My Fated One

FIRST MEMORY

POV (ABELIA)

The fog was starting to clear as the image of a little girl bent over an aisle was the first thing I could see. It was obvious what I was witnessing and experiencing was a memory, not mine but hers'. A memory from the body my soul had now taken up a residence in.

POV (UNKNOWN)

One stroke. Two strokes, and a flourish of blue for the flag to tie it all together. I could feel sweat beading up on my brow as I took a deep breath and let my body finally relax. What was supposed to be a calming afternoon of painting had turned into something that demanded my body obey the whims of a creative spirit I did not know I had. Drained and dizzy, I tried to gaze at the finished piece in front of me. But before I could make sense of it, reality hit. I could hear the murmurs and whispers of my Nanny and the next door neighbor's maid chatting outside my window and what they were saying had caused my brush to slip from my fingers and fall with a rattle to the floor.

"No!" I screamed, as I threw open the front door. "They cant! I wont let them!" I cried, as I took off, running towards the square, as my Nanny's voice trailed behind me.

"My Lady, stop! You can't interfere!"

But there was no way I could obey that order. Even if the Alpha cut me down for my disobedience, I wouldn't let them win. I wouldn't let them take the one person I had left in this world. The one person that understood me, cared for me, and promised to never leave my side. For without him how would I survive in this lonely world?

"Lucas Livingstone!" A voice barked out, causing my whole body to freeze as tears welled up in my eyes. No, I was too late. Quickly, I tried to break through the crowd that had gathered, but it was too thick, too narrow, making it impossible for me to reach him. How could this be happening? Who talked? Who spoke? Who told the King and his Court about us?

"Under the orders of King Albert the second, you are here by commanded to travel forth with this royal guard to the capital of Norweden and attend his Royal Highnesses Academy. There you will learn the ways of the knighthood and be of service to his Majesty and the Crown Prince. These are the duties of one that is born of Moonlight. Do you understand and accept them?"

"Does he accept them?"

"Like he has much of a choice."

The people whispered, as I tried to push past and ignore their words. He had to have a choice, there had to be another way. Yes, he was strong. And yes, he would be of help to the King one day, but not now. Not when I needed him. Not when my very life depended on him. There was no way he would..

"It would be my honor and privilege to serve his Majesty and attend his academy."

"NO!!!!" I screamed, losing all sense of propriety, the moment I saw him kneel and place his hand over his heart.

"No? Who dares refuse the Crown's orders!" The official barked, at least he was now telling the truth. They were orders, not a request. But I was not given much of a chance to really think about this, for the guards had suddenly pulled out their swords and were pointing them at the town's people. Causing them to disperse and part like the Red Sea and reveal me as the perpetrator.

"You? A child! What right do you have to speak against the King?" A second official growled, as he raised his sword high. "For your insolence. I sentence you to..."

Yet before he could finish that sentence, a comforting warm body raced towards me and wrapped its arms around my quivering frame.

"Please, don't! She is but a child, she does not know any better."

"Broth..." I gasped, as he pulled me to his chest allowing me to hear the pounding of his heart as a growl vibrated inside him. He was just twelve years old, a child himself. How could he be so brave, so fearless, that he could stand against a pack of soldiers armed to the teeth with swords and authority? Didn't he care about his life?

"Its alright now. I've got you." I could hear his mind link resounding in my head, instantly causing me to curl into him and whimper.

"I do not care what she is. For it does not account for the fact that she has insulted the Crown and as such, she must be.."

"My Lord!" My brother interrupted. "She is my sister! My family. If I am to serve the King, willingly. I ask that you spare her."

"Willingly? You dare make a demand of..."

"Do you honestly wish to cross me then?" Lucas growled, as he removed his hat, revealing his white blonde hair and golden glowing eyes. I could hear the gasps from the guards, for no one had seen or heard of a Moonlight-Touched wolf in nearly a decade, and yet here one was. A young, proud, regal, creature of legend, who was now bristling in irritation at a royal official of the court.

"If I am not mistaken I am to serve the King, not you, my Lord. Which means you don't matter near as much as I do." He said, with a smirk and a bow as he gave me a wink.

"Why you little..."

"My Lord, you mustn't." One of the guards said, as he looked to my brother and then to the official. "The boy is far too important. Even if he disrespects the Crown, it will be your word against his."

"But that urchin, he just."

"I know, but even so, look at what he protects?"

The sinister, calculating stares of those men caused me to cower, as my brother quickly pulled up my hood and tightened the clasp around my neck, so as not to reveal our secret. A secret that could cost me my life, if the court ever found out, that not just my brother carried the blood of moonlight.

"Very well." The official said, as he returned his sword to its sheath. "I will pardon the child, only because I would rather not spill blood on such a momentous occasion."

"Thank you, Sir, for respecting my authority." My brother mused, with a cocky grin, causing the official to huff and storm off.

"We leave in ten!" He snarled. "Don't you dare keep me waiting."

"Pompous ass. I could kill him with just one strike." My brother growled under his breath, as I buried my face into his chest and clung to his shirt.

"Lucas, no. You can't leave." I cried. "The Alpha will kill me without you." I could feel his body tense at my words. It didn't matter what he said, there was no way he could protect me if he was gone.

"Sister, he won't. He wouldn't even dare."

"But he will."

"I promise you, he won't lay a finger on you." He said, as he cupped my face with his hands and wiped my tears with the soft pads of his thumbs. "I swear, me leaving and going to join the Academy is the one thing that will protect you, that will keep you safe."

"No, you didn't?" I gasped, as I covered my mouth and backed away from him.

"Sister, don't be like this, not when we only have a few minutes left to say goodbye."

"Goodbye. You..You promised me!" I wailed, allowing my golden eyes to glow with fury and heartbreak, as I shook my head at him. "You swore. You gave me a warrior's vow you would never leave me. That you would stay."

"Abelia, stop this." Lucas said firmly, as he began to look from side to side and notice the crowd was once again taking an interest in our family matters. "You need to relax and accept my decision."

"Accept it?" I snapped, causing the ground to slightly shake. I could feel it, the betrayal, the lies, all of it culminating in a power coursing through my tiny body that needed to be released.

"Damnit, Abelia. Do you want them to know? Do you want them see?" He hissed through his teeth.

"Yes." I hissed back, causing my brother to look at me in shock and fear.

"Why? Why would you..."

"Be...Because if they know about me then maybe the King will want me too." I sobbed, causing my strong protective brother to crumple to my side.

"Oh my dear little sister, you know they don't let girls into the Academy."