Fated Fairy Tales - Beauty Sleep

Jo’s POV “Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Ora. Happy birthday to you.” We all sang to the little girl in our care. “Now blow out your candles and make a wish,” Josie suggested. Ora stands there and doesn’t move. “Why don’t I have a mommy and daddy?” Ora stands in front of me, crying her heart out. Josie must have heard Ora crying and, thankfully, came to my rescue. I can be affectionate and often give Ora hugs. But I’m not great when dealing with the intense emotional stuff. Whereas Josie knows exactly what to say and do. I watch as Josie embraces Ora. Offering comfort as she tenderly strokes her hair and kisses her forehead. “Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Ora. Happy birthday to you.” We all sang to the little girl in our care. “Now blow out your candles and make a wish,” Josie suggested. Ora stands there and doesn’t move. “Why don’t I have a mommy and daddy?” Ora asks as she starts crying. The cake is taken to the kitchen as Ora cries harder. Josie must have heard Ora crying, getting louder and, thankfully, came to my rescue. I can be affectionate and often give Ora hugs. But I’m not great when dealing with the intense emotional stuff. Whereas Josie knows exactly what to say and do. I watch as Josie embraces Ora. Offering comfort as she tenderly strokes her hair and kisses her forehead. I knelt beside the pair. “You have a mommy and a daddy, Ora. They just live very far away.” Then I thought for a second. Why today of all days is Ora talking about this? “Ora, what happened that made you so upset?” Ora pulls away from Josie. “The kids at school were calling me names. They called me an orphan just because I lived with my aunties. That my mommy and daddy didn’t want me when I was a baby because I was so ugly. Orphan Ora, they called me.” I pulled Ora in front of me. “Listen to me, Ora. Never doubt how much your mommy and daddy love you. Do you hear me? They were heartbroken when they decided that the best way to keep you safe was to send you away.” Ora wiped her snotty nose on her sleeve. “They loved me.” She asked between sobs. “Oh princess, how could they not? You are their most prized possession.” Josie reassured her while straightening up her birthday badge. Josie’s statement held more truth to it than Ora will ever know. The European Wolf King and his Witch Queen fought so many battles to keep their daughter safe. But Matilda was relentless with her attacks. Day after day, using anyone she could to fight for her. The decision to hide Ora came after a group of rogues infiltrated the palace and made their way to her nursery. Three guardians were chosen to protect and raise the princess. Guardians prepared to give up their lives in order to defend her. Josie, a wolf shifter who is skilled in hand-to-hand combat. She was appointed as the Witch Queen’s bodyguard after the Wolf King marked her. When Aurora was born, she became her bodyguard. She has been by Ora’s side her entire life. Jayne, a witch whom the Queen Witch trusted. She is not a very good fighter. But excels at potions and elixirs. It was felt that she could teach Ora the art of witchcraft should she show signs of developing any magical abilities. Jayne was also tasked with making a potion to weaken the mate bond of our wolves. We take the elixir annually on Ora’s birthday. I always argue with my wolf Jupiter over it. But we agreed to put the kingdom before the bond, only until Ora turned 18. Then there is me, a top warrior of the king’s guard. In the big attack, my unit was wiped out. There were far too many witches with deadly potions. I think I only survived because I have the blood of a royal running through my veins. I knew Josie was behind the wooden nursery door. But I was the one in front of it. I could hear Josie trying to soothe the crying princess. I made my peace with the goddess that day. I was prepared to die, protecting those I serve. That is the oath I took. I was prepared to sacrifice everything for that oath. Because that is who I am. Jupiter and I tirelessly protected that room until every one of the rogues was dead. That was when I collapsed with exhaustion. The Wolf King knew then I would protect Ora with my life. That is how I became one of her guardians. In the dead of night, we sneaked out of the palace carrying a sleeping princess. The only things we took with us were backpacks full of cash and a few items of Aurora’s for the journey. Once we made it to the human world, we acquired fake passports. We boarded a plane and flew to the coldest, wettest place we knew, England. According to Jayne, it was the perfect place to raise Aurora, as witches hated that sort of weather. We bought a farm for privacy and began living our lives raising our niece, Ora. But we have to adhere to English rules and Ora had to start school at age 5. We all decided that she doesn’t need to know the truth until she is older. Why? No child should know there was a war because she was born. Yes, she needs to know her life is in danger. Matilda, her biological aunt. Plans to kill her wolf if she receives one. That will kill Ora. If she is a full witch, she plans on taking her to her coven and stripping her of her powers. For goddess knows what reason? But right now, Ora, an innocent 9-year-old girl, is upset and just wants to know that people love her. “Hey Ora. Now you’re a big girl. Do you fancy helping me train for that big race I am taking part in next month?” I asked her. She nods her head frantically. She has always wanted to help, but I have always turned her down in the past. I need to stay in tip-top shape just in case. Ora would have slowed me down. But I think now she may be ready. “How about helping me prepare for the fighting competitions as well? I could use the help.” “Yeah, and I can kick Tina Hall’s butt. Next time she says something mean to me.” I heard Josie gulp. “Er,” Josie says. “You should never fight in anger, Ora. Anger clouds your judgment. But we will talk about that when we start your training.” I informed her. That night, before Jayne goes on another date. She hands Josie and me our elixirs. “Another year of being unmated,” Josie remarks before we swallow our specially made concoction. Jupiter is unhappy. I do this. She wants her mate; she wants pups. But we have to uphold our oath. Our promise to keep Ora safe at all costs, and what would we be without our honor? It was jealousy and honor that originally drove me to Europe all those years ago. Away from my friends and family. But I found a new home and a new life. A new Wolf King to serve. I will not let him down. “You never let Nathan down either. His mate was the one with the issue.” Jupiter reminds me. “I know. But I had to honor her request that I leave. She was the Luna Queen, after all. I think she was jealous of Nathan and me being so close. But we were cousins, practically raised together. Like siblings.” I sadly responded. I wonder if Nathan had a sister. Would the Luna Queen have made the same request? But that is in the past and I serve a new Wolf King.