Cross My Heart

Chapter 3

I gasped when a woman walked into his room holding a tray of food. If all the legends about Michael were true, then this wasn't going to be good for the woman who had just walked into his room shortly after his transformation.

Michael was said to be a gruesome killer on the nights that he would transform. So the people of the kingdom had him locked away in a cellar far away from anyone else so that he wouldn't cause harm to anyone. He didn't care if you were a man or woman, child or an adult. If you crossed his path, he would rip you to shreds.

The woman locked the door behind her before walking into the room. The tray of food she was holding came crashing down all around her. She let out an ear piercing scream before trying to turn and run out the door. It was no use. Michael was already towering above the woman. I looked away and buried my face into Mia's fur.  Her screams were soon silent. The smell of blood filled the night air.

I peaked up through the window. The morning light filled the room. A mangled pile of flesh lay in the corner of the room. That poor woman. All she was doing was bringing him food. How could someone be such a monster!?

My rage was replaced with confusion when the sounds of a small cry filled my ears.  I looked down to the bed where Michael was sitting. A small blood soaked cloth was in his arms. A tiny hand flew out of the blanket and grasped around. A child? But how?

Just as I began to reach through the window, the door to the cell opened. A man no older than his mid 20's appeared. 

"Your Highness," He bowed before continuing, "We have made arrangements as you asked," Michael nodded and handed the blood soaked bundle over to the man.

"It's the least I can do to make sure her child has a better life." Just as they began to leave the room Mia pulled me off her back and placed me on the ground. Suddenly a white light enveloped Mia. I held my hand in front of my face to shield myself from it. When I looked back, Mia had been replaced by Selene.

"Moon Goddess, why have I been brought here to see this?" I wanted to cry and scream but I couldn't. I just stood there so confused. She placed her hand on my cheek and gave me a gentle smile.

"It all has a purpose, one which you will soon find out." With that, she was gone and a bright flash of light replaced her.

I woke up in my bed. I frantically looked around hoping this wasn't another dream. The blankets looked to be mine, but you never know now. Apparently nothing is sacred anymore I thought as I huffed and pulled the blanket off. 

The sky was barely dark, which meant that night had just fallen maybe an hour ago. I walked over to the balcony doors and swung them open letting the cool breeze flow throughout the room. It had felt nice out lately. I had always loved the fall season. Every year we would open the gates for neighboring packs to join us for our Fall Festival. It was mainly for the pups to find new friends and for the leaders to make new alliances, but there was also a ball that the Alpha loved to host. Everyone would dress up according to theme and have a merry time just eating and drinking.

Alpha Kade just announced that we would be having a masquerade themed ball. I had always loved those types of parties. Usually, only wolves who are 17+ are allowed in since it can get rather heated in a ballroom filled with unmated wolves, but since I was the only child of the Beta, I was allowed to go when I turned 15 as long as I stayed out of the way and didn't cause too much trouble. 

I stared out into the tree lines as the moon began to rise, casting shadows on the ground. I stared at it a little longer until realization hit me that  it was the first full moon of the season, which meant that most of the pack members have already made their way to the back of the packhouse for our pack run. I mumbled under my breath as I ran back into my room. I passed a few pack members who still were too young for the run. Their confused looks told me everything I needed to know about them.

I dashed into the kitchen, making sure to sneak an apple on my way out the back door. I stopped dead in my tracks as my mom greeted me at the door. Her arms crossed against her chest while a cheeky smile played over her lips.

"I thought you'd never wake up dear!" She patted me on the back before looking up to the moon that was quickly rising. Most of the pack was already naked so I took the hint and shed the clothes I had been wearing previously.

Ready Mia? 

Always buttercup! I giggled at her response. The full moon always makes her act like a little kid. I mean I guess it makes sense seeing as the full moon is what cursed us to begin with. Now we revel in its beauty and accept the gift we have been given. 

The moon was at it's peak and one by one the pack members began to shift. Mia wasted no time and before long we were standing tall amongst the others. My mothers wolf, Chloe, looked at me in awe. I swear I could see her smiling. 

Let's go pack! The Alpha had mindlinked us all. He howled and set off a chain of howls behind him. Before long we were all running through the forest. Mia ducked and dodged fallen trees as she made her way towards the front of the pack, her paws padded against the cool ground. I watched as she ran past the middle of the pack, each one of them giving her a light nip as she passed. 

After about an hour of running non stop, we found ourselves at the boarder of the pack. A small river ran right along the edge. We stopped to let our wolves get a bit of rest and take a much needed drink. Mia stared down at her reflection for a moment, and that's when I realized it. The changes Mia had in my dream.....they were real. I watched as two almost ethereal blue eyes stared back at me. Her fur was glowing under the moon light, almost like her fur was made out of diamonds. She was stunning to say the least. 

After taking a break, we were back on the run again. This time Mia really let her speed show. She zoomed through the trees, making sure to miss the other wolves who were still trying to catch their breath. I watched as she passed my dad and the Alpha, who were at the head of the pack. The Alpha looked at me, confusion written all over his face. He had looked as if he had seen a ghost!

Before I knew it, I was ahead of the pack. I stopped and listened for them for a moment before taking off again. Mia was enjoying this all too much. Apparently her little healing act she pulled earlier had awoken her powers. She had much more energy than I have ever witnessed before!

We made our way back to the packhouse. Mia gave me control back as we shifted back. I ran to the pack house stairs, quickly picking up the clothes I had dropped before we shifted. I threw my shirt over my head and slid my shorts on before taking a seat on the stairs. The ranked members of the pack made their way through the tree line first. I smiled as the Alpha made his way up to me. I mockingly tapped the area on my wrist where a watch should be and gave him a few tsk tsk's. 

He shifted right in front of me, causing the heat to rise from my chest and into my cheeks before finally settling down into my nether regions. Wolves have always been very open about their bodies, but that didn't mean I wanted to see my Alpha stark naked right in front of me. 

He gave me a devilish grin before walking over to me.

"You know I can smell you right little wolf?" He chuckled as he continued up the stairs. I felt my cheeks grow hotter as he walked past me. Curse this enhanced sense of smell. Kade and I weren't too far ahead in age. Kade had taken over as alpha of our pack a few weeks prior to this. He and I had always been close for as long as I can remember. If anyone even remotely tried to say the wrong thing to me, Kade was right there.

We had our few steamy encounters, but nothing ever got too serious. I wanted to save myself for my mate, and he wanted the same. Although he was coming up on his 20th birthday next year, he says it's for the best to wait for the mate that you're destined for. 

He looked back at me then winked before closing the door. I couldn't help but giggle like a little school girl. I knew it was stupid to have a crush on him, but it's not like I've been able to find my mate. Yet that is. I turn 18 in a week. That's when wolves usually find their mates. Mates are two creatures who were designed for each other by the Moon Goddess herself. I say creatures because there has been instances where they're not always the same species. For instance, a few weeks ago one of my closest friends found out she was mated to a human! 

That was a huge surprise to all of us. Humans and wolves aren't the only species who gets mated together though. No no no. That would be too easy. I've heard of wolves and witches together as well as vampires and fairies. Now that would be a site to see. 

The faint sound of my phone ringing knocked me out of my dirty thoughts. I made my way back up to my room. My phone had been on my nightside table and was going crazy! I noticed the caller ID had been an unknown number followed by the clinic's number. 

Then it hit me, I had left my information for the nurse to call me back in case Jacob woke up. I'm assuming that's what this was all about. I hastily pressed the number to redial it before sticking the phone to my ear.

"Thank you for calling the pack clinic, this is Angela speaking How may I help you tonight?" The nurse answered unenthusiastically.

"Hi Angela. My name is Olivia. I received a call from the clinic?" I heard some papers flip before she came back on the line.

"I see. Is it ok if I place you on a hold while I get the doctor?"

"Sure. Go ahead." I opened the balcony doors and made my way out to my couch that I had placed out there. I sat down and patiently waited on hold for what seemed like an eternity.

"Olivia? This is Dr. Greystone. You wanted us to reach out to you in the event our patient wakes up?" I subconsciously nodded.

You know he can't see you nod right? 

"Oh right. Yeah I remember. How's he doing?" The line went silent. 

"You...you may want to come down so we can speak in person. This is something I've never seen before."

"I'll be right over." Without another word I climbed down the trellis and took off towards the pack clinic.