For the Love of The Guardian

Challenge Accepted

The early morning rays now beamed through the shade of the trees and the heat of the day lifted the lazy fog in the meadow. Those paired off to spar were hard at work with the opponents. Several younger wolves moved about the space, taking in what others did right and wrong. Their job was to learn from the mistakes today and to not make them tomorrow. Sarah shifted her weight, tilting her chest to the side to stretch the now tender muscles about her ribs. She’d let her guard down and her sparring partner got her good in the ribs. She looked Brinx over, knowing he had one weak area and she was going for it. With a crouched charged she went for her opponent, Brinx was large and slow so she needed to be quick. As he dipped to counter he charge she leapt to the air, her heels coming down on his shoulder blades as she sprung off him.

The applause that came from the young ones that watched didn’t distract her, she was quick to gain footing and spin about. Brinx would rise from the ground and charge, he always did.

“Alright everyone!” Joseph stopped the sparring, “I hope you pups learned some things, tomorrow you’ll be the ones in the ring.” His devilish grin caused the young ones to groan, knowing they would be leaving battered and bruised.

Sarah approached Brinx and shook his hand, sparring wasn’t about anger or malicious intent, it was learning. “You gotta work on the blind side.” She smirked.

“You gotta work on guarding your sides.” Brinx poked at her ribs, causing a pained groan to escape her lips. The pair laughed and then proceeded to walk to the edge of the meadow.

Sarah forgot how much she missed this, this family she had here. She’d been gone most of the winter and had planned to not return until Fall, had her father not sent for her. Sweat was slowly dripping down her back and pooling in her shirt. She silently wished she’d changed her attire before coming to the field, but then she needed to be on time.

“Who got you?” Joseph spotted Sarah massaging her right side slowly.

“Brinx.”

As if in respond to hearing his name, the large man gave a loud chuckle and smiled in their direction.

“Next time, big guy!” She pointed a finger at him and he teasingly kissed the air.

“Anytime sweetheart.”

Joseph looked between the pair, Sarah shaking her head as she pulled a boot over her right foot. “You two…?”

“No!” Sarah lifted her hands in protest, “No, I am not seeing anyone. Please don’t even put that out there.”

“Just check’in.” He smiled, wincing slightly.

“So, who damaged the goods?” Sarah nodded toward his face, his left eye beginning to swell.

“Aaron, he’s got a mean right hook.”

The pair laughed quietly, rising from the bench they were at and walking toward the pack house. The large group moved as one toward the house, like a militia on the move. It wasn’t intentional, but they’d trained together for so long it was natural. They were a family, tight nit and quick to defend the other from intruders. The moved through the clearing, the pack house glowing bright in it’s white and brick glory. This was her childhood home, that somehow felt more like home now then it had when she was a child.

From the large wooden front door, came a petite young woman. She was about Sarah’s age but much shorter. Her short red hair glowed in the morning light, her green eyes dancing as she scanned across the field. Her pale skin seemed to glow in the morning light as her thin figure stepped into the first touches of sunlight. Her back was straight ans her posture tall. It was obvious she was doing her best to look taller then she was, thought is was easy to tower over the 4 foot 8 inch beauty.

“Sarah!” The petite angel sung from the porch as she leaped from the top step onto the soft grass. Her short legs charging the she-wolf. It was only moments before she had wrapped her arms about the woman and the two hugged.

“Hera!” Sarah’s smile reflecting the inner joy she felt  in being joined with her friend.

Hera moved to be beside her mate, Joseph’s arm coming around her protectively. “So, where have you been?”

Sarah moved to walk alongside the pair, “At my aunt’s house.” They  were careful to not mention Vera to many, the Alpha’s of the adjoining pack’s knew about her and a few of the hierarchy did, but not many others. The careful selection of those that knew of the fae was intentional for her safety and privacy. While she did have fail safes in place to protect her home, they didn’t want her privacy invaded.

“Oh, that must have been great to spend the winter with her!”

A half hearted smile spread across her lips as they walked up the porch steps.

“You ready to deal with the onslaught of Alpha’s?” Joseph smiled to his best friend.

Sarah’s groan did not go unnoticed. “I will happily lay any of the offspring flat on their face.” Her smirk showed her lack of enthusiasm at the upcoming ordeal.

Hera excused herself, leaving the pair in the dining area as she moved to help in the kitchen.

“I mean it, Sarah.” He took a seat at the large table, “Are you mentally prepared for what’s coming? Those Alpha’s are going to try to play you like a fiddle.”

“I’m not some instrument for their amusement.” Her eyes glowed lightly in the signature purple shade, “My aunt has been helping me to control it.” She smiled openly for the first time since coming home.

“Careful,” Joseph’s eyes moving to the vestibule behind her, watching several wolves move down to the family room. “You don’t want to flash that about with company coming. Even though we’re wolves, some of them can be awfully catty.”

“I know.” Sarah relaxed her posture, her eyes turning gray once more. “For all the testosterone in the house, you’d think we got more competition and less gossip.”

“Nah,” he took a biscuit from a nearby basket, “those guys like to talk about everything.”

The pair laughed quietly, taking in the morning meal and enjoying the solitude they had. Hera had been nice to give the pair their time together, though it felt weird without Malin. Sarah’s eyes watching each wolf that entered closely, hoping silently it would be the third in their three musketeers.

“He’s out with his dad this morning.” Joseph’s words broke Sarah from her thoughts.

“Who?”

“Malin, his dad pulled him from training this morning for something bigger. I don’t know what.”

“I hope he isn’t pushing him too hard.” Sarah nibbled at the end of her bacon.

“Never.” Malin appeared from the kitchen, a large glass of juice in his hand. “Dad wanted to hunt with me, that’s all.” Malin looked so much like his father. His dark skin gave him an ethereal quality, as he smiled brightly to the pair. These were his best friends, the ones he trusted most. His bright eyes seemed to let you look deep into his soul, opening you to trust him completely. His head and face were clean shaven, with just the slightest bit of stubble starting to appear on his chin. His broad shoulders and build showed how much he and his father worked out together, but it was in his kindness and gestures that his mother’s qualities shined through.

While Joseph was the younger of the trio, Malin was the older. Sarah had grown up with the son’s of the Beta and Gamma. They were all pushed to achieve the roles their parents wanted for them, yet Sarah’s role was still unknown. She felt the call to be a Luna, more now then before, but still much seemed unknown. The call of a Mate wouldn’t be for several more months, though she half hoped it would come sooner then expect like it had for Joseph. It wasn’t common for a wolf to find their mate early, thought his mother knew in her twenties also.

The trio shared laughter and smiles as the morning pressed on. Their conversation slowly becoming more and more serious.

“Are you still having those nightmares?” Malin looked to Sarah.

In her youth she had slept on his floor, dealing with dreams that had her restless and afraid. “They aren’t nightmares, Malin, their visions. And yes, and I’m fine.” Sarah assured her dear friend.

“You sure you’re good?” Joseph looked into the eyes of the woman, “You seem more on edge then before.”

“Wouldn’t you, knowing that the summit is today?” Sarah took in a deep breath, rolling her shoulders to try to relax.

“I get it, I do.” Malin spoke up, “Something seems to be on your mind though, you don’t seem yourself.”

Sarah nibbled on her bottom lip, looking about the room slowly. She did have a secret, yet she didn’t know if she could trust speaking it out. She took in another deep breath, releasing it slowly. “There is… something.” She conceded beneath their inquiring gaze. “I’m been having these… visions,” she fiddled with her own fingers, “ of my mom.” Her gray eyes lifted from her hands slowly, taking in the reaction of her friends.

She watched their brows tense together and process what she had said. Malin’s green eyes seemed to darken with concern and Jospeh’s brow was deep in thought.

“I don’t like it.” Malin spoke first, “You need to tell your dad, and maybe the elders.”

“No.” Sarah corrected quickly, “I am not telling the elders, I don’t trust those old-heads.”

“What about your dad?” Joseph spoke quietly, his mind still processing through what he learned. He had his father’s love of books and was quick to retain information he learned, so naturally he was running through what he could remember to see if anything triggered.

“I don’t want to upset him.” Sarah chewed her lip again, “Dad hasn’t spoken about mom in years. I don’t want to trigger something that would send him spiraling.” Again she began to fidget with her fingers nails.

“You have to talk to someone.” Joseph put his hand over hers, “You need to discuss this with someone who can help. Visions like this aren’t healthy.”

“I promise, it’s fine. It’s not hurting anything.” She didn’t mention what her mom taught her, knowing she’d given her a promise.

“Sarah, you can’t mention your lineage to just anyone.” Jhera spoke to her daughter in the vast white space the often met in. “The line of the Crescent is sacred and many will try to abuse the power you hold. Most will assume you only hold a portion of the gift, let them think what they want.”

Sarah felt the comfort of her embrace, all worries of the world beyond this vision washing away. “I will always keep my promise, mom.”

“That’s my girl.” Jhera smiled to her daughter, “Now, show me what you learned.” She pulled back from the embrace and took in the vision of her legacy. The raven haired beauty that looked more like her father, but carried her mother’s boldness openly.

“Sarah?”

Her father’s voice jarred her back to reality, “Sorry.” Sarah smiled halfway, “Lost in thought.” She looked up to greet the Alpha, his dark hair graying lightly and his smile bringing wrinkles to the corner of his eyes. “Did you need something?”

“Walk with me.” He motioned for her to follow him out of the room. His blue eyes seemed filled with worry, as the pair exited the pack house and walked out on the front lawn. “How was your time with Vera?” He stepped in beside his daughter.

Sarah smiled, “It was great, she taught me much.” She looked to her father, “I could have learned more if I wasn’t called away.”

“I know.” Henri resigned, “I wasn’t planning to call you back, but I need you to run the shop while we’re in meetings. It’s not just the Alpha’s arriving, they want the Beta’s in the meeting as well.”

Sarah’s brow tensed, “What’s going on?” She stopped walking and turned to her father, watching his eyes move about the space. It was clear he was looking for prying eyes or open ears.

He leaned in close and embraced his daughter, “The rumors are not good,” he whispered softly in her ear. To anyone watching the pair, it looked like he was apologizing and consoling his daughter. “Part of me worries I brought more danger bringing you home, but I don’t know for sure.”

“Dad…” Sarah pulled back, turning to walk further across the lawn. “You’re scaring me.”

“I know, my dear.” He put his arm about her shoulder, walking like they had so many times before. His voice still speaking in whispers, “Eli spoke of the elders, they believe that you’re the key to breaking the curse.” Henri swore under his breath, his head swiveling to look about the open space. They were in the middle of the large front lawn, looking over their home. Down the road was the garage, the workers coming and going from the building.

“How so?” Sarah’s voice a whisper, as she knelt to tie her shoe. She could read his body language better than most, knowing he was trying to appear unaffected.

“I worry they intend to take your life.” Henri spoke as he covered his mouth and scratched at his jaw.

Sarah took a deep breath, shifting her weight to tie her opposing foot. “Dad?” Her breath hitching, suddenly she felt less safe then before.

“Let’s walk back to the house,” Henri offered her his hand. “Don’t speak of this, to anyone. I don’t know who is for us or against us.”

“The pack would never…” Sarah’s voice stopped short as she took in her father’s expression. He was serious, beyond serious. He didn’t trust his pack to not take her life, in the hopes of breaking a curse. Sarah felt a chill run down her spine. “Who can I trust?” She turned to walk back with her father.

“Myself, Eli and Sebastian.” Henri looked to watch dust kick up at the edge of the property, another fifteen minutes or so, and they would be at the house. “Erick and Ashleigh are with us, as is Alpha Jaroth. I can’t say for certain of the others.” His blue eyes seemed to look almost gray as he took in his daughter, the legacy of his heart beat. “I am sorry, my dear.”

“Dad,” Sarah smiled, soothing the rough edges of the conversation, “I am stronger than you give me credit for. If mom could do it, so can I.”

Henri smiled, seeing his beloved in the eyes of their daughter. Her strength and resolve amidst chaos was so like her. He knew Jhera would be proud of the woman she had become.