Bluey Ember

Episode 2:Pride goes

I looked at the faces that watched. My people, they were full of hope. I could feel their heart throbbing loudly. They needed this success more than my father. At the break of the curse, their sons and daughters will return to them, for those whose children where taken. Not that my transformation would break it immediately, but my training will intensify. It's believed the spirit of my forebears will endow me with strength to lead my people to war. To battle the fiery beast. His death will free the stone. It's believed, that the curse has made it unable for people to transform easily. With the stone, free, we will have the numbers again. Yes, there are now few wolves in our community. A threat to for if those humans should turn their gaze to our forest, we're done for!

I stepped into the circle, Tristan, still in wolf form, watched me with keen interest. I could feel the connection. Need I tell you he was the last of his kind, he's desperately in need of a mate and I would agree to be one. Yes, it's love at first sight, that boy is beautiful! But as a leader to be, I don't think it would be possible, so I removed my mind from the fantasy and focused on becoming a wolf.

My father quickly cut my palm with the dagger to avoid me feeling the pain, the stone hummed once again. As I placed my hand on it, the heavens growled and cried. Lightening struck so loud that the people ran for safety. But nothing happened. I was still the same. I couldn't believe. The worst part is that Tristan watched!

Now I understood, if your strength is not able to combat the curse, you won't transform. I was abashed!

The glimpse of hope in my father's eyes disappeared. It means that even a spirit wolf was stronger than the savior.

All who hid from the lightening came out. Their eyes, mocking my failure. Throwing more curses at me for not transforming. It was still raining, and we could hear stamps of feet. I heard he comes as swift as sound to collect his bride, or rather, his concubine!

"Father!" I screamed.

"Alexander, don't let him take her" my mother cried.

"I knew you would be a failure!" My cousin sister sneered as she stepped upon the altar.

"Shut up Meyer!" Florence shouted back. The only friend I ever had!

They drew closer till I could see them. Then my breath was caught up in my throat. "It can't be" i muttered.

"Lu" my father called. "I do not resent you. Just be strong for us"

"Alexander no!!!" My mother kept screaming.

"Greta, there's nothing I can do. He's endowed with a strength beyond our imagination"

The description scared me more yet I was thralled. The man on horseback. He can't be the beast.

Soon he was standing in front of us. The man beside him on horseback too came further. "Alexander St Louis, hand her over"

"She's to be treated with respect!" My father barked. Tristan has changed into human once again, his eyes fixated on me.

"That's not for you to decide" the man said again. "Hand her over"

"No!" Florence screamed. Everyone watched in silence. The whole drama. "Yes, you would take her but she will surely be back. I promise you" she looked at me, nodded and left. I wondered what she was going to do about it.

"Lu" my father turned to me. "Be strong for us"

It never made sense to me. They had no hope till after another ten years. His words were merely to give me a futile hope. However, he never talked. Their supposed leader. I watched him closely, he looked nothing like a beast! His face was hard and look like a beautiful work of art. Nothing compared to this level of beauty except for Tristan whom my heart have just in a minute, yearned for. He looked pained.

Then I could feel a slight push, my father, urging me to go over to him. I moved slowly, looking at Tristan who wanted to do something but never knew how.

"I'll get you out" I heard his lips move. I felt a slight of hope. I believed he felt the same way as me. I turned my gaze to my so-called husband. He looked at me. I got that feeling of hatred from his stares. I wondered what awaited me. For some strange reason, I wanted to hear his voice, but he didn't utter a word. His servants lifted me up to his own horse. I was surprised they didn't have another horse in reserve for me. He turned his horse and so did the crew. I turned my back to see my family, my people once more. I saw my mother yell and tears rolled down my cheeks. I am only sixteen. As we moved out of sight, I returned my gaze. His back was just as hard as his face and his shoulders, broad. Amidst my observation, his voice finally came.

"At this point you would want to hold my waist"

I was stung. Why should he say that to me. Is he about to force me into touching him? Is that how much he's sexually active?

I was still lost in this questions till I the horse jerked off in full speed.

I screamed and without knowing, wrapped my hands around his waist.