Chapter 45-

Rowen:
My night was fitful and restless, I mostly just paced back in forth in my tent. My men and I set up camp just outside of the little village that we were just attacking yesterday. This is the place where Oriel has lived her entire short life. There is a part of me that wishes I would have never come here to help Marcus even though I do get some small relief in knowing I didn’t have to take his life myself. How disappointing to see how far he had fallen, now I not only have a young mate that I’m bringing home but also a very broken little girl, my niece. It seems Marcus didn’t care much for the child that his new mate had borne him. I have only spoken a few words to her, but I see good in her it’s just trapped behind a wall of sadness. I will just have to be patient and show her that she has nothing to fear anymore. Maybe Oriel will be some comfort to Ayla, other than servants who live on the lower level of the castle and the occasional meaningless fuck I don’t spend much time in the presence of many women. Women in our coven have mostly been happy to be wives and mothers. My own mother passed away when I was still quite young, so I don’t have many memories of her, just of my father’s deep affection for her and the look of peace he had when he grew sick and knew he was finally able to join her in death. Now with the sun rising the men are packing up our supplies and readying for our departure. I knew I didn’t want a mate and even now it only complicates things for me but there is also an excitement for the future that I haven’t felt in a long time. I have a purpose and life to build outside of my rule and the thought both terrifies and thrills me. There is a nervousness that crowds into me as I walk into the lodge to meet with Oriel and her family to sign the blood oath contract. I feel crazy to have agreed to do such a thing, but it was sign it or possibly loose the mate I just found. Leaving her here is a weakness and vulnerability I can’t have now, not with people’s prying eyes trying to justify taking my throne and tearing apart my father’s dreams. I’ll sign the damn thing, it’s not that I disagree necessarily to the terms of course I would never hurt her, but I hate being backed into a corner. When I see Oriels lovely, mismatched eyes and wild red locks and my heart starts beating wildly I know this is the right thing.
Oriel:
Last night had been one of the hardest and happiest I’ve ever had. It was so painful because it was the last night that I’ll spend in my family home where I have been loved and cherished. Also, the thought of not being able to see my dads, mom and Apollo for a long period of time seems impossible, if Irvin wasn’t coming with me, I think I might have broken down. I still feel guilty that I’m not only leaving my family and, in such a less than ideal way but I’m also taking their eldest son and potential alpha and warrior. We spent the night at first crying and holding each other hating that we were being separated but then we shared a meal and played games and just basked in our time together. I think my mom talked both of my fathers down many times since we made the agreement that I would go with Rowen today. With all the hurt and fear that I have felt since yesterday there is also an excitement for the future that could be before me. Even though Rowen was technically an enemy of my pack and fought against my fathers there is a part of me that really wants to go. I know nothing physical will happen between us for some time, but I am definitely attracted to him, how could I not be? He is tall and fit, his skin lovely and fair. His eyes are so cold, but I see the fire in them when he speaks to me. I know it is probably the mate bond making my hormones go wild, but I am so drawn to him and want to be near him and please him, which is something so far out of my normal personality that it both excites me and drives me crazy. I see him sign the document that my Alpha father and his council drew up this morning without any hesitation which is surprising. I think both my dads were hoping that their stipulations would deter him in his effort to take me from the pack. I’m a bit startled, so lost in my own thoughts when Rowen’s smooth voice calls to me. “I’ll give you a few minutes to say goodbye princess. I have the carriage outside waiting for you.” “Oh, thank you. I’ll be right out. I also have a bag packed with Irvin and my things outside.” “I’ll see to it.” I blush as he leaves the room, the fact that he calls me princess makes me both annoyed and giddy, goddess I feel like such an idiotic little girl. It’s time for me to grow up and do what’s best for my family and pack. My mom hugs me tight to her chest and I feel her wet tears running down my face and onto my shoulder and I squeeze her tighter. Letting her go is so painful. I grab onto my not so little brother Apollo; he is just over four years younger than me but is just about as tall as I am. He will definitely grow to be a great warrior if he can get over his stubbornness. “I love you so much buddy!” I whisper into his ear. “Be good to mom and our dads, they’re going to need you.” “I will sissy. I hate that he is taking you and Irvin from us.” “I know but he’s my mate, it’s the right thing. When you get older and meet your mate, you’ll want her near you too.” “Nope I’m never taking a mate, that seems like nothing but trouble.” I laugh and hug him again as Irvin is being strangled by our mother, she has always had a special bond with him. I go to my daddy, his normal silly carefree attitude is replaced by devastation and hurt. “I’ll be okay daddy. I have Irvin and I will see you at the harvest festival at the end of summer.” My dad kisses my tears that I can’t hold back any longer. He has always been my champion and my advocate when I’ve gotten myself in trouble. “If you change your mind firecracker, I don’t care what that asshole signed I will come get you.” “I know daddy. I love you so much, I promise I’m going to be okay. Who knows he might come to regret bringing me to the castle.” I laugh as my dad hugs me tight. “He’s the luckiest son of a bitch alive to be paired with you. I love you so much princess and we are here for you no matter what.” I lean into him as he kisses my head just like he always has since I was little. I go to my other dad, and he wraps me in a tight hug and lifts me up. I feel him smell my hair and let out a shuddering breath. “I love you little princess. You can change your mind you know.” “I know dad, but I decided.” “Alright sweetheart I trust you and know you are going to blow them all away. You remember to write and what you’ve been taught at training. Don’t let any of those blood suckers get away with anything, and you and Irvin need to watch each other’s back.” “We will dad I promise we are going to be okay. We will be missing you and our pack but okay.” My family huddles together and we all hold each other close. Tears break free again when we step outside and the whole pack is there to see us off. Irvin and I hug everyone and promise to write, knowing I have their love and support will carry me through. I’m already looking forward to the end of summer when I can see my pack again. All the children of the moon goddess get together once a year to celebrate and it has served as a way for packs and covens to mingle and make alliances. My pack hasn’t been since the attack that killed their females and young, but my dads decided they would start attending this year so I could see them, and they could keep tabs on my new mate. Rowen holds his hand out to me and leads me to the carriage I feel the tingling from our joined hands and feel hope. I so badly want what I see behind me, my mom sandwiched in between my dads. I see their great love for one another and the beautiful life that they built. I hope someday Rowen will love me like that. “You ready to go home princess?” He asks with his eyes blazing into mine. “Yes. Let’s go home.”