Fated Love

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Chapter One

I had known them since I was a young pup, they were cousins and basically the next head of our kingdom. I was the generals only daughter out of six kids.

You would think I would have been spoiled by my family. Mother was the only one that really paid attention to me, she was my light. To my father and brothers, I was pretty much an afterthought. When she died, my only interaction with my family was to train with one of the boys; because none of the general’s children could be weak.

So, when the princes paid attention to me, I was in complete awe. They gave me all the things that I wanted and more. Honestly, back then I truly believed they loved me. I did everything in my power to make sure that I was everything they wanted and could love. I knew what abandonment was and I wanted to make sure no one else could ever abandoned me again.

But once again, I was abandoned by the men who should love me unconditionally. By the men who I loved unconditionally.  They finally gotten tired of their concubine and found someone who they truly loved. While I had to find a way to make the hurt and betrayal that I felt become dull, so that way I wouldn’t think about it every waking moment.

I rose through the ranks in less time than it took most, it was easy to do it. With running away from the pity looks and the fact that I was unlovable. I stir clear from relationships, other than the last two friends that I had, it was easy once I came to terms that something inside me was so damaged that I ran people off.

And now I stood next to my five older brothers as we looked around the extravagant party; that the five shifters kingdom held yearly. I hadn’t seen Asher or Tristian in nearly a year and a half; it was another way I was able to impress people and show them that I didn’t join the military just through connections. Despite, the rift I have with my father and siblings. I loved this kingdom just as much as they did and wanted to use my power to protect it. I have been told that my family are really proud of me.

“Are you okay Terra,” Serenity spoke as she put her hand on the small of my back. She was my right hand in my platoon, a beautiful tiger shifter with her unmarked porcelain skin, blue ocean deep eyes, and her normally straight beautiful blonde hair fell in perfect curls down to her back. Next to her was my Left hand in my platoon, a jaguar shifter with shoulder length dark small curls, with the most beautiful chocolate skin tone anyone had the grace to look at, and very concerned filled grey eyes.

I tuck the loose strand that had been left out of the nice up do, “I am fine, guys. I haven’t even looked over at them.”

I couldn’t look at them, or else all the hard work that I pushed myself to complete would fall apart. I would once again be that lost and abandon dog. And it would take me down a road I promised myself I would never take. The look the girls gave me, told me they were on the same mindset. But this day had to come sooner or later, it’s not like I could hide from them; because the truth was that they were to be kings in matter of months or even a year. And I would be their general, it is my literal job to serve and protect them

“How about we go outside and do some recon,” Trinity spoke, as her chocolate arms wrapped around my caramel tone arms and pulled me to the garden area.

I wasn’t sure if this was doing more harm than good, I had spent so much time here with one or both boys. Our innocence was spent here, our not so innocence days had also been spent here. Serenity and Trinity stayed by my side as the rest of the platoon spread out and scoped other areas surrounding the palace.

“Terra is that you,” I turned to see one of the heirs of another kingdom. Someone I had been accustomed to, he reached for me and pulled me into a hug. He was still positively radiant, the Korean male who many believed could pass as a god without much effort. Everything about him was perfect from his unblemished skin, neatly trim hair and nicely cut body.

“Jae, how have you been,” I smiled as I pulled away.

“Good, you look amazing,” he glowed as he turned me around. I was in a traditional female general formal attire. The dress allowed me to move freely should I need to, hid my weapons when I didn’t need them, all the while presenting my rank. Trinity and Serenity wore similar attire, that showed that they were a rank under me.

“And a General,” his partner spoke as he came beside his mate. Like his mate he was perfect, but while Jae had some feminine feature, Yun held more masculine features from the way his muscles were more defined than Jae. His skin was marred with a few scars here and there, and while Jae’s golden eyes held compassion, Yun’s silver eyes held a knowing look.

“Well you know, I had some free time,” I smiled trying to diverge the conversation to something other than the next subject.

“We know,” Yun spoke coldly. Where my brothers had failed in brotherly love; Yun and Jae had picked it up almost immediately. Since we were kids, whenever they saw me, they would spoil me and protect me.

“Yun,” I spoke laying my hand in his, my other taking Jae, “I’m fine.”

They looked for confirmation from Serenity and Trinity, they of course could not confirm or deny because they were still trying to gage me. While I thought I held myself pretty well, I could understand their concern. When I first realized that the princes were not coming back, and that I had yet again been abandoned, I did some crazy things. I was not in the right place, Trinity and Serenity were the only ones that knew how severe it was. They were the only ones that pulled me back. I put them through unspeakable hell.

“It’s the first time I have seen them in almost a year and a half, of course I am not perfect.” I sighed looking at the four overly worried shifters. “but I will get better I promise. Have you forgotten who I am?”

The accusation that they had forgotten that I am Terra, a name that brought terror in the eyes of any other shifter, not just because who I knew but because of what I could do. They smiled as they saw that that wolf still stood there behind the sadness.

“I didn’t get my position from my good looks, jeez guys,” I sighed in a huff.

“Though you still look good,” that voice cut through me like a knife as I jumped back, effortlessly turning to the faces of my only weakness.

“Prince Tristian, Prince Asher,” I spoke through tight lips, feeling delight in the fact that calling them by their titles hurt them, if the delight in their eyes had dimmed was anything to based that on. Simultaneously, Trinity, Serenity and I bowed to them.

“We are honored,” we spoke not meeting their gaze as that would be disrespectful for anyone in our lower status. And wouldn’t that just piss them off even more.

I looked up to see the feet of Yun, as Jae spoke. “Boys it seems you have lost your dates for the night. We should go find them and stop interrupting this hard working general and her troops.”

I stood as Jae ushered them away from me, looking only back once to send me a wink. Yun stayed behind making sure that they went willingly, before turning towards me with a smile on his face.

“I am glad your fire did not go with them, pup.” He spoke affectionately as his pale hand cupped my cheek. “But remember you are playing with fire.”

“I was not the one who forgotten,” I promised my eyes hardening on the very spot they dared to stand in front of me.