Haunted by the Mysterious Alpha

CHAPTER 1

Emily's POV.

I strolled down the lawns of the castle, my orange gown in my hands, and I arrived at the entrance of the royal garden.

My gaze travels inside and settles on my mother seated alone on a white bench. She was staring at the space before her.

Heaving a sigh, I proceeded inside the serene space and stopped next to my mother. She was lost in thought and didn't notice me standing next to her.

Perhaps she is recalling the incident from eight years ago.

“Mother?” I called.

She looked up from the ground and her gaze fell on me. Her blue eyes shone with motherly love, her blonde hair falling beautifully on each side of her face.

“Emily..” A smile spilled on her lips and she straightened up on the chair. She wore a gold circlet and a creamy dress that kissed the floor.

“You sent for me,” I spoke.

Minutes ago, I was in my bedroom, adding finishing touches to my painting when a soft knock sounded on my door.

“Come in.” I'd beckoned...

The door came open and a palatial servant walked into my room and curtsied. “Your Highness.”

“Yes, Theresa.” I stopped with my painting and fully gave her my attention.

“Luna Larissa sends for you, Your Highness,” she announced.

Glancing about my tastefully furnished room, I lowered the two brushes in my hand in their jar and jerked to my feet. “Where is she?”

“In the garden, Your Highness.”

At her reply, I'd headed out of my room and entered one of the hallways of the castle. Soon, I arrived at the stairs and entered the foyer, was about to dash to the terrace when a familiar voice called my name, no, the pet name he likes calling me.

“Princessa?”

I halted in my tracks. A faint smile spilled on my lips, I turned around and my gaze fell on him.

Ryan, my one and only cousin.

The foyer is busy with activities, servants carrying freshly cut flowers to the ballroom in preparation for the ball tomorrow night. My eighteenth birthday ball.

Amidst the movements, I fixed my gaze on my cousin and watched him strode over to me.

“Ryan?” I called him.

The only son of my uncle Jake, Ryan is sixteen years old, dark-haired, and possessed a pair of beautiful brown eyes. He shared a striking resemblance with his father.

While his father is related to my father, his mother was also related to my mother. Interesting, right?

A lot was said to have gone on in this castle way before I was born.

“Princessa?” Ryan called again. “Where are you going in such a hurry?” he asked and we began strolling towards the door.

“My mother sends for me,” I replied.

“Where is she?”

“At the garden,” I answered.

He nodded. “You should see my new swimming skills,” he said. We entered the terrace and my brows scrunched.

“Now? I'm afraid I can't, I'll hate to keep my mother waiting.”

“No, not now, Princessa. I mean tomorrow morning.” He explained and I sighed.

“Oh!” I shrugged my shoulders, “No problem then, but do not compel me to swim with you.” I forewarned.

“Of course, I won't!” he chuckled. “Who doesn't know that you hate swimming?” he hinted at my dislike and winked a brow at me.

Everyone knows how I hated swimming. Maybe it comes with the fact that, despite the several swimming lessons I took, I still sucked in it. I was tired of being helped or using a floater each time in the pool.

I smiled and glanced about the courtyard as we entered it. “I have to go now, Ryan,” I said and we stopped walking. “I will hate to keep my mother waiting.”

Ryan smiled.

“See you later, Princessa!” he grinned.

He turned around and scooted back to the castle. I tried not to chuckle as I watched him. Smiling, I proceeded to the lawns of the castle and arrived at the garden...

Jolting out of the flashback, I stared at the never-aging face of my mother wondering why she suddenly sent for me.

“Emily..” she gently patted the bench she was sitting on. “Come, sit with me,” she beckoned and I did.

Exhaling, I moved and sat down next to her. “Why did you send for me, mother? Is everything alright?” I asked.

“How are you, Emily?” She answered my question with a question and I became more curious.

The atmosphere of the royal garden was refreshing, silver rays of the afternoon sun filtered through the leafy bowers and gave the place a breath-taking fairytale charm.

But I was so curious as I stared at my mother. “I am fine, mother. And you?” I asked. She exhaled and glanced at the space before her.

“I am fine too,” she replied and brought back her gaze to me.

And then, she placed a hand on top of mine on the bench.

My gaze traveled to our hands and was back to her face, I searched her expression. “You sent for me,” I repeated. “Is everything alright, mother? Are you sure you're alright? Where is father? Where is Uncle Jake and Aunt Zia?”

“Too many questions, Emily, too many questions.” A beautiful smile lengthened her lips. “Everyone is fine, your father went to the city, for an official visit. As for Ryan's parents, they went to the Settlement to visit the people,” she said.

My brows scrunched. “And you, mother? You decided to stay back?” I asked.

“–That's because I want us to have a heart-to-heart conversation, Emily.”

We always do, but why do I feel today's will be different?

“Okay, I'm all ears,” I said.

“Good!” she exhaled. “It is high time you know about the history of Azalea, and then a few more things,” she said. “As you already know, our territory encompasses all the lands beyond the city's gates, Azalea is a place where humans known as Delans, and werewolves; known as the Dark Moon Clan, co-exist peacefully under the leadership of your father and me,” she said.

“I know, mother.”

“Good. But centuries ago, Azalea was inhabited by only the Dark Moon Clan, it was their home until the arrival of the humans. The werewolves with open arms welcomed the humans, but then over the years a certain man was overcome with greed, it consumed and led him into betraying the then Alpha and his Luna, and things fell apart for the original owners of the land.”

I stared at my mother.

She continued.. “Years later and I was born with no idea of the feud which has existed for years, but the Moon Goddess had her plans. First, the werewolves were able to reclaim what belonged to them– and your father and I? We ended up as mates. We loved each other despite our differences and our pasts. We got married and then, we had you. The night you came into our lives has remained the most beautiful day of our lives.”

Suddenly, my mother stopped and tears pooled in her eyes.

“The day we lost your brother was the saddest day of our lives, Emily,” she said and paused again.

Disheartening images of that day come crashing into my head. I pushed them away and focused again on the conversation.

“...It hurt so much, Emily, and has remained vivid in our minds,” she continued... “He was a big baby, died after the stress of a prolonged labor.”

At this point, I couldn't help it, tears also pooled in my eyes and again the memories from eight years ago comes crashing into my head.

“Mother!” I gasped.

“I just want to tell you have been an amazing daughter, Emily. That day after we lost your brother, your father and I realized that you are enough for us,” she whispered.

Slowly, I reached forward with my hands and dabbed away her tears. I could use the handkerchief in my pockets but no, I choose my hands.

And I leaned forward and kissed her cheeks. “I love you, mother,” I mumbled.

“I love you too, Emily.”

We exchanged smiles and I straightened.

“Tomorrow, you will be attaining the age of maturity. You shall turn eighteen and get your wolf, you will be able to shapeshift,” she said. “Also, you'll be able to sense your mate through the help of a mate bond, your wolf will help you a lot. And then when you shall finally meet your mate, I am certain that he will love you very much, as much as your father loves me, even more,” she said.

“Mother. What if I don't find my mate tomorrow?” I asked the stupid question which has me bothered for days now.

“You will, darling. Even if you don't meet him tomorrow, fate will lead you to him one day, or him– to you.”

“And you think he will love me just as much as father loves you?”

She caressed the length of my face and adjusted my tiara.

“Even more, Emily. He will be doused with affection for you the moment he looks into your blue eyes, he will drown in them, just like your father drowned in mine.”

A warm smile spilled on Queen Larissa's lips. “You will find him and he will love you very much,” she added.

For the first time since I walked into the garden, genuine excitement lit up my mother's eyes. “That is one of the advantages of having a wolf, she will sense your mate and lead you to him.”

A smile lit up my eyes too. “What does a mate-bond feel like, mother? You felt it even though you're a human girl.”

“Yes. I felt it for the first time that night I met your father in my ball, it pulled me to him. I remember wishing I could run away, but no, the mate bond drew me to him and kept me in his arms. It is a beautiful feeling that burns every nerve in your body and leaves you helpless under their gaze. But then again, the mate-bond could send a signal when one of you is in danger.”

“How does this signal feels like?”

“Like a stabbing sensation," she replied. “But first, you have to be fully mated to sense the warnings of a mate bond,” she added, and that marked the end of the heart-to-heart conversation. My mother retired to her room and I, to my room too.

Hours later, her words replayed in my subconscious as I glanced about the dining room–at my family gathered around the big table for dinner.

My father was back, and so was my uncle, Jake, and my aunt, Ziandra. My parents were sitting at each end of the table, while my aunt, Ziandra, and her husband sat opposite me. Ryan sat next to me.

Ryan told witty jokes as we ate which had everyone at the table smiling and chuckling.

It was a beautiful sight to behold, my family finally gathered around the table again after a long day.

Smiling, my gaze darted to my father and I saw he was looking at me. He looked away.

I looked away too and ate my food.

* * * *

A soft knock sounded on my door.

Roughly an hour ago, I'd returned to the privacy of my bedroom after a hearty dinner with my family...had taken my night bath and changed into my nightly clothes. I was now combing my hair before the dressing mirror when the knock came.

“May I come in?” A familiar voice spoke from behind the closed doors.

“Yes, father!” I beckoned and the door slid open, and my gaze falls on the masculine figure of my father. He smiled as he walked in.

“Father.” Smiling too, I jerked to my feet. His gaze darted to the comb in my hand.

“Do you need help?” he asked.

Over the years, once in a while, my father will offer to comb my hair, especially whenever he walks into my room and meets me doing so.

He could be a tough Alpha of his pack outside, King of Azalea, but inside, he was a soft father.

Although I'd dismissed the servants from helping me to dress up, except on very special occasions, I smiled and thrust forward the comb to my father.

“Yes, please!” I said.

He collected the comb and I returned to my chair. In the mirror, I watched him stride over to me and began to comb my hair.

I smiled at the sight.

“How was your day, Emily?” he asked.

“My day was great. And yours, father?” I asked. He'd returned to the castle hours ago while I was asleep–observing my siesta. I learned it was the same time my uncle, Jake, and my aunt, Ziandra arrived from the settlement.

“My day went well,” Alpha Thane said and smiled. “Your mother just told me, she spoke with you today,” he hinted.

“Yes, father,” I replied. We stared at each other in the mirror.

He smiled. “Is there anything else you would like to know?” he asked. “Feel free to ask me,” he said.

At his question, I thought about the one thing that has me bugged for a while. Slowly, I jerked to my feet and he stopped combing my hair.

Sighing, I walked to the open windows and stared at the night sky, at the blanket of stars and the crescent moon.

I lowered my gaze to the courtyard below.

“After I turn eighteen tomorrow. Will I finally be allowed to explore and sail across the sea?” I asked.

Slowly, I turned around and faced my father.

“Can I now accompany you and mother when attending other kingdoms' balls or trade fairs? I have never left the shores of Azalea and I crave for that,” I added.

Alpha Thane dragged a breath and nodded. “Of course! It's high time that we introduce you to the world, after all, you are the future Luna and Queen of Azalea.” He started and a smile is about to spill on my lips, “-but not immediately, Emily,” he added and my countenance dropped.

“What, father?”

“Not now, Emily..but very soon,” he soothed and I just nodded. I have never questioned my father's authority, not now.

“Okay,” I nodded.

“Good.” He joined me at the window and together, we stared at the night sky. The stars twinkled at us and the breeze was gentle.

“Any other thing, Emily?” he asked.

I brought back my gaze to him. “What does it feel like to shapeshift?” I asked. “Is it painful?”

My father smiled and glanced at me. “It begins with a feeling as if you want to sneeze, and then you'll feel your body contort and twist not painfully, and then, your wolf will make her appearance, ” he explained. “She will always be inside you unless you summon her, you are in charge of the both of you. Remember to give her name.”

“So, is she a newborn?” I asked.

“She has existed right from the day you were born but has remained dormant thanks to how the Moon Goddess wants it. The goddess withholds our wolves and only gives them to us on the night of our eighteenth birthday. At exactly the chime of midnight, they come into manifestation,” he explained.

Mouth agape, I stared at my father. Recollecting myself, I gulped and stared at the night sky.

“Any other question?” he asked.

“No.” I shook my head.

“Now my turn to ask. Are you comfortable with having a party the same night you will be shifting?” he asked. “We could cancel the ball if you want.”

I thought about it and my gaze was back on my father.

“I don't see anything wrong with having a ball on the same night I'll shift," I replied and grinned. “In fact, I will like everyone to witness me transform. I will do so– just like you and Uncle Jake always do and then howl and bolt out of the place.”

He smiled. “Do you know why we usually bolt out of the place?” he asked.

“No.”

“Because we become naked whenever we shift from our wolves.”

“What? Naked, naked?”

He looked away and smiled. “At least, in our underclothes thanks to the Moon Goddess.”

Shocked, I stared at my father.

Alpha Thane exhaled. “Anything else?" he asked and glanced at me.

My response came in negation.

“Good. Get some sleep. I will hate to see you have eye bags in tomorrow's ball,” he said and handed over my comb. I collected it and he leaned forward and kissed my forehead.

“Good night, father.”

He smiled and stepped back. “Good night, my dear Emily,” he said.

I watched him turn around and strode to the door. He paused briefly, glanced at me, and continued out of the room. And shut the door after him.

I am alone again in the space of my bedroom.

Exhaling, I crossed over to my dressing table and returned the comb to its container. I blew off the candles and strolled to my bed.

Seconds later, my back resting on the bed, the soft pillows cushioning my head, I stared at the night sky and wondered...

Who is my mate?

What is he doing right now?