Chapter 5

I fell into an easy sleep that night and awoke feeling the most refreshed I have felt in a very long time. No weight of responsibility, or the latest ridiculous notion my mother had cooked up to find me a suitable mate. It felt amazing, even the sunlight pouring in through the glass wall and burning my eyeballs from their sockets did nothing to distract from my happy mood. I felt alive.

What surprised me the most was that the idea of today’s festival didn’t feel like a chore to me. I was looking forward to throwing myself into my new life and meeting some new people. A feeling that had not felt for many, many years.

I threw on a pair of dark jeans, a long-sleeved green t-shirt which matched my eyes perfectly, quickly brushed my hair out and pulled it back into a french braid before heading downstairs.

“Good morning, Rosie!” Jo’s singsong voice called out to me as I hopped down to the last step and walked into the Kitchen. Always a morning person, just as I remembered her to be. Stood next to her was the familiar form of the Eclipse Packs former Alpha Richard Black, Steph and Drake’s dad.

“Alpha Richard it’s great to see you again. I must have just missed you last night.” I smile up at him. “Good morning, Jo.”

“Rosie, the feeling is mutual, I was so pleased when you accepted our offer to join our little pack. It’s great to have you here. But please call me Richard, I hated that title even when I was Alpha.” He smiles at me kindly, before turning to his wife and giving her a peck on the cheek. “I better be off; I’ll see you at the festivities later.” He says to his wife affectionately before giving me a small salute and heading for the door.

“Don’t forget you need to pick up Granny Lou on route to the Square!” Jo calls out after her husband. He simply raises his hand in acknowledgment as the door clicks behind him. “What can I get you for breakfast dear, how about some homemade scotch pancakes?”

“Yes please, sounds great.” We carried on with our idol chit chat as she busies herself making the pancake batter. Before I know it, a massive pile was placed before me, smothered in golden syrup and chopped strawberries.

“Goddess, I think I’m going to end up the size of a house if you keep this up Jo.” I smile at her, picking up my fork and digging in.

She laughs at me saying, “There is nothing wrong with having a little bit of something around your bones deary. All the more of you to love that’s what I say.”

Finishing my breakfast, I help Jo clear the plates and stack up the dishwasher. It wasn’t until well past 10 am that Steph appeared bleary eyes and hair sticking out in all directions.

“Now who is it that looks like they have a bird living in their hair.” I ask her sniggering at her dishevelled appearance.

“Huh?” She looks confused for a moment before catching a glimpse of herself in the reflection of the glass cabinet. “Oh right.” She tuts trying to smooth out her hair and failing miserably. “It’s far too early for jokes Rosie.” She complains.

“Early? Steph its gone 10!”

“Exactly! Mumma is there any coffee please.”

“Sure sweetheart.” She pours a cup for Steph before offering me one as well.

“No thanks Jo. I think I’m going to head out and see what is happening down in the square.”

“No worries, remember to keep your eye out for Granny Lou, she’ll be just about getting ready to tell stories to all the kids down there by now. That’s so long as that husband of mine remembered to pick her up.” She laughed.

“And don’t forget, you need to be back here by 1 at the latest. I need time to get you ready for tonight. Goddess knows how I’m going to tame those curls.” Steph adds sleepily, slurping at her coffee.

“Really Steph? I’m sure I can dress myself" I roll my eyes at her.

“Ha!” was all Steph could reply with, “1 o’clock, I mean it Rosie, don’t make me drag you back here myself.” The look she gave me told me she wasn’t joking.

“OK, fine! But I want it noted that it’s under protest.” I concede with a deep sigh.

“Duly noted.” Steph slurped another large mouthful of coffee effectively ending my protests.

“See you both later.” I run up to my room, pick up my purse and jacket before heading out of the door.

It was a beautiful morning, albeit a bit crisp. But the sun was shining, and the sky was blue. I walked down the road admiring the beautiful homes that lined each side. Maybe one day I will get to own a home like this I wondered to myself. Wondering what it would be like to have my own home, a family to fill it, and adoring husband to kiss me on the cheek each morning. I shake myself out of my reverie and continue my journey.

The village square was even more busy than it was on our drive through yesterday. Every inch of airspace above was draped with fairy lights. I couldn’t wait to see it later on tonight. The trees all glittered in the sun with hundreds if stars hanging from the branches.

I walked about between the crowd of people, looking over the few small stalls selling food, drinks, and trinkets, my eyes landing on a small stall of the most gorgeous jewellery.

“Wow, these are beautiful.” I praise the stall owner. Picking up an elegant gold bangle, the bracelet was forged to resemble a continual rose branch pattern, that twisted its way around the small circlet. “Did you make this?” I ask the seller

“Goddess no child.” These are all vintage pieces. That bracelet for instance was rumoured to have been a part of the black family and passed down from generation to generation.”

“I wonder then how it came into your possession?” I ask curiously.

“Well, it was actually sold to me this morning, although it was sold under the agreement that the client remain anonymous. What I can say is the person is very reliable. When I asked why they wanted to sell, all they would say is that there is someone in greater need of it than they were.”

“How strange.” I reply, not really paying attention to the seller. The bracelet really was beautiful. I felt the over whelming desire to buy it. “How much would you like for it?”

“Well, that’s the other strange part about that bracelet. My client told me that I was to accept no money from whoever wished to buy it, and that they would settle the bill in full directly. So, I guess today is your lucky day Miss, the bracelet is yours.” She smiles kindly at me. I go to argue that I must give her something, but she had already turned to deal with her next customer. I walk away from the stall holding the delicate bracelet between my fingers, gently slipping it on to my wrist. It sat brightly against my fair skin, like it was made for me. I finger the gold band lightly admiring its beauty. I look up from my new bauble only for my eyes to land on a familiar face.

There in the middle of a ring of children perched beneath a tree, cushions scattered all around, was Granny Lou. She looked just as she had the last time I had seen her. Her small pudgy frame draped in a thick blanket. Her face was what endeared her the most to me, it was full of lines and creases from years of laughter and smiles. Her bright blue eyes shined even from a distance. I had always noted how just a simple look from the elderly woman was enough to touch your very soul. Her face glimmered with intelligence and warmth. There wasn’t much that got past Granny Lou, she was a beacon of knowledge and love.

“Rosie child.” She smiled as I came nearer. “Richard told me you had arrived. Come and sit here next to me. I would love to catch up but for now I must spend a little time with these ruffians.” She winked at the children sat eagerly around her. I felt much like a schoolgirl myself and hopping over several little heads, plopped myself onto a cushion next to Granny Lou.

“I can’t wait to hear your story Granny Lou.” I smile up and her and give her knee a gentle squeeze.

She patted my hand before calling everyone’s attention to her. Silence prevailed and even some parents stood around in the circle to listen in.

“Who here knows the story of the last Alpha King.” Granny Lou asked, sweeping her graze around the crown of tiny faces.

Some shouted, “Yes, of course" whilst over yelled “Tell us Granny Lou.”

“Very well, I shall. But first you must all settled and pay attention.” She cast her gaze over the sea of tiny faces before settling herself more comfortably in her seat.

“Once upon a time...” Granny Lou started, “There lived an Alpha King. He was loved by his people. He was a fair and just ruler, taking care of all the werewolf packs in England.

“For many years the Alpha King did what he must to keep his people protected and well cared for. But the Alpha King had a wish which held deep in his heart. He wished that one day he would find his true mate who would rule by his side as the Luna Queen. Someone smart and funny, who loved his people as much as he did, and of course, the most beautiful she-wolf in all of the packs.

“He held his wish in his heart for many moons. Each year passed and still his wish was not granted. He began to wonder why, after everything he had done for his people, the goddess Selene did not wish to grant him his one request. He began to fall into a deep pit of sadness and loneliness. All the while his people carried on needing him, his protection and help.

“Eventually the Alpha Kings heart began to grow cold. Believing himself fated to roam the earth alone and without his true Luna Queen by his side.

“Many of the Alpha Kings advisors suggested that the Alpha King should simply choose a mate to make his Luna Queen instead. But this only angered the Alpha King more.

“As time continued, so the Alpha King became more engulfed by his own grief. Some say his heart turned to stone, whilst others say he did not have one at all. He became ill-tempered and vicious. No one dare crossed paths with the Alpha King for fear of death.

“And so, it went until one day, upon the night if a Luna Eclipse, a she-wolf travelled to the Alpha Kings lands. She too had known great suffering, and travelled through many lands looking for her mate who never appeared.

“She found herself in the Alpha Kings Court, only to be greeted with a cruel and selfish werewolf. Yet he was her mate, and she was his.

“The she-wolf spent many days praying to the Goddess to understand why she paired her with such a werewolf. What could she have possibly done to deserve such a mate. On a cold bleak mid-winter night she stole away from the castle, deciding that to roam the world alone was a better fate than to spend it with the Alpha King.” Granny Lou paused for a moment gazing around the eager faces.

“What happened to the Luna Queen Granny Lou?” A little girl piped up, cuddling a floppy bunny to her chest, her large eyes trained on the elderly woman.

“Well Mia, she was captured by very nasty werewolves called Rogues. Werewolves who do not belong to any one or any pack. They had grown tired of the Alpha Kings attacks on their kind and captured the Luna Queen in retaliation.

“When the Alpha King found his Luna Queen had gone from her chambers the next day, he sent out a search party for her. Determined to bring her home, for he knew then he could not live without her by his side.

“He searched and searched before he found any evidence of her in the woods surrounding his castle. And do you know what he found?” she asked the captivated children.

“He found a bracelet lying on the ground. The bracelet had belonged to the Luna Queen, and with it was a note from her captors. Telling him to give up himself of they would kill the Luna Queen.

“The Alpha King became enraged. He did not take threats lightly. He knew that he could not forsake his Luna Queen, but he also knew that by giving himself up, he would lose the trust of his people.”

“So, what did he do Granny Lou?” Little Mia asked with her wide eyes.

“He fought the Rogues, defeating every last one and bought his Luna Queen home.

“He realised just how silly he had been, and how unhappy the Luna Queen was. And so, he embraced his Luna Queen and they fell in love so deeply that it is believed that they could feel each other’s presence, even when they were far apart.

“They lived happily, and every wish that the Alpha King held in his heart came true. The Alpha King and Luna Queen were loved by their people and in return they loved them. The Luna Queen was kind and generous, and above all was the most beautiful she-wolf the Alpha King had ever known.” Granny Lou brought an end to the story, and all the children’s faces beamed up at her with the fairy tale ending. She looked around at the happy faces before her gaze landed on me, a knowing smile on her face. She brushed her fingers under my chin and tipped my head back before saying softly for only me to hear, “Sometimes, even the most heartfelt wish, is all the sweeter because of the trials and tribulations we are made to go through before they are granted to us. Just like the Alpha King, I believe that your story will have a happy ending yet.” She smiles at me, before dropping her hand away.

I couldn’t help but feel akin to the story she had just told. My heart ached for the Alpha King and the she-wolf who had wondered so long to find her true mate. Her own story rang so many similarities. I fiddled with the gold bracelet on my wrist.

“Granny Lou?” I ask her quietly; the children had broken out into loud chatter talking about what their own mates would be like when they are old enough to find them. “You said that it was the story of the last Alpha King.” For some unknown reason my heart squeezed tightly in my chest and a single tear welled up in my eyes. “What happened for him to lose his crown?”

Granny Lou looked at me sadly, and took one of my hands in hers. It was a gesture you might give someone to console them, or when giving someone terrible news. But why she felt the need to offer this comfort, I do not know. “The Alpha King lost his Luna Queen. He was so torn up by grief of losing his mate, that he cut himself off from everybody. His enemies took this as an opportunity to attack. His Castle decayed around him, crumbling to nothingness, just like his heart.

“By the time his son was ready to take the throne, there was nothing left for him to inherit, and so he moved his remaining people and started afresh, here. In fact, the tree we are sat under was sown from an acorn that came from the same tree that still sits in Castle Black today. The only part of his family home that he could salvage from the ruins.” The tear slipped from my eye and fell down my cheek. A great sadness washed over me for the suffering the family had faced. I felt stupid, crying over a story which was all but hearsay and legend. Who knows what the truth of the matter really was? But it still didn’t stop the overwhelming sense of dread and misery I felt and the heart-breaking loss that the Alpha King had suffered.