Rejected Mate and Following Fate

I lie still, watching her, frozen, breath raspy to match my elevated heart rate, but my fears begin to calm and fade as she slides down her hood with a slow even movement, and illuminates the room with a magical blue glow of both her hands. Like a mesmerizing smoky orb around each, that follows and traces with every movement. Hypnotic in nature.

Sierra Santo is a very beautiful woman, with almost milky skin, despite looking exotic. Her dark hair frames a delicate bone structure, and her eyes, although electrifying blue right now, are almond shaped under straight thick dark brows, so perfectly symmetrical. She has pouty lips, and an ever-present youthful charm that completely warms her to you. A face that says, 'I can be trusted' to match the surrounding atmosphere of serene she always carries

I sit up, gasping in wonderment at the light show, and reaching out to touch what I can see as she moves in and sits on the side of my bed with grace. She allows my hand to wander into hers, seeking out and investigating, before firmly surrounding my small hand in her own fingers and encompassing me within the warmth. I expected the blue air to be cold, but it's almost like being submerged in a hot bubble bath, and I giggle at the tickle of it.

"Don't be afraid, Alora… it's magic. Special, gentle, and yet so very beautiful, and kind, when used the right way. Would you like to do some magic with me while I tell you a story?" Her eyes are still that dazzling brightest azure, and I look from her hands to her eyes in awe at the vibrance of this mystical light she's able to produce. My curiosity killing the last of my fears, and I nod with the enthusiasm of a child who wants to discover more. Naïve courage, because of my innocence

Of course, I shouldn't be afraid, this is the Luna Santo and I do know her. She comes to the library to read us stories and plays with us sometimes. well she did, before all the grownups left to fight a battle. Just like my own mommy and daddy have. and my big brother Jasper. and my grandparents. and most of the rest of the Whyte pack. I stay with Mommy's friend while they're gone, Aisha Munro, one of our pack. who is big and round because she says she's having puppies. Sierra has a son around my age, but I don't like boys. and I don't like playing with Santos. They're always so pushy and aggressive when we do. and I prefer my friends from the Whyte pack. We're softer, we play less rough and tough games than fighting and hunting. They're just stupid.

magic?" I ask, blinking trustingly and adjusting to fully see her in this dimness, leaning up against my headboard and shuffling my butt so I can sit properly. With blue as our light source, everything it touches between us is shaded in cold hues, which add even more magic to the atmosphere all around us, and I smile as I watch it envelop my own hand and spread up my arm. It feels strange, but good, like soft gentle

eyes so you could get lost in the pictures your mind creates? We can do that now if you like, so you can listen and empty your mind from any distractions. I need you to focus on my words and not my light." Her voice is so soothing, low, yet pretty. I've always liked Sierra's voice, it has such a calming quality, like a warm wave washing over

cushion, sinking in. I don't care why she's come in through my window and not the door. Or why she came in the night, I

because she can't be here right now, Sierra came to do it instead. She's a Queen so she can come home when she chooses, but my mommy is a warrior, and she has to stay away and protect us from the bad men who came to the mountain to hurt the wolves. Mommy is

and lays my wrist on her knee which splays open my palm to disengage hers, so she can touch my hand without holding it properly, and with gentle strokes

you discover a gift inside of you that aches to be set free, nothing can hold it down forever. Open your mouth, Alora, I have a sweet tasting berry that will help you sleep when I'm done telling my tale." Her voice is hushed, as though she's telling me secrets, and I obediently open my mouth as she pops a small, round, semi soft object, in my mouth, and I automatically begin to chew. The juicy little thing explodes with the first squish between my teeth, like a delicious fruit bomb of sticky sweet nectar, leaving a beautiful residue of raspberries, strawberries, and other wild berries, that seem to mingle in my mouth and coat my tongue as though I

to look her way, it was so tasty I could eat a whole bowl of whatever that was. She's leaning over my hand, looking at

to find it. It's a very special berry, only found in crevices of magical places, in whimsical woods, and with my help it has a little added spice." Sierra picks up a strand of my hair and twirls it with her free hand, never breaking contact of the first and I settle back down into my dark blankness as I

my window. There are no other noises around us, not even the ones of the house creaking, or the Munro's coughing in their sleep, which is a

story may not make sense sweetest child, but one day it will, and when you remember it, remember this night and this moment…. all will fall into place. You'll know why I came," Sierra Santo brushes a hand across my forehead gently, a simple yet affectionate touch of a mother, and I nod, not willing to interrupt her