“Dinner is nice”
I complimented.“As was breakfast.”She replied with a smile. I noticed her smile was less strained and more genuine. Like it was straight from her heart. She was happy. She seemed so to me, at least.“Yes.”I scooped rice and chewed. I was not used to this kind of big change. It was overwhelming. Becoming a rogue had been painful and it hurt still but it had been somewhat bearable because I had my mother with me. Just the two of us. But a new family? That was drastic. I knew I’d resolved to not complain and be happy as long as she was happy, but certain emotions and thought were uncontrollable. They just pillage your mind without permission. They cajole you to look where you don’t want to. I was cajoled to think once again of this. We were going to have a home, not roam the forests or streets and live hopeless and destitute she-wolves the rest of our lives.“What’s on your mind, Katherina?”“Nothing.”“You can’t tell me nothing, not what that tortured look on your face you’re trying to hide and are doing a wacky job of.”“There’s no tortured look, mother.”“Just a pained one, then?”“Not pained exactly.”“Hopeless? Shaken to the core with uncertainty and fear of being neglected?”“Mother, I’m fine.”She sighed. “You are trying to be. And I think I know why.”“Why?”“For me. You want to be fine for me. You might not like the idea of a new family, but you’re willing to for me.”“That is uhmm…”I could not deny it. My mother knew me too well. She always boasted of that and it was true.“I hit the nail on the head, didn’t I?”“Yes, you did.”I reluctantly conceded.“Hey, I told you. Mate or not, anyone tries to make my daughter feel unwelcomed and unloved, I’ll be leaving that place with you and go far away where they’ll never find us.”“We’ll become rogues.”“Before I met him, we were already on our way to being rogues. Better rogues than have anyone throw shades at my daughter or treat her unkindly.”I smiled to show my how much I appreciated her words and what they meant to me, but then again…“That is the problem, mom.”“I don’t understand.”“The fact that you’re willing to sacrifice your happiness, life and a chance at love for me.”“I’m a mother, Kathy. And you might understand this until you one day become one. But being a mother makes you an automatic protector, lover, defender of your child. It comes naturally. It’s like there’s this switch between single-hood and motherhood. Once this knife switch has been moved to motherhood mode, it awakens all that is required to be a mother. This switch has been turned on ever since I had you, and it’s never going off till the day I leave this world.”The fierce love and adoration in her eyes aimed at me. The determination to keep them that way forever. It humbled me and I was, in that moment, proud of her. Her strength. Her love. Her support through and through.I wiped my eyes and blinked back tears.“Thank you, mother. I’m so grateful to have you. All the sacrifices and love you have shown and are still showing me…”“Are my responsibility till my dying days. It’s no big deal.”She cut in, completing my statement with her own words.“Okay.”My lips stretched a-mile wide. Fear was gone and nerves came loose.“Okay.” She matched the energy of my beam. “Now let’s eat before the pack members come with their nonsense.”“It’s true. But they said midnight, we still have some hours to midnight.”I checked the clock at the wall behind her. It was just past six in the evening.“How many hours left?”“About five hours and forty six minutes left.”I informed her.“Okay, but you know I still have my clothes to arrange. I didn’t finish them before going out.”“We’ll do it together.”“Willing to help, huh?”“Of course, mom. You say that like I never help you. Except in the kitchen, obviously.”“Here and there, you do your best.”“You know I do, even though you’re reluctant to agree.”She laughed.Dinner went like that. Me and her, temporarily forgetting our troubles. Keeping aside talks and thoughts of new mates and family and rogues. Of annoying pack members and their ignorance and meanness.“Why don’t you go start packing mom, let me wash these dishes. Once I am done, I’ll come join you.”“Alright, great idea.”She went into the direction of her room and I proceeded to the kitchen. Soon I was done and I quickly rushed to have my bath and changed into a clean pair of jeans and a dark gray t-shirt. Other nights would have been my nightwear but this night was different. This was our last night here.“Still packing.”I walked into her room.“Almost done, the important ones are already secured in that luggage.”“Mom, you have a lot of things.”“You’ve always said that and it is true. Which I can say, not without shame, is not the same for you.”“Well, you know me mom. I’m not into all these stuff.”“You should be. You are a woman, all these stuff are important to every female out there.”“Not to this one.”I placed my hand on my hips, observing how far she’d gone and what was left to do and where my help was needed.“Help me get my skin care products into the bag, darling.”I went to work immediately.“Did you tell him?”“Tell who what?”“Your mate. Did you tell him about what we’re being faced with? The banishment?”I threw a small container of what I didn’t understand into the bag. There were so many products, I was getting heady just by trying to read their names and what dermatological miracle they performed on the skin.“Yes, I did.”“And what did he say?”“What did you think he said?”“I don’t know. You’re the one who met him, he’s your mate.”“Where do you think we’re going from here?”“I don’t know. Has the bond been accepted by you two?”“Yes, Kathy. I told you we talked for long. Why else would we talk if we didn’t.”“I don’t know. I’ve not had experience with a mate before.”“And do you?”“Do I what?”“Ever think of having a mate?”“Yes, I do. I mean, I do want a mate, but I think it’s risky.”“Why? What’s risky about having a mate?”“What mate would want me?”“What’s wrong with you?”“You know what I’m talking about.”“Hey, mate bond is beyond any physical thing. It runs deep. I mean, very very deep. No one even knows the depth that thing runs.”“I don’t know mom. Let’s see.”“Don’t give up on yourself, darling. Someone who will love our will come. Your mate will come.”“And what then?”“And nothing. You’ll both live happily and have beautiful and handsome pups when the Moon Goddess approves it.”I shrugged. “If you say so.”“Som
“How are you, Elize?”Elize? They were already on pet names basis? Was this how the mate bond worked? “I’m fine, David. Just tired.”“I’m sorry you had to carry that alone. You understand why I am unable to step feet into your previous pack.”Previous pack? Wow! This all felt like some dream, a very surreal dream. I could not believe Moon Rock pack was now a past to me. The past I should forget and move away from. But seeing myself standing there like a lost, tired puppy while my mom cuddled her mate made me realize it was real.“I understand. I did not even expect to see you here.”“I knew you’d have some heavy bags to lift, so I thought I’d come with two of my men to help.”Two of his men? His friends, probably. “That was so thoughtful of you.”Two men came forward to effortlessly pick our bags and loaded it in the car they had come with. I didn’t know this David mate yet, but I was grateful for his thoughtfulness. Even the one I’d carried on me was taken, no words spoken. Even my
New family, here I come. Mom took my hand and we both went to where David was standing.“Are you guys done?”He observed both our faces. “Are you fine now, Katherina?”I nodded.“Don’t worry, they don’t bite.”He smiled kindly, and I returned it with a small, uncertain one of mine. He nodded and opened his arm and my mother put hers through the space and they were linked. The house was very big, it made begin to wonder just how rich this David guy was. One of the men standing outside the big door that led to the house, opened it and we stepped into it. “Welcome, Alpha.”Alpha? Who was the Alpha? Then they bowed and I realized who they were bowing for. David was an Alpha? Oh my goodness! My stepfather is an Alpha. Someone wake me up from this dream. This was too surreal. Was the universe trying to play a fast one on me? An Alpha? I tugged my mother’s cloth and my brow in questioning. She understood my question, she smiled and nodded a yes. My mouth went agape and my eyes went wild wi
Who were these people? And what were they doing in my room? The four pair of eyes staring intently at me were making me uncomfortable. A quick glance told me that Melissa was nowhere to be found.“W..who a..are you g..guys?”I stuttered. Suddenly feeling naked before them. Though their eyes held no lust nor decadent desires, I was not used to boys finding me fresh out of shower, clad in nothing but a towel.“She looks harmless guy.” One of them said. He smiled at me and stretched out a hand. “Welcome, stepsister. I’m Lucas.”“Uhm.”Suddenly I wanted the ground to open and swallow me. I did not do well in situations like this and I was especially shy amongst guys.“You don’t want a handshake?”The one who introduced himself as Lucas asked, the cheerful smile still on his face. He looked very young. They were all young but he looked younger.Awkwardly, I accepted his handshake. “Hi.”“What is your name?”“Katherina.”“Katherina.”He repeated, testing the name on his lips.“Guys, say hi
“School?”I asked. Already eager to hear. Was I going to be enrolled into college here?“Of course, that’s what an academy means.”Lucas seemed amused. He had seen the eagerness in that single word question and undoubtedly, in my eyes.“I know.”I berated myself for almost losing it. Behaving like some local girl who had never had opportunity to attend school. Behave yourself, Katherina. I warned myself.“You seem to like school.”Aaron said.“Yes, I do love school.”“Well, you’ll have your wish granted but don’t have your hopes up on having free years within those academic walls. You think high school was brutal, college is worse. Especially here in Stone Shadow pack.”Lucas warned.“I know first hand about brutality.”I replied.“Is that so?”Zach asked.“Yes.”I noticed the four of them exchange looks. I wondered why and what it was all about. I struggled to stifle a yawn, it was unsuccessful. I was tired and getting sleepy. The day had been rough.“You must be tired.”Lucas observ
“Ritual?”“Yes.”Melissa replied primly.“What is it about?”“It’s an initiation ceremony carried out to welcome any new member to Stone Shadow pack. Especially when it’s into the royal family.”Lucas replied.“That’s so…”I was at loss for what to say. I did not know how to describe how it what I’m feeling. An initiation ceremony? I never knew activities like that existed in packs. And why too? Why did they feel the need to do such?“Archaic? Interesting?”Lucas was gauging my reaction from his intense study of my expression, not to mention that his brother Aaron would not stop making me uncomfortable with his stare and the worse part was I did not know why he was staring at me that way. What was he trying to do? Bore a hole through my face with his eyes? I squirmed a little in discomfort, I could not meet his stare. Zach was the only person in the room who behaved he did not give a damn. The guy loved whatever he was doing on that phone more than what was happening around him.“I do
“Where is she?”A deep voice by the doorway inquired.“She’s changing into her ritual clothes, Beta.”I heard Melissa reply.“Who is that, Melissa?”I was curious to know who Melissa was talking to.“It’s Beta Mark, Your Highness.”“Your Highness?”I was almost done. The cloth was more like a white tunic. Was this what they wore to Stone Shadow pack’s initiation ceremony? Quiet ancient if I’m asked and to think they had already prepared for this moment even before I arrived the pack. It was already arranged amongst my high pile of clothes. I walked to the door and to know this person. I saw a man who was in his forties, brown hair and brown eyes that were sharp and looked like they could detect even the smallest of crime from a miles away. There was wisdom and patience in them too.“Hello Beta.”I bowed in total respect to greet him. When I raised my head, I could tell he was pleased with my action though his face barely revealed it. “Hello Your Highness.” He bowed slightly back. “I’
I heard chants and hums as we got closer to the ceremony ground. It would seem they had started without me already. Maybe my mother was there already.“We are here.”Lucas whispered to me.“I can see.”I whispered right back. He beamed and we stepped out of a very wide open ground. There was fire and people were crowding it. “Let her go, Luke.”Aaron told him.He unhooked my arms from his and immediately nerves twisted. I was confused and lost. What should I expect? Lucas walking me here had calmed me of my fears. I guess they all saw the fear in my eyes.“It’s okay, Kathy. We should not be holding or walking together with you in public yet until the ceremony is done. That’s the rule, sadly.”“You’ll be fine, hot legs.”“Stop calling her that. She’s not those your toys in school.” Lucas warned.But Zach paid him no mind.“Go, Katherina. It will be over soon”Aaron’s voice was reassuring. And I nodded.“Thanks, guys.”“Don’t be scared. Just think of it this way; this is the only way