C7

The light from the sun illuminated the room giving it a serene look perfect for having time alone. Music sounded distant in her ears and all she could see is darkness and emptiness.

Inside her as she closed her eyes, oblivious of her surroundings. It felt like she was been thrown into a bottomless pit where she kept falling.

Suddenly, a light emerged from the end and her face was lined with smiles. Finally, it was here. But why does it still feel like she's in the darkness?

The song had begun to echo like it was a dirge made for someone and when she turned her head, she was whirled by what felt like the wind into another dimension where she stood in the middle of the forest. Her forehead was laced with beads of perspiration. The air was misty and her throat sore.

"Hello?" She managed to call but there was silence t first.

"Who's there?" She heard shuffling footsteps, almost like the owner was trying so hard to walk unnoticed or unheard.

"I know you're somewhere hiding! Whoever you are, you can't scare me. My name is Lyne and I am the Luna." Covering her mouth she wondered if she always say that word confidently.

Soon, in the dark, two red eyes surface staring at her. Her heart skipped beats a hundred times as she watched the bulging eyes move closer. They had a catlike profile. As it moved closer, she heard a soft voice call her name.

"Lyne? Lyne?"

She opened her eyes and saw Zeidan standing over her, towel in hand. Her heart clutched seeing how handsome he is. She hoped that everything she thought had happened was just a dream. However, they weren't as she heard her sister's voice filling the room.

"Doing the husband's work already, I can see." Korba scoffed as she sat at the edge of the bed, watching her.

"I'm sorry if I'm being a little forward..."

"You're marrying her for a contract," her annoying voice filled her head and Lyne shut her eyes tightly, cursing under her breath.

"Remember your place and help her remember hers too."

There was silence for a while and Lyne wondered what Zeidan was going to say.

His next outburst shocked her.

"Whether I'm marrying for a contract or not doesn't matter. She's human with blood flowing through her and humans are expected to be treated delicately with care. I'm only doing my job." He rose, smiled curtly at her, and left the room leaving both Korba and her speechless.

"Lucky you. Someone thinks you deserved to be valued for once."

She walked back out of the room and Charles walked in seconds after.

"Hey," he called, trying hard to conceal his concerned looks.

"How're you doing, freak?"

"I'm doing well," she smiled a bit. She was only going to put up with their attitude for a short time before going into a different world.

"What happened?" He threw in the question, causing Lyne to glance at him, memories of the previous day flashing through her eyes.

"I went to confront Dad."

Charles whistled and jogged towards her sister, his eyes widened.

"Tell me about it. You confronted the old Alpha?"

"He already made up his mind. I'll be marrying Zeidan." Her last sentence sounded like a life imprisonment verdict passed to a prisoner accused wrongly.

"So much for being a freak, freak," he folded his arms akimbo, face thoughtful.

Together, they were both lost in their thoughts. Lyne unaware of what the future holds for her and Charles thinking of his next meeting with his old acquaintance. His gaze darkened.

-----

They all stood in a straight line on the field. Their faces were straight and focused on the vastness of the place. Their pupils dilating and their breathing palpitating.

On a high rock opposite the whole Royal siblings (except Lyne), Azrael lay already in his wolf form. His eyes not leaving Charles, the eldest, Reb, Diana, Olivia, Tara, Frank, Korba, and the twins, George and Georgina.

"When you hear the whistle, you must run with all your might. You must be one with the wind and sky not forgetting that nature must be your best friend. Let the air breathe on your first, and let the sun suck up your fury. You are and must forever be the best hunters in your clan. As it stands, you all are nowhere near the best but you have proven to be good."

He continued to talk while the siblings in their white sheets wrapped around them looked forward.

On the first floor, Lyne resumed her position as an audience. Always watching them shift as usual.

Sometimes she would see the nakedness of those who would throw away their sheets before shifting totally and have a good laugh herself. It was always a good sight to behold, but she dared not tease anyone of them about it.

"Look at that freak. She's watching us now, obviously jealous of us." George a redhead whispered into Charles' ears and they both peeked up at her. They held back their laughter for fear of facing Azrael's wrath.

"At the count of three, you all will go out there..."

"Enough with the same preaching, old man. We are used to it." Reb muttered, taking her fingers through her brownish blonde hair.

The drum gave a loud sound and they all ran five feet, some six before throwing off their sheets and shifting into big wolves, their claws hitting the floor and gathering dust behind them. All of them going to bring home the best meat.

The breeze blew Lyne's hair as she watched them leave. Her face expressionless like she was deep in thought but it lasted for a few seconds as she burst out laughing.

Zeidan came out of a corridor and saw her from afar wondering what was making her laugh. Whatever it is, she looked beautiful with her smile.