Artemis POV
Its 10am, I Gave in and let Sel go shopping Dots father assured me he would look out for them both and I trust, he may be older, but boy could he fight back in the day. It's 2 weeks today till Sel turns 21 honestly, I cannot wait to celebrate with her she has grown up to be strong and smart and kind, maybe a little to mouthy for my liking but I can’t say I wasn't the same to my parents when they were around.
I think about all the times after that, I wanted so much to protect them and shield them from everything, but it is not always possible. I remember Cynth trying to teach Sel to drive even though I said no in case she wrecked the car.
Of course, they did not listen to me and I found them in the forest my car in a ditch. I think about all the happy memories but for as many happy ones there are sad. The memories of my mother and Father telling me that it was nothing just some rogues testing the border promising they will be back soon and for me to keep an eye on the lasagne in the over. I put a movie on for the girls it always helped them stay calm when our parents left, and I knew our neighbour was watching us too.
Then the knock on the door came and Alpha Eric stood he was 2 years older than me at the time, I held my breath as he told me how my parents had taken their last. I was numb I could hear my sisters crying I could feel their heartbreak. I made a choice in that moment to never appear weak my mother and father had told us how special me and my sisters are they had promised me to keep it a secret.
I did not let myself cry and watched as the pack surrounded us accepting us and helping us the days passed by and I watched as my sisters settled, I never let them out of my sight I would protect them always. It was at Cynth’s 21st birthday when everything changes as per my parent’s request, I told her what we are and what we can do when Selene comes of age. As expected, she was shocked, but she accepted it and we bore the weight of the secret together finally I felt like I could breath.
The next day I met Ryan, he had been away for a year working with another pack for Eric we had never met as we never needed to cross paths. He walked in and the smell off coffee and hazelnuts hit me. there I was 24 my first pack meeting as a head of house and my words failed me, my legs almost did too until I was swept of them and felt Ryan close to me as he Whispered Mine.
As if he knew I was thinking about him Ryan came into our room his brown hair looking dishevelled and his shoulder tense. I instinctively stand up and wrap my arms around him, he always says when I do that it feels like I absorb whatever darkness he is feeling.
He relaxes still holding me back and then he speaks.
" Babe how do you always know what I need " He looks at me placing a soft kiss on my lips and I feel the tingles run through my body like it was the first time he has ever done that.
I smile and pull away " Call it intuition ... now are you going to tell me what’s wrong?"
He breaks away and takes a seat in front of the desk I follow and sit on the end of the bed watching him breath listening to his heart beating waiting for what is next.
"We received an invitation from the Silver moon pack " I wait for him to continue.
"They have requested our presence for a talk about the rogues that keep testing their borders, Eric knows they are after information and we could use some " He says with a sigh.
"So, what’s the issue then we tell them what we know they tell us we leave in peace " I say smiling seems simple to me.
"It’s not just that, in addition to this they have arranged for a ball to take place all unmated wolves from both packs are to attend to see if their mate resides in either one of the packs. If they do this will help us form an alliance. He is also looking or his mate at the ball “He stares at me I know he can feel my anger radiating.
"Please tell me he said no! and alliance with Calder would only bring devastation to us. The silver moon is ruthless, and their enemies only grow in number. and to take our unmated to him” I look at him pleasing with him to say what I want him to.
He looks at me "Eric Has accepted " His words cold and final.
A thousand thought rush through my mind and then My wolf Aria says one word.
"Selene "
My eyes widen in horror, Selene does not have a mate.
"Ask Ryan when the ball is maybe it’s before her birthday?" I sense Aria urgency it’s the same as mine we cannot let Selene be mated to someone from another pack and what if its him ".
"Ryan when is this ball " I stare in his eyes as he inhales deeply ... with that small movement I already know the answer.
"2 weeks today “. I know he feels my panic he walks towards me and pulls me close; His touch calms me slightly.
"Ryan I cannot lose her, she can’t go!"
He kisses my forehead lightly "She must if we do not allow her and he will think we are hiding her or anyone else we let remain, he will see it as an act of aggression. " His words are softer now and I know he is right.
"Arti ..." He says slowly, pulling me closer. "That's not it, He has heard of your skills and he would like the packs to train together. He wants to see you fight one of his best " My body goes rigid; I pull away from Ryan searching for the words.
"I will not fight for his entertainment " And with that I leave the room my emotions are all over the place I need to speak to my sisters I mind link Cynth. She is in her room I walk as fast as my legs will carry me rushing to find her support.
Selene’s POV
Were almost done shopping I find the most perfect emerald green dress it is an off the shoulder Bardot style crosses over at the front and wraps around my waist into the skirt, the silk material is so soft and lush. My favourite part are the hidden pockets sewn smoothly into the sides so your hand effortlessly vanishes into the dress. I am truly in love.
When I tried it on Dot told me I looked like a princess, I am not one for being swept off my feet, but the compliment was lovely to hear all the same. Dot chose a Pink one shouldered body con dress with a slit up to her thigh, much to the dismay of her father bit she used her charms on him and he gave in and purchased it.
We are about to go into another shop to find shoes when Dots dad Mind links us both, His voice is firm, and I know something wrong.
"Girls we have to go back; Alpha Eric and Luna Georgia have called a meeting at 5pm I must attend”.
It is rare we would ever have a pack meeting, so we rush to find him he’s sitting on a bench outside on of the shops as soon as he sees us, we make our way back to the car.
As soon as we start moving Dot mind links me.
"I’m worries Sel we never have pack meetings, what if the rogues have attacked What if we have to fight! oh god Sel I'm a terrible fighter I wouldn't stand a chance”.
It continues like this until we get back to the house, over our years of friendship I have learned that you must let Dot finish her thoughts of you will be talking about it for days.
Once she has finished, I reply "Dot were here, if we were under attack, I think we would know by now I am sure whatever it is its going to be fine! Maybe Luna Georgie is pregnant again!" With these words she relaxes and smiles at me. We both know her mind can run away with her.
I get out of the car and grab my bags I thank Dot and her dad for the day and run to find Arti and Cynth, hopefully they know what all this is about.
I run to my room and to my surprise they are both waiting for me, Concerned Expressions on their faces.
I was not worried before, but I feel what they feel, this is not going to be good.