend her honor, like a brother would to their little sister. They’d all stopped trying to pursue her when they came of age. She was one of the last of her generation and soon it would be the next round of pups in this field. Sarah couldn’t help but wonder if she’d be the last female to tread this ground and spar with the wolves. “Alright ladies!” Joseph bellowed into the space, as they approached. “Let’s warm it up. 30 laps! Move it!” Sarah kicked off her shoes and fell in with the pack, they trained as one, worked as one and fought as one. Her training was no different. She received a few smiles and chides as she fell in with the pack. Most of them were asking where she’d been and a few mentioned they didn’t know if she’d come back today. “Quiet ladies!” Joseph hollered from the back of the group as the made their first lap. “You got air to talk, you got more air to run! 20 additional laps!” The groans from the group resounded through the clearing as the group moved quickly about the edge of the meadow. Sarah briefly caught the smile from Sebastian and her father from the forest edge. They were trying to not be seen, and failed. She winked to them and kept her pace with the rest. She’d be the Luna she was called to be, a born leader and a bread fighter. The memory of her would rival the memory of her mother. Sarah smiled to herself as she pushed herself to the front, urging the pack on. She encouraged and hooted and hollered, telling them to move it and keep up. Joesph’s smile in the back caught her eye and she felt a new resolve. Maybe she didn’t need college, maybe she just needed to find her place in the pack.