Episode 1

3309 Words
Talia woke up to the same miserable feeling that has been plaguing her since she turned eighteen. She wondered if it was the dream or the pouring rain that woke her. Then again, it could have been the misery that had found her even in her sleep. She turned to look at her alarm clock only to see she had woken up almost half an hour before the alarm was to go off. Sighing, she reached out to disable the thing but decided to leave it on just in case she got carried away with her thoughts, as that has been happening so often lately. She thought about the mysterious red-haired lady that she always sees in her dreams, the lady is usually trying to tell her things, but Talia never seems to hear her. It's as if there is an invisible barrier between both of them. This recurring dream has only added to her misery. She has been wondering what it is that is wrong with her. Although no one has ever gone out of their way to make her life difficult, she always felt her life was meaningless and dull. Losing both of her parents to rogues when she was just a few months old added to her sense of worthlessness and misery. Her parents best friends, the Smith’s, had taken her in and raised her as if she were one of their own children. Doing their best to provide comfort and care for her. She sighed again and turned to lay on her back with her hands tucked beneath her head. She stared out of the window looking at the lush trees and greenery that went on for miles, wondering if she should hightail it out of here. Just as that thought struck her the alarm clock shrieked, jolting her back to reality and she reluctantly got up. She went to the bathroom to attend to her personal business, while there she brushed her teeth and pulled her long curly black hair into a messy bun. Just as she finished getting dressed in blue leggings and a red training top with black trainers Mrs Smith, whom she fondly calls mama, knocked on her door to make sure she was up and to tell her to quickly come down for breakfast before leaving for training. Stepping into their tiny but warm kitchen Talia took in the scene before her, her Mama and Papa where both talking and laughing happily. Her papa was setting the breakfast down while her mama was getting fresh homemade juice from the fridge. She couldn't help but smile at the happy picture they made, wondering if she was being selfish by refusing to move to the pack house. Her younger brother Ethane, who is Mr and Mrs Smith's biological son, moved out of the house and into the pack house two months ago. It is expected of all wolves, male and female, to move into the pack house when they turn sixteen. This is to allow them the space and opportunity to explore and to also adjust to the wolf side of their nature. Sixteen is the age when everyone gets their wolf, well, everyone but her. Most wolves find their mates between sixteen and eighteen. Nate, who is just two months younger then Talia, moved out almost four years ago as he found his mate exactly on his sixteenth birthday. Thankfully, his mate is among the few people who actually likes Talia. Debbie, the Smith’s oldest child, is two years older than Talia and has never hidden her disgust for her. Debbie is mated to Larry, one of the pack warriors, and has two pups and a third one the way. It seems everyone around her has their lives sorted out, except her of course. As if reading her thoughts, her Papa looked at her at that moment and reassured her that she can stay in the house for as long as she wants. He also reminds her it's her house as well, he then urges her to eat her food before he does it for her. Stepping out of the house feeling her heart and spirit lifted by her Papa and Mama, breathing in the scent of the fresh moist earth and clean air had her heart and spirit lifting. Her spirits were lifted even further as she loved the sight and smell of the forest. She headed towards the training ground and found it was filled with people training so she decided to try the indoor training hall, as she always tried her best to avoid others. She was aware of all the people's stares that always followed her everywhere she went. Others are always whispering about how she is the first wolfless person of their kind to be born in centuries and then to top it off with not having a mate at twenty. Even Debbie, who was supposed to be her sister, has said mean things, like she must have been an evil witch in her previous life that is why all these calamities befell her. She shook her head as if trying to shake off that conversation. She got on the treadmill and instantly set it to top speed. She may be wolfless but she has trained her body so much that it may be impossible for any wolf to beat her in human form. She smiled knowing she wasn't completely useless. She trained for about an hour and then quickly ran home to shower. She had to hurry to meet her Mama at the pack clinic. Her mom is the pack doctor while she works as a nurse, although she hopes to become the next pack doctor. Talia hopes that by being the pack doctor, she will start to feel more useful to the pack. Becoming a doctor to werewolves has to be learnt more than studied as their genetic make-up is quite different from humans. She met her mom reviewing the list of patients that needed follow up, as this is often all they do because their kind do not get sick, and heals quickly when injured so they mostly deliver new babies and follow up the new moms for a couple of days or weeks depending on the circumstances of the birth. Just as they were discussing about the patients to be visited and what they and their pups will likely require, an omega knocked on her mama's office asking her mother to go to the Alpha's office. Talia sat back wondering what the issue could be for the Alpha to have sent for her mother. She was still wondering when her mother walked in stoned face, recovering after a few minutes she explained that the Alpha wants her to carry out medical checks on the pack's future Luna. This got her confused as the Future Alpha is away training at the Lycan Royal Palace and no announcement has been made about him finding his mate. Her mama confirmed this but said the current Alpha has decided to align their pack with another powerful pack in order to strengthen their hold over other packs. Talia's POV After carrying out the home visits I had on my schedule, I was on my way back to the pack clinic. I heard a voice calling me but chose to ignore it, as I knew exactly who it belonged to. Mark kept calling my name and it pissed me off that I could not ignore him, as I often did so. I whipped around to ask him what his problem was and he just smiled saying he just wanted to say hi. Mark is a warrior wolf who has been sent by his pack to mine for training. He's been here a little over a year and will be leaving in a couple of weeks. He is a year younger than me and is sure his mate is a member of his pack and will meet her when he goes back, but in the meantime he wants to have as much fun as he can before going back. I looked him straight in the eyes and told him that I have seen the size of his thingy while he was taking a dip in the forest lake and I wasn't interested in having dessert before my main course as it wouldn’t fill me up so he should buzz off. I could feel the anger rising in him and hoped that would keep him out of my way for good, but as I turned to continue walking I was sure I saw a darkness in his eyes, but I just ignored it and carried on. As I stepped into the clinic I saw the Luna and female Beta waiting for me, and I knew something was definitely going on. I greeted them both and also bowed to the Luna and asked if everything was alright but the Luna said they had been waiting for me. Taking in the seriousness of her look I asked if she wanted me to follow them to which they nodded. I followed the Luna to her office, where they both immediately sat down. The Luna offered me a seat, and then went straight to the point stating that the Future Alpha’s mate will be coming to the pack for an extended stay to familiarise herself with the Full Moon Pack as she will soon be the Luna. She also stated that her son will be back within the next 4 weeks to assume his place as Alpha. I was still wondering how all this concerns me when the Luna said she wants me to be responsible for her son's mate. I looked at her as if she spoke in a foreign language and when I finally found my voice I told her that it is unseemly seeing as there are female warriors who can protect the Future Luna better than I can. She looked at me and laughed asking if I thought she would be stupid to entrust me with such duty. That what she wants is for me to be the personal maid to the Future Luna, I just sat there staring at her when the female Beta spoke with authority that I'm not being asked for my opinion, that it's an order seeing as every other she-wolf that can do the job is mated and can't be asked to leave their mates and move into the quarters of the Future Luna. I turned to look at the female Beta wondering why she was always so very hostile towards me. It's not my fault that I am wolfless and it is certainly not my fault I do not have a mate, if anyone should be held responsible they should all be looking towards the direction of the moon goddess herself. I looked calmly at the Luna and just thought, so I happened to fall into this position by default. I was raging with anger, but outwardly all I did was nod my head. So that settled that, I heard the Luna talking and all I could do was just nod again. Leaving the office of the Luna I went straight home thinking how much I miss my only friend, who left to go experience the world and kicking myself for not accepting her invitation to tag along. Axel's POV With my eyes closed, my other senses became even more enhanced than usual, I could feel the very vibrations from the ground and air around me. I turned to my right just in time to avoid the blow I felt coming and quickly hit my opponent with the flat of my palm. Quickly, I kicked him off balance thereby forcing him to fall flat on his back. There were gasps from those present and I stretched my hand to help the Lycan Prince stand back up. He stood up, looked at me intently and shook me from the elbow of my right hand while thumping me on the back. "You have become a force to be reckoned with and I would not want to fight opposite you in a battle" he said with a smile. “Well I felt like you are going easy on me'' I said to which he just laughed. Prince Jad is said to be the most fearsome lycan, even more so than the king. Except he chooses to spare, no one battles with him and lives. "So Axe, what have you decided to do about the summons from your father? Are you going to send him another flimsy excuse why you can't take over the affairs of your pack?” Jad asked. I raised my head to look at him, but said nothing regarding the question. The Prince and I have become best friends over the last two years, although the first year was more like hate at first sight. I need to go for a run was all I said to which he just nodded. I walked off into the forest letting it calm me, taking off all my clothes. I stood there and allowed the change to wash over me. I have never felt pain when shifting into my wolf, Jax, but rather it always feels like licks of liquid molten fire pouring out from my pores. I stood there on all fours looking down on my unusual fire red fur that caused an uproar when I first shifted into Jax. My father had been unable to control his pride knowing a fire wolf only comes once in a century and will usually be sent at a critical time in the history of werewolves. My dad surfacing in my thoughts brought the reason for his summons to mind. "Axel you turn twenty one in eight weeks and you have the next six weeks to finish up with whatever you are doing there, as you will be taking over as the next alpha on your birthday. Meanwhile, I have found your mate. Legend has it that a white she- wolf will be born and she will rule right next to you as you rise to power.” I stopped running and took in my environment. I realized I had come to the waterfall, walking to the edge I took in the reflection of my amber eyes and my red fur. My fur turns blood red when I am furious, this has only ever happened once, when I lost my would-be Beta on my sixteenth birthday. Closing my eyes I recalled that day, the scene, how he laid on the floor of the forest, naked and lifeless. Just a few hours before he was found, we had all been partying and drinking. Guests from different packs were there to pay homage and form alliances with my pack as we have grown into the most fierce and fearsome pack. We hadn't recorded any deaths within our pack before that night for the past fifteen years. We have grown to become over five thousand wolves making us the largest pack in the world. The party was organised for the whole weekend, from Friday evening to Sunday evening I remember the shock and murmurs after my shift was complete. The Alphas present immediately stopped that night's ceremony and went into a meeting for the remainder of that night and my father had told me the next day that I will be sent off to the Royal Palace until my mate is found. Now his present letter has confirmed my greatest anxiety " she has been found .” Looking up to see a crescent moon peeking out above the trees I begin to make my way back to the Palace. After taking a shower and changing into clean clothes, I went to the Princes' quarters. .Before I could knock on the door I heard him say "come on in Axe." His sense of smell and hearing is sharper than that of wolves like me. “Thanks man” I said, taking a seat in his living room. “I have decided to go back to my pack” I said without wasting time. “My mate has been found and you know how vulnerable both of us are without each other and legend has it that until we complete the mating I won't be able to come into my full powers.” “I see, and when do you plan on leaving" Jax asks. “The letter said my mate will arrive at the pack this weekend, in three days' time, I would like to give her another week or two to settle in and familiarise herself with the people before I join her so that she is not overwhelmed,'' I reply. “I believe that will also give you time to keep working on your element as you are still unable to control it. Unless all you can think about now is your little mate," he said laughing. I laughed also while admitting I'm more than excited to meet my mate as she is the one to complete me. After more bantering and teasing I became serious. He noted the change in me and asked, “what’s the matter now?’ “I actually need a favour. I would like you to come with me, it will not only be an honour but will mean a lot to me if you will be present when I officially take over the ruling of my pack. Plus who knows your mate may just be there, you do not have to give me an answer right away just think about it,” I said. Calum cut me off by saying, “I would like to come with you, we will both talk to the king and queen". Talia's POV Waking up from the little sleep that I have managed to get, I turned to look at the alarm clock. It was a few minutes past four in the morning. I sighed as I have only slept for about 2 hours and I know I definitely won't be able to go back to sleep. I had stayed up well into the night till past two this morning just thinking about what is to become of my life. It has been a whole day now since I have had to quit my job at the pack hospital and start getting the Future Luna’s living quarters ready for her occupancy. She will be staying in the west wing of the house that had been built earlier this year in preparation of the Future Alpha’s return home. I am to move into the room next to the Future Luna’s so I can be handy whenever she needs me. She has told the current Luna her favourite colors and this has been passed on to me to incorporate them into the decor and design of her space. I sigh thinking about how I am going to be twenty in the coming weeks and all I have been able to achieve so far is that I am going to be the maid/babysitter of the Future Luna. I had looked at the crescent moon and begged the moon goddess to please forgive me of my past sin and to please rewrite my story as I have come to believe I must have been very evil in my previous life. Just as I closed my eyes to drift off to sleep I wondered if I will grow old looking after the new Luna, or just until she is settled, or if I will become the nanny to her children and spend my life catering to her and her family. Now I've woken up after just two hours with the same thoughts, getting up to go to the bathroom, I couldn't help but think there ought to be more to my life than this.
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