Destined

Chapter One

Death is a simple thing. Everyone makes it so complicated with all their funerals and flowers and sobbing. We live we die. It's that simple. When someone dies just put them in the ground and move on. They are free of all the terrible horrendous things that happen in this world. That's why I'm never sad when someone I love dies. They are done, they don't have to deal with our world anymore.

But this time was different. It wasn't simple anymore. She wasn't simple. My heart is numb, broken. My twin sister is gone, murdered. That is why it's not simple anymore. Murder. Funny how one word can make all my views turn around, she was my other half.

The rain pattered gently against my umbrella as I watched my sister be lowered into the ground. Her friends and our family weeping loudly, mourning as we faced the grim reality that was my sister's murder. I could hear the heartbeats of the others in the forest surrounding the cemetery low whines filling my ears making my heart squeeze painfully. My father squeezes my shoulder and I glance up at him my green eyes void of any emotion.

"We have to stay with your mother. I know you want to be with the pack, but you will have to wait until tonight." He whispers his voice thick with authority and I nod slowly burying my anger deep inside myself. My pack needed me and he was forcing me away. My mother clung to my father desperately as he lead her through the gloom towards the car. I took one last look around the cemetery knowing I would never come back to this place of my own will. A flicker of movement in the distance catches my eye. A figure stood hiding in the shadows, they seemed to be watching me from under the branches of the large oak at the center of the large field peppered with headstones. I stared at the mysterious figure and it raised an arm saluting me before disappearing into thin air. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up and I take a step forward my eyes searching the cemetery for any sign of whoever it was. "Rhys come along."

My eyes flit to my father quickly before I make my way towards him my heels sinking into the soft ground beneath my feet. As I slip into the car my mother's grief overwhelms me. Her sobbing is uncontrollable while my father is silent ignoring her misery. I retreat into my mind cutting out the world thinking about Elaine. She was my best friend. The only person I trusted with my deepest secrets. Our small house was cold and lonely now. Her room remained untouched everything exactly the way she left it.

The car slid to a stop and I slipped from the car flitting down the sidewalk into my parent's home silently. My grandmother stood in the kitchen stirring something on the stove humming quietly while my grandfather sat on a stool at the counter. He glanced up nodding at me slightly. I nod in his direction and slip into the living room yanking off my heels. Tossing them to the floor I collapse on the couch curling up and block out the world. The rest of the afternoon flies by in a blur of condolences and answering the door to receive yet another casserole.

"Rhys." My father hisses and I stand up quickly my eyes meeting his. "You may go. Be careful."

I nod and grab my heels slipping out the front door. My bare feet slap against the wet ground steam rising where my hot skin met the cool concrete. I don't bother changing clothes when I arrive home simply stripping down until I was nude before slipping outside into the darkness. Sprinting across the back yard I relish the icy air against my skin, before leaping into the air and phasing quickly. Before my paws even hit the ground my mind is filled with the overwhelming grief of my pack mates. The strongest being that of Samuel, Elaine's mate. His heart and soul was shattered. I whine and sprint through the forest searching for him. My heart lurches when I burst into the clearing. He sat alone in the rain shivering as he howled in anguish. I make my way towards him slowly and nudge his shoulder with the tip of my nose. He sniffs turning to look at me.

I'm sorry Samuel. I should have been there. She told me she could handle him. I should have stayed. I whimper and he leans down nuzzling his wet cheek against mine.