Unknown Wolf

Lessons and Strength

It had been a couple of months since my Aunt Rose and her family had come to live with me. I was slowly starting to get used to their presence, and it felt good to finally feel a part of a family. My aunt continued my studies learning about all the packs and memorizing their Alphas, Lunas, Betas, and so forth.

Her daughter, Isabelle, had come with John when they arrived to be reunited with Rose. I could see the love and closeness they shared as a family, and it was touching. All I could think of was that one day I wanted something like that.

John was a strong and demanding man, but when he looked at my aunt, all I saw in his eyes was the love he had for her. I knew on any battlefield he would be a worthy adversary and a fierce warrior, but around Rose, he was merely a lovesick pup. He would do anything in his power to make her happy and keep her safe.

Watching their mate bond with my own eyes brought so much about it into realization for me, and after reading hundreds of romance novels, it made it seem as if true love wasn't just fiction. Maybe it was achievable. It brought to light more about my father and why he was the way he was. My heart ached for him, realizing he had all this with my mother and then lost her. I couldn't imagine loving someone that deeply and then having to continue on in the world after it had been all stolen away.

The pain he must endure daily was unimaginable to me as even watching my aunt and John still wasn't the same as experiencing it with my own mate. Thinking about it set my insides on fire in excitement, and gave me this unexplainable urge to run through the forest in order to find him even though it seemed unlikely that I would just be lucky enough to randomly run into him. Not only that, but I wasn't even 18 yet, and as my aunt explained, you could be around your mate your entire life and not know that they are until you turned 18.

Isabelle was thirteen as Rose and John had found each other later than my parents had. Rose had been my mother's baby sister and still only a teenager herself when my mother and father met. Isabelle joined me for all my lessons with Rose so she could learn as well, though she had a head start to me. It could be annoying that a thirteen year old had more knowledge than I did on any subject.

She was a sweet girl, and I started to view her as the little sister I never had. She looked more like John, but a very feminine version with his dark blue eyes and smile. She had Rose's brown hair and was so cute with her small features she seemed as if a china doll had come to life. She had a natural joy about her, and even her laughter seemed unreal like the soft tinkling of bells.

After we had finished our Morning studies with Rose, John had set up that both Isabelle and I to go through some extensive self-defense and warrior training with a highly respected trainer named Aaron Rosser. John said he would have trained us himself, but his new job took too much of his time and that Aaron was probably a better teacher.

I couldn't imagine going from training the best warriors to babysitting two measly girls. It must feel like a huge ego blow. Aaron never let on to that, though, and was always very professional. He was very patient and seemed to be pleased with my progress.

Surprisingly to me, I loved training. I loved the feeling of gaining strength and feeling more powerful. I didn't think I would feel the way I do about it, but it's like I get an adrenaline rush while sparring. Excitement that trembles through me when I overpower my opponent or out smart them. With every passing day learning and growing, I just felt more alive.

Training had been slow and grueling in the beginning as I had never worked out or done much of anything physical, but I found that by turning my frustration into motivation and determination to succeed, I started quickly progressing. Working out also helped strengthen and tone my body as Aaron's routine was very physically demanding.

Aaron, John, and Rose all seemed to be impressed and pleased about my progress in such a short amount of time. They continued to encourage me forward and ask questions about my wolf. I could feel something different about myself and something stirring in me as I grew in strength and knowledge.

I still hadn't heard a sound from my wolf within, though my Aunt Rose tried to keep me encouraged, saying she could see a difference. She believed my wolf was in some kind of hibernation and was slowly awakening.

Dinner had been hours earlier, but I found myself awake and still hungry. I had lost track of time while studying and reading through some books and journals my aunt had given me. I was learning that my father wasn't the only king in the werewolf realm but one of two. The second one was King Roland Blackwood of the western territories. He was known to be a master warrior who was ruthless and ruled with an iron fist.

He craved power and wished nothing more than to see my father fall, leaving him to rule over the entirety of the werewolf world unchallenged. We had been at war with him for years, and our relationship with him was still uneasy.

He, like my father, had lost his mate and survived the event, but rumors have it he cared nothing for his mate. He only gained control of her in hopes of making himself more powerful and to breed for an heir of his own. I couldn't imagine being fated to a mate like that. It made me rethink being so eager to find mine. What if he wasn't like my father or my uncle, but a horrible werewolf like Roland? Uncertainty and fear came with that thought, but I still had a little bit of time before I needed to worry about my mate.

King Blackwood and his mate did end up producing two sons. Both are known to be strong and fearsome warriors themselves named Ryker and Rowen. They like their father struck fear into the hearts of the best warriors and were definitely not a threat to take lightly.

I was submersed in this new knowledge about a second kingdom and learning all I can about what seemed to be my fated enemies in order to hopefully one day protect my people from them. Hearing myself internally acknowledging "my people" in my head throws me off my studies. Sounds almost surreal to think about again, but I have a debt and responsibility to my territories. The more I learn about them, the more connected I feel to them and protective over them.

With that enlightenment, I decided to take a break and head out of my room in hopes of finding a snack in the kitchen to curb my hunger. Once downstairs passing a hall, I heard a noise as if something had been knocked over. My attention diverted, and I followed down towards where the sound had originated from. As I traveled down the hall further, I started to hear voices coming from behind a closed door.

"Athelstad, you don't have a choice she has to be introduced to our realm as your daughter and rightful heir to the throne. This can all be done at her 18th birthday," I heard my Aunt Rose try to calmly push the subject.

Then my father's voice tore back at her sounding as if through gritted teeth, "I have spent all this time hiding her for her own protection and you just want me to serve her up on a silver platter to them. She is all I have left!"

"She is stronger than you believe she is, and this is her right and her duty to our packs. She has been progressing swiftly with her studies and in her defensive classes. Everyone thinks we are weak while you are heirless, unknowing that she exists, and King Blackwood waits with a smirk for you to fall," she countered

"That monster won't be faltered by a mere princess. He will see no threat in a woman. You know his barbaric mindset, and all it will do is put her in danger." He continued.

"The people need something to find hope in, and she is the key to that hope. You know she is. You can not keep her caged up here for the rest of her life."

"I will not lose her to them like I did Lillianna! I will NOT put her in that kind of danger!" He bellowed out at her, and a massive growl followed it. His aura flowed from the room and was so intense it was stifling. I know if I wasn't his daughter, I would be cowarding under the weight of it. Then something changed in the atmosphere.

"Lucilla," I heard my father call, "Come in. Now."

How had he known? My aunt had told me about heightened senses such as hearing and smell. She theorized that mine would come after my first shift. I slowly dredged up the courage and entered the room that seemed to be my father's office. I had never been in this particular room before. My aunt and uncle sat cowering in chairs as my father stood behind his desk, hands stable upon the surface of it as he stood glowering down at them.

I came in and stood as tall as my height would allow my back straight as a rod. My hands were balled tightly into fists. I didn't want to be seen as a small, defenseless, and useless princess. I wasn't naive. I knew my position would create difficulties and threats for me. I was determined that it would only make me stronger. I had to be strong. I refused to be seen as weak.

When my father finally turned towards me, I saw his eyes slightly widen as they took in the sight of me glaring at him. I didn't know where this anger came from boiling up from the depths of me. As suddenly as his eyes widened, they narrowed as he took in my stance and position on what I had just overheard.

"What kind of daughter sneaks through my house and violates my privacy spying on my conversations by lurking in the dark?" He growled at me.

I didn't waver, but stood strong before him. I will not coward to his anger was all I could think.

"I was not meaning to pry. I merely heard a disturbance this way and came down to investigate. I did not know you had returned home, father." I stared straight into his eyes as I spoke, making sure my voice stayed strong even with all his anger now directed at me.

He continued to stare at me, taking in all that was me, and then he finally sighed and sat back down.

"Those eyes, I can't handle it. Spitting image of your mother, but with such bull headedness and tenacity. I will assume you heard the jest of my conversation with your aunt and uncle, and it seems you have some opinions on the matter."

I tried to withhold my surprise at him opening to allow me to weigh in on the matter, but slightly smiled inside at my small victory. It was about me and my future. My hands relaxed, and I gathered my thoughts.

"I'm not weak, father, and I don't intend to be a helpless princess. I wish you had shown more faith in me. I could have been studying and preparing for this position for years now and training. I want to be there for our people and be a part of them. I don't want to just be a pretty lady in a frilly dress, but an intelligent and fearless warrior to face the predicaments of our people. They need more from me. I need to be strong so that in turn, our kingdom will be stronger, and they need to know I exist to help them see a more stable future ahead of them. Right now, while everyone thinks you don't have an heir to follow you or the possibility of you creating one, they are at an unease on what their future looks like at the loss of you. Give them reassurance that they don't have to fear about a future ruled by King Blackwood. That the Grey line continues. I may not be a son as everyone hopes, but I will put forth my best effort not to disappoint."

At the end of that, I still looked at my father dead on. I stood confident in all I had just said, and I was rewarded by a broad smile spreading across his face as he sat back in his seat. He brought his hands together with the tips of his fingers touching as the words I just spoke made him see me differently.

"I think anyone would be hard pressed to find a disappointment in my daughter. I see you have become a strong young lady. You aren't the young pup, I remember. Your strength and courage give me hope, but as you have stated, you are behind in your training," he pointed out and continued to take me in without breaking eye contact. I felt my confidence drop a little in my eyes, but I kept my face neutral.

"Seeing as that is the case I am demanding upping your physical training levels to the point that you will be glad to have your head hit the pillow at night, and your studies will also intensify on learning about our enemies. You need to be fully versed in everything about them. I want you to know exactly what you are up against. I don't want you to walk into this position naive." He stared at me with a seriousness, but I thought I could also see his face partially give away a bit of pride.

"Yes, sir," I nodded in agreement.

"I will grant your aunt permission to arrange this party and announcement for your birthday with this understanding." He looked from me to her and back again, "Your security will also intensify as you will have a definite elite guard unit assigned on you at all times. Better get used to them following you around for your own safety and my peace of mind."

"Yes, sir," I answered a second time. I could see my aunt smiling from the corner of my eye.

"Any other questions?" He directed to the room.

"What really happened to mom? You said you would not lose me to them like you did, Lillianna. I thought she fell ill. What really happened?" I asked.

My father's face drained of all color. He had not been expecting that question, and I regretted asking it in his presence as soon as I had. My Aunt Rose swooped in to defuse the situation.

"We will discuss that tomorrow. It's getting late. I think we should all probably make our way to bed. We have a full day tomorrow." She started to shoo me out of the room, and when I tried to turn back to say something else, her eyes widened as she shook her head. I took the hint and went on my way.