Hidden Stones

CHAPTER 1 | A Letter Sent at Midnight

Two years later and still a few months away from the Season...
ADRIANNA

The cold breeze came in from the window, making the curtains sway aimlessly. The soft light of the moon lightens up a part of my room. While watching the curtains move, I lay uncomfortably on my bed, focused on trying to forget about the Prince who came for my hand just a few days ago.

It seems like he was really confident that he would eventually be my king. He did not say it, but I could see it in his eyes. The first time that he called me, after a day he sent the message, I was curious. In the letter he said that, he wants my hand for marking. And that's the only thing written on the expensive parchment he sent.

But he's not it. He's not the man I saw two years ago.

The elders said that meeting your mate would be the most memorable day of a wolf's life. And by the books I've read, you'll feel connected right away just by looking at each others eyes. For the eyes reveals the soul. And the wolf.

The mark thing completes the bond and also the mating. But the first real step is recognition. When both wolves stare for the first time, their wolves would recognize the other as its other half. And from that, the need to complete the bond would increase each passing day. It would never stop until the bond's complete.

And love. They would instantly care, instantly love each other. Like a very old fairy tale. They could not bear to leave each other' side.

Since the day I saw my mate, my need to see him each day grows stronger and stronger. It even hurts. The only thing that keeps me sane is my vernica amulet.

I was able to have one that is stronger than my bracelet a few years back. A few days after the night I saw my mate, the longing was unbearable. It was this feeling in my gut that feels so hollow and it was beginning to become hard to keep it a secret from my family and Myra. So one busy day, I took from Myra's stash of stones. I took a lot actually. I asked old Mike to put them all together for me in secret. So as a result, I wear the amulet every day. It has everything to keep me sane and safe. I only took the stones I read about, the stones that I think would help me.

I replaced the bracelet with the moon-shaped necklace and It worked. The moment I wore it, I felt how swiftly it suppresses my bond to my mate to help lessen the need.

Knock. Knock.

I stared at the door for a second. Then at the clock.

What could be the reason for someone to knock at this time of day?

I thought about telling the one outside my door to come in but I did feel like stretching my legs as well, so why not open the door myself. So I slipped into my slippers. I grabbed my robe from a nearby chair and wrapped it around me. Walking towards the door, I suddenly felt scared.

'There's something wrong' my wolf instinct tells me.

Way to make me feel more frightened, wolf side of me. Aren't you supposed to make me feel brave?

'The knock bothers me. It's midnight. No one is allowed to walk through the palace after 10.'

A prank maybe?

'Maybe it's your friend, Myranda'

You know she wants to be called Myra. Well, perhaps she is feeling bored right now. She is known to do these kind of things.

I shake my head, I'm talking to my wolf again. People will think I'm crazy.

Before I was able to open the door. A note slipped under my room's massive mahogany doors.

My brows came together. Myra hates to write. She said its too tiring. When you're a high witch, perhaps it is when you can just deliver messages telepathically. 

I picked the note up.

What a coincidence. Its the same type of paper that the Southern Prince used.

MEET ME BY THE SOUTH FOUNTAIN. TOMORROW AT MIDNIGHT. I'LL BE WAITING...

Goosebumps rose through my arms. He's pretty persistent, isn't he. 

How did he manage to get into the palace? Nobody but Eastern wolves are allowed here. When father arranges a meeting with other kingdom's wolves, everyone is alert. Everyone's awake.

Maybe he asked an eastern to slip this in my room? As I thought about it, I scoffed.

Eastern wolves hate southern wolves as well as the other kingdoms. I knew that in another kingdom, they also hate the rest of the kingdoms except the one they belong to.

But he's a Prince.

That gave more a reason that my people wouldn't  obey him.

All I can say other than our kingdom being powerful and strong is that we connect with our people with just and fairness and they reciprocate these with their loyalty. 

But the real question is, must I go, or must I not?

I gave the parchment another look.

Why is he so stubborn?

We both know we're not destined to be.

I must talk to him. Tell him right in his face that I'm not his.

'Dangerous, Adrianna.' my wolf warns.

I know.