Bonded By Choice

Chapter 1

    I waltzed into Callisto Moon’s Castle, unannounced and unaccompanied, since there had been not a single guard stationed along the border of the pack’s land. I made my way through the castle that I had come to know so well over the years, my loose hood hanging over my head and dark cape trailing across the floor behind me. I usually only came when dark magic needed to be performed, specifically the stripping of one's shadow beast. Callisto Moon was a wolf pack and kingdom famous amongst the communities of beasts and humans alike due to its sheer size, population and the kindness of its Alpha and ruler, King Augustine Karranza. He had the reputation of being a king who truly cared for all his people, not just the beasts. But his love for his people did not come without conditions. If ever a human was to harm another member of their community, outside of the defense of his or herself or family then they were immediately banished. But if there was one thing King Augustine had learned from watching his father, several warriors and far too many subjects fall to the canines of a rogue pack, it was that wolves could not simply be banished, for they were too vengeful a beast. That was where I came into the picture. The day a heartbroken, seventeen-year-old Augustine came to my coven begging for an alliance, begging for help to avenge his father’s and his people’s deaths I simply could not deny him.

    “Help me please, Coven Mother, to strip the shadow beast from any werewolf who is to be banished from my pack, so that my people may never have to suffer the deaths of their families at the hands of vengeful rogues again. And I in return vow to lend you the use of my pack warriors whenever you may need them.” He had bargained.

    It was an easy decision to help the young prince, or rather king, since an alliance between my coven and his pack was one I had wanted for quite a while. Especially being a young ruler myself, it could never be bad practice to have some beasts on your side.

    But as I strutted into his office, without having been seen or stopped by a single one of his guards I was questioning that decision. There in front of me was the King himself cuddling with a very pregnant she-wolf on his office couch. With a flick of my wrist, I sent a pillow from one of his armchairs flying across the room to smack him in the head. The ear shattering snarl that escaped his mouth frightened the she-wolf more than me, and she quickly clutched her baby bump to protect it from all the dangers the world had to offer.

    “I’m assuming this is your mate then Augustine? The one who's soon to be born baby I've been asked to bless?” I said to him while nonchalantly inspecting my long claw like nails. I grew them this way because they are more intimidating and for no other reason than that since they are actually quite a bother to maintain.

    Augustine breathed a sigh of relief. “Goddess Achlys! You scared us nearly to death! Why did my guards not notify me of your arrival onto pack lands?” He wondered aloud.

    “Ahh yes, my question exactly old friend. I'm not sure you realize this but, when I accepted your request for an alliance between my coven and your pack, I expected your warriors to actually be capable and competent. But it seems they cannot even manage to protect you from your friends. I fail to see how they are expected to do so from your foes, much less mine.” I flashed him a displeased look from under my large, hooded cloak and I'm sure my ice blue eyes looked especially menacing from that angle.

    “Oh, come now Achlys! Don’t be this way. How about you and I call a meeting with the pack warriors? We will make this evening’s training especially gruesome so that they know mistakes like these are unforgivable. Goddess knows that with my new family nearly here the last thing I want are unprotected pack borders and an under guarded castle!” He then turned to his mate with the most love and adoration I had ever seen in his eyes.

    I too turned to look at her only to find her still clutching her belly. But instead of the previous frightened look I had witnessed on her face, she now had her top lip curved into a menacing snarl and was staring right at me. I couldn't help the smirk that settled on my lips as I c****d an eyebrow at her.

    Augustine bursted into a deep bellowing laugh at the sight of his mate's aggression towards me. “Do remove your hood and cease with the theatrics Achlys! Can you not see that you are frightening my sweet little mate?”

    “Frightening!? Frightened of her I am not my King!” Exclaimed the she-wolf.

    It was I who laughed that time. I then removed my hood revealing my long icy white hair. “Tell me little wolf, who is full of so much fire, what is your name?” I asked.

    The stubborn little wolf raised her chin to me in an act of defiance and confidently stated “My name is Yeva Petrova, Coven Mother.” She glanced at her mate and flashed him a small soft smile. “Soon to be Yeva Petrova-Karranza, Luna and Queen of Callisto Moon.”

    I softened my gaze and smiled as I glanced down at her belly. “Yeva, What a fitting name. It means giver of life, did you know that fiery little wolf, soon to be Luna and Queen?” I asked with a mocking but friendly smile.

    She too looked down at her belly and when she looked back into my eyes, all traces of hostility were gone. “I actually didn’t know that. Thank you for telling me Coven Mother.”

    “Oh please!” I laughed while waving a hand in dismissal of her formalities. “You and I will be like family from today on! I hope you did not think my earlier act of hostility toward Augustine was real. He and I grew up together, bonded by the struggle of having too much responsibility thrust upon our shoulders at far to young an age. He is my brother, and you shall be my sister. So, from now on, please call me Achlys.”