* Nelika *
My footsteps are as light as a feather when I ran down the stairs and greeted everyone on the table. I could hear the rattling of spoons and forks from the kitchen, perhaps it's what woke me up on this beautiful morning. I slept well and I would have stayed longer in bed if it were not for the weekend training today.
"Good morning everybody!"
My mother smiles as she look at me on my training suit ready for the day. Today is Saturday and I don't have to go to school. My father glances at me from sitting on his chair and sipping at his coffee. I move forward to kiss my mother on the cheeks and then my father who raise and eye brow.
"You wake up late sweetheart, and I thought you are excited for the training today."
I grinned at him showing a deep dimple in my left cheek. "Sorry Dad, I was tired at school yesterday and slept too much."
I glance around looking for my Aunt Ayah. She said she will come for breakfast today so we could go together for training. Aside from Loki, I have my Aunt who is very supportive of me. My mother notice the gesture and wave her hand on my face.
"Ayah, will be late sweetie. She told me to let you go with Beta Loki today."
"Oh! I thought she's coming."
I am expecting her but sometimes my Aunt has a lot of things on her hand. She did not elaborate much on things that she does as she always says that I am too young to understand.
"Are you having pancakes with scrambled eggs Nelika dear?"The warm voice coming from our help Laura made me look at the empty plate in front of me. I smiled and nodded to her. "Yes Laura, please. Thank you."
She winked at me and went to the kitchen to get my request. My mother took the warm glass of milk and put it near my plate. "You eat well sweetie, I know you love to do this stuff every weekend but you must be strong so that you can keep up with the warriors."
My father smile at me and tap my shoulders. "You make me proud Nelika, I always know you are special. We can't wait to see your full wolf form soon this is a great help for the day you begin to shift."
The weighed of his hand on my shoulder became heavy as I can feel the pressure in my mind, to give him more satisfaction in my role as his daughter. My father is the strongest Alpha in all four regions, that is what I believe. Even the Alpha King could not rival with him. Our pack is feared by the rogues and we have been at peace ever since I could remember.
"Of course Dad! By the way my friend Walter wants to join me for training this morning Dad."
"Good idea, Walter is doing well. I am glad you are friends with the warrior's children Nelika, having a good relationship with them means a better future for the pack. Think that when the parents perished their children will replace them, so you and Walter should learn while you are young."
"Oh, you will not perish dad. You will live for a long long time."
My mother smiled, I meet my father's eyes, and my heart feel proud to be praised by him. He rarely does it.
"This is to make you ready with everything Nelika."
His eyes held mine as he stated.
"Here are your favorites Nelika!"
Laura brought my food and place it on my plate. Breaking the serious moment with my father. "Thank you, Laura."
"You're welcome, Princess."
I almost vomit the milk which I had just drunk when I heard Laura's pet name for me, Princess. I don't like it, but I couldn't protest since my father is sitting at the table. However, a few seconds passed by and he stand up from his chair. "I must leave early for a meeting in the City, take care of the training Nelika I will make sure to join the warriors tomorrow."
My smile turned wider, hearing him already trusting me with such matter makes me feel glad. "Sure thing Dad."
He bent down to kiss my mother on the lips. "Take care love."
Their gazes locked and my father murmured. "Always, I love you both."
Then he move towards me and kiss my forehead before leaving the dining room. My mother look at the clothes I'm wearing. "The weather is getting cold sweetie aren't you going to wear something thicker?"
I shook my head and begin eating the pancakes before answering her. "No Mom, it will be hot later on when we start the training. So this is fine."
I shrugged my shoulders when my mother wrinkled her nose.
"Do not talk when your mouth is full sweetheart a lady should not act like that."
My eyes widened. "Well good thing, I am not a lady mom."
"Nelika!"
Her voice rose which made Laura come back to the table to check what is happening. I gulp down the food in my mouth.
"I, I'm sorry mom I didn't mean to make it sound rude."
I was stunned by myself as to how quickly my tongue answered her. My irritable feeling when she said the word lady. I don't like it when I feel like I have to act accordingly because I'm a girl, however, I was surprised that it made my mother angry too.
"Nelika, do not forget that you are an Alpha's daughter and it is not an excuse to do as you please. You have to be careful with your manners, I am telling you now because a few years from now you will be a fine young woman and then you will meet the perfect man for you, your mate, the wolf that you will marry. What would he say if he saw you acting like one of the boys at the table?"
My eyes widened in surprise, those things are too far from now. I am only turning thirteen next year! And to think my mother wants me to enjoy being young. I shut my mouth while looking at her. I know that if I say a word she will have more to say back and that will hurt my ears.
The sound of the car honking from outside told me that Beta Loki is already here.
"Sorry mom, I think I have to go Beta Loki and Walter are already waiting for me."
She looks at the door and nodded. "Make sure to take care of yourself Nelika. Boys will be boys and girls should be aware of their actions. A lady is defined by how she handles herself in every situation, you are my daughter. I love you and I will support whatever choices you make but make sure that you are happy and your father is proud of you."
"Mom."
I groaned but not too obvious as I do not want to make her upset. My father will scold me for answering her a few seconds ago, I regret that. I have never talked to her back no matter how annoying her words are. But today it happened so fast.
"I love you too mom. Bye, goodbye, Laura. Thanks for the delicious breakfast."
Laura furrowed her brows, I know she and my mother are teaming up all the time. If I am not in a hurry she will have something to say to me too.
"Take care Nelika."
She uttered when I opened the door and leave. I saw the white jaguar outside the gates and thought maybe Beta Loki have picked up Walter already before coming back to get me. Unlike usual, I woke up late today.
"Good morning Miss Nelika!"
The warrior guard greets me. "Good morning Mister knobbs, how are you?"
"Fine young miss, how about you?"
The smile on my lips faded. Did he hear about my mother raising her voice towards me this morning? I shook my head before I answer him. " I am well Mister knobbs, thank you for asking bye."
I step out of the gate and meet Walter who got out of the car to open the door beside Beta Loki for me.
"Get in Nelika! I couldn't wait to join the training today."
He exclaimed with his lips in a wide smile. "Oh! You are looking good!
I complimented him when I get inside the car, he went in on the passenger's side at the back. "Good morning Beta Loki!"
"Good morning Miss Nelika! I hope you had a full breakfast."
I nodded my head recalling the incident with my mother. "Yes, I had a wonderful breakfast."
"Sounds great!"
He started the car and I stay silent while Walter keep talking behind us. His baby cologne lingered inside the car, which made me wonder if he baths with it today. I watch him in the rearview mirror and smiled.
* Nelika *Roses of different colours neatly covered each side of the aisle with a white soft carpet while I walk slowly in tune to the music playing in the air. My knees tremble in a three-inch white high heels but my father stood beside me holding my elbow for support. The big dome is crowded with important members from the Cold Mountain pack and the Western pack wolves including the Royal pack with the presence of Alpha King Jack who is present in the ceremony.It feels like forever waiting for this day to happen as both Alpha Xander and Alpha Zero, my father decided the day to hold our wedding. The sadness from the loss of our warrior and his mother has subsided in anticipation of our event. I am thankful that somehow Alpha Xander, overcome the sorrow of her death. My parents are there to help us and I did all I can to care for him and be aware of his fragile feelings, and then finally this day came."Relax sweetheart, we have been waiting for a long time to witness you in this ce
* Alpha Xander *My mother returned to dust just like the rest of the wolves whose lives has ended after the fight, and I stood there with so much regret. As I look back to when she was still alive and with me, I tell myself that I should not have let her go. I wasn't even aware that the enemies have gotten to her first. She was far from me, and I thought that she would be safer out there but now I realized how wrong I was and it is too late.The warriors have left me all alone to myself when I shed a tear of regret. There are so many ifs that my mind could only think of right now because it's too late. But my life has to go on being the Alpha of the West."Alpha Xander?"The lead warrior guarding the far Northern borders has taken my attention away from my mother and her ashes inside a porcelain jar that I am holding."Speak.""The Alpha of the North is approaching the borders, sir. I assume that you are aware of his visit today?"I stiffined and close my eyes before letting out a he
* Nelika *After I passed out and fell into a deep sleep I didn't know what happened. However, I trusted him, Alpha Xander will win the fight and I also felt the presence of my warriors from the North. They came to help the wolves of the West. My father would not let anything bad happened to me, I know he was worried about us. He sent an army to help us, I am sure that if I wake up, I would be in the safety of Alpha Xander's bed."Luna Nelika! Are you awake?"I brought my hand to rub my face and blink as I heard the words coming from Beta Alex."Alpha, she is awake!"Beta Alex is talking to him in the mind link. Alpha Xander, I thought that when I opened my eyes it is him who would greet me and check if I have a serious injury from the recent attack."He said that you should eat something Luna, he will be back soon."My whole body felt like I run a thousand miles on foot. I feel tired, but I am glad that the wound on my shoulders and my side have healed."Beta Alex? For how long was I
* Nelika *Her eyes pierce through me as she charges forward and raises her sharp claws and then I felt her made a swift move. It happened so fast that I just blink my eyes and then the pain in my neck cause me to cough and choke out with my own blood. My heart is bursting out inside my chest as I realized that she has cut out my throat and I am bathing in my own fresh blood. Is this the end for me?"Nelika!?"Yet from somewhere in the dark, I can hear his voice shouting my name. The desperation and the worry that he felt while I am fighting to grasp for air to come in inside my lungs. I wanted to live, he is coming."Nelika I'm here please stay with me..."The words came into my hearing even with my eyes already close as I am awake in the darkness of my surroundings. I felt the strong force coming from Alpha Xander beside me and the other wolf who cause my pain. I feel him using his power against her and the noise of the wolves around the Western pack. She is strong to be able to fi
* Nelika *I stayed a while in the guest comfort room after a few minutes passed by of talking to Alpha Vincent. I walk towards the door and press my ear on the wooden barrier. Mrs. Harger is waiting outside for me, I can feel her. It seemed quiet, but all of a sudden she came knocking on the door that my eardrums almost burst out."Sweetie! Are you alright? It's been a while since you were there. Please answer me!"She sounded harsh and her patience is running out, gone is the sweet and gentle mother that she was when we first meet and she came back to the mansion. I bit my lips thinking twice if I should answer her. But I remember Alpha Xander said to stay inside and don't come out until he comes."Come out! Come out now! Nelika! I am ordering you to get out of there!"Her hands are now banging on the door so hard, that I could only think of asking myself for how long it's gonna hold."No! I want to stay here until Alpha Xander comes. He said that I should wait for him."Her respons
* Nelika *The noise outside has been really disturbing and it is making me worried. Wondering at the same time about Mrs. Harger and her actions so I run down the stairs and pull the door open expecting that the guards would give me a better explanation I also plan to get to the back house where Mrs. Clarins and Bella stayed. But the door knob refuses to turn open, it's locked from the inside. I look on top of the table and on the walls where there should be a spare key hanging but it is empty. Then I started opening drawers, searching the insides with my chest already thumping loudly I could hear myself."Come on! Where are those keys?"My eyes search everywhere but there is none. I opened the mind link to try and call for the guards but no one is responding to me. Then I heard the growls and howling of wolves fighting. Oh, my Moon Goddess of the West! I am certain that the enemies have pushed through the borders of the West. The howling of the warriors in the Western pack could no