CHAPTER THREE
“My darling daughter, Taylor, it is finally the right time for you to know why you need to be strong and courageous. Within this letter lies a revelation that may alter the course of your destiny forever. Embrace the truth, for it holds the power to redefine your identity.
“Taylor, your birth was shrouded in prophecy and ancient lore. You are the last one of your bloodline. I cannot state which because I don't know who will come in contact with this letter but make sure you stay alive. Do everything to get stronger and trust me, the moon goddess is going to reward you.”
Taylor finished reading it and looked at the Alpha.
“They said I'm the last of my blood line. How do I protect myself when I can barely fight Megan and her cronies?”
“Don't worry about that. If you are a child of prophecy, you will always get a protector. Now, you must make sure you don't leave the pack on your own.
There's an evil roaming in the woods and you are at the center of whatever is unfolding” the Alpha responded.
“I will be careful Alpha” she told him while carrying the box and its contents to continue with the preparation for the Mating Ball.
The Mating Ball was a huge deal in every pack in the werewolf kingdom.
Each pack had theirs on a different day from the next so people from other packs could come search for their mates.
There was a big shiny board in the Royal Pack where each pack's ball date was outlined for everyone to see when they come from the main entrance.
Today was the day where the moon goddess would open the mating cycle again and many will meet their mates.
She opened it twice every month at midnight and the packs in each region made preparations for it accordingly.
For Taylor, it was an exciting day because it was her birthday as well as the night she might meet her own soul mate. Her wolf has been acting like she's on drugs the whole day. It was dizzying.
“Celia, you are going to tire us out and we won't be able to smell him. Allow me to concentrate okay?” She snapped
“Geez! What crawled up your crack and died?” her wolf responded snarkily.
Taylor ignored her and continued fixing the curtains she was told to fix up.
She still had balloons to hang up, tables to set, vegetables to cut, she was already exhausted and it was barely noon.
“Taylor, come here” the head chef called to her via the mindlink.
Grumpy and irritated, she paused what she was doing and went to the kitchen.
“Yes Ma'am?”
“Here, Happy Birthday” she handed Taylor a cupcake with a candle on it.
Taylor was dumbfounded at first, no one has ever remembered her birthday.
“T..Thank you Ma'am, I really appreciate it” she spluttered emotionally.
“Well, you've been a big help to me and the entire Pack all these years. You may not know it but I see you and I hope the moon goddess pairs you with someone who deserves you” she replied in the kindest tone Taylor has ever heard.
She turned back around and went back to the hall. Celia sniffed the cake to be sure there wasn't anything poisonous inside it. This act of kindness seemed fishy and she was not going to fall for it just like that. But thankfully, it was crystal clear.
She quickly ate it, enjoying the delicious taste which she was not always privileged to experience and continued her work, but this time, her mood was lighter
By evening, everything was done and ready and people were already coming in from various parts of the kingdom.
This type of event was usually packed because the mating season was a chance for wolves to find the one person who validated their entire existence. Not all single wolves will come since it's not mandatory but it's usually packed up.
She was expected to stay out of sight both for her own safety and to prevent wagging tongues. No one wanted to deal with a cheating Alpha.
Taylor finished the last bit of work in her hands, then returned to her room and pulled out a small pouch from a drawer. It contained the money she had saved over the years by helping to treat the wounded at the clinic—she had a real talent for it.
Taylor pocketed the money, when she ran out of the pack house, a strange man halted her fast exit.
“Hi, you may not remember me but you saved my life.”
She paused, confused.
“What do you mean? I'm not sure you have the right person” she said, scared of the strange man.
Today has been weird.
“I was on death's door two years ago but you came to the pack clinic and you suggested this herb we didn't even know could do anything! You insisted it was the only thing and since the pack doctor didn't have any other bright idea to help, they did it. You left when it was obvious I had become stable and I didn't get a chance to thank you before leaving for Warrior Training.”
“Oh, I remember now. I'm so happy you feel better. Scorpion bites are worse for wolves than humans; the venom travels faster than normal because of our metabolism. But the herb slows it down enough for the toxins in our blood to kill it. I'm in a hurry so hopefully I see you at the Mating Ball okay?” She smiled, turning to keep walking.
“Wait, um, so I know I can't pay you for saving my life but I was hoping to do something instead. Here.” He handed her a pouch.
“It's something you can use to get a new life if you ever decide to leave here. They don't deserve you.” He told her, finally letting go of her arm as she took the pouch, filled with shock and gratitude.
“Thank you so much sir, this is amazing.”
“No, you are a wonderful person. Thank you” he said, walking back the way he came.
It seems she's going to have a day filled with good events. Her prayers had been answered.
Taylor happily took the money and went down to the clothing department.
She had been thinking about an elegantly designed blood red gown with a beautiful v-neck. And it's time to gain it.
She will look beautiful for her mate and even if he's not here tonight, she will still feel beautiful and not look like an outcast, even if she's treated like one.
When she left the market, She had everything she needed for the night.
She was going home with a smile when she came across her nightmares. Megan and her posse.