My Fated Mate

6. JASMINE GOLDENROD (PART 1)

POV (JASMINE)

My whole body ached and my chest felt like something was scratching and clawing to get out, while my heart was completely and utterly broken.  I knew it was what I deserved, but as my fingers searched through the wreckage of our beautiful oak I could not help the tears from falling.  He hated me.  He truly hated me and not just him, but Aesir too.  What had I done?  This had never been my intention, or maybe in some fickle part of my brain I believed leaving him would not hurt this bad.  But, I was wrong, oh god was I wrong.  If only he knew how much the thought of being his Luna had been a dream of mine.  A dream I believed that would never be.  Thus, I accepted Victor's advances.  I allowed him to enter my thoughts because it was for the betterment of the coven.  But, now I wish I had never done so.

From the moment Alec and I had met in the grove, me racing away from being yelled at by my father and him from the constant bullying of his brothers, I already knew.  I was only ten years old when I came face to face with that curly dark haired boy with the brightest blue eyes I had ever seen.  From that first meeting I knew I was meant to love him. 

I could tell he was from the wolf clan, which one I was not sure. He was silent for most of the time while I was the one who did all the talking.  However, that day I had no idea he was even there.  Our first encounter was so pure and innocent.

It was mid afternoon and I was fuming.  Abelia, my only confidant and friend,  and I were suppose to spend the day exploring the glen, but father had refused.  His excuse was his most absurd yet.  It did not matter that the instructor had praised me and said I could jump four grade in my spell caster classes. Noooo, if the old bad coven leader believed his daughter was a failure no one else's vote mattered.  

“Agh, I hate my father.”  I yelled, as I picked up a stick and swung it around hitting bushes and causing leaves to go flying.  “Study, study study.  Is that all I am good for to you, Father?"  I hissed, as I attacked another bush with all my strength.  "You would think learning a high level alchemy incantation would be enough to please the man.  But, nooooo!  He said my form was off and my pronunciation was sloppy.  Me, sloppy?  Me, Jasmine Goldenrod.”  I snapped, as I pressed my free hand to my chest.  It was like something had snapped inside my little head and no matter how much I wanted to stop talking the words kept right on flowing.

“Ugh, why did I have to be born to the most overbearing parents in existence.  Not only that, they are also the most unimaginative.  Could they have been any more unoriginal.  Oh yeah let's use a flower name when our last name is one too.  Great, now I sound like a garden.  God, I hope when I get married I get a cool name.  Like Jasmine Archangel or Jasmine Supernova.  Don’t those sound powerful? Much better than some gardener's name, right?”  I snapped at the defenseless shrub, but suddenly I stopped.  A cold sweat formed on my back as the creepy feeling over being watched covered my body. There was something or someone staring at me. 

“Is that you Abelia?  How many times do I have to tell you, about sneaking up on people?  It is very rude and unnerving.  So why don't you stop hiding and come out.”  I snapped at any shadow that moved around me, hoping my suspicions were correct.  Sadly, I was very wrong.  My breathing stopped when I saw him, he was sitting on a rock up on the hill.  He looked to be around my age or a little older.  He was dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans but strangely his feet were completely bare. He was wearing no shoes, not even socks.  Why would a kid go out in the middle of the woods barefoot.  What did this mean?  Suddenly I stopped, I knew exactly what it meant.  " Werewolf."  The word hung in the air as I watched his eyes follow my every move, like a predator evaluating his prey.  I gulped feeling my throat go dry as our eyes met,  his glowing blue eyes shone with such intense interest that it was unnerving.  All I could do to calm myself down was continue blabbering on and slowly make my exit.

“Alchemy."  I said nervously, as I swallowed and took a small step back, all the while keeping my eyes on him.  "If you don’t know, is a level four spell.  Which means you have to be at least 15 or even 20 years old to pull it off." 

I forced my feet to take small easy steps, so as not to alarm him, even though I wanted to get away from him as quickly as possible. I had heard stories about people who ran into bears in the woods and were told not to run.  Running would cause the creature to chase you and that was the last thing I needed.  Yes, I would continue talking and when I felt I was far enough away I would scream and make a mad dash back to the coven.  

"I was so skilled, I got the alchemy spell right the first time and I am only ten!  But, once again, Dad says it’s not good enough.” My voice cracked, as I waved my hands around and continued to talk to my silent stalker. He did not move an inch, even when I would raise the volume of my voice, nothing seemed to rattle him. 

“Oh, and don’t get me started on my mother." I was finally now a good distance from him. I could feel my heart racing and my body getting ready for the mad dash.  I was like a rubber band that had been pulled taunt and was ready to fly.  "Yes, my mother, she wants me to be a princess.  She even has it in her mind I am going to marry a prince.  Is that the funniest thing you have ever heard.  Where in the world would I find a….”  Suddenly, he vanished. "Oh no, no, no... where did he go?"  I muttered to myself as I flitted my head back and forth, look from side to side.

 I blinked confused and frightened.  "Where is he?   How did I loose him when he was just there?"  I squeaked, as quickly I felt a presence behind me. There was no way. I knew wolf pups were fast, but he was next level.  Oh my gosh, was he an Alpha's pup?  Carefully, I turned around to come face to face with him.  He smiled at me with a sneaky grin.  I could not move, and before I could run way he took hold of my hand and bowed. 

I felt my cheeks heat up as he brought my hand close to his lips.  I tried to pull back but he would not let me go and then he spoke.  His voice was young but it had that air of authority that only came from experience.  I covered my mouth in shock as our eyes met.  “It is a pleasure to meet you Lady Jasmine.  I am Prince Alec Holloway, third in line for Alpha of the BloodMoon Pack and third prince in the Holloway line.”

Quickly he released my hand causing me to lose my balance.  Yet, before I could land on my butt he caught me.  “Are you ok, my lady?” 

“Okay! I'm.. Okay?” My mind raced, as I hopped out of his arms and began to ring my hands. “I can’t believe this is happening.  Me, talking to an Alpha's kid.  My father is going to kill me.” Suddenly he growled at me, causing me to flinch. 

"Why would your father kill you for talking to me?"  His eyes glowed in defiance and annoyance.  I bit my bottom lip, I wanted to cry.  How was I going to back track that comment?  Of course he would take offense to that. 

"What I mean to say is... no what I meant was... no, thats not right.  Whaatttt I should have said is that he... Wait, that's wrong too. Maybe the best way to put it would be.."  I was trying to catch my breath, but I felt like a fish out of water who was continuing to gasp and blubber.  I was becoming unhinged and was spiraling out of control, yet before I could make an even bigger fool of myself,  Alec started to snicker. 

“Ha ha ha. Easy there, at least take a breath first before you come up with your lame excuse. I have never seen a girl talk this much in my life. Is there an off button for you?” I quickly turned towards him with my face red and puffy from embarrassment. My father had used those same words once or twice. 

“Ugh, this is a nightmare. I seriously don't know what to say to you, to stop you from eating me!” I groaned, as I plopped to the ground.  I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. 

"Eat you?" Alec laughed.  "Wow, I honestly don't even know what to say to that." 

I looked up to see he was smiling from ear to ear. 

"You my dear lady, are by far the most offensive little witch I have ever met." 

What?  What did he just say?  Was I seriously getting reprimanded by a werewolf pup?  Me, Jasmine Goldrenrod.  I quickly stood up and got right into his face. “What did you call me?”  I snapped, but quickly took a few steps back when he narrowed his eyes at me. 

“Witch?  Is that seen as derogatory now, by your people.  Or, would you rather I call you a wizard?”  He said, in a sly British accent, as he took a few steps closer.  I could feel he was pushing my back towards a tree.  He was trying to corner me.

"You stay back, or I'll turn you into a frog!"  I felt my mind do a face palm. A frog?  Did I seriously just use the most over done witchy retort in the history of my kind.  However, it appeared it did the trick.  Alec stopped walking towards me and gave me a look, that was a cross between "are you serious" and "that is just sad." Yet,  I took the chance and scurried away from him. Just who was this kid?  I watched as he hopped on a log and began balancing on it like a type rope walker. 

“No you can’t.”  He said, as he turned to face me.  “And, you're going the wrong way. Unless your plan is to go deeper into our pack lands.” 

"What?  How do you know what spells I can't, and can't do?"  I said, as I quickly ran to the opposite side.  The last thing I wanted was to go where more wolves could be.

“Honestly, you witches are so typical.  Rule 40 of the witches code.  No witch may attack or harm a high level supernatural in peace times.”  He said, with such an air of arrogance it was down right intimidating.  He was smart and his brash ego sort of reminded me of myself.  I watched as he hopped down off the log and started walking backwards.  It was clear he was trying to get me to follow him.  I could not help but marvel at how he seemed to know where every hole and rock was and could side stepped them with ease, while my feet stumbled to keep up with him on the rocky path.

"How do you know that rule?"  I hissed, realizing my only chance to getting out of this forest was to follow him and hope he did not lead me to my demise.

“What Alpha does not know about their enemy?”  He smiled, with a cheeky grin.  I felt my blood run cold. 

“So, I guess you’re going to capture me now, hmmm.  Well, go ahead and do it.  I am sure all your big bad wolf brothers will be so impressed with you catching a little girl!”  I spat out.

"Oh no, on the contrary princess they would not be impressed by that at all."  Before I could take another step he quickly got into my face.  "Now a witch, they might me a little impressed by."  He said as he showed with his fingers how impressed his bothers would be.  I pushed him away causing him to laugh.  "Oh calm down.  I am not going to capture you, your too cute to be a servant in the pack house." 

I felt my cheeks heat up, as a blush started to cover my face.  Suddenly Alec reached out and ran his fingers through my hair.  I watched as he closed his eyes and lifted some to his nose. 

“You smell like vanilla and lavender.  I like it.”  I watched in horror as he slowly opened his eyes, revealing a pair of glowing red eyes.  I quickly took a step back.  Something had changed in him, something that was primal.  Seeing my fear I watched as he shook his head and cursed.  “Darn you Aesir, she is a child.”  He growled.  “I am sorry about that.  Sometimes my wolf likes to play with his food.”  Alec said, with a sheepish grin. 

“Your wolf?”  I took a few steps back causing Alec to take a few more towards me. 

"You are a complete puzzle to me Jasmine Goldenrod.  Have you never read anything about my kind?"  I looked into his eyes and could tell he was serious.  I chewed on my lip and brought my hand to my mouth. 

"My father does not like us learning about werewolves."  I said nervously, as I looked down at the ground. 

Alec let out a sigh as he ran his fingers through his hair.  "I see.  Well, let me give you a little crash course then."  I raised my head to look at him, as he began to speak. "Every werewolf has a wolf inside of them, he speaks to us and is bonded with you from a very early age.  Mine's name is Aesir, and he can be a little too playful with females.”  Alec said, with a grin. 

“Aesir, that is a gods name. He was the Norse God of poetry, battle and death.”  Alec looked at me shocked. 

“Let me see if I have this straight. You have no idea about werewolves but you know about Norse gods?” Before I could say anything more he let out a hearty laugh that shook his body.  “Oh man, are all witches as interesting as you? Richard would have a field day studying you.”  Alec said, as he wiped a tear from his eye. 

“Richard?”  Every single thing this boy said just led me to another question, and made me realize that maybe learning about them was not a bad idea. 

“Richard is one of my good friends. He loves to learn about different supernatural species and since we go to the academy, it is easy for us to learn all about your kind and others.”  He said, as he pointed at me. 

"The academy?"  I was shocked.  Was there actually a school that could teach me about werewolves.

"Dear Moon Goddess, you really are hopeless." Before I could talk Alec put his hand up. "In answer to your first question. Ashfork Academy is a school that werewolves, witches, vampires." 

"Vampires!"  I could hardly contain myself.  He even knew about the true princes of darkness. 

"Yes, even vampires and some humans." 

"Mortals!" 

"Dang girl will you stop doing that!"  He snapped, using a tone of voice that caused me to go perfectly still. All I could do was nod my head.  "Thank you. As I was saying, it is a school where all different kinds go to learn about themselves and each other.  I even have a witch professor that is teaching me about your so called alchemy spells.  I might not be able to do them, but I should learn how to defend against them."  He said, as he took his fist and pounded on his chest. 

I was completely spell bound and being a witch that meant something.  Here was this boy, who was suppose to be my mortal enemy telling me that there was a place where all supernaturals lived in peace and would able to learn about each other.  My father would never believe this.  He had wanted me to attend Ridgeback Academy for the Dark Arts, but that was only for witches.  How would I get the chance to learn about other factions if I was locked away in a dark candle lit class room of ignorance. 

"What is a Moon Goddess?" I said, as my eyes sparked with interest. Alec just smiled.

"Now that my little witch is a good question."