Beauty and Beast

Chapter 7

Madilyn's POV

"The moon goddess came to your mother in a dream one night. She showed her the most beautiful wolf she'd ever seen. It was a rainbow wolf your mom said. She saw the wolf playing with you, then it became you. She then saw a big bright white wolf with gold eyes off in the distance. It slowly approached her and from its mouth it said, "This child will bring all my children together, in one pack. She is the chosen Queen." When your mom woke up she knew she had to get you to safety, but the dream kept coming, but each time she would see a rival pack kill you, the only way she could stop the dream was by self-medicating. She couldn't stand the thought of you or your brother seeing her in that condition so she left, leaving you both and her mate, which is a nearly impossible act." Amy said with tears in her eyes.

Great, so I'm not normal. I got it. I'm a wolf, okay. Now I am-some super heavy-duty wolf who is destined for greatness. There must be some kind of mix-up. I can't be a magic wolf. I don't know the first thing about being a queen and leading people. Who would want me to be their queen?

"I would. You would make an excellent queen."

("Eden, you have to warn me when your gonna do that because I forget that I am not the only one in my thoughts anymore.")

As much as being "Queen" terrified me, my mind kept trailing off to the question, does my mom love me? That is honestly such a hard thing to believe. She was never there, ever. I can barely remember her face. Dad never talked about her. As far as I knew, she was a woman that bailed on her family chasing drug after drug. I didn't believe there could be more to the story. For a long time I wanted to, but the prevalent fact that she never bothers to reach out or be involved in mine or Rory's life made me believe she was a monster. When I had no one and was going through the worst time in my life, she wasn't there. Instead of being able to process my trauma, I just kept pushing because if I fell apart Rory would suffer, and I would never let him suffer. What mother could abandon their children, even with good reason? Even if all this is true, nothing changes. She is still the deadbeat today that she was yesterday.

"You should forgive her. When we meet our mate and have our pups, you will understand how hard of a choice that was for her."

("Eden, you are too positive to be my wolf.")

Eden and I both laughed.

"What's a mate?" I asked.

"Your mate is the one person in this world who the moon goddess paired you with. They are your soulmate, best friend, and family all together in one person." Amy said with a look of reminisce on her face.

"Was Uncle Mark your mate, Amy?" I asked sadly.

"Yes...." she said almost in tears, and Max as well.

My Uncle Mark, Amy's husband and Max's father died about 10 years ago. Amy and uncle Mark were so in love, I wanted a love like theirs my whole life. When he died, Amy practically fell apart. She had to be checked into some hospital. I don't really remember much because I was 8, Rory was 2, mom had just left and I was the one taking care of him, so I had my own stuff going on.

"I'm so sorry for your losses. I know he meant a lot to both of you." I said, holding back my tears.

"So.... When will I meet the rest of the pack?" I asked, wanting to distract everyone from the pain in the room.

"So, don't get mad..." Max says, flinching.

"This is our house, we came to live here until you turned 18. Now that you're of age and have discovered your wolf, we have to go back to the pack house." Max said, still flinching.

"Okay, where is the pack house?" I said suspiciously.

"Nighthawk, Washington," Amy said.

"But that is 7 hours away from here and like 8 from Portland." I responded, unsettled.

"How am I going to go to school there and live in the pack house all the way in Nighthawk?" I said slowly starting to come to the realization of what it meant.

"You can't go to the University of Portland," Max said, now in full blown defensive mode.

I have been dreaming of this my whole life and now I don't get to go. Just like that.

("Can you believe this Eden? We have worked our whole lives for this and now, just like that, it's all gone")

"So we are a we now? You're making me all warm and fuzzy inside. On the contrary, Madilyn, this has been your dream, but not your destiny."

("Well your growing on me, and it's not the worst thing in the world that I am not completely alone anymore. Also, why are you always right? It's annoying.")

I was off in my own world and I didn't even realize that Amy and Max were waiting for my response.

"Ohh, uhh... I guess if we really have to," I responded.

Max and Amy were taken aback by my response. They were expecting me to blow up and, normally, normally I would have, but I can't fight my destiny.

"So when do we leave?" I asked, trying to get comfortable on the sofa.

"In the morning, after your first shift," Max said.

"One last thing, when we get there you'll have to fight the urge to shift and if and when you do, get in your car and drive here, no one can know about your wolf, they won't understand, even if it really is as beautiful and magical as your mom made it sound." Amy said.

"They want to keep me locked up? Maybe that is best. I am pretty awesome."

("I won't let you stay locked up Eden. Whenever we need a day to just shift and to just be free, let me know and we will be here in no time.")

I felt her smile inside.

I am determined to make the best out of this situation.