Chapter 8

"You should sleep, princess," Beth, one of the sparks said. She was laying on top of her head, while, Mac was sitting on her shoulder. The three of them were inside the small nipa hut that was beside the house. Whenever she wants to think or conceptualize, this hut was her place.

"I know, Beth," she just replied. She looked at the envelope and tried not to cry. Her dad would be laughing at her if he was still alive. The thought itself made tears gather faster in her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she slowly opened the envelope and read the letter inside.

My dear Ri,

If you are reading this, it means that your mom and I are already in the afterlife. I am sorry, my darling daughter for leaving you all alone. Your mother has foreseen the events even before you were born and it was the only way to keep you safe.

"Mom," she whispered, as she bit her lip, trying her best not to cry.

I would love to teach you as the only Alter Dire of our heritage, but Fate has other ideas. And all I can do is watch over you from above. Your mom's Sparks will help you. They will be guiding you to the world of the Alter. You just need to have full trust in them... And the man who delivered the letter to you too.

I know my child, you are confused, asking why will I trust a man I have seen only once.

She laughed. It was exactly what was happening. She shook her head and continued reading.

Rooka is a fine young man. He is an Alpha and will do everything for his people. He was the man who gave you a plater of your favorite brownies when we went to their country. You were so happy, my Ri. And that act of selflessness made him the perfect man to accompany you back to the WereWolves Stronghold in Scotland.

It is time for you to be part of the Council. It is your right as the only living Alter Dire wolf. And your right, because, it is our seat. Not my brother but yours. He will guide you. With the in and outs of the political world. So don't fear. You are a born leader.

"I can't be a leader dad. I just can't."

Don't sell yourself short, my daughter. You have that fire in you, you just need to trust yourself.

Listen, I want you to burn the house where we live in. Burn everything. I know it will be painful, but it must be done. There are five small vials where you need to put some of the leftover ash. Fill them, and scatter them to the places where we have visited. Yes, I know, your mom made me do it. Don't ask me why.

She laughed, seeing his dad roll his eyes in frustration.

Lem will help you, there are people who you should have met, but we decided it was not time yet. Now, you have to do it without us.

You are our light, Serena. When we thought we will not be blessed again, you came. Our little ray of light. Do not lose that shine. Be strong, be brave, you can be whoever you want to be. But never suppress yourself. Be you.

If you feel like everything is going downhill, turn to Rooka. Don't question the need. Because I know you will. When that doubt comes, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and search for a red string in your consciousness. Trust it... Don't hide your feelings, my child. It will take time, just keep that door open.

Khalid will have another letter. This time it will be from your mom. His wife is the same as your mom, she will help you too.

I wish I get to hold you one last time. I wish to see you smile, grow...but it is not meant to be. We have avoided our deaths for as long as we can. I am sorry..so sorry.

I love you, Serena.

Dad

The pain was too much. It was like opening the wound and pouring alcohol on it. She leaned her head on the wall of the hut. Trying so hard to stop the tears. But some still escaped. She took several deep breaths. I cannot cry, I have to be strong. I need to be strong, she thought.

Mac and Beth watched helplessly as their princess cried. All they can do is lean their tiny heads on her and let the waves of sadness flow through her.

Megan stood outside the hut. She knows her friend needed to be alone and it hurts her more that she is unable to do anything. "Rena," she called out. "Dad was able to buy the beach near the house. You should see it... I know it's not much, but I remember how Uncle Mac liked that beach. I had to persuade dad and it's a good thing he did. I'm here, bhe." After that, she walked away leaving Serena with her thoughts.

~~~~

It took almost the whole afternoon for her to have the courage to walk to the forest behind the house and get to the beach. As soon as she stepped on the warm sand, she lifted her face and welcomed the incoming night breeze. When she was little, she always wondered why her parents liked the twilight. As she grew older, she began to see why.

The transition from light to darkness was amazing. As the sun sets and stars started to appear in the sky. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

I wish he was here to see this, she thought. Then she frowned, realizing she was thinking of a man she barely know. As if summoned by her thoughts, he stepped out from the dense forest and scanned the shoreline. As if he was trying to find signs of danger.

It was the first time she gave in to the temptation and studied him. He was taller than her, his hair cut short. His jaw was covered with a beard but it looked more like a few days' growths of facial hair. Not enough to be called a full beard. He had this bad boy/good boy look on him that was impossible to ignore. His eyes would twinkle whenever he smiles. From his angular face to the strong column of his neck, the width of his powerful shoulder, and his muscled thighs. Her eyes traced his body underneath his black muscle tee and dark jeans. He was powerful in the true male form.

His gaze landed on her. There was heat in his eyes. The kind that she only read in books. He slowly walked towards her. Goosebumps appeared on her skin. She took a step back, thinking he will stop, but he didn't. All she did was close her eyes.

She felt him stop in front of her. She can feel his power as an Alpha. Serena felt his breath on her ear, then he whispered, "Open your eyes, Serena."

She wanted to refuse, but a part of her slowly open her eyes and locked her gaze on his. She can feel it. His other half. The wolf was sharing his body. She licked her dry lips, causing him to follow its movement.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm not sure," he replied. Reaching out to touch the vein on her neck that was beating fast because of him. His thumb absently caressed the spot. " One minute I was sleeping, the next a force was pulling me here. I could smell the sea and your scent. So I followed it."

His head started to decent, with their lips mere inches apart, Serena asked, "what are you going to do?"

"Something I badly wanted to do, the moment I heard your heartbeat."

"What?"

"This."

He kissed her.