|chapter 6|

|Talitha|

The once quiet and sacrosanct halls of the chapel have, in these past two days, been overtaken by a flurry of noises and haste—a clamor caused by the mounting strain the whole town is forced to bear while we try to make things perfect in time for the Alpha King's arrival due tomorrow afternoon.

When I awakened at first light today, I found the field already teeming with more hands than usual. We, the townswomen, had risen with the sun, in order to gather crops as though feeding an army, and perhaps we may, if the Alpha King decides to visit the town with his troops. The labor has been endless, but I’ve at last reached my final task of the day, which is to adorn the chapel’s great hall.

Beside me, Eunice—my ever chatty and amicable friend, who is also the mother to Julie, my Erna's dearest companion—ties a mix of blue, white, and gold ribbons about the arched windows, weaving them into fair and comely bows. “By the saints, I cannot wait to soak in a much needed warm bath tonight. My poor bones feel thrice their age,” she groans.

I grin, speaking of her four-month old son, who's also keeping Mother Elvyra company in her study alongside the other younglings, whose parents are still busy with our tasks when I say, “And will little Simon allow you such indulgence?”

“Oh, Tyler’s on baby duty tonight,” she responds, meaning her husband since they're both a human couple. “And even he agrees I’ve earned my rest.”

Her fond tone draws a smile from me, and not the hollow kind I used to wear, but a genuine one. It still surprises me how content I feel for her. Once upon a time, following Cain's betrayal, I would’ve bristled at the sight of a happy union—bitter and full of spite. I recall how I spurned Eunice’s early kindness, mistaking it for mockery. How wrong I was.

But just like Mother Elvyra advised, I've slowly let go of the bitterness my experience with my former mate left me with, and over the years, I've changed for the better. The darkness no longer holds sway over me, and as reward for my growth, I’ve gained a true companion in Eunice.

“Poor Tyler,” I jest, handing her another pin for the ribbons.

Eunice snorts good-naturedly, mumbling past the pin held between her pursed lips, “Aye, poor man indeed.”

A brief hush settles among us as we each tend our tasks, until Cleda—ever the chatterer—breaks the silence. “Say what you will, but our Alpha King is indisputably the most merciful of all other Alpha Kings in the world,” she declares, drawing the ears of every woman present.

Cleda straightens, her pair of ribbons forgotten in her lap. “He grants us humans the freedom to live our own lives—no chains, no forced servitude and not to mention, he allows us to practice our faith. Unlike in other kingdoms, there's no compulsion here to worship the werewolves’ Moon Goddess.” She pauses then, casting me an apologetic glance. “No offense, Tali.”

“None taken, Cleda,” I reply with a faint smile. After all, I am more were than wolf anymore.

Encouraged, she moves on. “We’re blessed, truly. I once heard that in the Eastern Kingdom, a human female was burned to death for refusing to bow to the goddess's image like her werewolf owners.”

I nod, stifling a full-body shudder as the memories of that horrifying event flashes through my mind. I had witnessed that very execution at the market center on that ill-fated day. It'd struck fear deep in the hearts of us humans back there in the East and when I escaped all the way here to this little town of Eldwyn in the West, I'd expected to be forced to follow the same absurd laws but after spending the last few years here, I've come to realize that the King of the South really is merciful.

“Which is why ’tis such a boon to have him gracing Eldwyn with his presence once more. What, has it been five years since his last sojourn? I wonder what kept him away so long.”

Eunice interjects then, “He is the Alpha King, Cleda—sovereign not only of the Southern lands but of the Western dominion as well. Surely his hours are few and his burdens many, leaving scant occasion for idle wanderings across the land, save for his customary welfare progresses. Yet whatever the cause of his delay might have been, he comes now, and this year’s visit must be welcomed with naught but grandeur. All must be flawless!”

As the women lift their voices in agreement, their praises of the Alpha King fills the chamber. It’s a balm compared to the dread and trepidation that used to choke the Eastern atmosphere at the mere mention of their own king’s visit. However, here, there is hope.

When the last ribbon is woven and all decorations are done, the women gather their cloaks then step out into the cool dusk, each accompanied by their children who spill out of Mother Elvyra’s study at the calls of their guardians, squealing and chasing one another as we adults bid each other good eve.

Eunice, however, lingers at my side, cracking her fingers and rolling her shoulders with a groan. “If fortune favors me, perhaps I’ll get Ty to give me a full-body massage tonight.”

I shoot her a sly look. “Planning to tempt the man into baby number three?”

She laughs loud and unladylike. “Oh, heavens, no! If anyone’s plotting that, it’s him. I swear the man is determined to fill our home with babes.” Eunice leans in, casting a furtive glance about before slyly whispering, “Not that I mind the sport though.”

I swat her playfully, grimacing. “Eu! Spare me the details.”

“You asked!” she giggles, and we both laugh until the moment softens.

“I should go,” she sighs. “Best I finish with supper before they all get home. Ty’s staying late to tend the stables and will bring Julie and Simon along so I can get a headstart. Isn’t he the most thoughtful and caring husband ever?” She gushes, batting her lashes like a maiden smitten at a midsummer fair.

I smile without a word, but the longing in my eyes must’ve betrayed me because her face falls. Eunice opens her mouth to speak, but I quickly wave her off. “Don’t, Eu. It’s fine, really.”

She watches me for a minute before pulling me in for a delicate embrace and whispering into my ear, “Someday, you'll find someone really deserving of you, Tali. I'm certain.”

I want to believe her—but old wounds run deep.

All my life, I've only ever had misfortunes trailing me like my faithful shadow and the one time I had believed the Moon Goddess was finally granting me a stroke of luck by letting me find my mate, he had proved to be nothing but a curse in finer garb. My daughter might be the only good fortune I get in my entire life but I don't mind that. She's more than enough for me.

Eunice pulls back then, waving to me as she turns away. “I’ll see you on the morrow, Tali.”

“Till then,” I call, watching her vanish around the bend before I turn and begin strolling deeper into the fields by my lonesome, giving my thoughts full rein over my mind.

Though I hope that day never comes, I know that sooner or later, Erna will ask about her sire—after all, she's already begun to wonder why she has but one parent, whereas most other children have two. However, thanks to Mother Elvyra, I've managed to evade answering, at least for the meantime. But truth be told, I'll never be ready for that talk with my daughter. I can't bring myself to lie, yet I dread the thought of her ever learning the cruel nature of the man who fathered her.

The thought has weighed heavy on my mind for a while now. I've seen the way her eyes light up with adoration whenever Tyler, Eunice's husband, gifts her something or cares for her like one of his own kids. It fills me with much gratitude that my Erna isn't being isolated, yet it also stirs a storm within me. One that makes me—

A loud gasp leaves me then as I'm abruptly yanked from behind, my thoughts promptly vanishing as the air is driven from my lungs. The fog obscuring my mind clears just in time for me to see the cliff’s edge, which marks the end of the field, mere paces before me. My heart pounds, eyes widening when I realize that I'd nearly walked right off of it.

“Have you lost your wits, woman?” a voice growls from just above my head, and I spin around, eyes dropping to the firm hold around my waist. Then I follow the path of a swarthy, calloused hand up a muscled arm until I meet the stranger’s face.

His features are unfamiliar, carved with unbridled fury as if from stone. His jaw is clenched tight, his nostrils flared but Goddess help me, he looks grim as he is comely—undeniably so too, with a pair of molten amber eyes that gleam like burnished gold against his shadowed visage. And obviously, my senses haven’t completely returned, for instead of offering him thanks for saving my life, I blurt out the next words, giving voice to my heart-struck notions,

“You cannot possibly be of this realm, not with a face forged like that.”

An impeccably carved brow arches over his golden eyes, his former anger ebbing just slightly, replaced by a flicker of surprise and amusement as his clasp tightens around my waist, pulling me further into him and for some reason, I don't protest, finding comfort in his embrace instead. “Oh?” He drawls, hoarse voice dipping into a lazy baritone that stirs something low in my belly. “And how, pray tell, is my face forged, that you believe me otherworldly, fair maiden?”

Heat surges to my cheeks at the realization that I'd said that aloud. I part my lips to amend my drivel. “Forgive my impertinence. I meant only to express gratitude for your timely rescue, sire. Had you not intervened when you did, I would've strayed right off the cliff, lost in thought as I was.”

A slow, shrewd smirk tugs at one corner of his lips as his gaze sweeps over my frame. “There’s naught impertinent in my lovely mate offering me praise,” he murmurs. “Now tell me, little mate, what grave musings had you so ensnared that you nearly cast yourself to the fates?”

I blink, my thoughts screeching to a halt.

Mate?

“Wait—what did you just call me?” I ask, eyebrow furrowed, heartbeat stumbling in my chest.

The strange but striking man tilts his head, amber eyes glinting with unashamed pride. “You heard me true,” he says, voice rich and resolute. “You are mine, fair maiden. My mate. As I am yours.”

A loud gasp escapes me and I stagger back a step, leaving his grasp as his words strike like thunder in my skull. Mate?

That cannot possibly be…