hey guys!
new book up today..im so excited..i promise this one is goin to be better..and longer! but that wouldnt be hard! xD hope you like it..ill post the next chapter as soon as i can....enjoy!
emma :) x
Breathe. In. Out. In. Out. Focus. Lifting my bow I lined it up with my unsuspecting prey. 3...2...1..release. Smiling proudly to myself I tied up my fresh caught stag, hauling him up onto my horse, El Diablo. I had seen Diablo at a Market day in the town center, a massive Frisian stallion with as big an ego as I had. Falling in love with him instantly I bartered for him with his owner, he cost me 3 chickens a rabbit and my silver plated belt buckle, but now I can shoot down much larger prey like the stag today so I've made back twice as much as he cost me. Returning to my quaint walled village I called into Freya, the village butcher. We had been doing business for years so I knew she would do the stag justice allowing me to get the best price for it's meat. After I'd gotten my money for the meat I called into Joseph. He was my number one customer for strawberries, fresh and juicy from the forest. "thanks Rodi!" Josef shouted as I left his tiny tatched hut. Smiling I led Diablo back through the town waving at people as I passed, their stunned faces never ceased to amaze me. I guess this is the part where I tell you that my name is Aphrodite but everyone calls me Rodi, I live in Bowerstone a small village encircled by a massive stone wall at the foot of a mountain which our castle is built into - yes, I am a princess. Don't judge me for that though, I'm not your average princess, for starters Im a keen hunter, I'm by no means your stereo-typical girlie princess and ohh, I'm a shifter.
Returning Diablo to his stable I patted him goodnight and made my way to the castle entrance "hey Brutus!" I yelled, slamming my fist against the massive timber doors. "let me in, it's me Rodi!" slowly the door was opened and Brutus' head popped out, "m'lady" he greeted me, for such a massive man he was very polite. Strolling to my room - I should really be more careful, my parents think I'm their perfect little princess and I'd never leave the village boundaries, let alone hunt. How wrong they are!
Changing for dinner, I removed my usual beige and brown leather hunting dress and leather boots and got into a dusty pink floor length dress and pink flat sandals. "ouch, Feena! Loosen my corset!" I gasped. "I'm going to smother "sorry m'lady" she muttered, fumbling with the silk laces. These dresses are always so uncomfortable, whale bone corsets, layers and layers of heavy materials and then all the frilly, flowery, lacy trim. I'd much rather be back in my hunting gear. Gliding down the massive marble stairs towards the dining room I bumped into my stable hand, Rhydian. sending the mess of brushes in his arms flying in all directions. He was 18 as far as i knew and usually worked in the stables always taking immaculate care of El Diablo. He was at least 6 foot 5", with scruffy jet black hair and sparkling emerald green eyes. "sorry m'lady" he mumbled bending down at the same time as me to pick up what he dropped, looking up our eyes met sending shivers down my spine like a bolt of electricity, and his too from the way his back shivered. "I'm sorry for hitting off you" I mumbled pushing the brushes against his chest. "it was entirely my fault" striding away I kept my head down, god knows I looked as red as a tomato now! "How could he be my mate?" I wondered to myself. Not trying to sound snobby or anything, but what were my parents going to say when they found out my mate is a stable hand? Pushing it to the back of my mind for now continued on my way to the dining hall, stopping outside it's massive doors I took a breath, gathering myself before I entered. Pushing in the giant door I slapped on my best fake smile "mother, father!" I beamed as I took my seat. "how are we this fine evening?" "just fine darling!" my mother chirped, my mother was always too happy. She only became this fake smiley person after my brother died, before that she was actually normal. It annoyed me immensely and we constantly fought, whereas with my father he hardly spoke, you see I wasn't always an only child. I had an older brother zachary, he was supposed to take over the running of the our village once he had found his mate at 18. But he was killed by a pack of rogue shifters while out on patrol, my father was left numb. Zachary had been the apple of my fathers eye, when he died my father became very distant only speaking when he was asked something or when he had to act that everything was ok when entertaining guests. I knew he despised me, I had to take over his clan when he stepped down in a matter of weeks, my downfall. I wasn't Zachary and I am a girl. I would be the first woman to take over the running of a clan since, well ever. finishing my meal I excused myself and returned to my room, my mind bursting with questions about my newfound mate. Unfortunately for me I turn 18 in a matter of days and when a female shifter turns 18 her scent becomes much stronger, allowing her mate to find her easier. In less than a week Rhydian would be driven crazy by my scent, unable to be away from me our secret will come out. Whether my parents liked it or not. After what felt like hours of tossing and turning I fell into an uneasy, dream filled sleep.
"morning m'lady" chirped Feena as she threw open my curtains. Groaning I pulled the sheets over my head trying to go back to sleep, until something heavy was placed on my lap. Coming out from under the covers I was met by the most perfect green eyes imaginable, the only eyes that could make me feel like the only girl alive. Rhydian. Staring at me while he poured my tea he looked as confused as I did, maybe he didn't know? Surely he felt something? I suppose only time will tell. Come my 18th birthday a grand ball will be held in my honour, inviting every eligible male to join in the hopes of being my mate. All I'll have to do is smile look pretty and stare into their eyes all night. The door clicked shut snapping me back to reality, now completely alone I tuck into my breakfast eager to check the snares I set yesterday. Jumping out of bed I get into my clothes and head quietly out the front door, making sure I wasn't spotted by my parents. "good morning Diablo!" I whisper yelled patting his neck. Vaulting onto his back we trotted quietly out of the yard through the village and towards the forest. Hours later I returned with a sack full of rabbits, my new snares had worked a treat. Giving them in to the butchers I walked through the village with a bag of money in hand - I know your probably thinking that in selfish and don't need the money, but let me finish my sentence and you'll see! Turning down a small lane I made my way to the village market, buying everything and anything. Home made sweets, rope, new tack, a bow, arrows, anything I can find just to help my villagers. "m'lady!" I heard someone call from behind me as I strolled through the Market stalls. "m'lady, your parents called for you to return to the castle" said the guard. "alright, I'm on my way" I sighed, what did I do wrong now?
After returning home I made my way down our grand hall to the drawing room where my parents spent their evenings, reading books from our extensive library or watching the fire and listening to music. "Aphrodite!" my mother cheerily exclaimed beaming at me, as I entered the room. "darling we called you here to discuss your 18th birthday ball, were going to hold it in the main hall here at the castle and invite every eligible male shifter in this area to join us, all you have to do is look them in the eyes and occasionally touch their hands to see if the spark is there, ok sweetie?" "yes mother" I said smiling sweetly. "but what happens if say, he turns out to beeee.." I drag it out unsure on whether I should continue. "..a servant?" I finish. "well then" my father scoffed. "our newfound line of disappointing heirs will continue" anger flooded through me, my mate may not be perfect but he's still my mate and I will protract him no matter what. "I will show you one day father, I'm not the failure you think I am!" I shouted, staring him down, trying to bring out my inner tiger, -even though she wouldn't stir until the night of my 18th birthday.- desperately needing to show him I was strong enough to lead a pack. Striding out of the room I heard him laugh, his stone cold, heartless laugh and it chilled me to the bone.
