KATOMI - RISE OF THE FAE QUEEN

CHAPTER 2 - HISTORY

KATOMI’S POV

‘How’ I wondered to myself and my Lycan Remi as Wyatt pulled me silently through the woods back to his home, I still thought of it as his and not ours, I’d only been living with him for months ‘How did things end up like this?

8 MONTHS AGO

‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUNNY!’ My dad’s voice echoed around my room while my younger siblings jumped onto my double bed, disturbing my sleep

‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAT!’ They shouted happily as they jumped all over me

‘Jerome, Mia, get off of your sister!’ My stepmother Shay, a kind and beautiful women scolded them

Shay reminded me of snow-white, pale white skin, dark black hair, beautiful brown eyes and a killer body that grossly my dad always wanted to touch.

But that was mates for you. Once you found yours, you never wanted to let them go, they were second chance mates but it wasn’t any less of a bond, my mother being my dad’s first-Shay had found her first mate too, but he’d died in the war a year before my mother was killed.

‘Happy 17th birthday sweat heart’ She smiled at me

I looked around my bedroom sleepily to find them all fully dressed. My dad was holding a blue cake with 17 lit candles while everyone else each held up a present.

‘Thank you everyone’ I smiled and pulled myself up in a sitting position.

I lent against the headboard of my bed and looked at my family again ‘But it is my birthday, couldn’t you let me sleep in?’

‘No way’ Jerome rolled his eyes in that petulant 10-year-old way ‘You’re going to shift today, we had to wake you’

‘Aren’t you excited?’ Mia asked, she was such a sweet girl, a little too shy and soft spoken, but she had the biggest heart of anyone I’d ever known.

‘Of course, I am’ I lied, I’d actually been dreading this day for years ‘But, but what if I don’t shift, what if I’m like my mom, I wish Alpha Wyatt had let us leave the pack again this year’

Everyone looked at my dad, but he shook his head dismissively ‘Don’t worry about such things’ He brushed off my concern ‘I can smell the Lycan in you, you’ll shift for sure. Now blow out your candles so we can eat’

‘You just did this early, so you could eat cake for breakfast’ I shook my head and smiled at my dad who winked, he had a sweet tooth.

I leant over and blew out the candles, making a wish as I did ‘Please let me shift’ I pleaded with the goddess.

You see I had a secret, a huge secret, a secret my entire family kept, a secret that could get us all killed.

My dad had once belonged to another pack, a pack that other packs would actively avoid and look down on, a pack where Lycan’s, witches, dragons, wolves and Fae all lived together in peace, despite the terrible war going on between the Lycan's and the Fae that the late King Calligan started.

My dad had met my mother there, a beautiful white-haired Fae princess with tremendous powers. They were mates and fell in love and for 10 years they lived together in peace. However, peace can never last forever.

When my mother was pregnant with me, A Fae lord, Lord Raemair, visited their pack, he touched my mother and had a vision of me. Apparently, he fell in love with me and demanded that my parents give me to him when I came of age at 18 but they refused unless we were mates.

Enraged he kidnapped my mother and kept her locked up until she gave birth to me. Luckily, my dad managed to get us back and we were sent into hiding but on my 3rd birthday, he found us again and he killed her.

My dad lied to everyone and said I’d died with my mother to keep me safe, and he spent the next year running with me but no matter where we went, Raemair would always find us. He didn’t believe I’d died and refused to give up hunting my dad until he had proof that I wasn't with him.

Eventually my dad had no choice but to take me somewhere Raemair couldn’t follow, he came to the King Calligan‘s pack.

My dad lied to the Alpha Wyatt, King Calligans heir, the day we met him in the woods and hid that I was half Fae in order to keep me safe, he said the Fae had attacked us and killed his mate. His ruse worked, and the King allowed us to stay but I’d used magic and potions my whole life in order to keep my powers and Fae side hidden but if I didn’t shift tonight, my secret would be out, or I’d be banished from the pack for not having a Lycan.

If my secret did emerge, I could get my family killed and every ounce of suffering I’d gone through for the past 13 years would have been for nothing.

‘YAY!’ The twins clapped as the candles were extinguished ‘Let’s go eat it’

‘What about Kat’s presents?’ Shay asked.

‘It’s alright’ I said and climbed out of bed, stretching ‘I’ll shower first, and I’ll open them when I come down’

‘Don’t take too long bunny’ My dad called me by my nickname again ‘This cake is calling to me’

I laughed and watched everyone leave before I headed into my bathroom. After performing my usual morning routine, I dressed in leggings, a loose black T-shirt and blue sneakers.

I pulled my long thick white hair up into a pig tale as I wandered over to the window, pulling open the curtains.

I froze when I saw Alpha Wyatt, the King of all Lycans and my packs Alpha. He was working out in shorts while sweat was glistening on his bare muscular chest and his black hair was damp and messed up in a very sexy way.

I felt my heart race as it always did whenever I saw him, I used to think it was out of nervousness, because he’d be the one to kill me if he knew I was half Fae but now I knew it was because I had a major crush on him, just like every other female in our pack, whenever he looked at me or spoke to me in any way, my whole body would light up.

I couldn’t stop my eyes from wondering over his chest and strong arms again and my mind wondered back to last year at prom when I’d danced with Alpha Wyatt in the woods and I found myself wishing to be back in his arms, not that it would ever happen, he wouldn’t want a child like me.

Alpha Wyatt stopped doing sit-ups next to his Beta and best friend, Beta Beau and looked up at my window and I gasped and closed the curtain.

‘Sh*t, sh*t sh*t!’ I blushed and placed my burning face into my hands ‘He saw me watching him, he probably thinks I’m some creepy perv stalker now’

‘He doesn’t’ A very sweet voice said in my head, I jumped in surprise and gasped, looking around the room ‘Relax’ The voice laughed ‘My name is Remi, I’m your Lycan’

‘WHAT!’ I shouted at the voice ‘But, but I haven’t shifted. I shouldn’t be able to hear you yet’

Despite my initial shock, I was ecstatic that I had a Lycan, I wouldn’t get my family killed after all

‘Well, we’re special’ Remi said proudly ‘We’re half Fae so I’m able to talk to you from the moment you turn 17, I can’t wait to shift though and stretch my legs, you have no idea how uncomfortable it is, not shifting for 17 years’

‘This is so strange’ I admitted as I walked down the staircase of my family's double story home. My bedroom was in the attic, my father and I had converted it when I was 13 because I wanted more space ‘If a human started hearing voices in their heads they’d be committed’

Remi laughed ‘Well it’s a good thing you’re not a human’

I couldn't believe how quickly Remi and I had had our conversation. Not even 5 seconds had passed, and we'd already spoken several times. I always wondered how people could communicate so quickly with their Lycan's while speaking with others, it had to be magic, some kind of time-lapse in your mind.

I entered the kitchen where my family were gathered around a round wooden table. My cake which had already been cut up and handed out was sitting in the center, while various other goodies and breakfast foods had been placed around it.

My presents sat in front of my usual chair, which I pulled out ‘Well everyone can relax’ I announced ‘I’m a Lycan, well a half Lycan at least. My Lycan just spoke to me. Her name's Remi’

‘Remi’ My dad looked at me happily, and I noticed how relieved he was ‘But you haven’t had your first shift’

I shrugged and started pilling scrambled eggs on to my empty plate ‘She says we’re special’

‘Of course you are sweetheart’ Shay smiled at me ‘You didn’t need a Lycan for us to know that’

‘Thanks Shay’ I don’t know why, but I couldn’t bring myself to call her mum despite the fact that she’d practically raised me since she’d met my dad, every time I tried, it felt like I was betraying my birth mother.

‘Welcome to the family Remi’ My dad smiled and touched my arm ‘I can’t wait to get to know you baby’

Remi purred happily as she curled up, it was so strange feeling her actions inside of my mind.

‘Well, that’s a relief’ Jerome said, leaning back comfortably in his chair and placing his hands on his already full stomach. The way he did this made me think he was an old man rather than a 10 year old boy ‘I wasn’t looking forward to being shot for harboring a Fae’

‘JEROME!’ My dad growled as he glared at him

‘Just kidding’ Jerome laughed ‘They wouldn’t have shot us, it’s more of a beheading thing isn’t it’

He was such a sh*t sometimes, he had such a carefree attitude, always joking and pranking everyone, the exact opposite of shy little Mia.

‘Anyway’ Shay threw a warm bun at her son ‘Open your presents, sweetheart’

I smiled and grabbed the nearest box, judging by the half-arsed wrapping I knew it was from Jerome, I looked at him, but he shrugged and lent back again, eating the bun he’d caught before it hit him in the face.

I pulled back the wrapping paper and opened the box to find a small stuffed rabbit, I’d loved rabbits since I was a child, my dad told me it was a Fae thing, that most Fae had a familiar and mine was obviously a rabbit, it was even my nickname, my dad called me ‘bunny, my mother had started it because she said I had the energy of one

‘Thank you, Jerry,’ I smiled at my little brother ‘I love it’

I reached over and kissed his cheek, only to have him push me away and wipe the area I’d kissed

‘Gross’ He snarled ‘It’s no big deal, it’s just a stupid rabbit, dad made me get it’

I smiled but otherwise ignored his comments as I pulled another box towards myself, this one was perfectly wrapped, an instant give away that it was from Mia.

I opened the small box to find a beautiful hand painted picture of our family in a blue frame.

Mia was an amazing artist, she’s fallen in love with art when she went on a school trip a few years ago and she’d been painting and drawing ever since.

‘Wow Mia’ I felt tears fill my eyes when I noticed she’d also included my birth mother in the picture, minus the Fae ears and glimmering skin of course, we had to keep the secret, my mom’s arms were wrapped around me in the picture, a feeling I’d never know again ‘This is the most precious gift anyone’s ever given me, thank you’

I lent over Jerome and pulled Mia into a tight hug as tears filled my eyes

‘You’re welcome’ Mia said shyly, wiping away a tear of her own ‘I hope I painted her correctly? I only had your small photo to work from’

‘Get off’ Jerome shoved at me, so I lent back into my seat and wiped the tears from my face

I looked down at the picture and touched my mom’s face, she really was so beautiful, I only had one photo of my mom, I kept it on my always, hidden in bra so no one would ever find it and ask questions

It was taken the day my dad had rescued her from Lord Raemair. She was very pale in the photo from the lack of sunshine while she was being held captive and her hair was covering her ears. If someone saw the image you wouldn’t know she was Fae but I kept it hidden just in case someone recognized her as the Fae Princess.

‘Ours next’ My dad said, he was looking at me with pity but also excitement as he passed me a small box.

I quickly opened it, thinking it was jewelry. He’d asked me a few months ago what I wanted, and I pointed out a ring in our pack's jewelry shop but inside the box was a black key.

‘What?’ I looked up at my parents ‘Is this, is this a car key?’

My dad winked at me.

‘No way’ I shot up, I’d wanted a car for years. I only had my Learner license we didn’t follow human laws on pack grounds, kids could drive at any age here as long as they could.

I ran around the table and hugged both my parents before running outside to find a pretty little black and red Toyota Harris with a big reg bow on the hood parked in the driveway.

‘AHH!’ I screamed excitedly and rushed over to the driver’s door, only to realize I’d left the key ‘Cr*p, my key’ I spun around and slammed straight into a hard chest ‘Ow’ I cried out in pain and fell back.

A strong arm snaked around my waist and pulled me in before I hit the ground, and I was engulfed in the most amazing smell.

‘Careful’

I looked up with wide eyes to find Alpha Wyatt holding me close to him and my heart started racing wildly, so I quickly pushed away, blushing deeply. Isn’t this what I’d wished for not half an hour ago, to be in his arms, and now I couldn’t even speak?

‘A..Alpha’ I gasped and looked down ‘Thank you for helping me, I’m sorry I slammed into you, I didn’t see you’

‘It’s alright Katomi’ He said, and I hated how my heart fluttered when he said my name ‘Did you get hurt, you hit me pretty hard’

‘I’m okay’ I blushed and tried not to look at his amazing chest and stomach, which was hard with Remi purring with lust, she liked the Alpha too, great…

‘Kat you forgot the key you i***t!’ Jerome called out as the rest of my family came outside

‘Oh, Alpha’ My dad said, looking from the Alpha to me, my face was burning and my heart racing, why did it feel so good to be in his arms ‘Is something wrong, do you need me?’

My dad was one of the pack's top warriors, second only to our head warrior Ronan, but it was his day off today. He always took time off during my birthday.

‘I heard Katomi scream’ Alpha Wyatt answered my dad, but he looked back at me with concern in his eyes, or was I imagining that? ‘I was concerned something was wrong, so I rushed over to help’

‘You, you were worried about me?’ I asked, I looked up into his golden-brown eyes for a second before I quickly lowered my gaze. The last thing I needed was the King to think I was challenging him.

‘Of course,’ He shrugged ‘It’s my job, I’m your Alpha’

‘Right, of course’ I said, I was stupid to think he cared, I was just another girl in his pack, just a stupid kid.

‘Don’t be ridiculous’ My Lycan said, making me jump, I kept forgetting about her ‘Alpha likes us more than anyone’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘You’ll see’ Was all she said and went back to purring softly and imagining the Alpha.

‘So, it’s your birthday today’ Alpha wandered around the car, checking it out ‘You’re 17 right’

‘Yes Alpha’

‘Is this safe?’ Alpha Wyatt asked my dad, I frowned in confusion. Why would he care if it was safe, did he think I was going to hit someone?

‘I’m not going to run someone over if that’s what your worried about’ I snapped, my teenage hormones getting the best of me before I could stop myself.

Alpha Wyatt rose and an eyebrow as he stared at me, sh*t, I was in trouble now, he’d given me that look many times over the years whenever I overstepped.

‘Watch your tone, Katomi’ He said simply but firmly, and I felt as though I was being scolded by my dad ‘That’s not what I was concerned about, I was asking if the car was safe for your protection, not others’

‘My protection?’ I wondered to Remi ‘Why was he always worried about my protection?’

‘It’s very safe your majesty’ Shay smiled politely at him.

‘Good’ He nodded to himself as he kicked one of the tyre's, making sure they were sturdy ‘I’d hate for something to happen to Katomi’

‘Thank you for your concern, Alpha’ My dad stepped closer to me and put an arm over my shoulder, but Alpha Wyatt looked at my dad with a frown. What was going on? ‘But I’d never endanger my daughter by getting her an unsafe car’

‘WYATT!’ Beta Beau called out from next door where he lived ‘News from the border!’

I felt my heart restrict, it killed me that my pack was still killing the Fae, even though Alpha Wyatt had ended the war, it didn’t stop some of the Fae from attacking. Why can’t we have peace like the mixed packs.

We all thought after Alpha Wyatt killed his father for reasons we still didn’t know, that the needless killing would end but no such luck.

I still had nightmares about Alpha Wyatt’s fight with his father, Alpha Wyatt looked absolutely, terrifying as he ripped his dad’s head from his neck.

‘I guess that’s my cue’ Alpha Wyatt started to walk away, but he turned his head as he did and looked at me ‘Oh and Katomi, Happy Birthday, I will see you tonight at your shifting party, I’m looking forward to meeting your Lycan’

‘Thank you, Alpha,’ I smiled at him as Remi began wagging her tail but I quickly lowered my gaze again, I thought I’d seen his eyes darken with lust for a second, but I was probably imaging it because of my stupid crush, just like last year at the prom when I thought he was going to kiss me.

He wouldn’t want me, he had dozens of lovers. Beta Michiana for example, she had been sleeping with the Alpha off and on for years and everyone expected him to choose her as his mate and Queen, but he still hadn’t, in fact, last year he sent her away to another pack without any explanation, and she threw a huge fit, screaming and throwing things around his office before finally accepting the transfer

‘Maybe he’s waiting for his mate’ Remi said.

‘Maybe’

‘Are you going to stand around like a loser all day’ Jerome asked ‘Or are you going to take us for a ride’

He passed me my key and I squealed excitedly again and opened my car. The new car smell filled my nose and only added to my joy.

‘Lets drive to Bronwyn’s and show her my new car’

Bronwyn was my best friend, we’d met in preschool and bonded over the fact that we were wearing the same shoes. She was very popular at school, head cheerleader, second smartest in our class, I was the first, a fact that she always pointed out and hated, all the boys loved her, and she loved flirting with all of them, we were very different in that aspect.

I wanted to wait for my mate and only my mate, though I was terrified of what it would mean when I did find him, how would he react to me being half Fae, would he still want me, would he turn me in. Luckily I had another year before I turned 18. That was the age Lycan’s started finding their mates, although for most they didn’t actually find their mates until they were decades old.

Bronwyn had big plans for her mate and a very specific idea of what he’d look like. Consequently, her dream guy bared a strong resemblance to Beta Beau. She herself was very pretty, long red hair, pale creamy skin and big brown eyes. Her mother had come from Scotland on a diplomatic mission years ago, only to find Bron’s father, they fell in love, and she chose to stay here with him.

‘Ok’ I said excitedly ‘Everyone strapped in, let’s go!’