The flame of Ember

*Ember's POV* "Emberly Ann Greystone! where are you?!" I heard my mother yell from the pack house back steps. "I'm right here mother" I proclaimed as I casually strolled out from the woods tree line covered in mud. I knew I had a smirk on my face, and I did my best to hide it. Especially when my mother locked eyes with me, and she did not look happy. I knew I would smooth things out with her as soon as I handed her the lilies hiding behind my back. For now I knew I had to face her if I wanted to get away with all of this. "Did you prank Miss Marthe again?" My mother asked, although it wasn't much of a question. We both already knew the answer. I tried to smile as sweetly as I could as I softly approached my mother. I loved Marthe, she was a sweet loyal maid. I just loved to prank her more. My pranks in her were mostly innocent. Which involved placing unsuspecting critters in her pillowcase and scaring her. My personal favorite was to distract her while she tutored me during Luna studies so I could escape and go combat train with my brothers. My mother glared at me as I approached, and I knew she was waiting for my answer. " Um, I did see Miss Marthe, although I don't remember pranking her." Lies. We both knew the truth. I couldn't help but to look at my mother, she was beautiful. Long, soft, light brown hair that crashed in waves down her back. What made her stand out the most was her tan skin and striking green eyes. It was the trademark of her pack. The people from the Islands. Those genes ran strong. So strong that they were present in me and my 7 siblings. We all had the same striking features, and her attire. She always wore a sleek white floor length dress, adorned with jewelry, and multiple sparkling head pieces that made her look more like an ancient Greek goddess than a standard Luna. She swore these dresses were worn by the ranked women in her pack. A sign of prestige in the eyes of her people. She made me and my sisters wear the same attire, which made me look absolutely ridiculous. I self consciously remembered to dust some of the dirt off my own dress. Which forced her to look down at it in disapproval. My assessment of my mother was cut short when she crossed her arms, and looked at me with annoyance. I was close to her now, and I could tell she was losing patience with me. I stopped in front of her and gripped the bouquet of flowers nervously. Which made her eye my hidden arm suspiciously. I wondered if she thought I was going to throw a frog at her, which in hindsight would have been hilarious. I had to stiffen to keep from smiling at the thought of my elegant mother shrieking in fear over a little frog. A smile crept on my lips, and I realized I needed to focus if I was ever going to get away with any of this. So I quickly pulled the flowers out from behind me. She flinched and took a step back, then readjusted when she realized. "Surprise" I exclaimed. "For me?!" She said breathlessly. "Of course!" I gleamed, as I snuck past her. Giving her a small peck on the forehead. She was still admiring the flowers, forgetting all about me. Got her! I thought to myself. That was so close, for a minute I thought she was going to tell my- "Father!" I squeaked in surprise as I saw my father leaning in the doorways. His dark alpha presence shadowed over everything around him. His eyes were down, apathetically picking at his nails with a blade. "Where were you?" He asked pointedly, not even raising his eyes. "I- I- I can explain!" I wheezed. His cold gray eyes snapped up at me and froze me in the spot. My father was the most intimidating man when someone crossed him and right now that someone was me. The air hung between us, as I sat paralyzed under his gaze. For a moment I thought he would strike me. He never had in the past, but I was beginning to think that my antics were starting to push him too far. If it was one of my brothers misbehaving he might have. I tried to breathe, and for a moment I thought about apologizing and then I remembered my father hates apologies. "Go to your quarters, I will deal with you later." I would rather he hit me to be honest. I wanted to rebuttal, but I was desperate to get away from that piercing gaze. I drew in a shaky breath, and picked up the hem of my dress in a failed attempt to appear more ladylike, and slowly made my way across the room to my quarters. Once I rounded the corner I turned to see my parents in a warm embrace. Ugh, the mate bond, it could turn the most terrifying men into mush. I hope I never get that soft. I hope I never find a mate at all. Perhaps if I ever met my mate I could challenge him for my freedom in hand to hand combat. In My haste I tripped over the hem of my skirt, I braced myself by putting my hand on the marble wall. It was a hot summer, and the cool wall felt amazing under my touch. I wondered if the walls could tell me the history of this house. Even though I heard the stories before, I wanted to know exactly which ones were true. I spread my fingers on the wall waiting for the house to answer me, and when it didn't I gathered up the hem of my annoying dress and carried on to my quarters. They say that the packhouse was first a small palace. One that was built by a vampire who was infatuated with a human. He allegedly kidnapped her and confined her to this very palace. Her family made a blood oath with the wolves for her return. But noone knows exactly the deal they made. This was back when humans were allowed to know about our existence. Nowadays to tell a human our secret was a crime punishable by death. They also speculate that this is how the palace and the land that it rested on ended up in the wolves hands. Anyway, In the chaos of battle a terrible fire erupted in the palace and it was all but destroyed. Up until my father staked his claim on it. Apparently he patched up what was broken, but didn't do much else to change the cold dark estate. At least not until my mother came along. They say my mother offered to move them to the swamp, since she thought it would be more welcoming. To which my father made a deal, that she could decorate any room in the packhouse, as long as she left his office alone. To this day his office is still cold and dark. My mother went on to redecorate the whole packhouse in white marble, fountains, and plenty of greenery. Which I assume was her way of bringing her island to the mainland. She would always say a person's space could change their state of mind. Unfortunately she didn't stop at my room. Which I was fast approaching. I seen Augustus, my father's guard waiting by my door. "Aww, babysitting duty I see." I said while giving him an apologetic smile. "My lady" was all he replied. As I opened my door to my prison.. I mean chambers, and slammed the door shut behind me. I kicked off my sandals and made my way to a table that sat in the forefront of the room. I couldn't help but notice a bundle of fresh flowers in a pot on the table. I knew marthe probably put them there. I didn't deserve her. I looked around the room, it was so pink, and dainty, but also quiet. I figured I had to do something with my time. So I hurried to a spot in the floor, where the floorboards came up. I wedged it loose with my fingers and pulled out a book about war strategies. My father would kill me if he knew about this. So to be safe I put a makeshift cover over it that said "the art of being the perfect luna". It wasn't the best, but it was better than nothing. I looked up and realized that soon this might not be my room anymore. In 6 weeks I was going to turn 18. Which meant I would get my wolf, and also unfortunately a mate. At the very least my father was going to make sure I was married. Although the thought of getting my wolf was exciting, I was dreading the rest. I strolled over to the couch, plopped down and opened the book. The sun outside was going down, and I knew my father would be calling for me soon. I tried my best to relax, when suddenly I heard a knock on my window.