Satella

2

   "What were you thinking?" Alpha Austin growled, his eyes so dark with anger that one could call them black. "He is from Crescent Moon Park!"

  "I still have to marry, father."

Her words only made him angrier, "You have a mate out there. Somewhere out there!"

   Satella gulped as she drank in everything. They were in his office. Her brothers were standing behind her father and had her sit in front, under their scrutinizing gazes. It was like she was about to be thrown into the dungeons. Her father, Marna and James had the same expression. People often said her ffather'sblood ran true. All of them had the same blue eyes and blond hair. The slant of their noses was the same too. It was easy to see what her father was like when he was younger and what her brothers would be like when they were older. 

   "The messenger said I'll only marry the Alpha if I don't find my mate before the Kings hunt," She said carefully. "And it's not as if I could refuse the decree."

   "You could—"

"That's what you should have done—"

   She glared at James then at Marna as they spoke, "It's a decree. Refusing it will be like rebelling."

   When her father spoke, his eyes had shifted back to their normal colour but he was still angry. "The King knows that we are loyal to him. We will not rebel."

   "Arghh…it's common sense, father," Satella said, exasperated. "We have a lot of enemies who could use that to their advantage."

   When her father remained quiet, she groaned and turned to Marna, pointing, "You all know this."

  Struggling for dominance and survival was common within the wolf packs. Alpha's didn't want rogues or other Alpha's claiming their lands. Those who were strong fought and those who weren't tattled whatever secrets they knew in the court.

   James, the ever cheerful one, suddenly grinned as he edged closer to her. 

  "Don't tell me that you agreed to sacrifice the chance of finding your mate to save us the troubles of court affairs," He said and grinned wider when he saw her cheeks go warm. 

   "I'll find my mate soon. Now stop talking nonsense," Satella said dismissively, her fingers digging into her palm. 

   Children of Alpha's often took longer than most to find their mates. Normal werewolves found theirs from 17 if they were lucky. But as Alpha's household held a responsibility, most of the children spent most of their time training with little or no time for socialization. Apart from the palace events and occasional visits from and to other Packs, they hardly ever went mingled. 

    "I've heard stories of Roran," James continued, looking up the ceiling as though in thought but he was clearly baiting her. Satella sat with her arms crossed, a crevice forming in between her brows. Soon, he saw a muscle ticking in her jaw and knew it was working.  "They say he is handsome. Strong as a bull too…they even say that—"

  Satella stood up angrily, unable to ake it any longer. "Don't you even dare, James. You keep singing him praises as if you don't know that he is the reason Shade is lying there unable to wake up…"

    "Don't do anything, Satella," Her father said, finally sinking it into his chair. Her face was flushed and though she felt the tears, she pushed them back. Years of living with her brothers had made her see crying as stupid. When she was angry, she fought with daggers, butterfly swords and arrows until it faded. Like a Pack warrior.

   "Do what?" She asked, her anger still evident from her tune.

  "By dawn tomorrow, you'll be on your way to Crescent Pack. Don't do anything that will put yourself in danger, Satella," He said, looking earnestly at her. She suddenly felt guilty but refused to avert her eyes. 

   "I wouldn't be able to protect you there."

  "So you people are just going to believe whatever their Shadow guards say? They are called shadow guards, for goodness sake—"

   "I have Alpha Roran's word," her father said, his eyes boring into hers. "I trust him."

   Satella was quiet upon hearing those words. She wanted to laugh. Her father trusted the Alpha of a clan that their ancestors have been fighting with. It was truly funny.

   "You trust him," she repeated, her arms crossed against her chest out of habit. She looked at Marna, the most sensible of the lot, "—and you Marna, do you trust The Alpha Roran too?"

   He shrugged, walking towards her, "Shade wouldn't want you to put yourself in danger—"

 "Want?" she started, interrupting him before he could continue. Her words holding as much weight as Kilimanjaro. "Shade wouldn't want to be lying unconscious for two weeks."

  "Satella," Her father said, a warning ring to his voice. 

  She ignored him. Regaining her composure, she moved her eyes lazily across the room, in the exact manner she knew they hated. "I'm going to say goodbye to Shade, since you are all so eager to send me away."

   Satella knew her words were stupid but she was only human— only werewolf. 

   "The healers say it's the work of the blue bloods…"

   Her father's words made her freeze. Abruptly, she turned back to him, her eyes wide in surprise. "The evil witches?"

  James threw his head back, eyes squinted as he burst into laughter. "Yes, Satty. The evil witches."

   "What did they do to him? What is Ingrid doing about them?" She asked, searching their face… When her questions met with silence, the frown returned to her face. "You people never tell me anything."

  Marna sighed, as though his position as young Alpha and her brother was too much for him to carry. "It is for your good."

  "I can decide what is good for me, brother. I'm nineteen years old."

   James rolled his eyes, pushing his blond locks behind his ear, "In November. You'll be nineteen in November."

 With a scoff, Satella curtsied to her father and left his office.

******

  Satella had been postponing her visit to Shade. In normal circumstances, he would never let her take such a risk. The stories they had heard about Crescent moon pack was enough to make her backtrack and refuse the decree. But she couldn't. She had to do this. It didn't take her long to figure out that she couldn't just tell Shade goodbye. Not when she wasn't sure when next she was going to see him. 

   Her father, brothers and most of the Pack members were lined up on the grounds showing goodwill and wishing her safety. Her father was stoic. It was clear he wasn't happy seeing her go. He could only warn her to be careful and her away with his strongest warriors. Her brothers who had pulled her into hugs and kisses a while ago were no different. 

   Casting one last glance towards, her home, she turned and entered the car. The next time she returned, it had to be with good news. Satella suddenly shuddered, as she wrapped her arms around herself as the cars kicked off. She wished for her mother. Someone to cry on and say how much she wanted to marry for love. And how much she hated leaving Shade without saying goodbye.

   She had glimpsed how beautiful it was when people met their mates. It was a bond as strong as few she knew. But duty came first. She had to help Shade or she may never be whole. Shade was more than her twin. He was her best friend and part of all the things that was good in this world. If he died… Satella shivered, shaking her head as a heart ached. She could afford to finish the thought.

  "We are at the border now," A voice said from the front seat, interrupting her thoughts. Callahan looked at her throw the rear mirror, his gaze was almost hesitant. "We were ordered to drive fast as soon as we get past it." 

   Satella nodded, feeling resigned. 

 Callahan then sighed, his voice reduced by a notch. "You can tell me to stop whenever, Satty. Just tell me if you feel uncomfortable…or anything," he said, removing his eyes from the rear mirror

  Satella turned from the window and looked at him. Callahan had haggled with them since they were little. He was kind and gentle, white unseeming of his looks. He was Shade's friend more than he was hers. She couldn't help but wonder if he felt the pain she felt. Everyone just seemed to be moving on.

   "It's alright. I'll take a nap. The night was…long," Satella said, settling into the leather seats. Her eyes were closed and she was already half asleep when she heard him say quietly, "My night was long too."