A bench in the middle of the garden is empty and I take my place curling my legs up and cracking open the book.
The tome in question is the weathered one I had set aside after my fall. The outside is faded with no title in sight.
I had been intrigued by it from the start but it wasn't a priority, now that I have nothing to do until we get back home I can justify spending the time to explore it.
My curiosity is instantly piqued when I realize it is not a printed book, it is handwritten most likely with ink and quill from the strokes.
Gently taking care not to ruin the delicate pages I flip through and notice slight differences in writing as the book goes on and ultimately the writing vessel even seems to change to what I assume was a fountain pen.
Opening back to the front I begin eagerly reading now anxious to know what these pages hold. Within the first few pages, I know what this is, a written history of our race from the very beginning being put down on record by our first King who fought and got us out from under the oppressive hand of the vampire rulers who used werewolves as nothing but slaves and soldiers forced to die for them.
This is a journal and I suspect the changes in writing styles and even tools means this book possibly contains the accounts through history being passed down and recorded by each subsequent King.
How something so valuable and important was shoved away in some random corner gathering dust is beyond me. Perhaps that was the intent after all if you throw it in with a multitude of other books and treat it like nothing special then anyone who wished to destroy it would never even know it is there.
Keep it safe and hidden in plain sight looking ordinary and old, if that was the plan then it was a brilliant one. I doubt Maximus or anyone else for that matter even knows they had something like this in there.
For now, I'll keep it to myself and dive in. Maybe this will shed some light on our princess situation or at the least it will answer questions I've always had about a history seldom told.
Chapter 52
Hope
A couple of hours go by when Ezequiel approaches and lets me know the meeting has ended and we will be leaving soon. Delicately closing the book that I've barely made a dent in I follow him back to the room. We all meet up and the men grab our bags taking them down to the car.
Pleasantries are exchanged and we thank them for allowing us to come and sparing the time to discuss our current matters. My eyes fall on Silas and I feel a familial affection towards the stranger I've known for less than a day.
Making sure everyone else is preoccupied with their parting words I approach Silas who is slightly separate from the rest and hold my hand out which he takes. "It was nice meeting you, I hope our paths cross again someday". I mean those words and offer a smile to show it.
For a second Silas is silent then a ghost f a smile appears "Likewise dear girl. Take care until then, it seems trouble is coming our way". He releases my hand and we part.
Now in the car once again buckling in for a long drive I pat the large journal I stashed in the bag I keep on me not wanting it too far out of sight.
David and Maximus both questioned me on how I knew Silas and I told them we had only run into each other once and he mistook me for someone else although I didn't mention the name he used. Somehow I didn't want to reveal it as if I was telling them a secret that did not belong to me.
Serious attempts to continue reading the journal were made put alas once night arrived I gave up after the third time I dozed off and nearly dropped the book onto the car floor.
Tucking it back into the safety of my bag I removed my jacket and heels to get more comfortable. I slept through the entire last portion of the ride and didn't even stir when we arrived.
Eventually, my body registers a shift. No longer am I pressed against soft leather seats instead they are replaced by pure muscle and warm flesh.
The scent that belongs only to Maximus wakes my senses and I allow my eyes to flutter open and find myself being carried princess style in Maximus arms.
Instantly I feel bad at once again making him carry me to bed. "You can set me down. It's ok I can walk". My body is now stiff and Maximus smooths his thumb over my back but doesn't set me down.
"You shouldn't spoil a girl, this is becoming a bad habit. Having an Alpha carry me to bed once a week isn't exactly standard procedure you know".
A wolfish smile spreads upon his lips and I have to admit it makes him even more roguishly handsome. "I do not go around offering this service to just anyone but I'll readily carry you any time".
To accentuate his words Maximus momentarily tightens the hand holding my thigh to give it a squeeze and proceeds to take me up to my bedroom only lowering me once we are in front of the door.
I open up and finally notice he had also been carrying my bag and overnight case and step aside so he can set them down. "Thank you for doing it although you didn't have to".
Now in front of me, he lazily takes a section of my hair and lets it slip through his fingers "It was my pleasure. I was elated to have you along with us and impressed with how you handled yourself. The council is often intimidating even to those with experience so you should feel proud of yourself. We certainly do".
Maximus statement hits me right in my tender heart. For once I do feel proud of myself and it is all the sweeter knowing I didn't let those around me down. Now I feel more motivated than ever to help fix this crazy situation that has landed at our doorstep.
"Thank you for trusting me". I look directly into Maximus eyes and hope my feelings are being clearly conveyed "I always will. Now it is late I must reluctantly leave you". Stepping back he goes to turn away but I quickly place my hand on his arm to stop him.
"At the end of the week is my birthday...I don't really know details but Bailey and my mother seem to be planning some sort of party-" Maximus stays quiet but looks expectantly at me.
I guess he isn't going to make this easy on me. Why can't he fill in the blank? My face is already flushed not sure why I even felt the need to ask anything. "-Will you be there? Not that you have to or anything I was just wonderi-"
I'm cut off by a kiss on the cheek that I wish were being planted somewhere else a little further left. "I wouldn't miss it for anything in the world. Goodnight my beautiful wolf".
Another one of those distracting smiles makes an appearance when he steps back and walks out leaving me alone in my room.
I was nervous about the party. I haven't been let in on anything and wonder who would even show up. All of it made me feel nauseous and anxious. The anticipation of having Maximus there somehow makes it better and worse all at once.
There is a mission that needs my complete focus but its difficult when I just want the days to speed up so that my birthday can arrive quicker.
My birthday is not something I had looked forward to all that much since turning twelve. Usually, on the day I would go out to eat with my parents and receive a few presents from them. It was a nice reprieve from my everyday life but it wasn't anything memorable.
This time feels different even special. I am trying not to let my mind and heart get the most of me. If what I feel and imagine turns out to be wrong I can't begin to imagine how devastating that will be.
If I try to ignore the way my entire being brightens anytime Maximus is nearby then maybe I won't have my soul crushed and ripped out once I'm inevitably proven wrong and have to face that what I have is a simple crush being blown out of proportion.
These are the thoughts that swirl through my brain while I shower and collapse into bed.
Perhaps the dream world can quiet my racing mind and allow me to maintain whatever composure I currently possess. Peering down onto the ground I spot my bag and get up to remove the book from inside.
Some part of me feels apprehensive at having it just laying there so I slide it under my pillow and bring the covers up to my neck letting sleep take me away as twilight quickly approaches.
Chapter 53
&
nbsp; Hope
Falling asleep at the break of dawn means I don't wake until it's well into the afternoon. My body feels sluggish and begs for more rest, I know the fog covering my mind won't lift until I get up and start moving.
With an annoyed grumble, I practically let myself fall off the bed and crawl into the bathroom. Splashing my face with cold water starts the waking process so I can wash up and change.
Rummaging through one of the dresser drawers I spot a note and pick it up, instantly recognizing my mother's handwriting.
She had been by to see me but left after realizing I was out like a light. It ends with her saying she loves me and hopes I get a nice long rest and tells me to come see them once I'm up and about.
Throwing on a ripped up pair of jeans and an oversized floral t-shirt I slip on some flip flops and throw my hair up in a messy ponytail. I'm almost out of the door when I remember to tuck my cellphone into my back pocket. I'm halfway down the stairs when I see Bailey coming in through the front door.
"Good timing! I thought I was gonna have to come up and drag you out". Bailey's voice carries and I see a couple of people turn their heads to look our way but seeing its just Bailey they go about their business obviously used to her exuberant ways.
"Half hour ago you would have, I was out cold". Reaching Bai I give her a quick hug.
"So, how was it?! Did you know who like your outfit?" Bailey asks with an animated eyebrow wiggle and I shush her.
"I whispered! anyways spill".
"Everything went fine, I didn't totally embarrass myself and...I might have gotten a compliment". The last part is practically mumbled.
"Yes! I knew you'd rock it. Leave it to me and we'll have him hooked on you in no time".
All I can do is shake my head and laugh "There's no need for that. anyhow, let me text my mom and ask where she is so I can see her real quick".
It only takes a minute for mom to reply saying she had gone into town with Gwendolyn and Erica another lady from the White Thorn pack my mom has been friends with since I was a kid.
Since mom isn't here Bailey and I go outside to chill, grabbing a couple of water bottles from the kitchen on our way out. Bai ends up steering us in a direction I've never been and we soon come upon the various training grounds.
In the distance, I see a group of young teens along with Kaida. "Is Kaida helping train them?" I ask Bailey as we get closer.
"Yup, she's been training the younger wolves for a year or so now. Come on, we can sit to the side and watch". Bai grabs my hand and we dash over sitting cross-legged out of the way.
The teens are paired up and practicing defensive moves. Kaida demonstrates then walks around as they attempt them and corrects their technique as they go along. She looks so confident and poised obviously knowledgeable about what she's teaching.
Back in our pack as a kid, you get some basic self-defense training but only those who wish to be fighters and Enforcers get any training beyond that once they go through the first shift.
To be honest I don't think I could recall much of anything I learned much less use it. Watching Kaida now, I wish I had been able to train longer.
We silently watch for quite a while until the session wraps up and Kaida jogs over to where we are. "Hey, guys! Surprised to see you here". Kaida greets us and I extend my unopened bottle of water.
With a smile, she accepts it and sits across from us. "We were walking around and I brought Hope so we could watch you do your thing".
"Did you get too bored?" Kaida teases me "How could I? You're really awesome. I had no idea you were a trainer".
"Thanks girl! I've been doing it for a while. Part of the reason I joined this pack was for the chance to be a trainer then hopefully a female Enforcer someday".
"Onyx Moon has female Enforcers? I know there are some in a few packs but I've never met one". Female Enforcers are rare and certain packs tend to look down on women who want to fight. White Thorn wasn't one of them but we never had any women try out either.
"There are three at the moment but there's always a spot if you prove yourself. That is what I always wanted and my desire only grew after my older brother Kane became an Enforcer here.
My parents and the pack I grew up in weren't really open to the idea of women being able to compete with guys. So, when I was old enough I moved in with Alesha and my brother and started working towards my goal".
"Ale and Kaida's brother Kane are mates" Bailey answers the question I was about to ask. "Oh! you didn't know? Ale is my sister from another mister. They met through Alpha Maximus and discovered they were mates. They've been part of Onyx Moon from the very start".
"Everyone is really connected, I had no idea, It's really cool though. I was in the same pack my entire life so all the people I know have just kind of always been around".
"Thank the Goddess you moved here. Now you know all kinds of new people. Some a bit more awesome than the rest" Bailey does a little shimmy causing Kaida and me to laugh.
"Bailey is right though. My pack wasn't bad but venturing out from what I had always known and the same people I had grown up with helped me grow. I felt more independent and I was able to find myself outside of being so and so's daughter, you know?"
I nod my head completely understanding what Kaida means "I get it, it forces you out of a bubble and widens your horizons. Since coming here I feel like I've become a totally different person.
I was never good at making friends or talking to people. I had become super introverted and I didn't really know how to break out of it".
"Then I came along and helped bust you out" Bailey jokes but there is some truth to it. A lot of it had to do with building myself back up but Bai was an enormous help. "And now you'll be eighteen at the end of the week. With Bailey and the others planning it, I know its gonna be a blast but there better be some kick-ass food".
"We were trying to figure that out and kept going back and forth. What's your favorite food anyways? You've never told me".
I wrack my brain for an answer to give Bailey and realize that I like a lot of foods but I don't really have a favorite kind. "Honestly? I have no idea. I had never thought about it".
"Maybe we just need to go out and hit a bunch of food stops to figure it out! We can have Italian and Greek and go grab some fried fish and ooh tacos too! Hoagies also sound goo-".
"Or perhaps narrowing it down is better than sending us into a food coma. Is there a type of food you enjoy most? not specifics but like fried, fresh, spicy, sour, etc" Kaida interrupts Bai trying to bring us back on track.
"Fresh I suppose. I like light fresh foods and fish. Don't get me wrong fried food is delicious and I'm a sucker for mac n cheese but I can only take small amounts of it".
"Sushi might be perfect then, have you ever had it?" Kaida asks and I shake my head.
"Awesome! then you, me, Kaida and a couple of others can go check out a nice Japanese restaurant. We can have fresh sushi but you can also try the tempura". "I'm all for it if you guys are free" I agree but leave it open in case Kaida wants to back out or just can't make it this week.
"I'm free tomorrow night. I'll ask Ale later if she is free so it can be the four of us. I'll text you the details". Kaida and I exchange numbers and she hugs us goodbye needing to take off now before dinnertime arrives.
Bailey and I lounge around a while with me trying to pry party details out of her, which I fail miserably at. until our stomachs grumble and we decide to go to a small diner in town.
Chapter 54
Maximus
My butt barely touches my chair after coming in from a meeting with my Enforcers when someone knocks and lets themselves in. That alone tells me its Daniel. No one else would just walk in without my consent, not even my closest friends. "Hey, catching you at a bad time?"
Deciding to just let it go I wave Daniel in and tell him to sit. "Just got in actually. Everything alright?" I grab my cold coffee mug and take a sip instantly regretting it. "Just wanted to catch up, se
e where things landed after the council meeting".
I nod absentmindedly before replying "It was mostly just filling them in on the situation and any progress we've made. Strategies were discussed but nothing was decided, they are leaving the matter to us and will only step in if there is a reason to".
That is not entirely true. Although various solutions were proposed there was one heavily favored, now it is just a matter of getting our ducks in a row to ensure success.
"What exactly is the progress being made? I'm not sure I've seen much".
I stare Daniel down trying to figure out what he's playing at. "Are you dissatisfied with how things are being handled? If you can do better then I'm always open to advice".
Willow From The Ashes (Children Of The Moon Book 1) Page 16
