Blue Wolf Saga: Third Time's A Charm

In the beginning of time, there was the Moon Goddess, who so loved the world, that she cast her magic down onto the world. As her love became too much for her to bear, from her magic the nation of the werewolves came to be. Beings born to the shell of humanity she adored, but harnessing the magic of the wolves that roamed the woods. There were twelve Great Alphas born from the magic, the mightiest of them and inside of them the essence of the goddess rested inside of them. For a thousand years there was such peace and prosperity the world had never known before, or since. Only when the Queen of the Hymshain wolves birthed a female cub, born of an ancient gift unseen in the world, the Alphas fought about who among them should be marked as her mate. Horrified at the power struggle that her daughter had evoked, for the first time seeing the greed and corruption, she disappeared within the trees of the mountain. From that moment on all descendants of the Hymshain bloodline have been hunted down, for the powers that rested inside of them. And for a thousand years, the family has stretched on, the strength growing with each new heir, culminating in the arrival of a most precious cub. The Moon Wolf.

***

Unknown POV.

Many years ago.

"Run!" a woman cried.

The young girl at her side raced with all of her might through the beloved woods that she loved so much. The place she'd felt the safest, having always protected her and her family from their enemies. Tonight though...tonight it seemed to be her enemy. Terror slammed into her when she heard the cry of panic, frightened at what it could mean. Oh goddess please no.

Taking a quick peek over her shoulder, needing to see the truth when her own eyes, she gulped in fear. In the distance, just over the horizon of the hill, she spotted those who'd come into the forest tonight. There had to be at least half a dozen of them, some in the form of human, others shifted into their wolves. But all of them with a single-minded purpose that couldn't be ignored. They'd come to these woods for them.

"Mom!" she cried in panic.

Her mother was instantly at her side then, using her free hand to grab onto her and force her through the woods. "Hurry up sweetie, we can't stop. Not for a second. Keep running. Whatever you do keep running."

Aware that both of them were in too much danger tonight, she didn't think to argue and complain. Maintaining her focus on what needed to be done, she continued running with all her might. Their feet pounded into the earth resonating the clap of thunder in the sky, pushing herself forward. Shifting around a large boulder they shot in the opposite direction, using the forest to their advantage. In the hopes of losing their enemies in the thick foliage of the trees, where not even the goddess's light could penetrate.

On they ran.

Through the trees.

Down the hills.

Across the ravines.

Yet no matter what they did, how fast they ran or in what direction, none of it seemed to matter. Those who'd come into the forest tonight were right on their heels, determined not to be denied. All of them had come there to the mountains for a single-minded purpose and wouldn't fail in their attempts.

Oh goddess, please save us.

They'd been running for hours by this point, slowly wearing down their bodies and strength. The wolves were only a mile in the distance, the heat of their bodies and breath bearing down on them. Suddenly her mom stopped running, there was a look of resignation and defeat on her face. "Mom? What's wrong?"

Calm acceptance registered on her face then, and closing the distance between them, her mother extended out the bundle in her arms. "Take her."

"W..what?" she gasped. "No mom."

"Do as you're told," she demanded, a hint of desperation and anger in her voice, at the thought of being denied. Situating the bundle in the enclosure of her arms, hands reached for the necklace that she wore. "We've talked about this. You know what must be done."

"I know," she sobbed.

A hand brushed down the side of her face in a loving gesture, a wealth of emotion glimmering in her eyes. "I love you my daughter. Please be safe. The goddess will protect you both, as she's done for our family for centuries. Take her beyond the trees. He will protect her."

She nodded jerkily.

"Now go," she ordered. "I'll hold them back."

Knowing that time was of the essence right now, she gave her mother one last hug and started running. She'd nearly reached the edge of the cliff when she heard the commotion in the distance, unmistakable growls and orders. Unable to stop herself she glanced over her shoulder, to bear witness to the scene taking place. There stood her mother, forever the proud and strong wolf she'd been, confronting the devils on their shores. "You'll never have it," she snarled.

"That creature is ours," one snarled.

"You'll never find them," she laughed.

Just as the interlopers thought to lunge at her, her mother lifted her hands in the air and laughed. Right at that moment the moon shone down on them the brightest, as an aura of light shot off her. The man crashed into the barrier that'd suddenly erected from those hands, denying them passage. Again and again, they slammed into it, but none of them could find the strength to break it. But even as she watched the strength of her mother's gift, she also knew there was an extent to it. She'd only be able to hold it for so long. Reminded of this fact she yanked her gaze away and focused on what needed to be done tonight.

After more than a week of running with everything there was inside of her, she arrived at the border of the pack. The one her mother had told her much about these last months together, where he lived. Praying to the goddess she'd made the right decision to come here, that her mother knew what she was doing. Then placing a shield around them she stepped over the threshold and found her way to the house. Approaching the front porch the bundle was placed on the ground before the door. As shifting movement came from within the folds of the blanket, it slowly fell away, revealing what was held inside.

A smile of both sadness and happiness filled her as she stared down at the upturned face of the child. Their bloodline was evident in the midnight blue-black hair mixed with honey gold, and bright eyes. Blinking back the tears that threatened to fall, she placed the locket her mother gave to her around her neck. A note was tucked into the folds of the blanket. Glancing around to ensure no one had seen her, she knocked on the door and stepped into the shadows. From her hiding place, she watched as the door came open, to omit the enormous build of a man. His shock was obvious when he spied the child, clearly not having expected a fondling at his doorstep.

"Well, where'd you come from?" he grunted.

Then he saw the envelope. His confusion of a moment ago slowly gave way as he spied the insignia on the envelope. One he recognized. Breaking the seal she watched him read the letter inside, the color draining from his face as he did. Then glancing around as if he too was afraid of being seen, the envelope was hidden and he hefted the child. "Don't worry, my child, I will keep you safe. My sweet Little Moon."

Netayah's POV.

I will return, he'd said.

Wrapped up in the arms of her beloved mates and feeling their strength seep into her, Netayah wondered what he meant. I will return, his words echoed inside her mind. "In time I will return and the two of us can be bound as mates and spouses, but for tonight enjoy the time you have with the twins." She was so confused by what he could've meant by those parting words, the warning of what was to come in the future. When would he return? How long did they have together? Sure, it wasn't a permanent situation. No, she was certain it wasn't.

What if it was? What if that was King's way of trying to inform her of what was to come in the future? Did he plan on coming back, claiming his life permanently and leaving the twins locked away inside of his mind? Netayah became panicked at the thought of what she could have to look towards the future. The brothers had come to mean so much to her, the first real source of love and acceptance she'd ever known. Netayah would completely crumble if it turned out there was any truth, and they were taken from her.

"Are you okay?" Xander murmured.

Aware that her silence was getting to the both of them, she hated that she'd caused them to worry. Pasting on a smile to hide the uncertainty and confusion inside of her, Netayah leaned deeper into their embrace. "I'm fine, I promise. Just a little exhausted from everything."

"It's to be expected," he said.

The words had no sooner left her mouth when suddenly she was being picked up off the ground. Xios swung her up into the enclosure of his arms, and grinning down at the face held before him. "I think it's high time we get our little mate into bed, she needs to rest while she has the chance."

"I'm fine," she protested his claims, determined to make him, the both of them realize their worries were unfounded. Just because she'd allowed her mind to get away from her for a little didn't make her useless.

He ignored her of course.

Rolling her eyes heavenward when the man stubbornly refused to listen, she settled back into his arms. Netayah would be lying if she said she didn't like the possessive, protective, caveman persona of his. She did. A lot. It might come off cold and domineering to others, but to her, it showed that he cared. That he felt the same deep affection she'd been growing for them and wanted her protected. Even against her own thoughts and wishes. It was something she'd known too little of over the last years and warmed her heart to receive it from him.

Both of them.

None of the servants dared glance in their direction when the men sailed through the palace, ducking their heads down. It surely had to come off as a surprise to them, to have the entire Alpha family stalking around stark naked. Netayah became a little insecure at the thought, it dawning on her mind she was naked in Xios's arms. How could she have forgotten that? Of course, she didn't have any clothes. They were currently left shredded out in the middle of the woods, from when she'd finally shifted. The case was the same for them.

"What's wrong?" This came from Xios. He'd been shifting his way toward the elevator when he sensed the uneasiness crawling inside of her.

"I'm naked," she burst out.

Xander couldn't contain the humorous chuckle, a hand reached out and brushed hair out of her face. "We are too, love."

"But.." she whimpered.

"You'll get used to it," he said matter of factly, failing to have the same concern as her at walking though the palace naked. "As tonight was your first shift this is all still new to you, but in time it will become a norm. Though we do our best to remain clothed, there are just times when it's too impossible."

She paled at the thought.

Both of them laughed.

As Xios stepped into the golden elevator and the door closed behind them, she settled down. Somewhat. Though they-King-had made love to her only hours ago, she was still a little insecure in their presence. It hadn't been that long ago when Netayah hadn't even known if she was ready for that level of intimacy. So the thought of wandering around blissfully naked in their view...sigh...it was going to take some time.

Finally reaching the alpha suit a few minutes later, inside of their shared chambers he finally set her down. Xios motioned to the door. "Why don't you go shower and dress? We'll have the chef send up something to eat. You're probably starving."

Her stomach growled.

"Exactly," Xander agreed.

Laughing Netayah stepped into through the door of the room she slept in, Xios's personal bedroom. Closing the door she fought the urge to call to them, hating the sudden distance between the three of them. Still a little insecure in their lives together she held back and made her way towards the bathroom. Standing beneath the spray of the shower a smile spread out on her face and happiness bloomed inside of her. Such happiness. Finally, after so many years of pain and turmoil, of feeling out of place, it'd finally happened. Netayah had received the full berth of her wolf.

"I'm happy too," Gallatayah howled in excitement, bouncing around inside of her head like a puppy in search of a treat. "It was like the best thing ever. I can't wait to do that again."

"Tomorrow," she promised.

That settled her down.

Yes, tomorrow.

When she'd had time to process everything that had happened and heal up from the night's events. It'd been astonishingly painful, as she'd lain there on the ground, having Gallatayah emerge from the shadows. Netayah had often heard of how much it hurt but had never actually seen anyone shift before. Luckily, it wouldn't be a permanent thing. She knew from all her friends had said that after a while, when she was accustomed to it, the pain would cease.

Thank the goddess for that.