Chosen

Chapter Eight

   I had been here for about six months now. I adjusted slowly to everything. It was odd being taken care of so well, not worrying about being beaten for doing something the wrong way. Cat and I had gotten really close, she was easy to get along with. Axels mother was kind and just like Cat, though she did overwhelm me from time to time. I hadn't met their father yet. My first night here, Axel had gone to explain to him everything and since then he either locked himself away or has been off on business. I was sheltered here, kept from the eyes of the staff and other royal pack members so I could heal.
    After having been here a few days, Blake and Cat had a healer come look at me. They needed to know the extent of the damage done to me, physically and mentally. In order to know what they were dealing with, how much time I would need before finishing the mating process and taking my place as queen, they needed to know the extent of my injuries. I remember the shock and sadness on Cats face when the doctor told her the physical damage. The ones that would never heal. However, my deepest wounds were from the mental trauma from everything. I begged them not to tell Axel, Cat promised they wouldn't yet.
    Sighing, I tipped my head back and let the sun warm my skin. Axel. He'd been gone for two months with his father. I missed him. We barely spent time together but I still missed him. It had to be the mark.
"Addy!"
    Cat shouted and waved at me, excitedly. From the look on her face, I was sure she had some news. She was beaming. I stood up from my spot in the garden and brushed the dirt from the gown I was wearing. In the time I had arrived I had grown. My hair was longer, my body filled out. I looked like a woman instead of a child. This growth had happened in the last month since Axel had left.
"What is it, Cat?"
"Axel is coming home! They'll be back in time for dinner!"
    She squealed and jumped up and down. Axel coming back meant Blake was back. Alice walked over with a smile and I blushed. She was kind. She and Dr. Benning helped me through the mental trauma. Learning that she had also been through what I had helped. I had someone to understand.
"You're ready to be his queen. You no longer are a child. Your trauma does not define you. You are the Kings chosen. It's time to be his queen." 
    She held my hands in hers and smiled at me. I nodded and walked to my room. I needed to get ready for dinner. Axel wouldn't recognize me. I was no longer the broken girl he brought with him. I slipped into the emerald colored gown and moved to my make up and hair next. Cat had taught me quite a bit since I was brought here. I finished and stood in the mirror, staring at myself. I looked more mature. I was ready to be the mate he needed. My door opened and in walked Cat, holding Blake's hand with a grin on her face. Blake stared at me wide eyed and shocked.
"Adalynn.... is... is that really you?"
"Welcome back, Blake. Cat missed you."
    I giggled and Blake grinned at me. He looked amazed. I knew I looked healthy now and strong. Cat walked over to me, holding something behind her back. I watched her curiously. She smiled at me, her eyes holding excitement.
"Close your eyes for a moment."
    I did as she said and sunk to my knees. Cat placed something on my head and squealed in delight.
"Open your eyes. But don't get up."
     I did as she said and watched her leave the room, skipping. I looked at Blake and he shook his head. Cat was such a child sometimes and we got along amazingly. I bit my lip and stared in the mirror. On my head, sat a small silver tiara with small emeralds through the intricate design. I gasped and stared at myself wide eyed. My emerald eyes shone brightly with unshed tears. It was still a shock to see myself look so healthy and grown up.
"Catherine. I swear to God, if you don't tell me where she is right...."
    That voice. Axel. Cat was bringing him to me. I felt my face heat up as I blushed.   My heart began to beat fast and I trembled in excitement and anxiety.
"Relax, Axel. She's in here."
    I heard Cat giggle as she knocked on the door. I took a deep breath and looked at the floor, biting my lip. Blake chuckled.
"Catherine. Stop teasing your brother!"
    I heard Alice scold her with a giggle. I dug my nails in my palm, nervous. Would he still want me? Would he know it was me? I held my breath as the door opened and in walked Cat, with Axel right behind her. His eyes landed on me and he looked at me in complete shock.
"I...... little one.... you've changed."
    He whispered, sinking to his knees in front of me. He cupped my chin in his hands and ran his thumb along my lips gently. He looked completely shocked. I bit my lip and his eyes darkened. He leaned closer and inhaled, taking in my scent.
"Don't do that, little one. Let's go to dinner."
   He helped me to my feet, his eyes never leaving mine. I glanced at Cat who smiled at me as she left the room with Blake. Axel grabbed my hand and led me forward. His touch sent sparks flying through me and it still confused me. Anytime I had asked someone they refused to answer me. It got frustrating and I stopped asking. Finally it occurred to me, I could just ask Axel. Maybe he would tell me. Or he might tell me he would explain someday but not today. We walked into the dining room and Axel sat me down next to him.
"Adalynn, are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
    Axels mother stood up and ran into the arms of a man I had never seen before.
"Alice, my love."
    So this had to be Axels father. Alice buried her head in his chest, much like I did with Axel when I was first brought here. The man kissed her forehead and walked her to her seat.
"Papa. How was the trip?"
"Catherine. It was fine. We accomplished the training your brother and Blake needed."
   Cat hummed in response and wove her fingers through Blake's with a smile. She adored her mate. I hope someday Axel would come to love me like Blake loved Cat. I bit my lip, and stared at my hands in my lap. I still had moments where I panicked but I had gotten better. Therapy had helped immensely. The man turned his attention to me suddenly.
"And, you are?"
"I-I... My name is Adalynn Rose."
"Ah! Your the she wolf my son chose at the ceremony this year! What was your rank before?"
"I was an omega from Rivermist."
"Omega? Son, you chose an omega?"
     My breath caught in my throat and I peeked at Axel, who was watching me cautiously.
"I did. There was something about her, father."
"What condition did she arrive here in?"
"Papa... it's not something Addy likes to talk about. She's doing well now. Therapy and time have helped heal her."
    My hands fisted in my gown and I felt myself begin to tremble. I felt my eyes sting as panic began to surface. I hadn't had a panic attack in quite some time.
"Catherine. I don't particularly care if she doesn't like to discuss that. It's important to know so I know where her mental status is. If she's still in shambles she will not make a fit mate."
    I sprang to my feet and everyone looked at me shocked. I took a deep breath and stared at Axels father.
"Just because I was an omega does not mean I am worthless. Nor does it mean I am weak. I have struggled my entire life. I-I wanted to die. Before Axel brought me here... I would gladly have let Alpha Mark kill me. But now, I want to live. And... I have worked past my traumas. I will always carry the memories and mental scars with me. Those are part of me. Even the ones left on my body. I am not weak."
    The man smiled and I started sobbing. Axel stood up and wrapped his arms around me with a sigh, pulling me into his chest. The room was silent from my outburst.
"You, my dear, are perfect for him."
     I buried my head in Axels chest, sobbing. I hadn't broken down like this in months. I felt Axel tighten his arms and pull me into his lap, as he rubbed my back and kissed my forehead.
"What did Alpha Mark do to you? I'm curious."
    I stiffened in Axels arms and glanced at Cat, she turned pale and Alice glared at her mate. I stared at the man shocked. That was very forward and rude to ask.
"H-he.... would beat me, starve me. Alpha Mark deprived me of the basic things often. He would often tell me how weak I was, how worthless and ugly. O-one t-time he d-drug a knife across m-my collarbone. The k-knife w-was s-silver. Coated in wolfsbane."
    Axels arms tightened again as I traced the light scar on my collarbone. I moved to the one just above my breast.
"This one... I had dropped a plate. So... he b-branded me. More wolfsbane. A-and the o-one on m-my h-hip....h-he... h-he.... I can't. I'm sorry. I... not yet."
    I began to cry again, frightened. The pain from each memory flooding me. Alpha Mark had used his claws on me that time. Over and over and over. I almost died that day.
"Enough father. Even I don't know the extent of what that Alpha did to her. Let the girl be."
  Axel snarled, clearly agitated that his father had upset me so much. I yawned and felt my eyes grow heavy. I was exhausted.
"Is therapy helping Adalynn?"
"Yes. It's helped a lot. I'm tired, so you'll need to excuse me."
   I stood up from Axels lap and walked out of the dining hall to my room. Instead of undressing, I just collapsed on the bed and fell asleep.