Chapter 2
Chapter 2
YILEYNA
Two months had passed since the night of the massacre, but the horrors of that attack still haunted the dreams of many. We lost thirty-four people that night, and another seven later on due to fatal injuries.
What hurt the most was I knew Dad left the safety of the walls for me, to protect me and to make sure I was safe, and with his death, I lost Mom too. True mates who have marked one another will die together.
A lot has changed since then, people look at me with contempt and hatred. I knew they blamed me for the loss of their Beta couple, but I blamed myself too. It was my fault.
“The cheek that she’s showing her face here…”
One of the two women who walked past us muttered. I smiled sadly, not bothering to look back at them.
I don’t think they realised that they may have lost their Beta couple, but I lost my parents.
The familiar painful hold on my chest returned and I swallowed hard, trying to focus on the destination we were heading towards.
Charlene turned, glaring at the back of the two women.
“Ignore them.” She said, wrapping her arm around mine.
“I do, my beautiful queen.” I smiled at her; among everyone, she was the one who didn’t change towards me.
Sure, the Alpha and Luna were ok with me, but I didn’t see them too often and I did feel a hint of hostility from the Alpha… I still remember when he asked what I was doing out there, how my
carelessness had cost us all…
“Come on, we better hurry before Theon realises we are no longer in the baths.” She giggled.
Theon. That was someone else who treated me indifferently, the same as ever. The most emotion I saw on him was when he told me their fate…
“You know, he’s going to get angry. Again.” I smirked, brushing away the thoughts that flooded my mind.
“Oh well, you are one of the strongest people I know, in the last two months you have taken that to an entirely new level. He’ll know I’m safe.” She stated confidently.
She was exaggerating. I was skilled, but I was by far one of the strongest.
Charlene… what would I do without her?
But it didn’t take long for someone to turn on me… Would I lose her too?
Since my parent’s death, I had focused on working harder, and pushing myself to my limits. I was seventeen, but I still hadn’t gotten my wolf. Werewolves usually shifted at any age from thirteen, the latest recorded shift was at nineteen. But the average age was fourteen to sixteen for most wolves. Charlene had shifted at fifteen, and I was now seventeen, nearly eighteen with no sign of a shift happening.
I know it was something that everyone talked about. I was the daughter of the Beta couple, I should have shifted by now.
In the kingdom of Astalion, there were ten packs, with the centre and the largest territory belonging to King Andres, father of Charlene and the Alpha of the Silver Storm Pack.
I knew the expectation of shifting and proving my worth to take the Beta position had only grown since my parents had passed away, but there was nothing that I could do to force it to happen. I just had to bide my time and wait for the shift.
We walked through the bustling streets and past the lines of trees heading towards the coast. The sun was already low in the sky, and we would only have an hour at most.
“Finally! Some space to breathe.” Charlene whispered as we headed down the rocky path.
I didn’t blame her, things had been rather tense as of late and I knew there was something troubling her. If she wanted to share, she knew I was there for her, when she was ready to tell me.
We reached our destination, and she smiled, slipping off her shoes and beginning to take her dress off. It was safe down this side, well, as long as we were gone by nightfall, that’s when the waters became a threat.
The coast this close to Westerwell was for the most part not too bad, but the sea was the kingdom of a dark species and it was common knowledge not to linger anywhere close to the waters at night.
I unzipped my boots, unbuttoned my leather pants and stripped them off, leaving the white shirt that I had tucked into my pants on, it only partially covered my derriere which was clad in tiny underwear.
I was five feet seven, in comparison to Charlene’s five-foot-ten. For werewolves, I was slightly on the shorter side, and unlike Charlene who had a slender toned body, I had slightly curvier hips and an ass that had a little more fat than the average she-wolf. With double D breasts that made me appear more like an Omega at times, I was a little more conscious of stripping bare even though we were alone.
Charlene was only in her lingerie and was already splashing around in the water. I walked into the water, allowing the soothing tides to wash over me.
I loved the sea, the feel of the waves rippling against me, the calmness of the fresh air and the smell of the clean salty water. It was more relaxing than anything else.
“Yileyna!”
My eyes flew open just as Charlene grabbed my ankle, dragging me into the water and making me gasp as I stumbled, tumbling backwards into the water. I gasped again as I broke the surface, brushing back my wet hair and giving her a mocking glare.
“Charl! Oh, you asked for it!”
We splashed each other, shrieking and giggling when we managed to shove the other under the water. I think for a while I was able to forget all my troubles, when the red glow of the sun bathed us in its warm colours, I looked at Charlene.
“I think we better head back now, I’m sure Theon found out we’re missing.” I suggested reluctantly, not wanting to leave the warmth of the water.
“Not that I’d mind him showing up. He’s so stiff and indifferent, I wonder if seeing us almost naked would even bother him?” She mused, swimming away.
“I doubt it, nothing bothers him. Charlene!”
“Five minutes! One swim and I’ll be back!” She called out, swimming away.
I sighed, staring out at the glittering water and taking a deep breath. I ducked under the water, looking at the fish that were swimming around. I held my breath for several moments enjoying the beauty beneath the surface, before my body begged for oxygen and I broke the surface, taking in a deep gulp of air as I brushed my hair off my face.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
“Get out.”
My heart skipped a beat and I turned, staring up at the man that stood at the edge of the water; his coppery brown hair brushed back, his amber eyes burning with a fury that was barely contained, and his chiselled jaw set taught as he clenched his teeth. His bulging arms were crossed over his broad chest, the tattoos that peeked out from the collar and sleeves of his clothes only added to how hot he looked right now. The sun making his hair look like it was on fire, emphasising every angle and curve of his face.
“Excuse me?” I raised an eyebrow, very aware that if I got out now my shirt would be sticking to me and reveal my lilac lacy lingerie.
“You left without telling me.”
“Obviously, or you wouldn’t have allowed us to leave. I’m surprised it took you this long to come here.”
“Get out now.”
“You’re not my guard, Charlene’s gone for a swim, go find her instead.” I suggested, sinking lower into the water, leaving only my eyes above water.
“You know the waters are dangerous once night falls Yileyna, we need to head back.” His deep, sexy voice only made my core clench. “Do not make me get you out.”
That wouldn’t be a bad idea…
I sighed and swam to the edge in defeat. Getting out of the water, I glared at the taller man, wishing I was wearing my boots, at least I would have had a few extra inches on me. Standing at six feet five, he towered over me.
“I never knew you were so scared of sirens.” I smirked tauntingly.
“I’m not, I just don’t think you’ll be of much use with a few missing limbs.” He remarked, his gaze dipping down to my soaking body.
I kept my eyes on his, trying to gauge his reaction. His eyes seemed to burn through the flimsy fabrics that covered me, and I felt very bare. My white shirt was now see-through, clinging to my curves, and the lace of my bra was clearly visible, my nipples stiff from the water that had cooled considerably. That, or due to the man that stood before me.
Not one movement… not one hint of desire… His gaze en
nded at my thighs, and then I got the tiniest reaction. His tongue slid over his bottom lip, his eyes glimmering with a hue of gold before he turned his back on me smoothly.
“Get dressed and get Charlene, the Alpha wants to see the both of us.”