The Wolf, The Fae and The Portal

Chapter 1 - The Beginning

"Zia! It's time to get up!"My mother practically yelled as she opened the heavy drapes in my room.

"Mother must you yell?" Looking over, I see she has her hands on her hips

"Zia, I sent Astrid up here hours ago to wake you. So, yes, I must or you will just roll over."

My mother is one of the most beautiful women in the kingdom of Cibbalon. She has long flowing white hair, her eyes are so light blue they are almost white with her high cheek bones and her pale skin, she is tall and elegant.

"Zia, you must get up. Your betrothed is coming today and you have to be ready. I have laid your dress out for you and Astrid will be back soon to put your hair up in braids." Groaning while still lying in bed, not willing to get up. This is exactly why I stayed in bed, not moving from my spot.

"Mother, why must I take someone who is obviously not my fated. Why must I settle?"

Sighing at me "Look Zia, we have gone over this. You are a princess and as a princess you have a duty to this kingdom. You know full well this pairing will bring peace between our two nations. So please stop fighting this and get ready."

"But, mother, he is not a nice fae. Is this really what you want for me?" As I watched her, I could see the concern on her face while she approached me and sat next to me.

"Zia, of course I wish you could marry your fated. That's all any parent wants for their child. But you know the odds of that are getting less and less since we left earth's realm. A woman can make a man softer, he will care for you...in his own way. It might not be easy, but please do this for your father. He is simply trying to protect his people."

"And what of me?"

Standing up and moving to the door, my mother simply looked at me. "Enough Zia, get ready. You're not a child time to grow up." She opened the door and gracefully walked out like there are no cares in this world and she didn't just tell me my opinion didn't matter.

Sighing, I got up and headed to take a shower before dressing. Why can't they marry off my brothers and leave me alone? I'm only a hundred years old. I am still very young considering how long we live. Lost in my own thoughts, I didn't hear the knock on the door until I heard my name being called.

"I'm in the shower. Give me a minute!" I yelled out. Goddess, I cant even take a damn shower in peace. I got out of the shower and wrapped my large towel around myself. When I walked out of the bathroom, Astrid was standing there looking ashamed.

"I'm sorry Zia. I had to tell her you wouldn't get up for me when she asked. You know we can't lie."

Waving my hand in a forget it gesture "Astrid, don't worry about it, at least I got more sleep. Let's get this over with, shall we?"

I sat down at my vanity desk so she could get started with my hair. Lost in my own thoughts about how much I don't want to marry Thorn, I mean seriously who names a royal Thorn? Not that it isn't fitting, since he is a thorn in my side. Snickering at my own joke, I was brought out of my thoughts when Astrid said my name. Looking up at her in the mirror, I can see she is done with my hair. My long white hair has elaborate braids on the sides of my head pulled back with white and light blue flowers placed throughout.

"Its perfect Astrid, can you help me with my dress please?"

"Of course Zia."

After helping me put on the dress, I stood and looked in the mirror. It was a light blue dress that was knee length in the front and flowed to the ground in the back with a low cut neck and a princess-cut waist. The material, like most of our clothes, is made out of an almost sheer fabric that flows as you move. The color brings out my pale skin, making my dark brown really pop, and accentuates the curves of my body. Frowning, I cant help but wish I was dressing up for someone I actually cared about.

"Astrid, I don't want to do this." I said as I looked in the mirror.

"I know you don't and I wish I could help you, but I'm just a maid."

Turning to her, I grabbed her hands in mine. "Astrid, you know your like a sister to me. You're not just a maid to me."

I was startled as my door swung open and my mother was standing there.

"Oh thank the goddess you actually got ready. Let's go, your betrothed will be here soon. Let's go wait with your father to greet him at the door."

Dropping Astrid's hands, she gave me a sorrowful smile as I turned to walk away, heading out my bedroom door to follow my mother through the castle to the grand entrance. All I wanted to do was run away from this ...man, if you can call him that, couldn't keep his nasty hands to himself. It's not that he was ugly or anything. Truth be told, he was very handsome. However, he knew it and treated everyone around him as if they were less. He is a very arrogant Fae and I find it to be very unattractive.

Once the carriage pulled up, the doors for the grand entrance were opened and we walked out onto the landing at the top of the steps. Seeing my reluctance, my father placed his hand on the small of my back, bringing me close to him so he could speak without being heard.

"I'm very sorry my precious one. Just know this isn't the life I ever wanted for you. You look very beautiful. I hope that after some time the pairing will become better. Just know I am proud of you." leaning to him for comfort

"I know father, but please realize this man is disgusting and ignorant."

"Please give it a chance. You never know he might change."

Rolling my eyes, I watched as Thorn got out of the carriage. He is tall, around six feet, I would say, with a slim build and sinew-like muscles, short slicked back hair and strikingly blue eyes.

Like I said, not a bad looking man if he wasn't so gross. As he gracefully walks up the steps, my father moves away from me to offer him his hand and welcome him to our kingdom. Feeling his eyes on me, I shuttered.

"Zia, come say hello to your betrothed." My father said as they came to stop in front of me.

"Hello again Thorn." I said coolly, looking up at him. As a Fae, I am on the short side at 5'6".

"Hello, Zia, you get even more beautiful every time I see you."

Putting his arm out for me to lay mine on top of I take it thanking him for the compliment.

"Why don't you two go take a walk around the gardens and get to know one another better." My mother said with a grin, knowing I couldn't stand this man. I know she did this on purpose because of what I said earlier. She knows I despise him and the last thing I want is to be left alone with him.

"That's a fantastic idea, I have come all this way to get to know my soon-to-be wife anyway."

With an audible sigh, "It's this way shall we?"

I said as before I began to walk off, leading the way. I can feel his gaze as he looks me up and down with lust, causing me to shiver in disgust. I have no idea why I am so disgusted with him. He is a gorgeous man, even if his attitude stinks. But something about him gives me the creeps. I can say, though I have never had interest in anyone of the opposite s*x, it's unheard of for a fae that's my age to still be a virgin, but here we are. I've just never been interested in anyone...ever. It's not that I am stuck up. Just no one ever gave me that ... idk? I want them feeling?

As we walked out into the gardens, Thorn pulled me closer to him and smelled my hair.

"You smell divine my princess. I can't wait to get my hands on this tight body of yours."

Rolling my eyes, I moved away from him.

"Not if I can help it."

I answered with disdain in my voice. Smirking, he looked at me, his lust written all over his face

"Good thing you wont have a choice once we are married."

Scoffing at him, I walked away before I used my magic on him and got into some real trouble. If he thinks I don't have a choice, boy oh boy, he has a wake up call coming.