Lost Dreams

Chapter 9

Cora woke to the sound of her sister moving softly about their room. Nova woke earlier then her every morning and went to the stables to help their father Ringo. She had way with animals and an instinct for healing them and loved to tend to the horses alongside Father. Cora groaned, shoving her head under her pillow. She heard Nova chuckle. “Come on sleepy head, it’s not so bad, Mother will need you in the kitchen soon anyway.” Nova whispered to her. Cora let out a grunt and burrowed herself as far as she could under the pillow, the hay inside it pricking her cheeks in protest. “Ugh” she moaned. She sat up and rubbed her eyes with a pout. Nova looked at her and smiled. Her green eyes sparkled in the candlelight as she tired her long chestnut hair behind her. Cora blinked as the opal reflected off the flame from one of the candles. She frowned. “Be careful , Nova.” “If the Alpha spotted me, he is sure to seek you out, you’re way too beautiful for your own good.” She heard her sister scoff, followed by a sigh. Cora’s eyebrows raised. “It’s too early for you to be acting like this, what is it, did something happen?” “Is there more to you having come in here flustered last night?” She pressed. Nova shot her a look over her shoulder as she fastened the ties to the front of her dress. Even in the stable garb, a tan dress with a cream colored top her sister was radiant. “Well, let’s hear it Novalynn.” Cora said, her tone indicating it wasn’t up for debate.

Nova rolled her eyes and sat down on her sister’s bed. Even though she knew she was the elder of the two, Cora had always been so protective of her, even as small children. She was constantly sticking up for Nova, she had been notorious for sending boys home with fresh bruises if they had dared to pick on her sister. Taking a breath, she grabbed Cora’s hand. Her green eyes met the darkened blue ones of her sister.

“Cora I understand you’re concern over the Alpha. He is a terrifying man, I can’t deny that. But he has seen me time and again when he comes to the stables.” She started. Cora raised her eyebrows at her sister, sighing Nova continued on. “Last night, Mother asked me to help begin clearing the dishes from the warrior tables since you hadn’t returned and Jessa was stuck by the King’s side.” Nova paused as she saw Cora grimace. After a moment she began talking again, both women knowing poor Jessa’s fate. “As I was picking up the plates, I felt eyes on me, and they weren’t from King Jagson.” The words quickly tumbled from her mouth as she braced herself for her sister’s reaction. Surprisingly, when

Cora spoke her voice was calm. “And…who was it then little sister?” She asked. Nova smiled and shook her head. Each would call the other little sister as a term of endearment. “It was the Beta, Maverick.” She finished. Cora inhaled sharply, Nova grimaced, this was it, she was surely going to unleash.

“Nova, the Beta is only a few years older then we are.” Cora’s blue eyes looked at her fearfully. “We know so little about him, he was taken from his Mother, raised by Jagson himself. Promise me you will be mindful in his presence.” She pleaded.

Nova sighed, she wrapped her arm around her sister’s shoulder. “Don’t worry yourself Cora, I didn’t feel any malice from him, just, well more like curiosity.” she explained. Cora shook her head. “Pfft, curiosity or not, his eyes have no business on you, and I will pluck them out myself if he forgets that.” she grumbled. Nova giggled and placed a small peck on her sisters cheek. “I will be careful I promise.” “Come on now, you need to get dressed and up to go help Mother. I have to hurry, Father will be waiting for me. One of the mares is set to give birth and the foal is turned the wrong way.” She stated. Cora watched as her sister’s eyes sparkled. Shaking her head she stood up and gave Nova a quick hug. “Alright weirdo, off you go to save your animals and I guess I better get ready to serve biscuits and jerky.” She said, sticking out her tongue in disdain for the chores ahead of her. Nova laughed as she opened the door, a cool draft reaching the room causing Cora to shiver. “I will see you later Little Sister, try and keep your head another day.” Cora grinned widely as she watched her sister leave the room. She couldn’t help thinking to herself as she busied getting her own kitchen garb on. Someday Little Sister, it’ll be me who has the Alpha’s head as a decoration. She finished the laces on her boots, tied her dark gray hair in a knot at the top of her head. Taking a deep breath she opened the door and made way her way to the kitchen , and the mundane day ahead.