After grabbing my bag I managed to meet Zena at the front door of Theo's home. Without a word she grabbed my duffle bag stuffed it into the trunk of her car, I managed to slide in to her vehicle and then we were speeding off. Half way down the ridiculously long drive way I found tissues in her glove box, cigarettes and a lighter. Zena was the sister I wish I had growing up, she knew this happened regularly and had me prepared, not that I smoked on a regular but that these Pall Mall cigarettes seemed to lessen the ache and help me talk when in the state I was drowing in.
It was my own fault really.. I had agreed with Kyla that I would not sleep with Theo. And truthfully we only slept together on the night of our mating ceremony. Since then I have felt his infidelity more often, at times only once a week.. more recently the unbearable pain was happening daily. Although Theo kept to his word and never staked his claim over me, in the werewolf community this is unheard of, I was Luna.. but not really. I could walk away or die tomorow and no one would feel the loss of a Luna due to not having the bond I should have through the mark and mating ceremony.
As I lit my cigarette and took a long drag, I swiped at my tears. Zena's eyes were fixed on the road, if steam could toot out of her ears im sure now would be the time.
"I'm sorry" I say feeling guilty for constantly relying on Zena.
"Never, ever be sorry. You are my best friend, my sister at heart. You say the word and he's dead." She continued driving and took out a smoke for herself and lit it.
I couldn't help but chuckle a little despite the pain. I believed her, Zena and I were some of the packs best combat warriors, we had trained since young pups thanks to both our fathers firm belief in self defense and the talk of "I won't always be around to protect you".
I noticed Zena was a little more on edge than usual. Riah was at the surface almost as if Zena was fighting for control, her eyes kept flickering from her hazel eyes to Riahs silver colored eyes, both were stunning.
We had arrived at my parents beautiful home where I had grown up. I glanced at Zena when I saw her parents car was parked in the drive. "Is everything okay? Your parents are here and you seem on edge?" I asked a little nervously.
"Girl you know i dont hide shit from you, I couldn't even if I tried. Riah's got this uncomfortable feeling, it doesn't even make sense. But let's go inside and straighten things out."
As we hesitantly walked up the driveway towards the front door we heard shouting. I paused mid step when I realised it was my mum shouting.. and Zena's dad my uncle although not blood related uncle Are has always been in our family, he was a kind gentle soul that never raised his voice. Somthing felt off.. I glanced at Zena to gage a reaction, she looked tense so we stood there ears dropping like twelve year olds instead of the 24 year olds we were.
"No Arti, you can't keep this from them any longer! Dont you see? They must know the truth! We will perish if this carries on! And while they are not mated it's not safe! Do you know how many wolves have come to my home sniffing around?! I've already killed three for trying to enter her bedroom window for fucks sake!"
The tone changed. " I'm so sorry Are.. I know you hate putting an end to life unnecessarily, I just wanted to protect them a little longer they are still so young compared to our many, many years."
As if knowing we were ears dropping like two twelve year olds instead of two twenty four year olds, Zena with a guilty expression opened the door and stepped inside through to the kitchen leaving the door open for me to follow. My mind was still trying to piece together what that conversation was about.
My mum Arti was the first to greet me, one look at my face and I knew she knew why I was here. No questions asked just the longest embrace, almost as though she needed this more than me.
"Come into the lounge my baby we should talk" she said with a sniffle and led me by the hand.
I could feel there were others in the lounge, as I walked through the doorway to our lounge I was quickly embraced by a large wall, it was my dad, he must have felt my mums distress through thier bond.
"My twinkle, say the word." He quietly pleaded.
"Dad I'm okay". I offered a small smile that I didn't feel from my heart.
"That's enough my chief" my mum gave him a warning look and offered me a cool glace of water.
Grandma Thena came to embrace me after dad. Her touch was always warm and welcoming she always smelled of perfectly baked cookies. "I know granddaughter, hopefully we can shed some light today" she gave me this knowing look as if she knew exactly how I felt. She led me to the couch where she sat next to me and Zena on the other side of her.
"Girls I'd like you to meet your aunts- my sisters". I took a look around the living room and realised it was packed Zena's parents, two women almost identical to my own mum were standing across the room, Kyla's parents and my grandparents were cramped into our living room.
My mum gestured to the weirdos standing while everyone else was sitting comfortably.
I was settling in on the couch- when she said that and quickly snapped my head back up. I immediately whipped my head over to my dad then back to mum, both were looking highly uncomfortable. My mum was turning beet red. I looked for clarification towards Grandma Thena but the old women started shaking. What in the actual fuck was happening.. I stared in shock not knowing if anyone else was seeing and hearing what I had just heard and now grandma was fucking shaking and everyone seemed so chill about it. I leaned over to look at Zena and she too was staring at grandma Thena. We both touched her arm one on each side trying to reassure the old women, but instead her eyes rolled till there was only white showing then they went gold and silver one on each side. In an ethereal voice loud and clear she declared-
"Three who are born of three,
one will rise to lead the golden eyes.
She who betrays will endure death.
She who seeks truth will find the answer in her mate.
All lead but the golden eyes will endure many battles to come as will the lineage left behind long after."
Grandma Thena's eyes closed and then she slumped as though exhausted, Zena and I checked her pulse and then stared at each other. I looked up to see if our parents had understood that weird riddle.
I locked eyes with my mum and one of the aunts who gave me a knowing look. I then whispered shouted to Zena-" what in the fuck is happening?!"