BREED&QUEEN

BLOOD CEREMONY

A WEEK LATER

I was able to convince my mother to let me stay. I wasn't staying to try to be with the king, I was trying to come up with a plan. I knew that I didn't want to marry the man my mother had chosen for me. I had to come up with something else and I would. But my time was running out because the Alpha would choose his mate tonight. Once my mother learned that it wasn't me, she would be rushing me home. I couldn't focus on that tonight, I wanted to enjoy my time here. I was headed to the meadow to meet with the village. I decided to go with Dustin and I'm glad that I did. We walked in silence to the meadow where the blood ceremony would be held. I smiled when I saw all the villagers gathered around, the children ran around chasing each other. The air was filled with the smell of different kinds of food and desserts. I inhaled the warm breeze that flowed past me. The night was quiet, besides the crickets singing in the distance. The moon was full and bright, the stars decided not to shine tonight but that was okay because the red and gold lanterns would light up the sky once the king chose his mate. I glanced over at the food table and laughed, I nudged Dustin and pointed to Lily who was flagging us down with cake in her hand.

He chuckled, "food calls."

I laughed pulling him over to the dessert table, I couldn't wait to get my hands on something sweet.

"You guys made it," she screamed pulling us into a hug.

I pulled away and picked up a green grape. "Of course, we made it we couldn't miss it if we wanted to." 

I smiled bringing the grape to my mouth but before I could taste the sweet fruit on my tongue, Dustin guided my hand to his mouth and ate the fruit. He sucked on my fingers gently, making sure to make eye contact with me. I bit my bottom lip bringing my hand to my mouth when he released it from his grip.

"You two are getting pretty close," she smiled wiggling her eyebrows.

"Oh, trust me you haven't seen anything yet," he winked.

"Ewww too much information," she rolled her eyes playfully.

"Excuse me ladies I need to go talk to Jacob." I nodded and watched him disappear into the crowd of people.

This ceremony was well put together and it was beautiful. I adored all the red and gold décor that covered the trees, tables, and the stage. The warm spring breeze felt great against my skin tonight.

"So, it seems that Alpha Tristian has finally chosen a mate."

I smiled at Elizabeth, "yeah. I think that Danielle is a great match for him. They look great together." I glanced over to see them walking towards a group of people together.

She grabbed a grape putting it in her mouth, "rumor is...she already has his mark on her neck."

"Was that really a rumor or was that true?" I frowned placing my index finger on my lip.

"It's just a rumor, it has to be." 

"Why do you say that?" I asked turning to face her.

"He can't mark her unless it's in front of everyone. Well, that's the way that we do things here."

"I wouldn't know the rules because I don't know much about them. Where did they come from and why come we aren't all werewolves?"

She laughed grabbing more fruit before pulling me away from the table. "We don't call them that. They are called the átomo dýo. It means person of two, it's Greek. They came around about two hundred years ago."

"Are they immortal?"

"Atomo dýo is a combination of two beings. Humans and Wolves. Because they are combined the human form has many characteristics that a normal human wouldn't have. Strength, speed, cell regrowth, fast healing, etc. But they don't live forever and when you think about it, nothing does. Trees, plants, and food all grow old and wither away. A human can live to be about one hundred years old but it's not the same for wolves. They only live about sixteen years max. Now, humans don't age for a while, until they can stop their transition into wolves. When they are no longer able to change into a wolf that is when they start to age. The werewolf form can sustain itself on the human's life supply but that doesn't last long. By the time a human turns seventy years old, they are no longer able to transition at all. Most don't because if they do, they won't have the strength to change back.

I placed my hand on my chin, "how are they created?"

"So, the most common way that a átomo dýo is created is for a human to survive being scratched or bitten by a transformed wolf. The victim remains human for one more month until the next full moon, at which time they will transform themselves. It's more of a curse that was created in the pierce family."

"How did it start," I asked taking a seat at a table nearby.

"The story that I've heard for years was called the átomo dýo king. My grandmother would tell it to me all the time.

"Deep in the woods, he ran. Longing for power. He couldn't seem to understand. When he faced Alpha Shadow. There was nothing he could offer. He stood there staring into his green eyes with fear. Alpha Shadow gazed at him with a smirk on his face. He said, "share your body with me and your revenge will be mine." King Marcus took his hand and accepted his help. But he learned that it was not help that he was going to receive. A curse, that's what he got. One that is passed down from generation to generation. Alpha Shadow gave the King what he wanted. He took his revenge and turned it into peace, but the price was too great. He took all of the king's sanity. He took his pride. He took his wife and put his mate into her. The king's kingdom was no longer his. One after another, people were turned. The once peaceful land was no longer peaceful. But it made the Alpha happy to have a home of his own. A man became a King. A wolf became an Alpha. Together they became a beast."

"That sounds awful," I whispered. "So, what happens to them? Are they controlled by their wolf all the time?"

"While in human form, the wolf side of a werewolf exists suppressed within a region of the subconscious. This part of the subconscious can be accessed by the human side by meditation. If the human side and wolf side can find a way to co-exist in the same body and mind without one trying to overpower the other, life as a werewolf, including the transformations, will be less stressful and less painful. However, the wolf side of a purebred werewolf has a much stronger and overpowering presence, which is why purebreds are more aggressive, even in human form."

I watched her stuff a chocolate-covered strawberry in her mouth quickly. "Purebred?" I asked taking a piece of fruit off her plate.

She smirked, "it means a person who is conceived from two werewolf parents. Tristian and Zayn are both purebred. Queen Esme and King Thorin both have a wolf."

It was interesting hearing about the history of the people of two. It was a lot to take in, but I was able to keep up. "I can't imagine how hard it is to control something inside you."

She shrugged, "it's because they are born with two different personalities. Their wolf is a different person who has its own desires and that can make things complicated Tristian and his wolf may disagree on many things, but they can't disagree on a mate."

"Why? Is that the reason that they have to mark her in front of everyone?"

"Well, let's see," she stuffed a strawberry into her mouth chewing heavily deep in thought. "When the Alpha marks a woman as his mate, it's not his human side, it's his wolf. By doing this in front of everyone he wouldn't be able to deny the bond."

"That makes sense," I said stuffing a piece of cheese in my mouth.

"You should know your history. It's important to know about the royal family and where they come from?"

"Well, you're doing just fine educating me. You can continue, I'm taking lots of notes."

She giggled, "okay. So, there were seven kings before Tristian. The first king was King Marcus. He was the one who sought power and started the curse. His wolf was named Shadow. He married a woman named Eliza. She was beautiful, courageous, and strong. There are paintings of the two of them in the grand hall. Anyway, she was bitten by Shadow, and she turned. Her wolf's name was Fern and I hear she was beautiful. White snow fur, green eyes, ugh she was perfect. She gave birth to a baby boy, and she named him Julius. King Marcus ruled for forty years before he passed away. Eliza died a few years before he did."

I smiled, "they seemed like they really loved each other."

"King Julius was next to take the throne. He took over when he was twenty-five years old. His wolf's name was Hunter and they got along with each other. They lived in sync and barely disagreed with each other. He married a woman by the name of Luna, and she was purebred. Her wolf's name was Dakota. When Julius was thirty-five Luna gave birth to a baby boy and they named him Lucas. The King ruled for thirty-five years before stepping down. He lived until he was sixty years old."

She asked me if I was still following along, and I nodded my head quickly.

"King Lucas was an amazing king. He was honorable and respectful to his people. He took the throne when he was twenty-five years old. He had a wolf, and his name was Fang. He got married eventually and his queen was everything he wanted. Her name was Jasmine, and she was human. Unfortunately, she passed away giving birth to their son. It sent him into a deep depression that he couldn't overcome. He ruled for twenty-five years before poisoning himself."

I covered my mouth quickly, "that's horrible."

"Yeah, especially for his son. His son King Ian took over when he was eighteen. He was power-hungry just like his great, great grandfather. He married a woman who was just as ruthless. She was purebred, and her name was Nahla. She had a wolf, and her name was Zara. They took from their people with no remorse. People starved and a lot of people died. They didn't care at all. Lucky for us, they didn't rule for long. The king and queen were murdered after ruling for twelve years. Nahla was lucky to birth a son before they died though. Now, their son King Victor was the opposite of them. He was kind, caring, and hopeful. He didn't agree with the decisions that his parents made and wanted to change things for his people. He was eighteen when he took the throne. For twelve years the throne was empty until he was of age because his parents died when he was eight years old. He was purebred and his wolf's name was Conan. He married a human woman, and her name was Beth. She was lucky enough to get pregnant with his son when she was thirty-five, but she died after giving birth. He was forty-five years old at the time of her death. He ruled for fifty-two years before falling ill and passing away at the age of seventy."

"It doesn't seem like they rule for a long time," I said taking a sip of my drink.

"It's because the job of a king is stressful and dangerous. Now, let me finish before the King starts his speech. King Hector took the throne was twenty-five years old. He was not purebred because his mother was human. He did have a wolf and his name was Silver. They lived together in sync, and they acted like brothers. They chose a mate, and her name was Lilith. She was human just like his mother Queen Beth. Lilith gave him two children. Two boys named Thorin and Axel. After giving birth to Axel, she passed away. King Hector was sad about her death, but he was happy to have his children to remind him of her. The two boys were two years apart, but he raised them well. When he was sixty years old, he passed away from natural causes. King Thorin was twenty-one when he took the throne. His wolf's name was Asher. He married Queen Esme when he was twenty-five. Esme is purebred and her wolf's name is Raven. When he was thirty-one years old, she gave birth to Tristian. Zayn came two years later. He passed away when he was fifty-two from a heart condition that he was born with. That left Tristian the throne. So, he ruled for thirty-one years. Now, Tristian and Zayn are purebred, There isn't much to know about Tristian's wolf. His name is Knox. That's all that we know about him because he is secretive. There is a rumor that he disagrees with his wolf all the time. They don't live in harmony and it's a constant battle. Zayn has a wolf named Slate and they get along sometimes but I don't know for sure."

"That's a lot of information to take in but I appreciate you sharing it with me."

She smiled, "I'm glad that I was able to help. But you need to pay attention more. The royal family doesn't like it when you don't know about their history. It's like an insult to them."

"I understand, I won't make the mistake again."

"Good," she turned to face the stage. "I think the Alpha is about to make his speech."

"I have to go to the bathroom," I whispered.

"Hurry up," she said waving her hand.

I shook my head and stood up quickly. I knew that she would lecture me if I missed his speech so I walked a fast as I could.