Love Unbreakable
Bound By Love: Marrying My Disabled Husband
A Second Chance With The CEO After Divorce
A Second Chance With My Billionaire Love
Addicted To The Genius Lady With A Thousand Faces
A Return To Love's Madness
Mated To Big Brother-in-law
Unforeseen Temptation: Spoiled By The Aloof Magnate
When Love Comes Late
The Substitute Wife: My Poor Husband Is A Billionaire
Excitement rode the air this morning. I tried to bottle it in, but I was bursting at the seams. Mahala was coming today! As long as I could remember, Mahala was there! My mother's beloved and most trusted friend.
She and her entourage came under the guise of a traveling entertainment
group, but I knew who, or should I say what, she REALLY was.
Mahala was a seer. The pack thought the King and Queen were so kind to
invite the spectacle of their troop in every so often. She and the
others would spend the days doing magic shows or simple parlor tricks.
But come nightfall, after their mobile city of wooden caravans and
brightly colored flags closed, Mahala would come to the pack house and
consult with my parents.
She would reveal to them mysteries of upcoming happenings and offer her
counsel. And then she would visit me! We had such fun! She always asked
me the most intriguing questions and usually had a gift tucked away in
the layers of her skirts. She'd tell me all about her journeys, the
places and people. Different cultures. She made the world sound so
beautiful! I often laid down and dreamt of my own adventures after she
left.
"Amina, come now, breakfast is waiting." My mother's voice reached my
ears.
"Coming!" I called back gleefully as I threw my blanket back and rushed
to start the day.
This time it was even better! Mahala had coincidentally timed her
latest visit on my birthday! And not just any birthday, but my 16th!
Nothing made me happier than to know she would be standing right there
with my parents when we meet my wolf tonight.
My mind instantly shifted. I was on autopilot as I made my way to the
dining hall. Thoughts of my wolf dancing in my head. What would she look
like?!? What's her name? What's it going to feel like to view and
experience the world through her eyes?
"Amina. Eat child. You need your strength." My father teased as he helped
me load my plate even higher with food.
I didn't hesitate. Maybe I DID need to load up on calories for my first
shift. Besides, being a lycan already came with a hefty appetite, who
was I to say no thank you? I scarfed my breakfast and went to training.
The day dragged on miserably until the most magical part finally
arrived.
Trumpets announced Mahala and her caravans' arrival. I bum rushed the
balcony of my room and looked down just in time to see the first wooden
wagon breach the border. It was always a sight to see! Great flags of
purples, yellows and greens flew high. Several people walked alongside
them dressed in exotic fabrics. Some wore elegant turbines, others simple
lace shawls. The scent of spices and earth soon wafted in as the winds
brought them straight to me. It only fueled my delight ever more.
I squinted as more wagons soon joined the assembly and creaked closer to
the pack house. I could JUST make out the symbols on the sides of them.
Each had its own design, but I was specifically looking for the one
adorned with Roses that had an eye in the center. Mahala's wagon. I
loved that she decorated it in a way that was uniquely her. Nowhere in
the world had I heard of Roses with eyes in their center.
As soon as I spotted it, I beelined from the balcony, out of my room,
down the stairs and out the door. The pack was buzzing. They so loved
this band of merry misfits and the joy they seemed to carry with them as
they began to finally pull up to the pack house. I quickly took my place
at my parent's sides and awaited our guests. I composed my face,
ensuring it wasn't too enthusiastic or reflected any malice as I had
been taught.
I had to fight hard not to smile when the very wagon I had been awaiting
took front and center. A cute, circular door opened from the rear and a
set of wooden steps soon followed. Finally, Mahala herself exited and
approached us. She bowed low.
"Your Majesties, such an honor to be in your presence once again."
Mahala's voice filled the air. As she rose, she sent me a quick wink.
"The honor is all ours Mahala. We look forward to your visits." My
mother greeted her with a broad smile. They began to talk as I
scrutinized Mahala's outfit. She wore fine boots that had gold coins
sewn onto them. A layered skirt of rich purples and mustard yellows. Her
top was simply a piece of fabric tied behind her back. Her long, raven
colored hair was a mass of spiral curls that framed her high cheekbones
and beautiful face. The only thing attempting to tame it was the fabric
tied around the top of her head. This too had gold coins hanging and
jiggling from it. Her lips were plump. Her dazzling emerald eyes
sparkled. As she moved, a beaded belt that had small bells hanging from
it clinked and danced. It reminded me of the wooden wind chimes that
decorated the gardens. I absolutely loved the sound.
"Feel free to set up where you wish. You know the grounds. You are our
guests here and will be shown nothing less than respect." My father's
burly voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Mahala again bowed low before she spun and
began to direct her troop. I found myself dying of curiosity and counting
the seconds until she and I would get to visit.
Time seemed to pass even more slowly. But soon, I found myself in the
dining hall blushing furiously as the pack members doted over me. A
massive three layer cake loaded with candles illuminated the space and I
smiled happily at all those I held so dearly. My pack. My family. My eyes
slightly widened as I saw Mahala and a few of her guests amongst the mix.
This filled my chest with happiness.
Dinner came and went. I soon found myself perched on the edge of the
oversized lounge in the waiting room outside of my father's office. My
Mother, Father and Mahala had adjourned there shortly after dinner. My mind raced thinking of all the wonders they must be discussing. I
couldn't wait to be Queen Luna and be privy to the works and wonders of
our pack.
The door finally opened and I rushed forward, unable to hold myself
back. I got a glimpse of the somber faces my parents wore. They quickly
smoothed their features and smiled brightly at me. But I saw the tears
in my Mother's eyes...
Mahala soon distracted me though. She engulfed me in a warm embrace.
"My dearest Amina, you need to stop growing! Soon you'll be bigger than
even me! Prettier too!" She chuckled as she drew me back by the
shoulders. "Oh, and how beautiful you are becoming! I barely recognize
you!"
I smiled brightly back at her. She always said these things, but unlike
others, I believed her when she did. She gently tugged my hand and led
me back over to the lounge. We soon fell into deep conversation and I
was utterly lost in her world of freedom and travel.
"It's time." My mother's voice slid gently across my mind. I paused mid
sentence as her words sunk in. Mahala smiled at me knowingly. She stood
and began to make her way through the pack house with me on her heels.
She soon led me through the back doors and out into the waiting night.
She paused next to my parents and all three stood to witness my
rebirth.
I hesitated a moment. I knew what was about to happen, and I'd prepared
for it as all other Lycan pups had. But the fact I knew this was going to
hurt didn't make it hurt any less. I cast a wary glance their way and all
had soft smiles and knowing looks in their eyes. "It's okay baby girl.
It's over before you know it." My father offered. My mother's nod of
assurance was all it took for me to have faith and my feet began to carry
me forward.
The moon was full and spilled silver shadows over the world. The grass
looked like spiky mirror shards and I couldn't help but smile at their
beauty. I slipped my shoes off to feel their tickle against my bare
feet. Before me was a simple circle of smooth stones. Each had
engravings that shone brightly under the moonlight. This was the very
spot all descendants of the Gypsy Gail pack received their wolves for
generations. There was some kind of magic in those stones. I never
believed it before tonight because gazing at them now with their ancient
script and symbols meant they just had to be some magic to all this.
They looked like ordinary stones any other time...
I reached the edge of the ring and began to strip down to my bra and
panties. I had worn a set I didn't mind losing as my body would morph to
accommodate the other half of my soul and they'd be ruined. I finally
stepped in the ring and instantly felt different. There was now a static