The Morning After 2

The sun was already out by the time Mariana left her room to go downstairs for breakfast. She still felt tired but there were questions that needed to be answered. She got to the dinning room and found her mother,grandmother and elder Charles waiting for her.

Her grandmother had made room arrangements for Branden and the elder. And apparently Branded had not yet left his room.

"Are you missing me already my queen?" Branden shamelessly said.

"I didn't say that,infact I did not even think it!" Mariana tried to cover up. "So you were dirty if it took you that long to get cleaned up." Mariana said.

"When am truly dirty it will be entirely your fault." Branden said.

These two were exchanging words like they were the only two people in the room. They had completely forgotten they had company. Jennifer exchanged glances with Melissa only to find her smiling . She was so enjoying this.

Charles cleared his throat to try and grab the attention of the two youngsters. Mariana realized what she and Branden were doing and she meekly went silent. Branden just smiled. 'ugh! He is so arrogant!' Mariana thought. 'As a king should be ' she heard, Branden had replied through the mind link. ' I can't wait to learn how to lock this mind thing' Mariana thought again and she noticed Branden's smile get wider as he took his seat.

The elder had the attention. What he didn't know is that the two were still exchanging words. Just that only the two could hear.

"The other elders will be here in not so long. There is still something that needs to be done to complete the transition. But before that we need to know about our king."

Mariana nodded,that was something she needed to know more than anything else.

" So do you need me to start now or should we have breakfast first." Branden said.

The confidence and attitude of this guy was starting to irk Mariana. She didn't know his good looks covered how arrogant he was.

"Can't we do both,eat while you talk." Mariana said sounding a little angry.

"I am sorry my queen,but I can't do that. I told you I need you to understand, so I can only do that when I have your full attention." He said. 'There he goes again with that,who is his queen?' Mariana thought.

'you are my queen.' Branden confidently said through the mind link.

"As you say my king,we shall talk after breakfast." Charles said which only made Mariana's anger rise. She didn't realize it but she started growling at Branden. It was a round table, Jennifer was sitting on the right side to her daughter and Branden was directly opposite to Mariana. Charles and Melissa were on the right and left of Branden respectively.

Everyone heard the growl. Jennifer almost stood up but Melissa assured her to stay put. Branden glowed his eyes at Mariana and somehow that made her calm down.

"What did you do?" Melissa asked

"I used the bond." Branden confidently answered.

After that nobody uttered a word. Breakfast was served and they ate silently. Mariana didn't think she would eat much considering Nigist had a meaty feast before she turned back. But she was hungry and she ate her fill quietly, except for the occasional glances she was exchanging with the annoying lion Infront of her.

When they were done,they all went to the living room so that they could finally get the answers to their many questions. As soon as everyone got settled in their seat, Mariana was the first to ask the question.

"So your majesty,..who are you really? From your accent,I can tell you come from the northern parts of the continent."

Branden squinted his eyes at her,he could feel the daggers in that question.

"My name is BRANDEN CALVIN,I am the leader of the Tewodros Tribe according to the ancient customs of the tribe. I was born twenty two years ago but fully awakened to my power only four years ago. Same age as Mariana.

I was raised in the ways of our people and therefore I have knowledge about our tradition more than most of you in this room. I was told about My queen after my awakening and I have done everything I could to find her, which I did about six months ago.

The first day the Awakening started happening for you Mariana,I felt it,and am sure you felt me as well. We share what is known as a mate bond which connects as more than just physically,it's more emotional,spiritual even. In the olden days,this bond helped the king and queen to be in sinc. Neither could make a decision without the other.

Our people once thrived but something happened that drove the clans apart. I wonder how much you know of our people elder Charles?"

"Well according to what was passed down in our family,our tribe was the most powerful in this continent. It consisted of supernaturals and that is what made it formidable. Invaders came and that is what broke our people, driving us from our ancestral land.

Our forefathers settled in this country and they had to forsake the ways of the tribe out of fear. It was a shameful decision because they were known to be the protectors of our people." Elder Charles explained.

"The story you were told only has half truths." Branden said

"The invaders did not brake the tribe,traitors did. Certain individuals started a riot stating that the shape shifters should not be the only ones leading the tribe.

They incited the clans to revolt against the king and queen at the time so that they could change the mantle of leadership and place it on whoever they saw fit. The shape shifter clan fought had to maintain the peace and leadership as it had been for over five hundred years. Defeated,they broke into two, one of the factions came here while the other stayed behind.

The traitors who had wanted nothing but power could not maintain the tribe as it had been. Some of the clans scattered while some followed your forefathers here. My parents who were high in the hierarchy remained and tried to keep our ways as much they could,though they did it in secret."

"Then there must be more to it than what you have told as. Who betrayed the clans,and why did they do it?" Charles asked.

"My parents promised to share more of what happened when I found Mariana. They said it would be better to discuss everything with all the parties present." Branden said

Irene came in and Bowed deep,she announced that the other elders had arrived. It was time to complete the ritual.

"So what is this ritual about?" Mariana asked.

"It is to mark your first shift and the creation of your bond." Charles stated looking at both Mariana and Branden.

"What bond! I hardly know this guy!"

Mariana exclaimed.

"Its sort of an engagement ceremony. We are to be married,though not right away." Branden answered her with a soft chuckle.

If Mariana could, she would have slapped that smug smile off his face,but for whatever reason, probably the so called bond,she couldn't.

Charles broke the banter by telling everyone to head to the sacred tree.