Chapter 1: The Beast

Joanna J

Property of the Alpha Prince

(Property of the Alpha Prince)

Chapter 1: 

The Beast

It’s happening again, thought Cory frantically.

The day sky was as dark as night. Raindrops pounded like minuscule hammers on her bedroom’s roof. A streak of lightning flashed across the sky followed by a roar of thunder. The whole house was quaking. Rain water gushed into Cory’s room from under the door. The window flew open and the gust of wind that rushed in nearly knocked Cory off her feet. She stumbled, slipping on the wet floor.

Splat! She landed on her back in the ice cold water. Lightning illuminated the room and thunder boomed in her ears as she struggled to her feet in the murky water. It was now up to her knees. She fought the wind and the rain to get to the open window as the water level rose.  She was now up to her waist in ice cold water. She placed her hands on the window sill. The glass had shattered and she felt splinters enter her flesh. The once glass window was now a large gaping hole with jagged edges. She hauled herself upward and perched carefully on the window sill. The water level had risen to just under the sill. She swung a leg gingerly over the frame, followed by the other and then jumped outside.

She landed in more water but this was only knee deep. She realised the riverbank had broken causing the flood. She trudged through the murky water, trying to see through the sheets of rain. Her heart was pounding so hard Cory thought it meant to beat itself right out of her.

They must have caused this, she thought, but where are they?

She narrowed her eyes, peering around through the mist and the rain. She had to get to dry land or dry anything for that matter as quickly as possible. She was in the field right outside her house and near to the Traketen River. She pushed through the dirty water.

There was not a single soul in sight. She was the last one. Everyone had fled. She made her way to a gargantuan tree in the middle of a clearing. Perhaps, she could hide in the foliage at the very top. She grabbed the lowest branch and pulled herself onto it. Cory was not a particularly skilled climber but this was her tree. She knew it well. She was nimble enough and fear proved a great motivator. Within a quarter of an hour, she had scaled two-thirds of the three-hundred-foot tree. She had climbed onto a high, rather thick branch and was about to move to another when a noise made her heart plummet.

She had heard it before: the high-pitched wail that they made when they had found someone to prey upon. The wail was emitted again and Cory slowly turned, afraid to see what she knew was there. Staring at her from beneath the tree branches was the huge grey beast. It was twenty feet long from nose to tail. It had a head like a lion with its straggly mane and dagger-like teeth but the body of it was like a crocodile that had grown fur and longer legs and arms.

The beast beat its long tail against the water’s surface and snapped ferociously at Cory. It had already seen and smelled her. There was no place to go. Burying its long claws into the trunk, it climbed the tree after Cory and, in mere moments, had settled itself nearer to the crown, curling its body to look down at Cory. Cory trembled. She could barely breathe, far less could she try to escape with the creature’s face barely inches from her own. It snarled at her, baring its teeth. She could count every one of them and see the drool slipping down its jaw. The creature had a strangely intoxicating scent. It smelled like blood and petrichor, like a meadow where there’d been a massacre. Cory knew there was no hope when the creature neared her. She could feel its breath on her face. She closed her eyes.

She waited for death but the most peculiar thing happened. Her fear burned inside of her, changing, transforming into something else, something more. She felt a somewhat familiar energy course through her. She held it under tenuous control. Instinctively, in the midst of her panic, just as the jaws of the beast widened, she let it go, whatever it was. A blinding yellow light manifested. The light burned its way through her, running through her arms and bursting out of her trembling palms and tingling fingertips. 

She opened her eyes just in time to see the light hit the beast, stunning it. The creature fell from its high perch into the flood waters bellow. Cory crouched, trembling, her eyes frantically scanning the scene below, trying to learn what had become of the beast. It was far from dead. She could just see it through the swirls of mist and the heavy downpour: a mass of grey fur swimming gracefully through the water. 

Within moments, the beast had sunk its claws into the base of the massive tree. The yellow light had only caused a temporary diversion. The creature was resilient and now it was angry. Cory, in both terror and amazement, gazed at the magnificent thing. It was large enough to see fairly clearly from this height. The beast, both feline and reptilian, graceful on land and in water, capable of climbing, swimming, running and now …logic? Cory recognised the odd behaviour of the creature. It was hesitating. It was strategising. A bitingly cold shiver ran though her and it had nothing to do with the weather.

With barely a moment's notice, Cory realised what the beast would do next. She braced herself. In all the confusion, she had forgotten the mysterious yellow light. How had she produced it? Would she be able to do it again? As the creature rammed into the base of the tree with all its might, Cory mentally answered her own question. No, she would not be able to do it again. Even if she could figure out how to harness it, she was drained. It took all she had to hold onto the branch as the beast charged a second followed by third time. The great old tree wobbled. The beast began tearing at the already wounded part of the massive trunk with its claws, stripping through the wood. Cory heard a cracking sound. It was the tree trunk. She did not have much time. She shut her eyes again, not wanting to see the flooded ground fly up to meet her when the trunk finally gave way.

She had given up hope when an arrow flew out of nowhere and caught the creature in its hairy face. It howled and recoiled. Cory’s eyes snapped open. Another arrow followed suit. The beast was shot in the back this time. With a raw of rage it darted off towards the shooter of the arrows whom Cory could not see. She feared greatly for the archer. The creature would make its dinner out of that person.

However, Cory needed not to fear, for as the beast clambered towards the person, she heard it howl in pain. A sword had caught the beast right through its heart. Cory gasped and stared trying to see the person who had slain the beast. She knew only one who could slay a beast such as that and there he was, coming towards her. He was drenched in flood water and splattered with the beast’s dark blood. His reddish gold hair fell down to his broad shoulders in waves and he smiled his sincere smile that always reached his blue eyes.

She could see him and the field clearly now. With the creature’s death, the rain had subsided, but that was only one beast. There were many more lurking beyond the Traketen River in the marsh. 

“Hayden,” she gasped. “What are you doing here?”

Prince Hayden, the son of the Alpha King, flashed his dazzling grin at her before he replied. “I had been on an excursion to Campherri to collect certain items for Madame Grosse. When my men and I had just began the journey north back to my father's kingdom, a messenger from Campherri notified us that Traketen was being evacuated because the creatures had been seen crossing the river. I knew you would not wish to leave. I came back as fast as I could to check on you. Thank the Heavens and the Stars I did. It seems I was almost too late,” he finished, watching her thoughtfully.

Cory became suddenly aware of how bruised and covered in dirt she was but she felt better when she saw that Hayden was not any different.

“I didn’t want to leave,” she began. “We shouldn’t have to leave our town whenever those things feel like crossing the river. If the people of the town would gather together, we could fight them-“

“It would put many in danger,” Hayden interrupted. “Many would be killed in the attempt. I know you did not stay only because of your stubbornness.”

Cory would have picked an argument with him for calling her stubborn but her arms ached and she felt drained.

“I argued that we should stay but I was overruled. When we were just about to leave, my stepfather sent me to fetch extra candle sticks from the cupboard in the cellar. I dawdled. I guess they thought I wasn’t coming. They left without me,” she finished looking at the still flood water. 

She felt a pang when she thought about what had really happened. She had obediently descended into the unsettling darkness of the cellar only to hear a latch close behind her. When she had finally found an axe among the supplies with which to break down the door, they were gone. It was then that the flood waters had begun to seep into the house. Her stepfather, Mason, had never shown any love for her but, until know, he had never shown such hate. She wondered what he had told her besotted mother, Loretta, to make her abandon her only child. 

How could he do that to me? she thought but she pushed it out of her mind, still refusing to look at Hayden. 

She did not want Hayden to feel sorry for her. She also wanted to keep her stepfather's treachery a secret. Hayden would surely seek justice on her behalf which would mean punishment for Mason and, in turn, grief for Loretta.

“C’mon,” Hayden said, moving forwards and stretching his arm out towards her to help her down. She quickly but carefully made her way down towards his outstretched arms. Once she was within reach, he lifted her up, cradling her in his arms so she would not have to go back into the murky water. Cory blushed unwillingly. He grinned at her again, carrying her through the flooded field.

“You don’t have to carry me,” she said although her bones ached.

“It is my honour,” he said smiling.

Now that the storm had subsided, Cory could visually assess the damage done to the town. The river had burst its banks, washing away the weaker houses and flooding the sturdier ones. Pieces of wood from houses and parts of trees floated all around them along with household items Cory recognised. The water level would have been thigh-high to Cory had she been standing but was only knee deep to Prince Hayden as he was considerably taller than her.

Cory had to stop herself from screaming when they passed the beast that Hayden had killed. It was half floating in the dark water, a filthy mass of grey hair, jagged claws and teeth. Even in death, those wide-open cold blue eyes filled Cory with a feeling of foreboding.

When Prince Hayden had finally gotten Cory and himself to dry land, they stopped to rest. Cory could tell that Hayden had not seen her yellow light from his vantage point as he made no mention of it. He would have undoubtedly questioned her about such a thing had he seen it. She was relieved. That was not the first time Cory had done something out of the ordinary but it was the first time she had ever produced something so substantial. An image flitted into her mind: a slightly younger Cory making the autumn leaves swirl around her in perfect circles until she was interrupted by an outraged Mason. He had not said anything but the look in his narrowed eyes screamed a name: Witch! She shuddered to think what would happen if the other townsfolk found out about her strange abilities. 

Cory was exhausted but refused to sleep. Although they were a good way away from Traketen, Cory’s town, and Traketen River, she could not help being afraid that the creatures would follow them.

Traketen was a large but sparsely inhabited farm town in Everdaze bordered by two similar towns on the West and the South. These were Farzdale and Campherri respectively. These three towns were populated by humans only. To the north of Traketen, lay many vast forests and then the three werewolf kingdoms and seven cities of the land. Hayden was a Prince of the most prosperous kingdom, Merdenor. To the East lay Traken River and then the marshlands beyond which was the Lair of the Beasts. The land of Everdaze expanded indefinitely northwards and eastwards from Traketen. No one knew if there was anything beyond the Lair of the Beasts and the townsfolk were ignorant of what lay beyond the kingdoms in the north of Everdaze. However, to the west of Farzdale and the south of Campherri was the sea. Cory loved the sea. She had often visited the coasts of both Farzdale and Campherri with her father, Magnus. He was gone now and her coldhearted stepfather was in his place, slowly turning her mother into a coldblooded creature like himself. No wonder they had left her. She tried not to think of it. The horrors of the day had left her exhausted.

Instead of sleeping, she gazed around her. She thought the spot they had stopped at was very scenic. She had never been this far north before.

Hayden had put her to sit under an old shady oak tree on a bed of green grass. The spot was on a slight slope where little white flowers with yellow centers grew in small clusters. She picked a few of the flowers and watched Hayden take a small wooden flute-like instrument out of his pocket.

“I set my steed free on this slope,” he informed her.

Cory remembered meeting Hayden’s “steed” when she had been first introduced to the Prince. He had come to Traketen with some members of his father’s court after hearing about the strange beasts that lived in the marsh. He had meant to bring back the head of one of the creatures to his father and had done just that. Hayden’s father was the Alpha of the kingdom Merdenor, dubbed the Alpha King because Merdenor was the largest of the three werewolf kingdoms in the land of Everdaze.

Meeting the prince was one of Cory's fondest memories. Hayden and his men had been staying quite near Cory's home as she lived in one of the few houses that were unfortunately in walking distance of the river and the clearing that bordered the marshlands. Cory, being something of a loner, had been sitting in the clearing alone, under the enormous tree, the one that was now badly wounded. It had been whole then and Cory had sat happily in the shade provided by its immense canopy. She had been daydreaming to herself when a voice called down to her. She had nearly jumped out of her skin. Startled, she had gazed upwards, only to find a grinning Hayden near the top of the tree. He had been standing on a wide branch, with one arm akimbo and the other arm used to brace himself against the tree. Cory remembered his easy nature and kind words. No one had ever tried to befriend her before. She had been shocked the future alpha, a prince at that, was so keen on being her friend. Cory suppressed her vivid memories, trying to keep her mind in the present moment.

Hayden blew the tiny instrument. It emitted a high sad-sounding note. Cory heard a rustling between the trees behind them. 

From between the trees came a magnificent white tiger. It was so vast it could have carried five men comfortably and its fur was so white Cory suddenly thought the flowers in her hand were quite dull.

“Blaython,” chimed Cory, stretching her arm out to stroke the large creature.

“We will ride back to the forest beyond this slope. My court has set up camp there on my orders,” Hayden told her.

She merely nodded. She was so tired that was all she could do. Hayden seemed to have guessed her feelings because he said: “Do not worry. Blaython rides like lightning. We will be there in no time and then you can rest.”

Without further ado, Hayden lifted Cory onto Blaython and settled himself behind her. He told her to hold on to Blaython’s collar. He did the same and they were off.

Hayden was not wrong. Blaython dashed up the slope and started his way down the other side in a matter of seconds. It was not much longer before they came to the edge of a forest. Cory did not like the look of it. The trees grew so thick that inside the forest was as dark as dusk. Most of the tree trunks had thorns shooting out of them like little knives. Cory gulped. She had heard the folk in her town talk of the forest beyond the slope, saying it was haunted.

“It is called Fanged Forest,” Hayden whispered in her ear, “because everything in there bites.” Cory knew he was just teasing her but she shivered anyway.

Despite Cory’s dark predictions of doom, they reached the camp quite safely. The men in Hayden’s court greeted them with much cheering and patting on the back. There were around fifty of them, most of them pack warriors from Merdenor. They all looked curiously at Cory. She wondered if it was because Hayden had told them he had come to Traketen to look for her. Perhaps, now, they wanted to know more about the girl their Prince had travelled far from home for or, perhaps, Hayden had not mentioned her at all. Her question was answered almost immediately when a gruff-looking man said: “So, you’re the girl Prince Hayden wanted to go to Traketen to see.”

Cory did not know what to say. She was worried the men would think she was the prince’s mistress. She was certainly not. Hayden had yet to come of age and find his mate and future Luna. He was seventeen, the same age as Cory. They had met five years ago and had been friends ever since, corresponding through letters. Cory had never been to Merdenor but Hayden visited Traketen once or sometimes twice a year. Cory awaited each visit eagerly as she had no other friends. She knew few would be able to fathom a werewolf prince and future alpha befriending a human peasant girl. She thought of introducing herself properly but Hayden cut in: “She’s very tired. We came across one of the beasts”

The men gasped. 

“Don’t worry it has been killed,” said Hayden. 

The men sighed in relief. 

“Now, I’m sure my friend would like to rest,” said the future alpha.

Hayden grasped Cory by the arm and led her away from where the men were sitting on the ground to one of the largest tents. Cory stepped inside the tent. It was beautiful. A large deep blue mat embroidered with golden thread carpeted the floor. A silken cot with gold blankets and gold-fringed pillows lay in the corner. Cory plopped herself down upon it. Hayden unlaced his boots, kicking them aside, and followed Cory into the tent. 

“You seem settled in,” he said, chuckling as he gazed intently her. 

She smiled.

“This is your tent,” Hayden informed her. “My tent is directly opposite yours,” he said, gesturing to the tent in front of hers through the entrance.

“I’ll see you later.” He smiled and left.

Cory’s head had barely settled in her pillow before she was asleep. She dreamt that Hayden had invited one of the beasts to a tea party and it had eaten the entire table with all of the food on it. It did not feel like she had been asleep for long but it must have been hours for when she awoke, it was late in the night. A candle was burning in a saucer on the small table near her cot. She sat up. Her arms still hurt and the places where splinters had entered her fingers earlier were stinging. She spotted a note left under the saucer. She recognised Hayden’s curly handwriting and picked the note up. 

It read:

Dear Cory

After dusk, meet me in my tent. I have something to show you. 

Yours,

Hayden

Cory wondered vaguely what Hayden was going to show her as she made her way out of the tent, still holding the note. Cory stepped out into the forest at night. She looked up at the sky. The moon was full amidst the glittering stars in the dark sky. The night was still except for the soft chirping of crickets and the occasional hooting of owls. She heard a rustling behind her and jumped around. She let out a sigh of relief. It was only Hayden.

“I was just coming to see if you were awake yet,” he said.

“Did you get my note?”

She nodded, holding it out to him.

“Wait here for a second,” he said, ducking back into his tent. He returned with a lit lantern and gestured for her to follow him.

He led her over to a massive tree where Blaython was tethered. All the court men were asleep it seemed. Hayden untied Blaython and helped Cory on to the large feline. 

“Where are we going?” Cory asked.

Hayden just grinned at her as he settled himself behind her on Blaython’s back, leaving the lantern at the foot of the tree.