Twisted Souls

The sunset is beautiful.

As I looked out my window watching the sunset, all I could think of was what the purple hue of the skies would look like if I was standing on the Highlands peak.

Yes, I love the view. And from my vantage point, I can see as far as the Borderlands separating the Human Court from the Craywroth Clan. I can even see the white grass peak of the Highlands beyond the Borderlands as they give off a golden glow under the sunset.

But that is just about it. I'm still holed up in my father's mansion; I can't even tell if the view is the best like Monica said. I don't even know what the front gate of the manor looks like.

A sigh escaped my lips as I dreamt of a life I could never have. Wishing for something, just one thing, that I can truly call my own.

"It's a beautiful sunset, isn't it?" An all too familiar voice said closely behind me and an involuntary smile spread across my lips.

"Uhm, it is a beautiful sunset," I mumbled softly, as my Mom's arms wrapped around my neck from behind.

I can feel her smiling as her warm breaths caress my cheek

"I love this time of day," She said with a whisper.

All I can do is smile in contentment.

I rearrange myself on the chair as Mom starts redesigning my braids into elegant floral patterns.

Just like Mom said, I love this time of day. Although I'm not allowed away outside, Father keeps my daily routine so clustered I always find myself strained.

But as Mom's fingers picked my braids, it felt like all my worries were gone.

"What did I tell you about being in tune with your surroundings?"

I snapped my eyes open as my father's gruff voice sounded behind me. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't irritated as I stood to my feet to face him;

"First rule of etiquette, father, you don't barge into someone else's privacy," I said with a deep frown.

"I can barge wherever I want." He said, looking around my room;

"Where's Laila?"

I instinctively looked around too. Just like always, Mom has disappeared and I didn't even notice her leave.

Seriously, I hate it when she does that. But I hate it more when Father asks me where she is.

"Maybe if you hadn't made it very clear you don't want her remotely close to you, You'd know where your wife is."

"You are getting more annoying these days Alessia; it's getting old," Father said, coming up to stand less than a foot from me. And despite myself, I automatically stand at attention like a stupid robot.

Worse, I can't even hold his gaze for longer than three seconds.

His finger hooks my chin and guides me to look him in the eyes. I must admit, I am a spitting image of my father. His gray hair and even his flat nose, I've got it all.

"Uhm," He mumbled.

"Did Laila redesign your braids?" He asked and all I could do was nod as he turned my head left and right before letting go.

"It's pretty, don't redesign it again."

"Wait what? What do you mean 'don't redesign it'?" He remained silent.

I want to yell at him but experience says it's a very bad idea, especially after he just complimented me. I learned that lesson the hard way.

"This is all Mom and I have," I said softly yet firmly.

"Every minute of every day I spend it doing what you say how you say it. You can't take this away from me, Father."

I saw his lips twitch a little, but he didn't quite smile. He nods and says;

"You're getting married tomorrow, and your braids look perfect."

"You are kidding," I said simply.

But of course, he's not kidding; Momoa Cara Rivers never jokes about important things.

He never jokes at all.

- This had better be another lesson -

"Please tell me this is another lesson," I said out loud.

"This is another lesson, right?"

"Monica will come to fill you in on the details; sleep early; tomorrow is going to be a long day."

With that, he turned around, leaving me confused and at a loss.

Yes, I know in my prime and this is probably the best time to get married. But I don't have a suitor, I've never even had a boyfriend.

The only men in my life are my father and Old Jon, my weapons master.

How am I supposed to get married?

"Wait, father!" I called out just as he was about to close the door. He turns to face me with a small frown on his face.

"How...? Who am I getting married to?" He remained silent.

I know the drill, he gives me a vague task or riddle and I'm supposed to solve it perfectly. But this is marriage. I'm not even sure I know the first thing about marriage.

"Please, Dad, at least tell me who he is." Father let out a sigh.

"All you need to know is that he's a powerful werewolf."

With that, Father exited my room, and I was left reeling in his last word: werewolf.

And werewolves mean only one: the Craywroth Clan. As in the ruthless, unforgiving union of werewolf packs that never show mercy.

Everything I know about werewolves says, 'Don't mess with werewolves'. Yet here I am, set to marry one of them.

"Oh goddess, this can't be happening." I thought to myself as I started to pace the length of my bed.

I know I'm supposed to do exactly what I'm told, how and when I was told to do it.

All my life, I've been holed up in this mansion, mastering skills I'll never get to test in the real world and amassing knowledge I'll never get to use.

At first, it was the traditional handmade embroidery lessons. Then etiquette and morals. Then I learned patience and discipline. After that, it was history, combat training, and hunting. And then I mastered every conceivable weapon.

Then I learned about magic, herbs, poison, and most recently, the art of war.

I used to think it was all random but then I noticed most of everything is centered on the Craywroth Clan. Now it makes sense why Father especially taught me how to defend against and even kill a werewolf.

He's been cooking me up for a life in the Craywroth Clan all along.

"This can't be happening," I said to myself. I didn't even realize I had paced over to my dressing mirror.

I don't look like I'm ready for marriage. Of course, I was never going to get a say in it, but I don't feel ready at all.

"This cannot be happening."

"You bet your sweet face it is happening." I turn around sharply to see Monica standing by the doorway with a small smile on her lips.

"You know, you should be more in tune with your surroundings by now." She said as she walked into the room and fell into my bed.

Monica is your typical all-in-one assistant.

Although she's indentured, she's my father's secretary, assistant, and spy. But to me, she's my trainer, guide, mentor, and the only friend I've ever had.

"Are you thinking about you or are you thinking about me?" Monica said. I let out a scoff;

- She's so full of herself -

"Come on, stop being moody and get over here." She said with her annoyingly sweet smile.

"How are you handling the news?"

"I don't know, Monica. I feel like a circus elephant in a grand circus for the first time."

"Well, you do look kind of fat," Monica said

"Wha...? How dare you?" I laughed, instinctively checking myself out in the mirror.

My waist and abs are still as thin and tight as ever, my legs are long, straight, and athletic, and I have that oblong face everyone said is cute.

"Stop making me feel self-conscious, Monica. It's not fair." I grumbled as I fell into the bed beside her.

I know she's going to say I'm beautiful...

"You're beautiful, Sunshine."

See? Predictable.

I like it when she calls me Sunshine; it feels like a promise to always be on my side.

"So, are you ready to finally get out of this house?" She said, poking my nose playfully.

"I don't know, Monica. I'm set to marry a werewolf. Don't you think that's a bit much?"

"What about the Councilors? They won't stand back watching a human marry a werewolf." I said, already playing out different scenarios where the Darhks barge into my wedding.

"Mr Rivers doesn't care about any of that, and you know. Besides, you should focus on your problems. The Councilors can't touch Mr Rivers."

"You are finally getting out of here, that's all that matters."

Monica is right. Impromptu or not, I'm still getting married and I'd finally be free.

She started talking about what tomorrow was going to be like and how the proceedings will go. But I can't really hear her.

My life is about to change.

I'm about to lose everything I know to gain everything I want. I have no idea what my life is going to be like after I get married; I don't even know what my husband will be like.

All I know is that werewolves are not a nice set of people; they are unapologetically ruthless, and who knows what kind of werewolf my groom will be?