Waiting For Her (The Alphas Young Mate)

Four | Blessing or Curse.

POV | Ace

We had been driving for half an hour until we finally made it to the trail, Aliah had been holding onto my arm the entirety of the ride making my heart swell. "We walk from here" Father explained before retreating from the car, Unbuckling my belt I opened my door looking down to Aliah to speak only for Stone to interrupt "Come Child" With a frown Aliah hesitantly let go of my arm following her father out of the car.

Clenching my teeth I jumped out the car slamming the door shut making the car rock, I felt tingling in the back of my mind and pushed it away. I wasn't in the mood to deal with a lecture from Father, Looking to him I could sense his annoyance but chose to ignore it. Walking to Aliah and crouching down to her level I spoke "You ready to go Sweetheart?" with a soft smile she reached out placing her hand in mine, Lifting her small hand to my nose I breathed in her pure scent before standing. 

I almost let her hand go only for her to tightly keep her grip on two of my fingers, she looked up at me in a panic refusing to pull away from me. I glanced at her father, his eyes already staring daggers at me for such a simple touch "Do you mind If Aliah and I walk together?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral. The last thing I felt the need to do was ask permission to be by my mates' side... but I felt to earn his trust I should show some respect. He looked between Aliah and I before letting out a sigh "Go on" excitedly Aliah began walking forward tugging on my fingers to follow her.

I let out a chuckle as I matched her small steps, she glanced around at our surroundings as we continued down the path to where The Elders resided. The sun had begun to set off in the distance meaning it was almost time for the moon to come out... Perfect time for The Elders to perform a ritual...I thought to myself, I prayed to the goddess herself that wasn't Stone's intention from the beginning. I was broken from my thoughts hearing Aliah let out a little yawn, stopping I knelt down to her level "Are you tired angel?" Rubbing her eyes she nodded. 

Noticing we had stopped her father turned on his heel stepping closer to her "Child, come here" She sleepily looked up at him to which he sighed kneeling down beside me "I said come here Child" I mentally held back the thoughts that ran through my mind as Aliah stepped towards him, I despised the way he always called her Child 'You gave her a name for a reason'  I felt Xerxes mutter from within, I had to shake him off before a growl escaped me. Standing I watched closely as Aliah lay her head on his shoulder, the moonlight began to shine on her face making her features look even more beautiful. 

Keeping myself behind Stone I continued to stare at my Angel on every off chance I got, despite my best efforts something didn't sit right with me about Stone's intentions. As we walked I pushed to link with my Father 'Something's not right...' I growled, to which he did too 'I can feel it too, stay close to Aliah' Part of me was relieved that Father was in agreement, the other Part feared what was to come... Father's intuition was usually never wrong.

POV | Aliah 

I felt sad as I stepped towards my Father, for some reason I wanted to stay with Ace... The dream I had kept coming to mind. I was too tired to protest so I let him lay me in his arms, resting my head on his shoulder. I soon found myself falling into a slumber. The last thing I saw was Ace's eyes on mine, bringing me a sense of comfort before the darkness followed.

Aliah... Go.... I groaned blinking open my eyes upon hearing a voice, peeking around noticing the moon had begun taking over the sky. A chill ran down my spine hearing the familiar voice whisper to me again... Aliah go to him... to Ace... I blinked feeling my body jolt as I turned towards her voice... What did she just say? Remembering whose arms I was in I began to feel uneasy. My eyes immediately darting for his, for Ace's. Within second's I Spotted him not too far behind my father, catching his attention I squirmed for him. His face immediately recognised my discomfort as he hurriedly stepped towards me.

Get away... Stone... Father... Away now... I felt my eyes water hearing her voice continue to echo in my head, I looked around into the distance as I panicked. I begin to push myself away from Father wanting him to let me go. Pulling me back to him tightly, father looked at me "Child, what's wrong?" His voice like daggers in my ears as she again spoke ...Away Aliah... I looked to him with fear, not knowing what to do "Ace!" I squeaked out feeling my tears escape me. Growling in response Ace stepped closer to my father "Give her to me..." He spat, despite his tone I felt comfort as did she as he spoke ...Go... was all she said to which I turned to my father digging my fingers into his skin making him lose his grip, as soon as I fell to the ground I ran to Ace. 

Within seconds Ace had scooped me up in his arms, suddenly her voice became weaker ....y-yes... al..iah... I glanced around feeling her presence begin to disappear. Whimpering I looked at Ace, tears still falling from my eyes as a sense of relief washed over me from being close to him again "Hey, You're okay" He cooed pushing my hair from my face "S-Something's w-wrong.." I spoke between breaths as I stuttered, I watched as his face took on a serious tone before he glanced over to Alpha Black, his eyes clouded over for a small moment before he looked back to me "What did you hear angel?" 

Stone angrily stepped towards Ace and I only for Alpha Black to step forward grabbing him by the shoulder "Let her speak" He growled, despite his growl I didn't feel the need to shy away or hide. Instead I looked up to Ace who's eyes were already on me "Go on Angel" He hummed rubbing a thumb over my cheek. I looked back off into the distance remembering her voice and her words before glancing back to Ace "If I stay near father something bad will happen..." I watched Ace's eyes go dark as his persona shifted, a growl began to rumble from within him making it clear that his wolf was surfacing... despite feeling comfortable with his wolf I needed Ace right now... even she said so...

Reaching up I pulled Ace into a hug, wrapping my arms around his neck I whispered "Please bring Ace back... please..." I felt the growling subside as Ace's arms wrapped around me holding me close, the energy between us shifted letting me know he was back. Holding me still I heard him speak "Aliah stays with me" I flinched hearing my father growl from behind me before he spat "...Fine" It didn't take long before I heard heavy footsteps begin to move in the distance, turning around I saw him and Callex walking away. Alpha Black watched them closely as Ace walked him and myself closer, turning to me Alpha Black spoke "Are you sure you want to continue Aliah? If you don't feel safe we will turn around" His voice came out strong yet calm. 

Smiling up at Alpha Black I looked back at Ace before I nodded "I'm okay now... but thank-you" Flashing me a brief smile Alpha Black and Ace continued on after my Father and Callex. It wasn't long before I saw the entrance to the home of the Elders. I turned to Ace confused "They live in a cave?.." Ace chuckled back at me "This is just where The Elders can best connect with the Moon, Looks magical doesn't it?" I giggled with a nod "Like in a book!" Giving me a smile he lifted my hand to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on my skin "Yes Sweetheart, just like in a book" 

POV | Ace

With Aliah in my arms I followed behind my father into the cave, at first the light disappeared covering us in darkness making Aliah shrink into me with a whimper. Rubbing her back I looked ahead using Xerxes eyes so I could see as I continued in deeper. It didn't take long before the moonlight began to reflect off the Cavern walls, the water below that had collected around the stones helping to create ripples of light that moved in waves "Angel Look" I cooed making her pull her head away and look around, her smile widened as she took in the sight. As we continued down the path the cracks in the rocks began to grow larger making the moonlight more evident as it shined down. 

Looking to my angel I smiled as we walked under another beam of moonlight only to halt my steps upon seeing her eyes. Her opal eyes began to glow underneath the streams that shone through the rocks, noticing my gaze she turned to me "What?" She whispered, I opened my mouth only for nothing to come out... I swear I saw them sparkle as she continued to look my way. "Ace" I heard my Father call for me, turning to him he too froze seeing her eyes "Little one.." Father began stepping closer "...Have you ever known your eyes to glow?" Looking between us confused she gave a small nod "F-father didn't tell you?" 

I felt Xerxes begin to stir within me as my eyes caught fathers, something was wrong with our being here. Aliah looked between us both, the glow in her eyes seemed to grow as the panic in her began to make her heart beat faster "Tell us what angel?" I question stroking her hair in an attempt to calm her "What happens when my eyes glow..." I could tell from the beat of her heart and shudders in her breath that her father was definitely hiding something from us... but what? and why? 'Leave... quickly" I heard Father's voice boom in my head. Looking to him I wanted to question the sudden shift in his scent only for his gaze to make me keep my mouth shut. Letting out a breath I tightened my grip on Aliah and began to turn in the direction of the exit, I only managed to take a step before the whispers of the Elders began to echo off the cavern walls.

"Bring the Child" a shiver ran down my spine hearing an Elder request my angel in such a tone, the water had gone still around us as the echos' subsided. I looked to my father for guidance wanting anything but to have to turn around, with a sigh he shook his head in defeat 'It's too late... be prepared' I heard his voice again. Xerxes began to fight, feeling my muscles tense I stood tall holding him in as I turned to walk further into the cave. As we walked further the three Elders came into view, Aliah's heart continued to beat at a fast pace with each step I took. One their eyes landed on her I knew they had seen them glow, I began to plead in my head 'Don't hurt my mate' despite the battle I was facing I knew there wasn't much more I could do other than give her to them for the examination. 

"Let us see the Child.." The Elders echoed as one as they continued to stare, Aliah looked back at me with worry as I began to kneel resting her on her feet "You'll be okay... I promise" I whispered to her as I reluctantly pulled away. With a tensed Jaw I kept my eyes locked on my angel as I backed away from her, her eyes darted to everyone around the room until they landed on the Elders. Her body froze at the sight of the three men. "Child... your eyes glow with a depth more powerful than the vision of night" The Elders spoke in sync causing Aliah to flinch and cover her eyes, I felt Xerxes whimper within me knowing tears had begun to fall from our angel. 

With trained eyes the Elder who stood centre crept closer to Aliah, I watched my angel stand still looking up at the man who now towered over her. Reaching out a hand he held it in mid air turning his palm upwards, as if his hand were on her chin her face tilted upwards “You told us nothing of this Blessing but only that of a curse... Do cursed eyes see beyond darkness... or become it" His words echoed against the walls yet all in the room could feel whom it was directed too... Stone. 

"Her eyes have brought nothing but Pain how was I to think of it as anything but a curse..." with fists clenched at his sides he spoke defensively only for it to be dismissed as the Elder who stood before Aliah spoke "Alpha, you believed us to exercise a blessed wolf?" I looked to Father as the words left the Elders mouth, unable to hold back Xerxes growled "Exercise?! You were going to rid her of right to her wolf? To my Mate!" Turning his attention to me he too growled "You haven't seen or endured what We have, her mother can’t even look her in the eye” Stone spat his words like venom, I felt a soaring pain pulse through my chest hearing Aliah whimper at the mentions of her mother. My eyes darted to her as she looked to the ground, trembling. With deep breaths I calmed myself and remembered who I was here to protect. 

“So that’s reason enough to take the blood she was born with away from her?” I spat through gritted teeth whilst keeping my eyes in place on Aliah “Her blood is curs...” Stone began to yell this time only to be silenced as the Elder stood tall, hiding his hands away in the arms of his robe he looked to the moon “The light of the goddess herself shall be the only one to judge upon this child” His voice boomed throughout the cavern, leaving the room to fall into a heavy silence “Dear child, present yourself to her light and let us see what resides within” Standing back the Elders all bowed motioning for Aliah to step forward into the heaviest stream of moonlight, with small unstable steps she complied. 

As Aliah stepped into the light her shaking hands and trembling legs seemed to calm, as if instinct she looked up to the moon through the c***k in which the moonlight shone. I held my breath feeling as if time had stopped as I watched my Mate basking in the glow of the goddess, that was until I looked up. The Elders' faces, though un-readable, held the fate of my Angel. Despite holding no expression the Scent coming from them was enough to pull fear into the pit of my stomach “W-what is it?” I managed to whisper out.

Reaching out the Elder again motioned for Aliah to move her head, her gaze dropped as if being pulled out of daze as he answered “Both a blessing and a curse... this child holds power close to that of the goddess herself...” I furrowed my brows confused, looking to Aliah he hovered his hand over her arm, slowly bringing it up to her shoulder as he spoke. A soft glow similar to the colour of her eyes forming in the space between “...the strength of your wolf will only grow as will you...” With the glow still very much evident his hand hovered over her head as his voice boomed “...If you Aliah Stone, cannot wield the blessing bestowed upon you and your wolf by the time you turn 18... then your death is certain”