Protecting His Queen

I wake up with a start. My breathing erratic and I’m drenched in sweat. I look around to find myself back in my room, back in the safety of my own bed. I take a deep breath to calm my still beating heart and lay my head against the back of the bed. It’s been the same dream every night since I turned eighteen. I find myself walking along the trail behind our house that goes through the woods to the lake. It’s a full moon and when I look up at the sky, its huge. It’s so large and bright that the light from it allows me to be able to see where I’m walking. There’s absolutely no wind and the only thing I hear are the katydids rubbing their wings together trying to attract their mate. I look down at myself only to find that I’m wearing a long, white night dress that goes all the way down to my ankles. The only thing you can see are my bare feet sticking out from the bottom. It’s odd considering I usually sleep in a t-shirt and shorts. My hair is flowing down my back in soft waves and there’s an insistent need inside of me to get to the lake.

My steps get faster until I grab the bottom of my gown and pull it up so I can run without hindrance. By the time I make it to the shore, I’m out of breath and beads of sweat litter my brow. I look around and realize I’m alone. My heart starts beating faster as fear starts to set in.

“Hello?”

I look up to only see a solid black owl with beady red eyes staring straight at me like the bird can see into my soul. It makes no noise but turns its head to the side and flaps its wings. It settles again, perched on a lower branch. It’s like I’m in a trance and I can’t take my eyes away from those red ones and that’s when I hear it.

“Hello, my queen.”

My breath hitches in the back of my throat and my fear rises for several reasons. I don’t know who said it, how they said it, where they are and who they are. Most importantly, how the hell did he speak through my mind? I cover my mouth to keep from screaming as I hear branches and twigs snapping over to my right. I start backing away from the lake only to stop as I see a solid black wolf, larger than my own father whose an Alpha, come out into the clearing. He stares at me with those electric blue eyes for only a moment before he growls and goes to attack the owl. Before I know what’s happening, the owl shifts into a man and runs quicker than I’ve ever seen, laughing the whole way. That laughter sends chills down my spine. In my head I hear,

“Until next time, my queen.”

I always wake up drenched in sweat and smelling chocolate and sandalwood. There’s also an underlying smell of roses and blood. I wish I knew what that dream meant. Who was the wolf in my dream? Better yet, what was that owl?

I can tell the sun was barely coming up through the sheer curtains. The sky is barely turning orange as the sun rises low on the horizon. I know going back to sleep isn’t in my cards, so I get up and take a quick shower and head downstairs to the kitchen and find Gertrude, our cook, already busy with this morning’s breakfast.

“You need any help?”

“Goddess! You gave me a fright child! What are you doing up this early? This time is only for those sinners trying to sneak their way back in.”

I can’t help but laugh. Gertrude is old school. She strictly believes you should save yourself for your fated mate, no matter how long it takes to find them.

“You’re not taking the walk of shame are you, child?”

“No ma’am. Just couldn’t sleep.”

She eyes me hard.

“Another one of those nightmares?”

“I just wish I knew what they meant. It’s the same one each time. The only time it ever changes is when the owl isn’t in the dream. Then the wolf comes closer and sniffs my neck.”

Gertrude head snaps in my direction.

“The dream changes but the wolf stays the same?”

“Yeah. He's huge, larger than dad. Solid black with no markings and electric blue eyes.”

She drops the spoon she was stirring with.

“Are you okay Gerti?”

She picks up the spoon and wipes up her mess.

“Oh, yes child I’m fine. Can you tell what the wolf smells like in your dream?”

“Like sandalwood and chocolate but when the owl is there, there is an underlying smell of roses and blood.”

She froze. Not only did she freeze but I swear she quit breathing.

“Gerti?”

“Have you told your father about this dream?”

“No. There’s no sense, it’s just a dream.”

“It still might make you feel better if you told him everything about your dreams. I’m sure you would sleep better as well.”

“I’ll think about it.”

She nods over to the flat top.

“Make yourself useful, child. Start on those pancakes would you?”

I took Gerti’s advise and told my dad about my dreams during breakfast. He stopped eating and looked at me hard.

“How long have these dreams been coming?”

“Since Gideon and I turned eighteen. So about six months.”

Gideon is my twin brother but you would think he was my boss. He seems to act like it sometimes. He’s already starting his Alpha training and will be leaving us soon. Every soon to be Alpha has to go through Alpha training. Which means he will be gone from the pack until his training is complete. I’m going to miss my brother terribly but I know it’s the best for the future of this pack.

“And you only smell roses and blood when the owl is there?”

I nod. He gets up fast and nods towards Gideon. Then he looks over to his Beta, Sam and then over to Emery, his Gamma. They head towards his office and shut the door. I watch as I see Kendrick, dad’s head warrior, enter the back door and head straight for his office without a word. I look over at mom. She walks around and takes me into her arms and answers the question she knows is on my mind.

“I’m sure Dad and your brother are just doing some research. You know how Gideon is about researching history. He can find things most people can’t.”

“And Sam, Emery and Kendrick? All for a stupid dream?”

I hear my mom sigh.

“What’s going on mom? Is it the wolf in my dream?”

She shakes her head.

“No darling.”

She takes a deep breath a sighs heavily.

“It’s not the wolf Azalea. The wolf is there to protect you. We know who that wolf is. It’s the owl that has your father bothered.”

“Wait! What do you mean you know who the wolf is?”

“Let’s talk about this later. Your father needs me.”

She kisses me on the forehead and takes off towards his office. I sat there not able to eat anything so I walk towards dad’s office and see the door ajar. I don’t get too close or they will know I’m here. I hear mom arguing with my dad.

“It’s time Treyton. If we wait any longer Xavier will come. We’ve kept them apart long enough! He can protect her!”

“She just turned of age Bexley! She doesn’t know what will happen! I need more time!”

“Then we tell her! Prepare her! I won’t let that blood sucker have her! Zander can protect her! He's her mate for crying out loud!”

I hear something hit the wall and break into pieces. I put my hand over my mouth to keep from making any noise and slowly back away. Heading to my room, I shut the door and lock it.

Zander Phoenix.

The son of the King Alpha Alexander Phoenix. I’ve only seen him a few times over the years. Our parents always kept us away from each other saying it wasn’t proper with Zander being royalty. I heard he’s been away at his own King Alpha training for the past few years. The room started to spin and I slid down to the floor. Zander was supposed to be my mate. Does he know this? Is this why they kept us away from each other? I always felt his eyes on me every time we were in the same room but he never said a word to me. I feel an anxiety attack coming on. My breathing starts to become shallow and I start to see spots. Right before everything goes black, the last thought that goes through my head was… how many more lies have I been told?