C2 Two

"To be a lady in waiting is a gift little one, you will become an advisor and a friend to the Queen to be. It is important that you do not neglect your lessons for you will offer comfort and guidance to her. It is a honour and I am so pleased and proud that you were chosen by the King for this duty." Nona was beaming with pride, her eyes were filled with so much love that she grabbed Nona by the shoulders and held her tightly.

The werewolf community predominantly resided on a country which fell between Italy and Greece. It was enchanted so that it was hidden to the human eye. Although some werewolves did reside amongst the humans, the majority resided in Lupiotrúm. The country was large and only certified humans within the government were aware of it's presence due to security reasons. Werewolves had lived in peace amongst the humans for centuries, the only reason werewolf identities were hidden was due to the concern the leaders who believed that their citizens would fear them. There were five packs in Lupiotrúm and there land was sorted into factions where resources was equally distributed.

Nona was one of the elders at the Royal Pack. Nona was responsible for many things in the pact but she always took interest in the Orphanage. Nona's hair was silver with grey, her face aged with wrinkles. She was a small, slender woman but her presence was always larger than life.

Nona had spent many years on her own after her mate died when she was young and she could find no place in her heart for another. For Nona's heart and wolf wept for her late mate, Roger; she could never fully move on. Her mate made her promise to live for he knew it was not her time to leave and join him in the afterlife. So she spent many years dedicating her life to charity and was in charge of the orphanage at the Royal Pack. It was then when her wolf immediately recognised me as her own. She loved me unconditionally and I was so thankful to be blessed with this gift after losing my parents in a fire.

"Thank you Nona. You know I could not have been blessed with such an honour without you?" I smiled softly at the only Mama I have ever known. "My achievement is yours and I am so thankful that Selene led me to you, I am great full she allowed you to live, for without you I do not know what path I would have taken" I frowned as I thought of the pain Nona must have gone through losing her mate.

"My little one, before you I was barely living. My mate was kind and gentle, but he was also fierce and made me a promise to live on without him as my destiny had not been fulfilled." Nona sighed and she stared wistfully into her memories. "Once upon a time I would curse Selene for the pain and emptiness she gave me." I gasped because this was not the Nona I knew, she was always gracious when speaking of the goddess. "One day I had a dream, it was warm and I never wanted to leave as I stared into the green eyes that haunted me. My mate appeared and begged for forgiveness for leaving and he asked me to go on without him. He said he felt my pain and it was killing him slowly." A lone tear escaped Nona's eye. 'He said to find love in those who had lost. At the time I did not understand him, but I promised him that I would try. The King at the time requested I attend the orphanage where I saw two little saphire eyes. So bright and gentle. I remember my wolf, Christine whispering Mine. It was the first time I had heard her since my mates death and it was bittersweet because they were also the last words she whispered to me when he died. As I held you in my arms for the first time, My wolf whispered 'Mate will always own part of our soul, but little pup is our destiny.' With these words, I knew that Selene had answered my prayers and blessed me with the child that we would never have." She whispered as she caressed my cheek. "My little one, without you I would have never had learned to live again. I am blessed to call you mine, for you would have grown into the Lady you are, with or without me. You are kind and pure hearted and whoever your mate is will be blessed beyond riches. You have no idea the power you possess."

"I love you Nona" I whimpered as she recalled her pain, I hated I never met her mate for I felt an attachment to him for he brought me to Nona and I would forever be thankful for his gift.

"And I love you my little one, to the moon and back" She chuckled and wiped the remainder of her tears. "Well, now it is time for you to get that pretty dress I bought you for the party. Your presence at dinner has been requested by the Alpha King" She smiled and walked away, leaving me in my thoughts before dinner.

I stared into the mirror and began to brush my raven hair, my skin was pale and translucent never able to get a tan from the sun. My eyes were deep blue and the dress Nona bought was the same colour. Smiling as I began to put the dress on, it fit me like a glove and the halter-neck was adorned with crystals. It was simplistic but perfect for me and I chuckled softly appreciating Nona's taste in clothing.

"Little one are you ready?" Nona shouted as I slipped on my silver kitten heels. I glanced over my mirror and put some balm on my lips.

"Coming now, Nona!" I shouted as I closed the door to my to my room and descended the stairs in our little home. As I reached the living room, Nona's eyes light up with happiness and tears began to swell in her eyes.

"You are so beautiful little one. I can not believe how grown up you are. Let us head down to the palace and meet with the Royals." She took my arm and guided me our cottage.

The Royal Pack had been the only home that I have ever know. It was the biggest pack in Solace and it was the heart of the land. It was here where the King and Queen ruled, ensuring the pacts followed the laws of the land and managed the disputes between Pacts. There was a clear divide in the the Royal Pact there were the Lords and Ladies that brought the wealth and goods to the land.

Then there were the Omegas, who were responsible for upkeep of the Royal Pact. They cooked and cleaned, they did the bidding of those in authority. They were very submissive and never challenged the authority of the Royal Pact. Furthermore, they weren't trained to fight but they were trained to serve. I always found Omegas to be kind, they were a family who cared and helped each other. Nona always treated Omegas with respect and would tell me that the pact would fall without their hard work; she would always made time to care and converse with the Omegas. She would smile at them and ask them about their day and their families, she would always thank them for their hard work. Nona was a great role model and I followed her teachings and would always offer to help them in the Kitchen cooking and ensuring that I cleaned my dishes and my Nona would always smile fondly when I did.

Since Nona was an elder, she was gifted a home from the previous King and Queen after the death of her mate. Nona had served the previous King and Queen but when her mate died she took a step back from her duties, she said that the cottage become her safe haven. Nona loved the little cottage as it was surrounded my her gardens which she started in memory of her mate. It was homely and perfect for a family. The smell of lavender always lingering in the air.

The Pack had four houses. It was made up of the Omega quarters, the Warrior quarters the Royal Pact Quarters and Monarch Quarters. Nona explained that this occurred when the current Queen and King took their reign. She always appeared to troubled when she spoke about this because she explained that a pact is like a family and should always be unified but she understand that it was not her place to question the Monarch. She understood that it would be considered treason against the Monarch.

Nona was a very kind lady and she was thankful that she was her ward. Although she never called her mother, that is what she was. Nona was always worried about the Omegas and that no one was allowed to enter the quarters; I knew as an Elder Nona cared for her pack and she was concerned about this. I knew Nona had tried to speak to the Omegas about their life in their quarters but they would simply say "I am blessed to be here, may the Royal pact continue to be blessed by Selene." They would never speak ill of anyone residing in the packs but there responses always appeared monotone and vague.

Nona stated that today they would be dining at the Monarch Quarters which she stated was an honour that could not be ignored. I remember being a child I would spend years playing in the garden with the other royal children but for some reason this stopped when I was fourteen. I never understood why as I was close to the family but something changed and I was no longer allowed there unless my presence was requested by the Monarchs. My Nona often went there for meetings but I never attended with her. Nona described the changed at the Monarch Quarters and would describe the white marble that adorned the rooms with gold chandeliers that twinkled with diamonds. She made it sound decadent and I would always try to imagine what this would look like. Nona would often show her dismay at this as she believed the money could be used to address the poverty in the kingdom; she would explain that a pact should have equality amongst its members and no one in the kingdom should go hungry.

As we approached the Monarch's quarters, I noticed that the once green grass was covered with white concrete, that the trees no longer existed. The Quarters were guarded by tall gates which stopped entry from those within the pact. The gates that guarded the entry were adorned with two white marble wolves that were domineering. The wolves looked angry, almost feral which would drip fear into anyone that approached. We approached the gates were two guards stood.

"State your business." One of the guards said, despite his monotone voice, it held authority and he demanded respect.

"Lady Nona Reece and my ward, Leyla Reece" she replied as she stared into his eyes. I bowed my head slightly to show my respect. "We are here for a meeting with their Royal Highnesses." The guard stood tall and stared into the darkness of the night. He was clearly mind-linking someone while he awaited a response.

"You may enter, my solider here will escort you the entrance" he nodded to his colleague who began to move to the tall building in front. I grabbed Nona's arm and linked it through mine and passively smiled at her while she rubbed smoothly rings on my forearmed. We began to follow the guard.

The Monarch Quarters was not what I was expecting, it had been years since I had visited as the Monarchs were particular over who was allowed entry. The guard was right to call it a palace because that is what it looked like. It was a large white mansion with rose bushes placed around the house. It was beautiful and decadent and I had never seen anything so beautiful. Large bay windows were scattered across the building and there at the front were two doormen who pushed open the large golden doors. As the door opened King Alexander and Queen Lamia stood. King Alexander smiling and when I stood to look at Queen Lamia her eyes held contempt which she quickly masked with a stiff smile.

Although I had not been to the Royal quarters in years. I had often seen the Monarchs in passing. Queen Lamia had a strong aura and grace about her. She would often walk amongst the pack with her close friends. She would glide across the grounds and would often go to the Guards quarters, it was rumoured that she was very proactive in supporting the King and she would often strategise with the Beta and Gamma. She appeared to be a very hands on Queen.

"Welcome Little Layla" the King said. The queen glanced at him shocked by his words and said "Yes, Welcome." Her voice filled with distaste and venom. As she stared at Nona.

I had spent a lot of time with the reigning King when I was a child growing up. He was always kind to me. Memories of running in the Royal gardens flashed through my mind. He would always interact with the children who were at the Royal pack. You would often find him playing tag or hide and seek with the children. I remember when I was practicing my fighting skills by the river one evening and he offered to spar with me. He would visit me once a week at the river where he would teach me many things and would often tell me that I would make a great warrior.

"Lady Nona welcome, but I did not know it was you and Leyla were attending this evening. I was expecting a lady in waiting." She looked at me smugly.

"This is who I was telling you about my queen" The king looked at me and smiled brightly as the queen gasped. She barely whispered "How can this be?" I looked at her and shook my head thinking I imagined her words but looked at Nona whose forehead was crinkled and she appeared to be deep in thought.

"Thank you for your invitation your highness" as I bowed before the King and Queen. The King could not take his eyes off me as I spoke. While the Queen looked like she was shaking and fisted her hand slightly. The Queen's forehead was creased and she appeared deep in thought.

"Mother! Father!" A loud voice was booming from behind them. Both looked over their shoulder.

"Come Son, I don't know if you remember Leyla" King Alexander stated.

Suddenly the world became dizzy as my head started to spin. My palms began to sweat and my heart started to pound. My nose was filled with an intoxicating scent. Nona quickly shifted her eyes to me and her face was confused as she gazed at me, noticing the change in my heartbeat. An intoxicating smell of pine and mint hit my nostrils. I could hear Amira howling with glee as I stared at the door. Finally the figure appeared in the doorway and I lifted my eyes when I saw him.

The Prince.

The future King

My enemy.

My Ex best friend.

My mate.