Chapter 5

Jennie

The ride in the carriage was silent. I had so many questions for Antony but I could not bring myself to speak to the man that committed such heinous acts towards me, his own daughter. Well, up until five days ago I was. I know this won't be the last time I see him though, unfortunate really. I rolled my eyes at the thought.

I saw the road starting to open up to the town ahead. It really has grown so much in the past year since I've been here. There's been so many deaths though, the reports started out with bear attacks, but then they started blaming other things, other animals, and calling them accidents. The remains of the persons though proved it was no accident. I knew better though, I had over heard Antony talking in the parlor countless times mentioning how he didn’t want the town folk to be scared. There is something out there, beyond this town. Something of terrible and great power that haunts us. Does Antony have something to do with it? I still don’t know what his job entails, but why would he marry me off? Why not just let me stay with Simon and my baby? Lost in my thoughts, I had not realized we actually passed the town and we were continuing on.

"Where are we going Antony, the town is back there." I asked in the sharpest tone I could, where is this vile man taking me.

"Shut your mouth, we'll be there soon, not another word!" Antony shouted. I wish I had the strength to throw him from this carriage and let the horses trample him the same way he did my unborn child.

The carriage finally came to a stop hours after we had passed town. Waiting on the road ahead were a small mix of men and women, all on horses. The first man rode out, he was handsome and seemed stern but looked younger than my father. Is he who I’m supposed to marry?

"Greetings, I am Jacy Wolf Heart, the father of Tyee Wolf Heart, former Chief of the Blood Moon Pack, and I will be the one blessing this union. Do you Antony give your blessing for this union, joining our packs to become one?" What is Antony doing? He's marrying me off to the Natives of this land? I knew they existed but I've never seen them before. Packs? What are they talking about? I'm starting to panic now.

Antony had a smug face as he began "Yes, I Antony give my blessing for this union."

At that moment a horse, one that I have not quite seen before, white, with large dark brown spots appearing to melt into its coat with a long white mane, magnificent really. On top of the horse, was a man I have not quite seen before either. He was strikingly handsome. I felt my eyes widen as he got closer. I could tell he was of a larger stature. He had long black hair that went with the wind and this tan skin I have not seen, not like Simon from working the fields but it was natural. His face was chiseled like the Gods themselves created him. He had a stern look, just like his father as he approached.

"I am Tyee Wolf Heart, Chief of the Blood Moon Pack and you are now my mate and Luna to the Blood Moon Pack.”

Mate? Luna? what kind of wedding is this? I tried to give Antony one last pleading look, I can't go to someone unknown, a place I've never seen. There was not one shred of human decency left in his eyes though. Antony just nodded his head to Tyee like I was a prize won.

Antony leaned in close so only I could hear. “Get off my wagon. Now.” He spoke with such disdain towards me, it hurt my heart.

I went to grab my things but Tyee shook his head. "But all of my stuff is in there, my dresses, all of my belongings" I said pleading with him.

"You will not be needing those, there will be new clothes for you."

Tyee held out his hand for mine to pull me on his horse. I took one final look at Antony but his head was down, not even man enough to look me in the eye. How quickly he turned. I reached out for Tyee and put my hand in his and in that instant I saw a flash of gold in his eyes. Was I seeing things? I had to be there's no way that could happen. Tyee pulled me up on his horse and placed me in front of him.

"We will go slow back to the village and prepare for the ceremony. This is Rain" Tyee said while reaching past me to pet his horse.

All I could do was nod my head. How did my life come to this? The ride back to his home took what felt like an eternity. I have a hundred questions running through my mind. What is expected of me? Who is this man? Am I just supposed to perform my wifely duties and pop out babies with this man? How did I end up here? Who really is Antony to me? Is what he says true? If so, who is my real father? Am I a terrible mum for not being able to protect my child? I couldn't help but place a hand on my womb that now laid bare. I just found out I was with child a week ago and the next day my child was taken from me. Simon, poor Simon lost his life because of me.

I was brought back to reality when we arrived at his home.

A small child wearing tanned animal skins came running towards us. "Alpha, Alpha! you brought us a Luna!"

A what? Is he talking about me? I know the meaning with Alpha, strength and power, but what an odd thing to call their leader, like a pack of wolves. To call me Luna, I know in school when we were taught Latin, it meant moon, but why would they call me that? What am I getting married into?

I couldn't help but take in my surroundings. I'm not sure what I was expecting but this wasn't it. These weren't houses made of wood, brick, or even stone. They were made of animal skins and hides. There were others made of straw and mud. Men and women had stopped what they were doing and staring at me. Children were running around laughing and some shouting Luna. I hadn't realized that Tyee had already dismounted Rain. He was calling my name while holding his hand out to me and the other was holding his horse steady. His voice was calm, almost soothing, bringing me back to reality. At least I liked the way he said my name. I swung my other leg around and went to jump down but he grabbed me by my waist and held me in the air, he was staring with this burning intensity that made me blush.

I didn't know brown eyes could be this beautiful. The sun had caught them just right and it was like I was staring at a golden-brown light, they compare to a pool of honey with flecks of mahogany. Like his eyes were Earth itself. It felt like he held me there for minutes when it was just mere seconds. How could he want me as a wife? I look nothing like his people, nor do I know their ways. This is going to be a nightmare. I was quickly brought back to reality when my feet were on the ground, his hands were still around the small of my waist and I saw it again the flash of bright gold. Maybe it was just the sun reflecting off his eyes.