We took a breather in Charles room, giving me time to calm down. I looked around his room reading some of his trophies. Most were for academics and then a few for soccer and track. "You cheater." I said, pointing to the track metals. He laughed. "It's not my fault the humans didn't notice." I rolled my eyes at him. *Are you ready?" He stretched his hand out for me to take and I did, nodding my head. I took a deep breath to try to keep myself calm. I was about to meet the woman that birthed my mate. The Luna that seemed to shadow a powerful alpha. Charles led me out of his room down a maze of corridors. We turned left then right again and made another turn into a small hallway through a door that didn't lead to a room but to another hall. I was so lost by the time we reached a large glass door and somehow got outside. The glassdoors belonged to a beautiful garden house. Vines had grown around it, only adding to its beauty. When we went inside there were many different kinds of flow
We walked through the sticky sweet tunnel for longer than I wanted to. Yet it felt shorter than I would have liked. I wasn't ready to meet the woman that raised my father. What if she was like Charles' parents? What if she had imposed terrible standards on my father and that's why he ran away? I still didn't know anything about her or anything about why my father left. I didn't want to bring myself to ask my mother, because what if she didn't know any of this. I feel like it would break her heart that her mate kept this from her. I could see the end of the tunnel coming up. The palms of my hands were clammy from the nerves. I kept them in tight fists beside me, trying not to fidget. My heart felt like it was going to explode. It didn't help that I couldn't take any deep breaths to calm myself without my nose burning, and nausea hitting me. Star stepped out first then Charles who held a hand out for me to take. I gladly took it, needing the comfort his touch would bring. I stepped ou
Vanora led me up the stairs and down a long corridor. She turned right and walked us to the end of the hall. There was a door with a large carving of the tree of life in the center. Above that carving was another carving, a name, Artemis. "This is– was, your father's room" The word stung her to say. She opened the door revealing a quaint room. It wasn't very large, but the space was fully used. In the center was his queen sized bed, with white satin sheets. In the back right corner was an easel with dried paint. Beside it a small table full of art supplies just thrown about. In the upper right corner of the room, were closet doors. I opened them inspecting the contents of his young adult wardrobe. There were jeans, band t shirts, a nice leather jacket on one side of the closet. It was funny how similar our styles are at this age. On the other side were slacks, and dress shirts along with a couple of tunics. It was like he lived two separate lives. To the left of the room was a desk
I woke up drenched in sweat last night, the dream replaying in my head. It had felt so real, I swallowed the fear still stuck in my throat. I remembered running through the dense trees. The smell of pine mixed with salt from the ocean. There was snow on the ground and my paws were propelling forward faster than ever. I could feel something sinister chasing me, but I couldn't tell what it was. It felt like the shadows themselves were going to gobble me up. I could feel the fear stir me like my life was in serious danger. I grabbed my throat remembering how the dream had ended. Whatever was chasing me had caught up to me and sunk its teeth into my neck. There was nothing there of course as it was all a dream after all. It had just felt so real, I couldn't shake the feeling off. Charles grabbed my hand then, watching me with concern. "What's wrong?" He raised a brow. "Nothing, just a bad dream. It felt so real though." I explained, still feeling around my throat. Charles rubbed my ba
Vanora led me through the many wooden bridges connecting the city together. Eventually we got to a house wrapped around a tree. I figure it'll probably be the same as the palace, where the inside of the tree would be hollowed out to make the house. Vanora gently knocked on the door and we waited patiently for someone to answer. "Coming," I heard a familiar voice yell out as we heard the lock fiddle on the other side. Star opened the door smiling brightly at us. "My queen." Star answered as she bowed her head in respect. "I've brought Rain to meet your father. I know I told you to bring him to the palace, but we had some time this morning. Since Rain's magic seems to be established already." I couldn't help picking up the slight stab in her words. Star's eyes widened and her cheeks flushed. "I'm sorry queen. I was only trying to help." Vanora held her hand up to silence her. "No need for apologies Star. I understand. " I couldn't help but feel like Star wasn't going to live this do
Vanora decided to show me the green house first. We stayed at ground level the whole way there. We walked on a small path through the thick grass and trees. Eventually a glass dome came into view. It was the largest greenhouse I had ever seen. When we entered his comforting scent of pine and cinnamon hit my nose. I looked around for him, finding him towards the back with Evandrus. Charles seemed to be trying to hide his anger as he caught sight of us. He and Evandrus wrapped their conversation up in hushed voices. I went to give him a hug but Eryn got in my way. He got to Charles before me and punched him square in the jaw. I let a small scream of surprise out, quickly covering my mouth with my hands. Charles turned to look at Eryn, claws out and fangs on display. He let out a low growl, warning Eryn to stand down. Eryn didn't move though, he stood firm eyeing Charles with fury. I ran between them. I placed my hand on Charles' chest, trying to ease Gunner in him. I could feel Charle
Things were still kind of tense between Eryn and Charles, making it a bit awkward for Peregrine and I. Whatever Vanora told Eryn seemed to have been enough to keep him from fighting Charles. The tension in the air was thick though, and Charles shoulders were kept tense. "It's been a while, how about we continue our training out here?" Charles asked me. "Yes!" Some sparring actually sounded good. "Oh wait, I can't fight with this dress on." I sighed. "The dress comes undone on the sides to allow your legs to kick and the sleeves detach." Peregrine stated flatly. "Seriously?" I was surprised and impressed by the design. "Well yes, our women are more than capable of fighting, so their dresses are made with that in mind." Peregrine explained. "Allow me." He said as he bent down in front of me snaking his arm into my dress. Charles let out a possessive warning growl. Peregrine did not remove his hands from under my dress, but instead looked up at Charles like he was over reacting. "O
Charles and I headed up to the room we were staying in. Peregrine and Eryn followed closely behind now. When we reached the room Peregrine stationed himself beside the door in the hall. He gave Eryn a look as to say 'we stay out here, while they go in'. Eryn didn't seem to catch that as he ventured into the room with us. "Why are you in here?" Charles demanded, annoyance lacing his tone. "She's my charge now and I take it very seriously. I will not take my eyes off her for a second. You better get used to my presence Charles." He smirked, knowing that he was frustrating Charles seemed to make him happy. "You could keep guard outside the room like Peregrine. He's kept me safe just fine that way." I told him, hoping to ease some tension between these macho men. "I wouldn't be able to protect you better if someone came in through the window." Eryn said as an excuse. I just rolled my eyes and waved my hand in defeat. I didn't have it in me to argue right now. I headed for the bathroom