Duty, Love and Sacrifice

Chapter One

SARA

We know you've seen it. TELL US!

...I...don't...

SMACK!

Casper...just hold on...

This isn't your fault, I

Casper, Casper! CASPER!

And like every other night, I opened my eyes in alert, adjusting to the darkness that consumed my room as I panted in the pool of my sweat. Glancing to the side and seeing 5:00 am written boldly, I decided to screw sleep and take my mind off the nightmare that has made itself a part of my life. Dressing in shorts and a bra top, along with a canvas, all black, I step outside and begins my running routine around the pack; half staying in shape and half using my senses to keep an eye out for intruders. Once the ten laps are over, I take a break to study the defences in the area, checking the gates, the magical defence and the herbs placed to protect the pack from attackers. It was the same in every other pack for protection from people that were not permitted to enter. When I was sure that nothing had gotten through, I head to the fighting arena and use a doll to get out my pent-up frustration.

Three years...It's been three years since I found my way back to civilization; three years since I was taken by some unknown people; three years since I heard the cunny laughter of Casper when he was up to no good. The memory pained me, causing me to hit the doll too hard and smashing it to pieces. Uncle \laden will not be happy that I had broken yet another training gear. This was all pointless, I thought. I should be in the capital, enhancing my training to protect the rest of the royal family from any more danger; something I swore to do with my life when I turned seven, taking my fathers' place. I had felt like a failure for the past three years and was determined to make up for my weakness. As if calling to me, the mark tingled on my arm, a symbol that no one had ever seen before; something that her captors left. When Miriam had tried using the mark to find Casper, we realized that at the expense of seeing them, they could see me, making me a liability to anybody, even the royal family. It was why I left; still remembering that night vividly.

"I'm leaving for a while", she voiced to the King of werewolves, in the confines of his study. It was midnight and every other person had retired for the night. The king had looked up at her, studying her composure as she looked at him with resolve in her eyes.

"Why?"

"The mark on my arm. It gives access to my captors to see what I see. The more I look into them, they look into me. I'm a danger to the palace". The king placed his hands on the table and sighed heavily.

"What of Miriam? Can't she take it off?"

"I told her not to. It's the only lead I have to Casper". The king banged his palm on the table standing.

"When are you going to give up this foolish chase?!"

"I don't plan to. I can still feel him"

"So, you're saying the rest of us have given up"

"I never said that. If those people that took Casper are really threats, they might be back and I have to find them before they find us". The king walks up to her.

"You're really your fathers' daughter. You're too stubborn when you're on a quest...but you have a duty to princess Cara"

"I pledged my life to Prince Casper". The king knew that there was nothing to do to stop me. He turned away and faced the window, watching the moon above.

"Do as you please"

"Tell Cara that I'm sorry", and in a blink, she had disappeared, heading into the night along with Miriam as they left the kingdom two years ago, not looking back.