by Karen Ruth
He had a sad look to his eyes and by looking around at the others they possessed the same sadness. Curiosity started to bubble up inside me. Was this why Lucas seemed so upset earlier? Did it have something to do with this Adelina girl? Instead of just answering I started to walk back the way we came as they all padded up beside me their heads closer to the ground than they usually are.
Without having to prompt Caleb at all, he started speaking. “Did Lucas ever tell you he was engaged?”
Hearing what just came out of his mouth made my heart wrench. Why didn’t he ever tell me? I had no idea why I was getting so upset about it, it’s not like I have anything to do with his life. I only just met him, I was being ridiculous. He didn’t owe it to me to tell him anything about his personal life. I tried to collect myself back together before simply responding, “No, he didn’t.”
My voice failing me and coming out as a little squeak. It was Reed whose voice spoke up in my mind. “I’m sorry Nina, you deserve better than that. Lucas shouldn’t have led you on like that.”
I looked at him and replied back to him in his mind. “What do you mean?” I asked him in return.
“I see the way you look at him. I know you like him, don’t worry I won’t tell him.”
I gave him a questioning look. Was it true? Did I really like Lucas?
“I only just met him,” I told Reed.
“It doesn’t matter. In our world, you know who you belong with as soon as you find them. For you, that one is Lucas.”
“Even if any of this was true, it doesn’t matter. Lucas is engaged, nothing I can do about it.”
Saying this to even Reed hurt my heart. I really needed to get myself together. I was being pathetic.
Speaking out loud and keeping my eyes peeled straight forward I asked them, “Does he love her?”
There was a moment of silence as they all exchanged looks.
“No, that is why he has been so stressed recently.”
“Then why is he engaged to her?” I asked confused as to why he would be with her then.
It was Reed’s voice who spoke next.
“Nina, Lucas is a prince. It is his duty to do what is right for the pack. He is following orders from his father. Yes, Devlon is a nice man but when it comes to something that can benefit his entire pack, he goes for it even at the cost of one’s happiness. He ordered Lucas to be with Adelina. He didn’t fight it though, he is too noble to go against the kings wishes.”
“Why is she so important,” I asked my tone being a little sharper than it needed to be.
“She is of royal blood. The union between the two could strengthen the relationship of both our kingdoms causing a bigger alliance. Also, female werewolves are rare especially ones in your own pack. Being that she belongs in our pack and we can hear each other’s thoughts, they will form the rare bond which activates feeling each other’s pain as well. Very few werewolves can experience this and Devlon believes that it will make Lucas even stronger and a better king in the future.
“Does Adelina love him?”
This made Liam laugh.
“Yeah right, I don’t think that chick can feel anything at all. I swear she is the devil in disguise.”
“Then why would she want to be with Lucas.”
As I asked this I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going, tripping over a tree root. Reed was next to me and caught me from the side supporting my weight.
“Are you ok?” He asked me worry evident in his tone of voice.
My vision was a little blurred by the tears that wanted to seep through. The pain was beginning to hurt me more and more as I came further and further into the realization that Lucas was indeed engaged. Reed must have seen my eyes for the fact that he waved his tail to the others who sat down. I did the same and put my tail over my front paws and duct my head. Reed began to speak slowly to me and he exhaled.
“To answer your question, Adelina wants to be with him not because she loves him, but because of how strong Lucas is. She wants to marry him so she can feel special and pretty much have bragging rights about who she married.”
“Is Lucas really that powerful?” I questioned him.
Reed just looked me directly in the eyes before replying. “You have no idea. Some say he is a wolf of legends. I wouldn’t cross him, not unless there is a death sentence involved.”
When he said this, I knew it was true. Just by the vibe, he gives off you know how strong he is.
“I’m sorry for slowing you down guys, I can’t explain why this is affecting me this bad. I guess I’m just being a baby.”
Reed replied “Nonsense Nina. You are far from a baby. This would tear all of us apart.”
“Why?” I asked him. “I didn’t even know I liked him until now. How would this hurt anyone? It doesn’t even make any sense.”
They all looked at each other once more before I heard Jeremiah mumble, “I don’t think she knows anything guys?”
“What do you mean?” I asked him, but he didn’t reply.
“What does he mean?” I asked the others hoping they would say something.
Finally, it was Eli who decided to speak very slowly and carefully like he was planning all his words before letting them come out.
“Tell me honestly Nina, when Lucas is around is it the only thing you can focus on? Does he make you happy in ways nobody else can? Does his touch spark fire within your body?” My cheeks began to burn by what he was saying. “There is no need to be embarrassed, all of us wish we could have what you two do.”
My brows furrowed even further. I honestly had no idea what any of these guys were talking about. It was Dante’s voice that spoke up next,
“Guys, I don’t think she has any idea what you are talking about.”
I gave out a small laugh and said “Thank you, someone gets it.”
Reed's voice spoke to me very softly.
“Nina, you may not believe us when we say this. I know that this world is new to you and that you don’t know everything about it. Just please don’t freak out when we say this.”
“Say what,” I said back to him.
Caleb’s voice blurted out before anyone else could speak, “from what we observed, we believe you and Lucas are fated to be together.”
My heart rate accelerated as I heard those words come from his mouth. I gave out a small laugh before looking at Reed, “Now what really were you going to say?”
He just looked straight back at me. “Nina that was what I was going to say.”
I started to stand up and back slowly away without even realizing it. “That can’t exist. Especially not with us. I only just met him. Fate doesn’t exist, it was just some fairy tale made up by some mother for a good bedtime story.”
I began to ramble on the others just sitting there letting me do so. After a few minutes, Reed slowly walked up to me. “Nina, calm. I know it is a lot to process right now. We need to get you back to your room so you can rest. I know your heart must be broken into millions of pieces. None of us can understand what you are going through. Please just follow us back so we can get you back safely.”
I nodded my head back to him and began to follow the rest safely back. None of us spoke the entire way until Reed brought me to my door before saying “If you need me I’ll be here for you. I really do mean that Nina, I consider you a friend. I know you’re grieving and I know you need time.”
I gave him a small smile “Thank you, Reed.” I then walked into my house and went straight to my bed.
Once I crawled into my bed, all the emotions I was holding in seeped through me striking me with immense pain. It hurt worse than anything I have ever experienced before. I was angry at myself for the feelings I was going through. I couldn’t make any sense of it.
“Calm Nina, you are being ridiculous. It is his life, you only just met him. Plus, he is a prince you could never be with someone like that.”
Tears began to fall from my eyes as I remembered everything Reed said about be
ing fated. How could something like that exist? How could fate really exist? I curled up in a ball and began to weep. It was too much pain and I couldn’t control it. I tried to be silent, but it didn’t work. I wailed as my body rocked back in forth with sobs. A knock sounded from my door.
“Nina?” It was my sister’s voice.
“Please Cath go away. I’m not in the mood.” I barely mustered out.
She didn’t get the hint as she slowly opened the door and walked straight to me. “What’s wrong?” She asked me.
I didn’t say anything because when I opened my mouth to tell her to leave nothing came out but a hiccup. She then did the only thing a kind big sister would do. She took me in her arms and let me weep in her lap as she brushed my hair back with her fingers. This was the last thing I remembered before everything went dark and sleep overcame me.
Chapter 11
When I woke up from my slumber it was about 5:30 p.m... My sister was in the bed next to me passed out. She must have fallen asleep sometime after I did. I noticed she didn’t have any blankets on so I gently put the one I was wearing on her and left the room. I noticed that my mother was in the living room watching the television. It appeared as though she was in her own little world once more so I let her be. I decided since it was getting late that the best idea would be to surprise them with making supper. I hardly ever made supper by myself, usually, Cath did it all. It would be a nice break for her. The only hard thing was to decide what to make. Looking through all the cabinets I was hit by an idea. I should make their favorite food, lasagna. It was the least I could do for my sister for what she did earlier today. Plus, maybe it could help my mother get better as well.
I started to prepare the food and began to hum to myself. The thoughts of the day seeping through my mind as I cooked. I shook my head to try and clear everything that happened. I definitely did not want to think about it. No matter how hard I tried to clear my thoughts, I couldn’t. They just kept coming back. An idea floated through my mind but I quickly dismissed it. It was very wrong, something that I shouldn’t abuse like that. I had the idea to try and connect with Lucas and Adelina to see what they were thinking. In theory, I could do that since I can hear their thoughts, but being away from each other makes it harder to hear. It sounds more muffled than what it would be up-close. I already struggle with hearing each other’s thoughts on my own, especially if I tried something like this. It would be wrong of me to even try it and I knew that I couldn’t even if I tried. Not because I didn’t know-how. I knew if I really put my mind to it I would be able to master hearing their thoughts, but because I wasn’t that kind of person. I hated others who eavesdrop and I wasn’t going to stoop down to their level and become one.
I began to set the table and place the dishes in the appropriate locations. My heart was beginning to hurt once more from all the thinking that I was doing.
“Come on Nina, don’t be such a baby,” I said out loud to myself.
“You’re not a baby Nina,” I heard my sister say from the other side of the room.
I quickly looked over, surprised that I didn’t hear her come in. She was leaning against the doorframe rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
“Thanks, Cath, but I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” I said to her.
“You’re right, I’m not sure. I am completely one-hundred percent positive that you are not a baby. You are very brave and strong. You just have to believe in yourself.”
I looked at her and for the first time in hours, I smiled. “Thank you, Cath, you have no idea how that makes me feel,” I said to her.
“I bet it feels almost as good as waking up to notice your sister has prepared your supper. Even better than that she prepared you your favorite supper, lasagna. Thank you, Nina.”
She said as she came over to give me a hug.
“Your welcome Cath, we better go get mother before it’s all done.
I left my sister by the food while I walked over to my mom. She was staring at the television very intensely. It was then that I noticed what she was watching. It was a documentary on wolves.
“Mom? Are you ok?” I asked her confused on why she was watching this.
She never watches anything that has to do with documentaries. It wasn’t her cup of tea so to speak. She didn’t turn to face me as she said.
“I miss those days, feeling the coat ruffle your fur. Nothing like it in the world.”
I became even more confused and was beginning to get frightened.
“Mother? What did you say?”
She said nothing nor did she look at me. I then did the only thing I could think of at the moment. I went over to give her a big shake hoping that it would snap the trance that she was in. She blinked her eyes and looked at me before coming to the realization that I was there.
“Oh hi Nina, how long have you been there?”
I looked at her in a puzzling manner.
“Mom are you ok? What was that about?”
“What was what about Nina dear?”
“A minute ago,” I said pointing to the screen.
“You said something about missing the wind on your coat.” She laughed at me.
“No, I didn’t, and why would I say something like that? I’m not like you, you know that.” I just shook my head shaking it off.
“Come on mom, suppers done.”
“Oh goodie,” she said as I grabbed her hand and led her to the table.
“Oooh, my favorite!” She squealed as she dug into the lasagna and began to eat. Catherine and I followed pursuit and enjoyed supper with all of us together again.
After supper, I asked my sister and mother if they would like to go on a walk with me being that I was tired of being trapped in the room. If I was tired of it after being out more than them, I could only imagine how they felt. My sister gleefully accepted while my mother declined to say that she was tired. I told her to go rest and I would make sure Catherine was ok. It was funny, usually, someone would expect the mother to worry about the youngest, not the oldest. It made sense in our family though being that Catherine was way more innocent than I was.
I saw that my sister was in a dress and asked her if she would want to go change first. She declined so I opened the door for her and she said “thank you,” as she walked through it.
“Of course,” I responded. “Name something you would want to see?” I asked her.
“For now can we just admire the hallway?” She asked me.
“Absolutely, they really are remarkable, aren’t they?” I asked her in awe as we patrolled the hallway.
“They honestly really are. It must have taken forever to construct something to this size.”
“Yeah I completely agree, plus it must have taken a lot of thinking for the indoor decorations as well.”
She then looked at me, sadness etched her beautiful blond face.
“Nina, do you ever miss home? I know we haven’t been here long, but what about the animals? What about the house?”
I knew it was only a matter of time before this conversation was brought up.
“One second,” I said to her as I opened the door that led outside.
I grabbed her hand and brought her to the bench that was located next to the castle.
“I’m sorry Catherine. It is way too dangerous to go home, especially for you. It is all my fault, you and mother were right. I was hanging around with the wrong crowd and for that, you two must pay. Maybe one day soon we can go back together but it will be dangerous, that I promise you. Please do not under any circumstance go back on your own. Please promise me this Catherine.”
I told her in a very serious tone looking directly into her eyes. She hesitated not wanting to promise me.
“Catherine you must. I have no idea if Seth and the others are still after us. I can’t take the risk of risking your life.” I prompted her even further.
She said, “alright alright I promise, just please try to bring me home sometime soon.”
“I promi
se Catherine, I will try to bring us home as soon as I can.”
We just sat there in silence enjoying the noise the woods had to offer. The birds chirped loudly as the sun was beginning to set allowing the night sky to approach. It was beautiful outside as I closed my eyes sinking in the remaining sunshine the sun had to offer. The smell of flowers filled my nose making me feel at bliss. As my eyes were closed my sister grabbed my arm and tugged. I opened my eyes rapidly my attention focusing straight on to her.
“What is something wrong?” I asked her my heart pounding searching for danger.
“No, look!” She exclaimed in an excited tone.
I looked directly where she was pointing towards the woods. Sure enough two wolves were on their way back from the woods. I noticed it was not just any wolf but it was indeed Lucas along with another who I couldn’t recognize. All I knew was that it was a female. Thinking about today I assumed that it was Lucas and Adelina on a walk together.
“I wish I could be a wolf,” my sister said as she looked at me drawing my attention back to her.
Panic filled my body as I thought of my sister as a werewolf just like me.
“Trust me, Catherine, you do not want this life. It may seem like a perfect fairytale but it is not. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Enjoy your life where you don’t have to worry about someone wanting you dead. I wish that I could be human like you and mom.”
“What do you mean by enjoying my life where I don’t have to worry about someone wanting me dead? If I’m not correct that is the whole reason why I am here is it not?” My sister replied with a sharp attitude.
“Catherine I’m sorry,” I said hurt.
She suddenly stood up and I grabbed her arm to slow her down.
“Catherine?”
“Leave me alone!” She said upset as she walked away.
I watched her walk away tears filling my eyes. I looked back over to where I saw Lucas and Adelina. Sure enough, they were still there sitting down in the grass watching the sunset. I got off the bench and slowly headed back to my room as pain and sadness filled my heart.
