The Prophesied Triplets

Book 1: Chapter 6

Serafina's POV (Age 17-18)

"Hey Serafina!" I heard someone calling my name as I walked down the hall. I turned and saw Andrew running towards me. “Hey Andrew. How is your day going?” I asked him. He smiled brightly at me. Damn I loved his smile. Even after the rocky reunion we had as kids, Andrew and I became really close friends once again.

I actually fell in love with him even more. I have even started to become hopeful since he is now 21 and still has not found his mate. “Are you excited for your birthday tomorrow? It's the big day!” He asks me, his silver eyes glimmering with excitement.

I giggled and nodded my head. “Yes I am.” Tomorrow was my 18th birthday. I would come of age, get my wolf, and find my mate. Plus my family was staying in the castle tonight.

“I just wish we didn’t have to meet with someone from the demon king’s court. Not how I wanted to start off my day.” I told him honestly. He nodded. “That is very true, but you know dad is only doing this so the demons have no reason to fight us. He may not agree with how the humans went down, but he doesn’t want the demons setting their sights on Avalan.” Andrew said while draping his arm around my shoulder and pushed me to start walking with him.

“But after the meeting. Would you like to go on a birthday picnic with me?” he asked, whispering in my ear. Was he asking me out on a date? No, no, no. I shouldn’t get my hopes up too high. We were best friends and I was his shadow, his bodyguard. I had to seal these feelings away.

Especially if we were not mates tomorrow. Though once he found his mate I would be her guard too. “Um… I’m not sure just yet how tomorrow is going to go after the meeting.” I saw hurt flash through his eyes, but he covered it up with a smile. “Oh that's ok. We can see how tomorrow goes. How about that?” He tilted his head waiting for my answer.

“Sure sounds good.” I smiled back at him. “Hey, want to go for a ride? Aztec has been itching for a run and to spend some time with you.” he asked with his dashing smile. I smiled brightly. I loved riding on Aztec’s back. His solid black fur was always so soft and fluffy. He has never dropped me. In fact, I always feel him purring when I am on his back or leaning up against him. “Yeah. That sounds like fun. Let’s just let Papa and Uncle Julius know.” Andrew groaned and laughed at the same time. He was so playful and carefree, I had to be the responsible one to keep him in line.

Though he always gets nervous when Papa or Ian is around. “Race you to the study!” I shouted with a playful shoved him. He was caught off guard and with my strength he fell on his butt as I started running down the hall to the study. “Hey Serafina!! No fair you cheated you, little minx.” He growled as he ran after me.

“Hahaha. Can’t catch me, Andrew!” I yelled back towards him. “Oh yeah? Wanna bet?” I felt him gaining. I knew I could easily outrun him, but it was so much more fun to mess with him. Though that doesn't mean it was going to be easy for him. I jumped onto the high ledges in the hallway and started jumping across them.

I got to the door to the study first, but before I could yank the door open. A strong pair of arms wrapped around my waist and lifted me up. I squealed as Andrew threw me up and onto his shoulder. “Hahaha, Andrew! Put me down.” “Hahaha, not a chance. You cheated at the start, so now you get punished.” We were laughing until the study doors opened.

“Hahahaha Awwww, you two make the most adorable couple.” I heard Uncle Julius bellow out. I grabbed Andrew’s side where I knew he was ticklish and he released his hold, which almost made him drop me on the floor. “Whoa!” He acted quickly and twisted his body around to catch me bridal style.

I felt my heart jump at the close proximity to his broad chest and wide shoulders. I looked up into his gorgeous silver grey eyes. He was definitely not a boy anymore. His muscles and strength were just more proof at what a man he has become.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to drop you.” he said looking really concerned. I could see a tint of pink and red coloring his neck and cheeks. I smiled to ease his mind, though I am sure my face was heating up as well. “I was the one that tickled you, so no big deal.” Then I turned my head to Uncle Julius and my papa. “But we are not a couple, Uncle Julius. Andrew is waiting for his mate.” I told him.

He has always told us how much mates are a blessing, but it always seems like he, Aunt Emeline, and mom are always trying to push Andrew and I to be something more than friends. Though as much as I would love that to be true, I can not allow him to give up on his true mate. It would inly hurt us more once he finds her.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash of hurt in Andrew’s eyes but didn’t draw any attention to it. “We wanted to ask if there was anything we needed to do to prepare for tomorrow’s meeting. If not, then Andrew offered to take me for a ride on Aztec.” Uncle Julius and Papa looked at each other, then back to us.

“You shouldn’t have to worry about anything. The meeting is just a formality so we don’t provoke an unnecessary war between us and the demons. Go on your run and have some fun. Tomorrow is a big day, especially for you Serafina.” Uncle Julius smiled as he waved us off. I looked to Papa, who nodded in agreement with his usual smile and eyes mixed with kindness and worry.

Andrew and I smiled brightly, then made a dash to the front garden. I turned my back to give Andrew some privacy to strip and shift. While I waited I put my long golden hair in a tight high ponytail so it wouldn’t whip into my face as Aztec ran. I heard the sounds of his bones cracking and reshaping. Then a cold nose gently brushed the back of my neck. “Eeek! Aztec! Your nose is wet and cold!” I giggle as I turn around to see him.

A massive black wolf with silver eyes. I petted his big head and he began to purr. “Alright let's get going.” I said as I went to his side. He laid down so I could jump up. Andrew stood over me by about half a foot, but Aztec towered over me by about 2 to 3 feet when he stood up tall on all fours.

Once I was on his back, I grabbed the scruff of his fur. I nudged my heels gently into his side to let him know I was ready. Aztec rose to his paws and took off like lightning. It felt like we were flying through the trees in the forest. It was different from the times I would ride on my father’s wolf or my uncle’s wolf.

Coming up to the river so fast Aztec jumped it with ease. I laughed as we spent the afternoon running through the woods and jumping over anything that was in our path. I wondered if we could still do stuff like this even when I had a wolf of my own, or even when each of us found our mates. I never wanted to lose someone I cared for and even if I can’t be lovers with Andrew like I want, I could live with us still being friends.

By the time we got back to the castle, it was dark. I slid off of Aztecs back and hugged his neck. “Thanks for the wonderful ride, Aztec.” I said while nuzzling my face into the soft fur of his neck. Then turned so he could shift back into Andrew and get dressed. Then I felt Andrew hugging me from behind. “Do I get a thank you too or is Aztec just special?” he sounded like he was pouting.

I turned around in his arms and hugged him back. “Thank you too, but you and Aztec are both special to me. Hopefully we can go for another run sometime soon. This time we can play tag since I will have a wolf too.” I said with a big smile. He returned my smile. “Even when you get your wolf, it would make Aztec and I happy to have you still ride on our back from time to time.”

I laughed. “Sure, but let's get some sleep. I’m excited for tomorrow to come as it is.” He nodded. Andrew was always a complete gentleman and escorted me to my room whenever I stayed the night in the castle. I was thankful for it because it gave me more time to be with him. Once we got to my room, I turned to thank him again for the night. “Thanks again for the fun day, Andrew. I’ll see you in the morning.” I said with a smile. As I turned to go inside my room, Andrew gently grabbed my hand.

“Um, Serafina. Would you mind if we could talk tomorrow after the meeting? There is something important I want to talk about.” he asked. He sounded both nervous and hopeful. I smiled up at him. “Sure, Andrew. See you tomorrow.” I gave him a peck on the cheek like I do with Ian. I tried not to make it feel weird, so I retreated into my room before he could say anything else. I changed and laid down in bed, but it took forever to calm my heart. I just laid in bed for a while before sleep finally came to me.

~Dream~

‘Find your two younger sisters. Fulfill your destiny. Make the five kingdoms one.’ I heard a gentle voice calling out. It just kept repeating the same message. Sisters? I only had a little brother, Ian. What destiny am I supposed to fulfill? I opened my eyes but only saw darkness around me. Then it was like I was watching a play in front of me.

Rain was pouring down as I saw two figures, a man and a woman, move in the shadows. I followed them. The man was carrying a small basket protectively, trying to keep it and whatever is inside safe from the elements of the storm.

I became stunned as I followed the figures to the front door of my parent’s cottage. ‘What business do these people have with my parents in the middle of the night and during a storm like this?’ I wondered as I watched the man hold the basket close to his heart.

“I pray you and your sisters will forgive us one day, but we want you to grow up big and strong. You will be safe from harm here, my little princess. I love you, my little Serafina.” He said, with tears in his eyes. ‘Wait… Serafina?!’ I wondered. He then set the basket down on the doorstep of our cottage and started pounding hard on the door. Once the light turned on inside, the woman waved her arms around within a blink of an eye, they were gone.

Then as the door opened I watched as my mother poked her head out, looking left and right at who was knocking. She looked like she was about to close the door, before a small whimper came from the basket. Mama looked down and was shocked to see the basket on her doorstep.

She quickly scooped the basket up and brought it inside. “Oh you poor little thing. Don’t worry, sweetheart. I will take care of you now.” She said, in a kind and loving tone, as she closed the door. I followed through the door and watched as my mama pulled out a baby girl from the basket.

I thought the world had come to a halt as I saw that the baby girl in my mother’s arms was me. The baby had the same wolf shaped birthmark on her right hip and a pendent around her neck. I looked down to my hip, at my wolf shaped birthmark. Then I looked at the pendant that is always around my neck. I have never taken it off.

“Don’t worry little one. I’m going to take care of you. My little Serafina.” I heard Mama say to the baby version of me. Then everything started to become black once more.

Mama’s words shook me to my core. That baby was me?! My real parents abandon me?! Why!? Why didn’t Mama and Papa tell me about this? I shook my head. No it doesn’t matter why they never told me. They raised me and loved me even after they had a true child of their own. They were still my parents, Uncle Tom and Aunt Sophie were still family too, and Ian was above all still my little brother. I loved them all so much and I love them even more, knowing that they kept me even though I was not blood.

Then my amulet began to glow, a bright green light shined. The birthmark on my right hip began to shine the same color. Then I saw two more glowing shapes in front of me. One of a blue tiger and the other of a red dragon. Then I heard the voice again start repeating the same message over and over in my head. ‘Find your two younger sisters. Fulfill your destiny. Make the five kingdoms one.’

~Dream Over~

I woke up with a start. My heart thumped in my chest. That was a weird dream. ‘Sisters? Prophecy? Five Kingdoms?’ I ran my mind through what I saw in the dream. I will have to talk to Mama and Papa about it later. Was I really an abandoned child that they took in? If so, then what was I? Who was I really?

I got up and dressed in my bodyguard uniform. It was a nice two piece since it was summertime. The top was kind of like a sports bra. It allowed maximum movement when fighting. The pants hugged my hips and showed off my butt pretty nice. I mostly liked it because it framed my birthmark and it made me feel sexy and powerful.

Though on the other side of my stomach was the scar I got when I was younger. It still brings Uncle Tom to near tears when he sees it. No matter how many times I tell him it was my own fault, he still blames himself. I brush my hair and pull it into a tight ponytail and braid it. I make my way down to the throne room where the meeting will be taking place.

As I walked in I saw Mama, papa, Uncle Tom, Uncle Julius, and Aunt Emeline already seated. “Are the boys running late?” I asked. I know talking to them about my dream will have to wait until after this meeting. Mama giggled and Papa groaned. “Ian went to wake Andrew up. He overslept a bit, but the other party is not here yet.” Uncle Julius said. Then the doors to the throne room brust open with immense force.

Everyone stood up and glared towards the door. I saw a tall thin woman with black hair and pale white skin come into the room, accompanied by a demon that looked to be around my age with a crown on his head. He had the same pale skin as the woman, but he had mossy green hair and red eyes. As soon as he looked my way once, he just openly stared at me.

“King Julius and Queen Emeline. It is a pleasure that we could meet with you. My name is Victoria Black, I am a witch in the services of the demon king. King Drakgo. This is Prince Sebastian, his eldest son.” She slightly bowed, but the prince made no more effort to tear his eyes from me even for a moment. His gaze made my skin crawl.

“Alright and what was this meeting about?” Uncle Julius asked in a serious tone. I felt he wanted to get them out of here as quickly as he could. The woman, Victoria, then looked my way. She did a double take before a thin smile appeared on her lips. “It would appear that the human king and queen seemed to have left something in your kingdom. My king would very much like to take back what is his.” She said with a sickening smile.

“No one here has seen or heard from King Alexander and Queen Elizabeth since the demon king took over Lumus 18 years ago.” Uncle Tom growled out. She tilted her head to the side. “Oh, it's not just them we are looking for. It appears they left one of their lovely children in your kingdom. King Drakgo has laid claim to them.” she said.

Then I heard the demon prince let out a soft growl in his throat as if he didn’t like that thought. “What makes you think we would have one of their children here in our kingdom? Aunt Emelina asked, her voice laced with her authority as queen. Though I know that even if one of them are here, Uncle Julius and Aunt Emeline would never give them to the demon king

“That would be a shame. We wanted to resolve this peacefully, but if not then we will take what belongs to our king. But why shed blood needlessly when you only have to hand over a human? Humans are beneath shifters and demons-”

Papa snarled, cutting her off. “All life is important, only those that think of themselves and hunger for power that create tensions and rifts between others.” He growled out. Victoria looked at my father in disgust.

She gave me one more look before she raised her hand and fired off a fire spell in our direction. I was quick to stand in front of my family and raised my arms up quickly. The stones on the floor followed suit and shielded us from her fire. Once I lowered the stones, Victoria looked as if I had slapped her in the face. Then a wicked smile grew on her face.

“It appears my hunch was correct and we didn’t have to look far. You must be the eldest human princess.” she said. I raised an eyebrow at her and stood tall in front of everyone. “I am no princess. I am Serafina Mayer, royal bodyguard to the crown prince. It is my duty to protect him and the royal family.”

Victoria laughed wickedly. “Oh, my dear. You don’t know how wrong you are. Let me tell you a little story.” She snapped her fingers and everyone behind me was bound in silver chains so quickly, she even gagged them, but she did nothing to me.

“The land on which the kingdom of Lumus was built on was once known as the land of the gods. It is even said that the first king of Lumus was a god that had fallen in love with a human.” She said as she slowly walked closer to me. “It is said that the power of the land can only be wielded by the true royal blood of the royal family.” She said as she stopped right in front of me.

“So even though it was easy to take over Lumus and run the humans out of their land, King Drakgo will not be able to keep control over it unless he does one of two things.” Victoria placed her hand on my chin and placed her lips near my ear. “He either needs to devour the true living heirs to the land, or make them his.” She whispered. I felt a shiver of disgust and fear run down my spin as I hear the muffled growls of my father and uncles.

Victoria pulled back and looked me in the eyes. “Your eyes and power over those stones just now are more than enough proof. You are the eldest daughter of King Alexander and Queen Elizabeth Owens… Princess Serafina Owens.” She said with a smirk on her face.

She paused for a moment and looked me over... as if to make sure I was soaking up the information well before she continued. “I had spent years searching for the answers and when I found them it was an interesting read. I learned that once every few thousand years, the royal Owens family would be blessed with triplets. These triplets were always gifted with the gifts of nature.” She continued as she circled me, looking me up and down as if inspecting an item up for auction.

“The eldest is supposed to be the wisest and strongest so they will be gifted earth, the middle child is the kindest and is gifted water and wind, while the youngest is the most cunning and is gifted with fire. Though for some reason, when I looked into your family tree… all the triplets born into your were all males.” she said. “You and your sisters are the first and only triplet female ever born into the Owens bloodline. You are the human, little princess. Princess Serafina Owens is your true name and title.” She declared as she stood in front of me once again.

I was so shocked right now. Now that I actually think about it. I feel no wolf, no other conscious soul in my mind or body. ‘I am human?’ I thought That dream was starting to make a little bit of sense now. My thoughts were running a mile a minute, but came to a stop when I heard Victoria’s next words. “Now if you would be so kind as to come with us, or would you rather I just kill these worthless mutts.”

Her voice deepened when she treated my family. I looked at the ground and I shook my head. Her voice echoed in my head as it became the only thing I was hearing. ‘Do you honestly think they care if you die? If you come with me now. It saves them and Avalan. You're just a human princess not. Your parents abandoned her and their kingdom to save themselves. You don’t belong here. Do you think they will still love you? They know you are not one of them.’

Things started to become hard to tell what was real and what wasn’t. It was like my mind was battling with some kind of trance. I could not think clearly for myself. I raised my hand to my mouth and bit down hard, breaking the skin and tasting the metallic blood filling my mouth. It brought my mind back to reality.

I snapped my head towards her with a glare. Victoria stared at me with wide eyes. Without saying a word I let go of my injured hand and whipped my arms around. Using my powers to send rocks from the floor flying at them, pushing Victoria away from me. Tree branches busted through the windows whipping around them before entangling both the witch and the demon prince.

“Well you seem to think otherwise.” She said as she looked unamused and set the branches on fire, freeing both her and the prince. Then out of nowhere the demon prince that had been silent this whole time grabbed me by the neck and slammed me into the wall. I could hear my papa growling and fighting hard against his chains.

“You smell so delicious. I think I will take you and your powers for myself. You will be my mate and bride.” He said in a deep dark voice. I wanted to throw up. I pushed hard against his chest, but the lack of oxygen made it so that even with my strength he was too strong. He was squeezing my throat so tight that I saw black spots in front of my eyes.

‘No he was going to force mark me’ I thought as I squeezed my eyes shut as he bared his fangs to mark me. Then I heard a fearsome growl. “GET YOU FILTHY HANDS OFF MY MATE YOU BASTARD!!!” another deep voice growled out, but unlike Sebastian’s voice, this one sent shivers of delight throughout my body. All of a sudden Prince Sebastian was gone and no longer pinning me to the wall. I fell down to the floor, coughing and gasping for air, as I saw Andrew between me and Sebastian. “Sis, are you ok?!” Ian asked, rushing to my side.

All I could do was nod and stare at Andrew’s back. I felt a pull towards him. Andrew and Sebastian were squaring up. Victoria clicked her tongue in annoyance. “Tsk looks like we will have to regroup. Come, young prince. We will be seeing you very soon, young princess.” Before Sebastian could object, Victoria snapped her fingers and they were gone. The chains and gags she placed on everyone disappeared as well.

Mama and Papa rushed to my side quicker than anyone else. “Honey, are you alright?” Mama asked, as Papa and Ian helped me to my feet. “Yes, mama. I am ok.” Mama burst into tears as she and Papa pulled me into a big hug. “We are so sorry we never told you about not being our flesh and blood. We didn’t want you to feel the pain of the truth. We are so sorry my baby girl.” Papa choked out.

I placed a hand on their arms. I knew this was right. Even if they were not my family by blood, they are the ones that loved and cared for me since I was young. “It's ok. I saw everything in a dream last night. I was going to talk to you guys about it this morning, but I guess I got my answer.” Ian joined our family hug. “It doesn’t matter if we are not blood, you are still my big sister. That jerk will not have you.” He tightened his hold as if the thought of that demon prince marking me made him as sick as it made me.

“Were you and Andrew listening outside?” I asked Ian, and he nodded. I heard someone clear their throat. I looked up and it was Andrew. “Andrew, you called me ‘your mate’... Why? I am not a wolf.” Andrew just shrugged. “It doesn’t matter to me, besides I can smell you. Human or wolf. You are mine.” Hearing him claim me like that sent a shiver of happiness and pleasure down my spine.

Papa growled at him. “She is my baby girl. Hurt her in any way and you're a dead man, Andrew Claymore!” he said looking at Andrew. Andrew looked him in the eyes and nodded to Papa and held his hand out for me to take. I wiggled out of my family’s hug and laid my hand in his. Tingles shot through my arm, and Andrew smirked and yanked me into his arms. I felt sparks wherever he touched me.

“See? Only the true mate of a wolf would feel the sparks of the bond through the body like this.” He said as he placed his head in the crook of my neck and inhaled my scent deeply and purred. “You are mine, and I am yours, forever.” he whispered. I rubbed my cheek against the side of his head and then he lifted his face to mine and kissed me. Claiming my first kiss in front of everyone.