Mated to the Enemy

Prologue 1.1

            Four year old Arabella skipped down the halls of the pride's main house in search of her friend, Luca. They had decided to play hide n seek to escape the boredness of their lives. She passed her father's office, hearing the faintest whisper of her father and her uncle Malik.

"I don't care, Malik. I want her safe just as much as you do, but with all these weres so close to the border..."

"Arabella, I can smell you." Her father said quietly, making her jump and turn to scury away, only a set of familiar arms wrapped around her waist and lifted her in the air, causing her to giggle.

"Daddy!"

"Hello, Bella. Now what are you doing snooping around hmm?"

"I was looking for Luca! We're playing hide n seek!"

"Aah I see." He looked at her brown eyes and sighed, setting her down and patting her bum to signal her to run off and finish her game.

          Arabella came around the corner of the third hallway and screamed when Luca jumped out in front of her. Luca was at least a year or two older than her and considered Arabella as his little sister that he needed to protect. Arabella scowled at him as he rolled around on the floor laughing. Once he stopped he kissed her forehead and they linked hands.

"Forgive me?" He asked, giving her the eyes that always seemed to get her to forgive him. She nodded and they were off, playing their usual games of tag and ring-around-the-rosie.

         Luca hugged Arabella to his chest as she slept soundly in his arms on the couch. She had fallen asleep while watching Aladdin with him. He wished, just as Aladdin wished, to be a prince for his Arabella. She was his, in his mind, even as an eight year old boy, he was sure of it that she was his. She was his sister by heart, and one day, even his mate. But he knows he cannot decide that for himself, the moon goddess will do as she wishes, only he wishes that she will be his. She moved in her sleep, her hair sticking to her cheek as she laid her head in his lap. He subconsciously moved her hair out of her face and turned his attention back to the movie. The part where they're on the magic carpet ride. Luca imagined taking Arabella on a magic carpet, in the sky, with her so close to him, where their hands connected. His thoughts were interrupted when his mother came in the room and awed at the sight before her. She snapped a picture and walked over to the two.

"Luca, baby, it's time to go home."

"Can't I stay the night? Please?" He used the same eyes again that worked on Ara every time, making his mother chuckle and nod.

"Alright, but you be good for Alpha John and Luna Kate."

"I will momma." She kissed him on the forehead and walked away with his father, Malik. Malik is not Ara's blood relative, he is the beta of the pack and just so happens to be her best friend's dad, causing him to be an uncle-like figure to her.

          Soon, Luca found his eyes drooping closed and being lifted into the arms of Luna Kate, while Ara was being carried by Alpha John. They were placed in Ara's bed and tucked in tight. Arabella scooted closer to Luca and he wrapped his arms around her, falling into a deep sleep.