CHAPTER 01
Sasha's Pov
I went downstairs to the great hall. My great-grandson was waiting for me. "Grandmother, do you help?" he asked
"No, Chester, when in your 50 years have I needed help!" I said, smiling at him.
"Grab my black cape for me and go. You know I don't like to keep everyone waiting."
"I know," Chester said, grinning at me. "
"We are taking the Jeep, don't you try and put me in some lame car."
"Would I do that, Grandmother!"
"Yes, you would!" I scolded him.
We got to the bonfires, and they were all waiting.
This was our day of celebration of who we were and how we got where we are. I sat down in the large wooden chair that I had been sitting on this very night for one hundred and seventy-five years. everyone became quiet as I started to tell the tale most had already heard, But every year they all sat to listen to me tell the tale that was our lives.
One night many years ago, I began, and the Red Moon pack was attacked by two other packs. The battle was fierce. Alpha Henry fought fiercely with his worriers. But there were too many of them he linked his mate Luna Zoya to take their infant son and run with him. Zoya wrapped her son in blankets put on her thick black hooded cape. She ran out into the woods she kept running, not knowing where she could go to hide. Zoya felt her mate take his last breath; she felt unbearable pain, but she had to push on she had to save their child. She could sense they were getting closer. She turned and ran towards the human town. Zoya slowed to a fast walk and stayed in the light. She was tired. The baby was crying. When she saw a church up a head she check the door it was not locked she slipped inside hoping no one saw her. Zoya hid there for a while laying on the bench.
Zoya was almost asleep when she heard the nuns coming quickly she found a paper and pencil tucked on the bench. She wrote a quick note and placed the pendant she wore and the picture she had grabbed of Henry and her with the note in the blankets. And kissed her son. "I love you, my son, you will be safe here." With tears, she ran from the church to get away from the ones who were following her. Zoya was never seen again.
The nuns found the child and raised him in the orphanage with other human children who had been left in their care.
Chester watched as his grandmother's eyes glazed over as she relieved her life as she told everyone the story.
One hundred and seventy-five years earlier
SASHA'S POV
I ran and got dressed quickly into my uniform.
"You're going to be late." My mother yelled at me.
"I'm going," I said as I ran out the door.
I got to the diner Fritz, the cook, and the owner greeted me with a smile.
"Good afternoon, Sasha. Slow down. Come and have coffee with me before you start. Did you eat since yesterday?"
I did not answer. I just poured myself a cup of coffee and sat on the stool in the kitchen.
"I will take that as a no. He placed a plate with a hamburger and fries in front of me. "Eat!" he said
Bonny came into the kitchen, "there is our girl," she said, kissing my forehead and taking out someone's order. Telling me she had it covered and took my time eating. I loved Fritz and Bonny they were the parents I wished I had.
When I finished eating, I washed my plate and got another cup of coffee on my way to the seating area in the diner.
"Table 3 is for you, Sasha, when you're ready they said. Bonny told me as she took dishes into the kitchen.
It was the same two men who came in 3 or 4 times a week. They always asked to sit in my area. I grabbed two coffees and went over. They both smiled when they saw me.
"How are you today, Sasha?" The man with the dark brown hair that went down his back asked.
They were both very tall and well built. The one who always asked how I was had a long scar down the one side of his face, but it did not take away from how good-looking he was.
"Sasha, you ok?"
"I'm sorry was distracted for a minute, I'm good. What would you like to have for lunch today?"
The light brown-haired man thought for a moment,
"The same as always," He said with a smile. I went and gave Fritz their order, then took the coffee pot over and refilled their cups.
"Sasha, are you not in school?"
"No, I had to leave school to help support the family" This was not a lie completely I had to drop out and go to work or my mother was going to kick me out, I could not leave my brother Nole there alone.
My father worked all day at our little store. It was Mother who ruled the house. Father never went against her. I could never figure out why he let her get away with the things she did. The two men had their lunch. I saw them looking at me a few times. When they left, I went to clear their table they left me a twenty-dollar bill for a tip and a card with a number on it. I slipped them both into my pocket. Not thinking any more about it as the dinner rush started.
The dinner rush had just finished, and I was doing up the dishes. I had known my father had talked to Fritz several times, especially in the past few months. "Sasha, come and sit. We need to talk," Fritz told me.
"Have I done something wrong?"
"No! But I need to talk to you." I sat down in the chair that was in his little office.
"You know your Father Victor has come and talked with me several in the past year." I nodded my head.
"You know I met him when I was out hunting last year," Great the one subject I did not want to talk to anyone about.
"Yes, he told me what happened." I tried to smile but couldn't.
"I know you are turning 18 soon, Sasha."