Satella

1

   For the first time in days, the sun broke through the clouds carrying with it the scent of the end of summer. Satella lifted her head and sniffed the air. As she walked the grounds, she knew most wouldn't want to spend a sunny day training. The rain has been harsh on them these few weeks. 

   She weighed the odds and went to her charges, saying, "The last round. Use your arrows and hit seven vital points. Seven or…you'll get to spend this sunny day with me, guys."

   Around her, the trainees abandoned their sparring partners to quickly notch their bows. The morning came with light but it would have been too dark for any human to shoot arrows. For them, it was no different than midday. Every detail was clear and sharp to their searching gazes.  They remained unnaturally still for a heartbeat, before releasing their arrows. One after another, their arrows went into vital points, stuck and lay there quivering. 

   She was right; they didn't want to want to waste this day. Their excitement was evident from how strongly their arrows flew. Soon, they pooled around her, chattering and laughing.

   "Sunshine!" A wide-eyed girl whose hair was the colour of grounded millet said, grinning. "Where are my sunglasses? I'm not even sure I own sunglasses." 

   As she watched them, Satella smiled their enthusiasm seeping into her. "You did well, guys. Especially with the arrows. We still need to work on your speed while sparring. I noticed some of you weren't quick in getting back to your feet. Even with the daggers you—" She paused, her tongue stuck in her throat.

   Everyone knew that it was her twin, Shade who was good with daggers. It didn't take long before the uneasiness grew amongst them. Though they were all of the same age gaps, she and Shade had started taking combat lessons early as was usual with Alphas children. She was perfect with a bow and arrow while Shade was perfect with daggers. Sattela, shook her head as though to clear her mind. "We'll practice the daggers next tomorrow. Come prepared."

 They weren't as cheerful as before as they lined up to sign out of the register. Satella could hear their thoughts, however faint. It was full of pity for her.

   Before Shade was sent on the journey to the East Valley, they had a brawl. Twins usually argued but this was the biggest they ever had yet. He knew she always wanted to see a healer wolf but he didn't tell her about his trip until she tracked him to the border and had a force it out of him. The East Valley pack was that of healers. They never fought wars or had any visit from rogues. They were protected by the Wolf king. But yet now, even them couldn't heal Shade. They claimed he was floating. Stella smiled, the pain in her heart expanding with every day her brother laid half dead.

   "Wanna go to town with us, Satty?" Carla said as she signed her name out.

  She couldn't go even if she wanted to. It'll be like be betraying Shàde. Ever since they were children, Satella was always with her brother. He was her best friend.  And she hated being pitied.

    "No, thanks," Satella said, closing the register. "I have things to do at home."

   Her trainees felt guilty suddenly felt guilty for being too eager to go. They felt her sadness but were too confused to figure her out. Everyone loved Shade. Everyone in their pack knew his condition but the unspoken order from their Alpha kept them from speaking about it.

   "Which bastards gave themselves the right to do this?!" Callahan, one of Shade's friend exploded, unable to prevent himself. "What did he do to deserve this? What?!"

   Everyone knew that Shade and the Shadow guards of Crescent park had fought on his way back. The head of their Shadow guard had admitted to it but denied having anything to do with his condition. He claimed Shade had walked out alive. Unbelievable. The centuries of hate between their two packs was enough reason not to believe them.

   When Shade had stumbled back to their pack borders, he had been covered in burns and the blood and dirt made him unrecognizable. He had been floating for two weeks now. Not dead and yet not alive. And the only time he woke up, he had grabbed her hand tightly as though she would disappear. His eyes were earnest and his grip became tighter when he said raspily, "Alpha… Roran meet…"

   Then he had collapsed and the healer said he wasn't going to wake up anytime soon. Roran had done something to her brother during that brawl or else they would be no reason for her brother to mention him.

   Satella saw her vision go blurry and she knew she was close to tears. She blinked quickly, she wasn't going to cry. Shade used to say that tears when for idiots and humans. And she was neither.

  They all heard the command as though it was whispered directly into their ears.

Assemble in the hall. The messenger of the elders is here. Prepare yourselves.

It was a simple and direct order but left everyone wondering and fidgetting. The elders, Ingrid and the Wolf king often used the mail to communicate with the packs. Messengers were only sent when they were a decree to be made. Satella quickly dismissed her charges, then ran through grounds back to home. She knew the message had to do with Shade's brawl with Crescent pack.

   Familiar with the grounds she had trained and walked through since little, she took shortcuts and was soon in her room. She switched her tank top for a t-shirt but left her boots on. Her hair was sticky with sweat but Satella was in no mood to wash it. She didn't even have the time. She pulled it behind her head and braided it as she raced down to the hall.

   When she arrived, she took her place beside her father on the table, trying her best not to look at Shades empty seat. Her eldest brother, Marna, nudged her and whispered, "Are you okay? Did anything happen?"

   Satella fought the urge to laugh. What hadn't happened? Shade had turned into sleeping beauty and a messenger of the elders was here. Still, she nodded her head and tried to put on a happy expression.

   Her other brother, James held her hand, his brow arched.

   "Are you sure you are okay? You look contorted," He said.

   She swallowed and squeezed his hand, "It's just something I ate."

   She knew he didn't believe her but she was grateful when he dropped the topic. She glanced at the messenger. He looked normal except for his incredible deep-set eyes that seemed to know all your secrets. Satella shifted unconsciously in her seat, averting her eyes as he swept over the table, settling on her before moving ever slowly back to her father.

   Her fathers Beta, Arden quickly went ahead with the formalities. He briefed everyone on how far and wide the messengers travelled to complete their assignments. He further went on to say that it was their fortune to see one in this lifetime for he had only seen a messenger twice in his very long life. It was an excellent speech but the stiffness of his shoulders showed he was more resigned than excited at the sight of this messenger.

  When the messenger opened the letter and began to read, Satella was shocked that he didn't speak in some f*******n language. His voice was normal and his words short and direct. Shade would have wanted to be here, she thought, her eyes lowering to the messenger's shoes. And now I'm not sure he'll ever wake up again.

   "200 years ago, the Crescent moon Pack and your, Pack Sirius fought their first battle in the East Valley over their murdered Betas. Since then," The messenger read slowly, seemingly unaware of how the pack was at the edge of their seats. "There has been an ever budding feud between your pack and theirs which may continue for generations to come. In the event of the brawl between Shade Gray of Park Sirius and The shadow guards of Crescent moon park, this messenger comes with benevolence, to proclaim this decree."

   His words were not soothing or insulting just enough to have everyone's attention. Satella saw her father's clenched fists and felt uneasy. 

  The messenger who had been slow on the first part of the letter suddenly perked up. His spine straighter and his voice, louder and even more succinct.

  "By the elders, Ingrid and your majesty, the Wolf King," his voice rang through the hall and everyone quickly sent down on a knee. Their heads were bowed as though wolf king was there in person, they listened in anticipation. His next words shocked everyone.

  "Satella Gray, daughter of Austin Gray, Alpha of Pack Sirius is to join in union with Roran Lycan, Alpha to the Crescent Moon Pack. With this union, the council hopes and is confident that peace will rain between your packs, forever joined as one."

   When he closed the letter and lifted his head, the hall had become so quiet a pin dropping would be too much noise. Satella was shocked. Her eyes were still on the messenger's shoes as she assimilated what she heard

.

  She was to marry…and she was to marry Alpha Roran. Impossible. Who came up with this gimmicky idea?

   The messenger spoke up again, holding the letter forward with both hands. "Satella Grey, do you accept this decree?"

   Satella felt her brother squeeze her hand tighter, urging her to look at him. Her father mind linked her, his blue eyes searching until she looked up at him.

Do not accept this, Satella.

   She could feel his anger and his will. His eyes were intense and she noticed he was a few breaths away from shifting. Her brother, Marna inched closer to her and whispered, "What does the council mean by this?"

   "Satella Gray, Daughter of Alpha Austin Gray. Do you accept this decree?" The messenger repeated, his patience evident from his tune.

  All the eyes in the hall were fixed on her including the unsettling ones of the messenger. Her father kept pressing on her mind. She could feel his fear and it matched with her own. However, all she could see was Shade, b****y and dirt as the guards carried him to the Park doctor before summoning a healer. All she could smell was the acrid stench of old blood they had washed off him. All she could hear was the words he had said to her, 'Meet Alpha Roran' or whatever he meant.

   The messenger started again for the third time, "Satella Gray, daughter of Alpha—"

   She pulled out her hands forcefully from her brothers and walked towards the messenger. The only sounds in the hall was that of her boots and her heavy breathing. She heard her father screaming for her to turn back in her mind. She heard her brothers ordering her not to take any step further. But Satella knew she had to meet Alpha Roran. And heavens help him, if she finds out he did anything to her brother. Heaven helps all of them.

   Satella stopped in front of the messenger and went down on one knee. Head bowed, she stretched out her palms towards him. After he placed the letter in her hands, she announced, "I, Satella Gray, daughter of Alpha Austin Gray of the Pack Sirius accepts this decree."