The Beast King's Bride

***

Calliope stared up at her home, ignoring the taxi that pulled away after dropping her off. Fall was here and so was thanksgiving, a tradition and holiday that no one was allowed to miss. She had left the confines of the small town, of her grandmother and mother so that she could spread her wings and fly- despite her love for the crazy traditions her grandmother always had them celebrate.

Although her mother, Ira Kain, disliked the said traditions and had been the one to encourage her to leave before it was too late, her grandmother, Elisen Rowenys had been of a different opinion- choosing to follow the customs she claimed were passed down from her ancestors.

Calliope had always known that her dear, sweet grandma had always been a little wacky from when she was a child.

Back then, Elisen's stories of the Fae Kind, most especially the Elves, the werewolves, vampires, and more had been intriguing to her. She had soaked it all up, enamoured by the way her grandma spun the tales- almost as if she herself had been there. Been in the fantastic and magical world of Elven kind.

The world she narrated, was full of power, energy, and magical abilities that spanned centuries.

Calliope knew deep down that a rebellious part of her also loved and cherished her grandmother's tales because of her mother's hate for them.

Ira was not a fan of her mother's stubbornness and insistence on filling her daughter's head with wild stories. The two had clashed multiple times due to this mere fact but they reunited- reminding each other that they were all they had.

They were the foundation of what was left of their family, a house of gorgeous women who could be said to be truly descendants of the Elven bloodline- that's if you believed in that kind of thing.

Calliope released a small sigh as she ascended the steps towards the front door of her childhood home. Although she had left for her final year of college several months back, she could not help but miss her mother and grandmother when she was away.

Yes, the small town in which she had grown up had nothing much to offer and she had been excited to leave after high school but that did not mean that she did not miss her family madly. Especially knowing that the two women would remain alone with each other.

It's a wonder they have not ripped each other apart... the two of them have strong personalities but I guess they love each other in their own way...

A smile stretched across her lips as she took in the familiar decorations spanning the entirety of their home. Although her mother disliked the overboard nature of Elisen's decorations, she always minded her tongue and allowed the older woman to do as she pleased.

Nothing could stop her when she decided to spin flower crowns and create her own colourful wreaths which were truly beautiful. Her eye for design was exactly what she passed down to Ira and allowed her to become one of the top interior designers in their small town.

Taking a deep breath as she took in the scent of fall as well as the lively chatter on the other side, she knocked on the door thrice and waited, knowing full well that the surprise of her return would be one received with extreme joy. Her grandmother was the only one in the loop as she had been the one to convince her to return home for her holiday break right after her final exams. Calliope had been hesitant about not telling her mother but then again, Ira Kain was known to love surprises.

She also could not wait to share the good news, that she would soon be graduating with honours after acing her finals.

She would attain the English Literature degree she longed so much for. It was a small connection to her grandmother that made them so close. The tales that Elisen had spun when Calli was a child had become her motivator in spite of the fact that she did not quite believe them all to be true.

How could she when it was fantasy? Even though her grandmother spoke of them as if it were Gospel?

The door was pulled open by a chuckling Ira who turned to face her smiling daughter. Shock resonated through her body at the sight of the young woman before her, one who had grown and become more than she could have ever anticipated.

Except she is not supposed to be here...Not today. Not on this very holiday...

"Surprise! Hello Mama."

Calliope greeted her mother with a wide grin despite the shock that was clearly on the woman's face. A feeling of unease spread through her at the sight of her discomfort and at her silence. This was certainly not the reaction she was expecting.

I probably should have told her I was coming, huh?

Ira said nothing for a couple of minutes, simply staring at her daughter whilst her mind went wild with multiple scenarios. She needed to figure out what to do, and how to handle what was to come.

This isn't happening...She shouldn't be here... Why is she here? Did those people plan this?! Did they know what I had in store for them and enacted their own plans?

"If you're going to be a statue then step aside, Ira, and let me take a look at my granddaughter."

Elisen spoke up, taking a step forward as Ira numbly stepped away and simply watched as the two women hugged long and tight. She watched her mother, curiosity melding into understanding before a silent rage took root deep within her. There was no surprise in Elisen's gaze nor her warm reception of Calliope.

She knew...All this time, and with what is at stake, she knew that Calli would be coming home. Heck, she may have been the one to plan it... How could she?!

"Hey, seanmháthair. It's so good to see you after such a long time. I missed you."

Calliope stated, meaning every word as she took in the older woman before her from whom she had inherited most of her features. Whereas her grandmother's strawberry blonde hair was cut short, hers was long with curliness being a shared trait between them. Many had commented on their similar appearances more than once. Calli was always said to be a younger version of her grandmother- a fact that greatly pleased Elisen.

Ira's copper-coloured locks were an inheritance from her father and although she herself was a stunning replica of her mother in some ways, she was nothing compared to her daughter. Their eyes, however, were the linking factor between the three. Sky blue eyes that seemed to shimmer and dazzle all around them. It accentuated their beauty all the more, making their similarities glaring. Anyone who saw them together knew they were related, that they were a part of one family.

Calliope was short at 5"3, not petite but neither was she bulky. She was the right kind of curvy with a sizeable bust, hips, and butt- all traits she seemed to have inherited from her grandmother's Irish side as Elisen always deemed fit to declare. She was simply gorgeous, they all were and the guests seemed to think so as they watched the three women interact with awe-filled stares.

"It's good to have you home, mo shaol. You have grown so much and into such a gorgeous young woman."

Elisen complimented her granddaughter, brushing a couple of stray strands of her hair behind her ear as she assessed the young woman before her. Never could she have imagined that the little girl she had watched grow up had become who she was now. A picture of absolute perfection.

Ira may be mad at me, but I was right...he must sense her now. He knows that she has matured. She has reached her prime and we can no longer hide her in the shadows...She must now perform her duties as destiny and fate dictate...

"Thank you, granny. I see the party is in full swing?"

Calliope stated, glancing at her mother who granted her a small welcoming smile, one that did not quite reach her eyes. No, all she saw within them was...sadness? regret? anger?...

Confusion filled her at the mixed reactions she was garnering from the woman she called mother, but she had no time to dwell as everyone surged forward to now say hello and welcome her back.

Many of them were Neighbours, familiar faces from her childhood that she interacted with and enjoyed their company despite thoughts of her mother lurking in the background. She made a mental note to look for her. To find out what the hell was going on and why she seemed so distressed.

The party raged on with the food and drinks being served in plenty, but the two hosts were nowhere in sight, retreating to the backyard for a much-needed talk.

"How could you, mother?! After all, we have done to keep her safe, to keep her away from him?! I will NOT have you give my daughter away because of some long-forgotten prophecy and promise!"

Ira argued, rage engulfing her every word as she glared at her unperturbed mother. Were it not for the music in the background and the lively conversations, they would not be able to speak so freely with one another as they needed to. Elisen shook her head, disappointment, sadness, and understanding crossing her features at the sight of her daughter's rebellion.

"It has not been forgotten, Ira. You know that just as well as I do. We have a responsibility to undertake. We cannot shun fate. No matter how hard we tried, our generations were not chosen because our fates are different. Her generation has been written in the stars from the moment you birthed her. You can see it, can't you? Your daughter, our little girl, is a Rowenys through and through. Your attempt at shielding her from her fate by melding a mortal's bloodline with ours did not change the fact that she was to be his. Nothing can change fate once it has been decided. We cannot challenge the spirits on this lest we all, Calli included- suffer the consequences."

Ira held her tears at bay, knowing full well that her mother was right. Although she had tried to fight it at every turn, to discredit the possibility of it all, she knew deep down that Elisen was right. Fate had decided on her daughter's path from the moment she held her in her arms when she was a newly born baby.

How could she ever forget the dream that confirmed what they had been waiting for for so many years? The prophecy that came with her little girl's birth?

But I have worked so hard to keep her from this life, from this path that I know will not be easy. Must she suffer like this? Must she be cast into a world she barely knows about?!

"Her life is here, mother! She has built so much, and done so much. How can he rip her from what she has always known? How can he take her away from us? I refuse to give her up so easily. I will fight this, no matter the consequences!"

Ira declared, her resolve shadowing her fear at the mere thought of standing up against Fate itself. She knew it was dangerous, probably even impossible but she was ready for it. Anything to ensure that her daughter had a future beyond that given to her by her family. By her bloodline. That she lived a long and fulfilling life where she got to love who she wanted and be with who she longed for.

If I must suffer for her to achieve such a bright future, then so be it...

"Oh, my dear child...You know that you cannot change it. Calliope will always be our little girl. She will always have a part of us inside of her. That can never change. Her destiny is, however, away from us and we must accept it. He will come for her tonight, and I forbid you from stopping her. From meeting with him. The time has come for us to step back and say goodbye, Ira."

Elisen declared, her words firm as she and her stubborn daughter had a stare-down. The moment was broken by Calliope's approach, her footsteps sounding against the wet grass as she approached the tense moment between the two women.

Never had she seen the two of them fight as animatedly as she had from the confines of the house. She had stumbled upon their heated conversation during a refill trip of the chips and salsa, noting their absence in the small gathering in the living room and subsequent presence in the backyard beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows of the kitchen.

What could possibly have riled them up so much? Have them glaring at each other like this?

"Is everything okay? You two seem angry about something. Is it because I didn't tell you I was coming home, mama? I'm sorry. I thought surprising you would be a good plan, but I guess it wasn't if you two are arguing about it. I asked grandma not to tell you because I wanted to make you happy."

Calliope stated, truly worried that she may have caused yet another fight between the mother and daughter duo. She hated when they went head-to-head because the two of them were incredibly stubborn and she was always pulled into the middle of their battles.

"No, baby. Of course not. I was just having a small discussion with your grandma. We are fine, my love. I promise. And I am truly happy that you are here. How can I not be when I haven't seen my little girl in such a long time?"

Ira stated, ignoring her conversation with her mother to pull her daughter into a long, much-needed hug. She couldn't help but worry- would this be the last time she could hold her daughter? Show her how much she loved her before she was taken away?

Calliope welcomed her mother's embrace despite the stiffness and anxiety that seemed to radiate from her. It was very uncharacteristic of her to be like this, to react like this, and although a part of her wanted to ask- another part of her was scared. Sure, that it had something to do with her. Something that was not all that positive...

"Thank you for coming home to see us, my love. I am so happy and thankful to have you home for the holiday break."

Ira added, earning a genuine smile from Calli who stunted her fears and basked in the presence of the two strong women before her whose gazes shone with love and adoration for her. The tense moment was gone, replaced with an air of nostalgia for moments like these, of the two happy together.

"Now, how about we go inside and catch up, hmm? Maybe you can tell us all about what's been going on at Campus."

Elisen stated, earning an enthusiastic nod from her granddaughter who led them both into the house. The two older women listened to the young woman despite their occupied thoughts. Ira had not given up on finding a way to keep the smile on her daughter's face as she spoke of what she loved the most- a normal, happy- human life. She would do everything to keep her in this very moment, this very state of happiness forever- everything else be damned.

Elisen knew that her stubborn daughter would not back down, and she could not blame her as she looked upon Calli's exciting features as she spoke of her time at the University. It broke her heart to know that she would be thrust into an entirely new world, one she did not know much about despite her efforts to educate her as a child.

Part of her played with the idea of helping Ira, of banding together to fight an impossible battle with Destiny and Fate and yet a larger part of her knew that the inevitable had already come to pass. The wheels of fate were already turning, and destiny had come knocking. She could sense the other being around, lurking in the shadows and waiting for when the lights were gone and the full moon was high in the sky, illuminating the world in its radiance.

That was the only time he allowed himself reprieve from his Kingdom. That was the only time he ventured forth into the mortal world- this time to collect his prized possession.

The Alpha of Alphas, King of All Werewolves was coming and with one singular intent.

To meet his fated bride, the woman meant to be by his side and take the throne as the Queen of Werewolves...

***