The Prophesied Triplets

Book 1: Chapter 2

3 Years Later (Serafina: Age 4)

Tom POV

I just got back from scouting for the royal family from Lumus. I have heard rumors amongst the humans that have taken refuge in our lands that King Alexander and Queen Elizabeth had 3 daughters before the demons took over. ‘So that means we have 5 humans to look for?’ My wolf, Buck, asked. ‘I guess so. I wonder why King Alexander never asked for help. Us wolves are a hell of a lot stronger than those demons.’ I say back. Having a wolf to talk to makes jobs like this a lot easier.

It gives us someone to bounce ideas off of. ‘I don’t know Tom, but right now I just want some relaxing time with our little sprout before the next scouting mission.’ Buck said. I laughed at him. My darling little niece, whom my big brother and mate took in 4 years ago, had all three of our wolves wrapped around her tiny little fingers.

She was maturing just like a normal shifter, only being 4 she can talk, walk, and eat like a normal child of about 8 in human years, but what is truly amazing is her stamina and strength. You would think she was something else. Though it is still cute as hell when she smiles and laughs.

Serafina is just what Roland and Maria needed. She pulled Maria’s wolf out of a depression and brought back the Maria we all knew and loved. I haven’t been blessed with a mate yet, so I have no children of my own. I am content with helping raise their little girl as my own when they are not around.

“Uncle Tommy!” I hear a sweet voice call out. I snapped my head around looking for her but didn’t see her. I heard her giggle. “Up here, Uncle.” I then looked up and my eyes widened. “Serafina Mayer, what in heaven's name do you think you are doing up there?” I yell out. There in a good 25 ft tree in front of me and my little niece was swinging around the branches about 10 ft off the ground, like a little monkey. She smiles and laughs.

“Mama and Papa said I could go play outside until you got back. I wanted to see you as soon as I could so I climbed a tree.” She answered as if it was normal. ‘How the hell can a 4 year old climb a tree that big? The lowest branch was about 5 ft off the ground?’ Buck asked in my head. ‘I don’t know but let's get her down first then ask questions later.’ he answered.

I came to the base of the tree when Serafina called out to me. “Uncle! Look out behind you!” I could feel the fear in her voice. I snapped around and saw a female demon lunging at me. I was caught off guard and she pinned me to the tree Serafina was in. She snapped her fingers and vines tied me to the tree. “You look pretty good looking for a wolf. I think I will keep you and take you home with me.” She cackled with a wicked grin.

I wiggled and tried to break the vines. No way in hell was I going to be marked by a demon. She laughs at my struggle. “Those vines are full of my demonic power. You can’t break them unless I lose my concentration sweet puppy.” She said as she petted my head like an actual dog.

I growl, and struggle some more. While I do I sneak a glance up in the tree. Serafina looks scared, and this woman doesn’t seem to notice her. I glared back at her. “Since we will be getting to know each other quite well, I should tell you my name. It is Marie.” She whispered in my ear as she bared her fangs to my neck.

‘s**t’ I cursed in my head as Buck howled. I close my eyes, but I don’t feel the bite. Instead, I heard a gasp and a thud. I opened my eyes and was shocked as all hell. “Holy s**t!!” was all I could say. Serafina had dropped out of the tree and pushed that woman away from me, but that wasn’t what stunned me the most. The woman went completely through a nearby tree, and I mean THOUGH it.

“You stay away from my Uncle Tommy, lady. No one hurts my family” Serafina did her best little growl. Which Buck and I found it to be adorable. If I wasn't tied up, I would be laughing at how cute she is when she tries to be scary. Marie got to her feet. “You little brat. Where the hell did you come from?” She snarled.

Serafina had a mischievous glint in her eyes, and I knew she was going to answer with a smart ass remark that I would get blamed for later, by Roland. With the straightest face and a cunning smirk, Serafina said “I came from my mama and papa, now leave my Uncle alone you old hag.” Buck and I actually laugh at that. ‘Ok I don’t care if Roland blames me, I will gladly take the credit for our girl not having a filter on that mouth.’ I say to Buck. He nods and laughs a bit more.

“You must have some special blood in you if you are this strong at such a young age. I think I will find out for myself by sucking you dry.” Marie screeched as she lunged for Serafina. “Serafina… RUN!” I yell. Serafina shakes her head. Just before Marie could hit her, Serafina dashed to the side. If you blinked you missed it.

‘How the hell did Serafina move so f*****g fast?’ I asked Buck. ‘I-i-i-i don’t know. I am just as shocked as you are Tom.’ He stuttered back. Then we watch as Serafina grabbed Marie and flung her through another tree. This little pup was not only fast as lighting, but strong as a full grown wolf. I have never heard of this before. Maybe around 7 to 10 years old they would be strong, but not a f*****g 4 year old.

While watching Serafina, I pick up the most wonderful scent on the wind. Buck starts going crazy. There was a smell of sweet grass in the air. ‘Mate! Our mate is near.’ Buck howled. I shook my head. ‘No Buck, we gotta get out of these vines and protect Serafina. She comes first.’ I yell back at him. As a wolf he will never feel complete without his true mate, but I can’t leave Serafina to this b***h. She is only a child.

She is strong, brave, and smart, but still only a child. Buck seemed to snap out of it. ‘Yeah, sorry the scent made me go crazy for a minute. That b***h said that as long as she has her concentration then we couldn’t break them, try to break the vines as soon as Serafina tosses her into another tree or something.’ he said. I watch Serafina closely.

The demon lunged at Serafina again, getting more and more pissed as she continued to miss the little 4 year old. Serafina then tossed her through yet another tree. At the very moment the demon’s back hit the tree I used all my strength to try and snap the vines and it worked. I was able to free my arms, but the vines around my waist were still strong. ‘Damn so close.’ ‘Just wait for her to do it again Tom.’ Buck said. I focused back on the fight in front of me. I could see Serafina was getting tired. She had been going all out since she dropped down from the tree.

She then glanced at me and saw my arms free. Serafina was still so kind that she wanted to protect. The demon wrench seems to notice that she is tiring out and lunges again. Serafina was a few seconds too slow in dodging that the demon finally landed a deep cut on her side. “Ahhh!” Serafina cried out as she fell to the ground. The smell of blood filled my nose. By the smell alone I could tell, Serafina was hurt badly. The demon licked her fingers which were red with my niece’s blood. “Mmmm, you truly do have some delicious blood. I think after I drain you I will be as strong as one of the demon princes.” she gushed as she reached for Serafina.

“No! SERAFINA!!” I roared, still struggling to get the last vine off my waist. Then it was like everything happened in slow motion. As the same sweet scent that Buck claimed to be our mate’s scent filled my nose. I saw a beautiful sandy brown wolf, with patches of white on its front paws, latch onto the filthy demon's neck and snap it within seconds. As soon as the demon was dead, the vines easily broke and I rushed to Serafina’s side.

I kneeled beside her. She was pale and knocked out, so I checked her pulse. I felt her heart still beating, I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding. “Don’t worry, sprout. Uncle Tommy has you. You are going to be ok.” I say, but I was trying to convince myself more than her.

Tears filled my eyes as I looked at the deep wound on the side of Serafina’s stomach. Then I heard someone shifting. I held Serafina protectively as I turned my head. “Don’t worry mate. I mean her no harm.” A sweet and gentle voice said. I saw a small woman, maybe around 5’8, with dirty blonde hair coming closer. She had a bag and covered herself with a baggy t-shirt. “My name is Sophie. I can help your niece.” she said. I nodded and she rushed over to Serafina's side.

She pulled out some cloth, a water canteen, and some kind of cream. It smells like honey. “Ok gently take her hands away from her side so I can clean and dress the wound until we can get her to the hospital.” I nod and gently take Serafina’s small hands into mine and pull her away from her side. I winced when I saw just how deep the wound is on the side of her tiny frame. Sophie pours some water over her wound and gently pats it with a clean cloth. Then she carefully rubbed in some of that cream stuff and took another shirt from the bag and ripped it to make a substitute wrapping.

Once it was all wrapped and tied off, Sophie sighs. “That should hold it until we get her to the doctor. She lost a lot of blood so we have to hurry.” I handed Serafina to Sophie and started to strip. “Buck is fast, so just hold on tight and don’t let Serafina fall out. We will get there quickly.” I didn’t give her a chance to say anything. I just shift into my big tan wolf. Sophie hopped onto our back as Buck laid down for her. She held on to our fur tightly. Buck and I dashed off running as fast as we could. Within a few moments, we made it to the hospital.

Sophie slid off, tossed me my clothes, and ran inside with Serafina still in her arms. As soon as I was dressed I mind linked my brother.

R: Hey little brother. How was the scouting mission?

T: Tell you later. I need you and Maria at the hospital. Serafina got hurt!

R: WHAT?! WHAT THE f**k HAPPENED TOM?

T: I will tell you when you both get here. I am going to check with the doctor.

I cut the link before he questions any further, and rushed inside to find out how Serafina was.

Maria’s POV

I was making lunch for Serafina while Roland was talking about her training. “It is incredible my dear. I have never seen a pup have the kind of stamina that our little one has. She will be a very strong warrior by the time she is fully grown and has her wolf.” Roland gushed. Serafina had her daddy and her Uncle wrapped around her little fingers, but she is kind and selfless. She always puts others before herself.

“So that means that in 2 years when the young prince returns from that royal training school, Serafina will be fully prepared to be his guard?” I asked. It was the custom that the next heirs of each kingdom spend 2 years together so they can learn to respect each other's differences. It was how the kingdoms continued to live in peace with each other. Prince Andrew had just left, to his and Serafina’s dismay. Roland smiled. “Oh yes. Serafina has even surprised me by learning about different plants that I didn’t know about. For a 4 year old she really is gifted in more ways than we imagined.”

I smiled as I finished my daughter’s lunch, I tried to mind link her to come inside for lunch, but I got no response. I tried again, and again I got nothing. “Roland?” I turned towards him. I know I always worry when Serafina is far from me and I try not to smother her, but she is my blessing sent to me by the gods. She means more to me than my life. “What is the matter, Maria?” He stood up in concern. “I can’t reach Serafina. She is not answering my mind link.”

I saw his eyes glaze over. I knew he was trying. After a few minutes his eyes were back to normal. “That was Tom. Let's go, Serafina is in the hospital.” I felt sick. “What! What in the world happened Roland?” “I don’t know, but if I don’t like Tom’s answers, I will skin him alive.” He growled.

We shifted and used our wolf speed to reach the hospital in a matter of seconds. We shift back and burst into the lobby of the hospital and run up to the nurse's station. “Serafina Mayer! Where is she?” Roland growled, making the poor nurse cowardly in fear because the King’s second in command was levied.

“S-s-s-she is in r-r-room 324 s-s-s-sir.” The nurse stammered out. We rushed to the room to find Tom and some woman with dirty blonde hair waiting in the hallway. “Tom, what the hell happened to my little girl?” Roland growled as he grabbed his brother by the collar of his shirt.

Tom told us everything about how on his way home he ran into Serafina playing in the woods, then they were attacked by a female demon that wanted to take Tom as her forced mate. “You should have seen it, brother, Serafina was so much faster and stronger than any other pup I have ever seen.” Tom with a half smiled. He was trying to sound happy even though I could tell by his eyes that he is worried sick about Serafina right now. I turned to the woman. “And who are you miss?”

She smiled. “My name is Sophie. Sophie Nightingale. I am a doctor in the neighboring village. I was heading into the forest to meet up with Serafina. She and I always go and pick herbs once a week.” She says bowing her head slightly. “That must be where she learned all that herb stuff I never understood.” Roland says. Sophie nods. “Sophie is also my mate.” Tom says while blushing a bit. “Well I am happy for you and Sophie Tom, but when can I see my daughter?” I half shout. I need to see her, hold her. I need to see my baby still living and breathing. I can’t lose her. I wouldn’t be able to survive without her.

The doctor came out of Serafina’s room at that very moment. “Family of Serafina Mayer?” I rushed over to the doctor. “How is my daughter?!” I asked, my voice cracking with tears threatening to fall. “Your daughter is alright. She did lose quite a bit of blood, but with the first aid treatment she received really helped her. We stitched up her side, I would suggest no training and plenty of rest for at least 2 weeks when the stitches can come out. She may also be left with some scars since she doesn’t have her wolf to heal it completely.” the doctor informs us. I let out a sigh of relief as I fell to my knees. Roland quickly came to my side. “Mama, Papa.” I heard a soft whisper of a voice call out.

The doctor opened the door and I saw my baby girl laying on her bed. Looking at us with tired eyes. Roland and I rushed to both sides of our darling daughter. “Sweetheart. How do you feel?” I asked with tears in my eyes. Serafina’s small hand reached up and rubbed my cheek gently.

“I’m ok mama. I kept Uncle Tom safe.” she said with a tired smile. “You sure did little one. You did a good job, but why didn’t you run or call us for help?” Roland said. Serafina smiled. “I don’t know. Something told me that I had to fight her. That I was strong enough.” Serafina looked confused. “I just felt I had to protect him, and that I could do it.”

I sigh. “I was so worried about you dear.” I say as I hug her close to me. Xena, my wolf, was finally starting to calm down. Now that I have Serafina’s small frame in my arms. “I’m alright mama. I would never leave you and Papa.” Her little voice carried those words from my ears, straight to my heart. “Doc, can we take her home?” Roland asked.

“Yes sir Roland, but please make sure that she rests for the next two weeks… No training and no rough playing. I will check the stitches in two weeks.” The doctor says. Roland and I nodded as I carefully picked my baby girl up and carried her home. As Roland, Tom, and our newest member of the family, Sophie, walked behind me.

Serafina’s POV (Age 4)

For the last week, I have been bored out of my mind. Mama and Papa have made me sleep between them since they brought me home from the hospital. I love that my family cares for me and wants to protect me, but I feel more content being someone else's protector.

“Hey Sprout, how are you today?” I hear Uncle Tom’s voice fill my ears. I turn to him and smile. “I’m doing good Uncle… I am just bored.” He smiles and gently ruffles my light blonde hair. “I know sprout, but you did give all of us quite a scare. How did you become so strong like that?” He asked.

I looked up at him and shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. I knew I was fast and a bit strong, Uncle, but seeing that woman try to claim you like that. It was like something inside me had snapped. Then I was filled with this energy to protect you. I felt faster and stronger than ever before. I was just as surprised as you were when I saw her go through the first tree.” I told him.

Worry began to set inside me. “Am I some kind of monster?” I said, not even realizing I said it out loud. I felt a pop on the back of my head. “Owww, what was that for Uncle Tommy!?” I whined, but as I turned to glare at him, he was glaring harder at me.

“Don’t you EVER call yourself that again Serafina! Do I make myself clear?” His voice was deep and it was the first time I was actually scared of my Uncle. He had never scolded me before. I widened my eyes in shock. “W-w-what?” I asked in a shaky voice. Uncle pulled me into his lap and hugged me tight to him as he caressed my head gently.

“You are not a monster, Serafina. You are a very special child that might have been given gifts from the gods. Even among the royal families of the three kingdoms. Gifts from the gods are very rare, but come forward when they are needed or earned. You have been given great speed and strength, and with proper training, you will easily surpass your father and I as the protectors of the royal family.”

I heard him start to cry as his voice cracked a bit and felt a wetness on my shoulder. Uncle Tommy was crying. He and Papa never cry. I gently raised my arms, hoping I would not harm him with my strength, and warped him in a tight hug of my own.

“I’m sorry Uncle Tommy. I didn’t mean to say that out loud. It was a passing thought. I was just scared of my new strength. They are unfamiliar to me and I worry I wouldn’t be able to control them properly. The very last thing I would ever want is to harm you, mama, papa, and now Auntie Sophie. I am scared Uncle.” I started to cry.

I could never live with myself if my gifts made me harm any of my loved ones. Plus I am worried about what Andrew will think of me with these new gifts. “You will learn how to control them, little one.” I jumped as Mama and Papa entered my room. Uncle slowly let me go.

“You should never fear yourself or your gifts sweet heart. Everything is new in the beginning, but in time they become familiar. We will be here with you and help you every step of the way.” Mama said as she ran her fingers through my hair. “And there also your Uncle Julius and Aunt Emeline.” mama said in a sweet voice.

Uncle Julius? Aunt Emeline? I tilted my head in confusion for a second before I remembered. “The king and queen?” I ask. For some weird reason, mama always calls them my Aunt and Uncle, but with demons everywhere I don’t see them that often. I try to stay formal so as not to show disrespect when the elders or other nobles are around. Mama’s smile dropped a bit when I addressed them by titles, and Uncle Tom slightly chuckled. “Well, we are going to be staying at the castle for the next year.” Papa said.

I snapped my head towards him. “What? A whole year? Why?” Before I could keep firing questions off at them, papa gently placed his large hand over my mouth. “We are going to stay there for a year to give you some special training. With demons around, we don’t want them to take an interest in your new gifts and risk them either killing you or taking you to the old kingdom of Lumus, where the demon King Drakgo can get his hands on you.” Papa said.

I nodded my head at Papa’s explanation. If Auntie Sophie hadn’t killed that demon woman, the demon king would know about my speed and strength. Then he would either try to take me or he would have possibly set his sights on all of Alavan. Papa told me how a little after I was born, the demon king destroyed and conquered the human kingdom of Lumus.

“I understand Papa, but will King Julius and Queen Emeline be alright with this? You and Uncle often stay in the castle because you are a ranked protector for the royal family. I don’t have any rank until Prince Andrew comes back from the royal training school and King Julius gives me the rank of his bodyguard.”

All three adults looked at me with wide eyes. They never called Andrew by his title around me. I found out from one of the elders in the castle that my best friend was also the crowned prince. “How do you know all of that Serafina?” mama asked. I tilted my head in confusion to her question. “Um I read all the history books in the library, plus a few of the elders gave me private lessons in ranking and proper manners for the royalty and protectors.” I said in an obvious ‘duh’ tone.

Uncle Tom was bent over laughing. “How in the world did we manage to get such a serious smart ass for a daughter?” Papa joked. Mama smacked both Papa and Uncle Tom. They groaned and rubbed the back of their heads. “It is good to learn baby girl but believe me when I say that Julius and Emeline would love it for you to call them your Aunt and Uncle. They have known you since you were a baby and they are our best friends… Just like how you and Andrew are best friends.” I thought for a moment. “I guess if they want me to I will, but I have to ask them first.” That brought a smile to Mama’s face. We then packed and headed to the castle.