Chapter 1
Sunlight bounced off the leaves, while birds sang in the branches overhead. A light breeze whispered through the branches. Following the golden haired Fae walking gracefully through the forest. Aria stopped, enjoying the peaceful moment. Before bending to gently pluck a few mushrooms from the forest floor.
Today was the faery’s day off, she treasured days like this. Needing to get away from the bustle of the castle, she had opted to head into the forest to forage for some delicacies for her dinner that evening. Brushing her silky light blonde hair from her face. She carried on deeper towards her private place of solitude. No one else would follow her out here, the citadel hunters searched for game on the other side of the castle. They would turn up later to try and sell it to the royal cooks.
Aria often came this way, seeking solace in the woods. Her life wasn’t unhappy. Even though she had been raised by the castle’s head cook. She was an orphan, leaving an emptiness inside her that she could never fill. Her adoptive parents had loved her as their own, but as she grew older. It was clear that she wasn’t their child, with different colouring and stature. They had explained to her when she was 8 years old, how she had ended up with them. It had been a heartbreaking revelation, as much as she knew she was loved. She couldn’t help it when a little piece inside her grew empty and alone.
Aria sighed, her sea green eyes darkened as she thought about everything she knew. There wasn’t much, she had been found on the edge of a burnt down faery village as a baby. Wrapped in a soft golden blanket with a crescent moon stitched on it with her name ‘Aria’ stitched underneath. Peace keepers from the Faery King hadn’t made it in time to protect the rest of the village. She must have been hidden by her parents. Hoping they’d be able to go back for her.
A soldier had taken her home that day, to his mate. A castle cook, rising through the kitchen ranks, and Aria had been raised by them. Loved and welcomed by all who knew her. She brought a smile to everyone’s face. Her white blonde hair a halo around her little head. Her ears long and pointed like the rest of the Fae Folk. Even the King watched her fondly, as she ran after her adopted mother. Helping lay the table and preparing food in the kitchen. He often stopped to talk to her. She was a similar age to his own daughter, Celeste. So he had stopped by the kitchen one day and insisted Aria attend lessons with Celeste each morning. Taught by the royal tutor Niall.
It had been a great honour, her adoptive parents were very proud of her.
Smiling, Aria recalled how she had rushed home each day to tell them of all the things she had learned. About dragons, and humans. Werewolves and Werebears. She poured over her books each evening. A burning desire to learn more and more. No page left unturned, they had often found her up until the early hours. Reading by candlelight. As she grew older she had discovered other books in the castle library, stories written by the faefolk about lost princesses and how they were rescued by princes. She had dreamed of being found by a prince one day. Discovering that she was really a lost faery princess. It was a childish dream. She blushed now at how obsessed she had been with the idea.
Stepping over a fallen tree trunk. Aria arrived at the glade she had discovered as a child. No one came out this far from the citadel. She would be alone. A stream trickled through the clearing, and she took her slippers off carefully. Placing them on a grassy knoll. With her feet in the running water, she leant her back against a cool boulder, and pulled out a book from her basket. This was her idea of bliss. Being surrounded by pure nature, lost in a story about a world she could only imagine.
Her friends weren’t big readers, and couldn’t understand how she could spend hours just pouring over pages. Maybe one day her mate would be?
Biting her lip, Aria felt a pang of worry. She was twenty one now. A lot of Faeries found their mates around now. Her friend Celeste talked about it all the time, how amazing it would be to meet the mate of her dreams. Aria had thought about it on and off. Would he be kind? Hardworking? Would he love her deeply? Would he fill the emptiness she still felt inside?
Aria turned the page of her novel. For now, she would just have to read about romance instead.
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Sweat poured off his brow as Cassius ran through the forest. He wasn’t bothered about being quiet, twigs crunching underfoot. He was doing a sweep of his far perimeters. Being Alpha, he took security seriously. Especially after his parents had passed away in a freak rogue attack. His heart grew cold, as grief pulled at him again. A waking nightmare filled his mind as he relived their screams as they were cornered in the pack house. Shaking it off, he pushed himself forward, running faster. It was the only way he could escape the pain.
We would do this faster if you would let me run. His wolf, Atticus, complained. Rolling his eyes.
Cassius laughed. Atticus would do anything to be out and running. He didn’t care if it was for border patrol or not. The golden wolf just loved to be free.
You know I need to keep fit too right? He mentally nudged his wolf with a grin. It was important that he remained strong as well. Daily training with his Beta helped. He pushed his light brown hair back, away from his sweaty forehead.
Atticus whined and sulked. Surely it was his turn now?
Stopping to rest for a second. Cassius gave in with a roll of his eyes. Emitting a joyful howl, Atticus surged forward. Bones cracked and grew. Golden fur rippled as human changed to wolf. Muscles sleek and strong. Deep brown eyes, the same colour as Cassius’ looked around. He stood tall, a true Alpha Wolf. They were young and strong. Recently turned 22.
That’s better. Atticus smirked. Now let’s get this done. Their senses heightened, smells left shapes around them like images in the air. This would be a lot easier, Cassius admitted grudgingly.
Picking up the pace, Atticus raced along the edge of their border. Even at wolf speed. This was going to take a few hours. He was glad to get Cass out and running, it had been a hard time since his parents death. Throwing himself into the Alpha role, he had done nothing but work and work. With training in between. Atticus feared that he was too shut off, that unless they found their mate soon. Cassius would close his heart to the world. They needed a good and kind Luna for balance. Grief was often the catalyst to turning an Alpha into a monster. A ruthless leader with no love or compassion for the pack.
The Crescent Moon pack needed better than that. Atticus was determined to help Cassius be the best Alpha he could be.
Stretching his legs, he tore through the forest. Leaping over fallen trees and feeling the wind through their fur. Joy filled the both of them as they raced along. They could do this forever. Sunlight leading the way, the air around them sparkled.
Another hour in, Atticus slowed to a stop. He sensed something! The air around them seemed to be filled with electricity. What could cause this?
What’s wrong? Cassius was suddenly on high alert. Would they find a rogue hiding out here? He felt angry, this was why he needed to patrol his borders! A surge of adrenaline flowed through his veins as he prepared to attack. To defend his pack.
Someone is up ahead. Atticus sounded excited. Who would cause his wolf so much excitement?
An incredible smell hit them, and Atticus staggered on his feet. Caramel, strawberry and the delicate hint of roses. All wrapped up in a sweet fusion. Cassius was overwhelmed with a joy like he had never felt before. All his senses screaming to get closer. His blood burning through his body. He forced Atticus to shift back, he needed full control.
MATE! Howling with joy, Atticus was leaping and bouncing in his mind.
This couldn’t be? A Luna out here? How? Cassius wondered if she was lost from a neighbouring pack, but as far as he knew. This was near the border of the Faery realm. There would only be rogues in this direction?
Lowering himself, he stealthily moved forward. There was a clearing up ahead. His breath caught in his throat as he took in who he he had scented. A beautiful blonde woman was sat reading a book. Her feet dangling in the stream.
Cassius stared. She was the most heavenly creature he had ever seen. Her small mouth was full. Perfect for kissing, her cheekbones high and defined. He stood watching her for a moment, unsure of how to approach. Excited for her to feel their mate bond too. She clearly hadn’t felt it yet. When she brushed her hair behind her ear.
His heart stopped beating. Sinking through his stomach. Her Ear! Dainty and pointed. She had the ears of a Faery! A thundering sound filled his ears, this couldn’t be happening. He tried to move backwards, stopped by Atticus, he wanted to keep going forward, to meet their mate.
But Cassius over ruled him. They couldn’t, they needed to leave. Mixed species mates were forbidden. An ancient law that was punishable by death. He couldn’t risk the wind changing and that poor faery realising he was here.
How could the Moon Goddess have been so cruel? His heart filled with pain once more.
Before she could notice him, Cassius made himself slip away.
