Bora's Diary - The beauty and the beast

BORA

I could hardly believe it. After half an eternity, I was finally going to see my family again. I was happy as a lark and packed enough clothes to leave.

Lorys had already gotten ready and he decided that we would all ride to the Brightstone pack. He was kind enough to help me onto the horse.

"Make sure you don't fall off," he said with a grin and winked at me, to which I rolled my eyes. "Me and falling off? I can ride, my dear," I replied, to which he seemed to laugh.

Oh yes, I could ride my stallion and would never forget this evening.

Leonardo and Marga would come too, they had also prepared for the journey and looked at each other in confusion while Lorys and I talked.

"She can ride a horse?" Leonardo asked confused and looked at Lorys, to which I replied directly: "That was part of my training in Brightstone.... The alpha women have to learn to ride there too." That was the moment when Lorys doubled over with laughter and could hardly contain himself.

I rolled my eyes again with a grin and looked at Marga, who just giggled. I noticed the mark on her neck... Leonardo had probably claimed her for himself and I didn't know why, but the thought sent a shiver down my spine.

At that moment, I even wondered why Lorys hadn't marked me yet. Was he not sure? Hmm... If he had been unsure, he wouldn't be riding with me to the Brightstone willingly. Definitely not.

When they were ready too, we all rode off, the Brightstone was two hours away from here, we were much faster on horseback than on foot.

We could have turned, but Lorys thought we should treat this part of our journey as an excursion. We would take it slow to explore the Circle territory and see nature.

I could feel the wind on my skin, the sun was shining and everything felt right at that moment. I felt like a free bird.

I was grateful that Lorys was so nice to Marga, and if I didn't know better, he would tease her about it.

"I still can't believe how believably you lied to me when you said you didn't know where Bora was..." he grinned, shaking his head as Marga's cheeks turned red.

"I had to," she said innocently, looking at me sheepishly. I had to giggle and nodded slightly "That's what friends are for," I replied, while Lorys shook his head. "It could have turned out differently," he replied with a grin, whereupon I started to laugh.

"Be honest, if we hadn't been mates, you wouldn't have noticed that we had disappeared," I looked at him and scrutinized him. He just looked really good... Shit.

He nodded slightly, "Yeah, because I've never been interested in normal women, you're special to me," he replied, looking at me with a smile.

I felt flattered and also blushed with embarrassment.

Leonardo looked up at the sky and frowned. "If we don't ride faster, the storm will catch us ... Let go," he warned us and we galloped off at a faster pace.

He was right, because it was indeed starting to rain and storm heavily, but it wasn't far to Brightstone. Through my connection to the pack, I could sense when we reached the Brightstone area.

The wind was howling, the rain was pelting, we were drenched with rainwater and suddenly Lorys' horse started snorting loudly. It started jumping up and down while Lorys tried to hold on to the reins to calm the horse down.

"H-stop! Stop!" Lorys shouted, but the horse didn't listen. It was as if Lorys was thrown to the ground in slow motion as the horse stomped around and caught Lorys firmly on the head with its foot.

"Lorys!" I screamed in panic and jumped off the horse.

I ran towards him and saw his bleeding forehead while the horse stamped as Leonardo drew his sword and put an end to the snake moving in the grass. No wonder the horse was beside itself...

Marga came running to me and looked at Lory's forehead while she tried to stop the bleeding with a piece of cloth.

"We have to get out of here, we can't help him here! Is it still far to the pack?" Leonardo asked me, but I couldn't think straight. I nodded hastily while Leonardo picked up Lory's unconscious body and placed it on his horse. He also sat up and held Lory's body while Marga and I also got up and galloped off through the rain.

I felt myself slowly approaching my father's castle and my surroundings became more and more familiar to me. This was my home! My pack, my everything!

We galloped over a stone bridge, through a large gate that led us into the village. Even though it wasn't as big as Lory's castle, it was still my home and I felt comfortable and safe.

"Father, we need help!" I called out to him in thought communication, to which he replied in confusion, "Bora? Is that you?"

We rode into the large courtyard as several wolves rushed up, mistaking us for intruders. They held their swords in their hands and some had already transformed to tear us apart.

"It's me, Bora," I said, and we halted with the horses.

When the men saw who I was, they stopped immediately and some even bowed. "We need help, he's hurt!" I instructed them, whereupon they ran to Lory's and tried to help him. They put him on a wooden stretcher and carried him to the infirmary in the castle.

Through the door came my completely confused father, who looked at me with wide eyes and welcomed me with open arms.

I ran into his arms, whereupon he hugged me tightly "M-My princess...", he gasped softly and looked at me incredulously.

I nodded hastily and sobbed quietly "I'm home again..." I whispered softly with tears in my eyes.

"L-Lory's... Father, you have to help him, he's my mate!" I just managed to get out and looked at him uncertainly.

He widened his eyes briefly when he realized who was lying in his ward and nodded to his beta, Raios, who immediately made his way into the castle.

Marga and I shivered from the cold, while Leonardo stood next to me and bowed to my father.

"Alpha David, it is an honor. I'm Beta Leonardo from the Circle pack," Leonardo introduced himself, to which my father nodded, "Come in before you get sick," he practically dragged us in and led us to the rooms.

"Bring them clothes and make sure they get a warm bath," he instructed all the servants and looked at me, "Alpha Lorys will be taken care of. Get changed... We'll discuss everything later," he instructed me and I had no choice but to follow my father's servants.

I was worried about Lorys, but at least now I was reassured that our pack doctor could take care of him.

I was led to my old room, which still looked as if I had been there only yesterday. It was clean, tidy and my books were still where I had last left them.

Sina, the head maid, came running up to me and looked at me in shock: "Dear! We can hardly believe it... Thank God you're back!" she almost cried out and pulled me into a hug.

I couldn't help but smile slightly and returned her hug "I'm happy to be back too..." I replied, to which she nodded "Get into the warm water!" she instructed me and helped me undress.

I had known Sina for as long as I could remember and I didn't feel uncomfortable being naked in front of her.

She helped me wash when I was back in the room later dressed.

Sina combed my hair and looked at me in the mirror with satisfaction.

"I like that better... I've already thrown away the dress you were wearing!" she said and I laughed.

"Thank you Sina..." I got up and made my way to the door. Sina also followed me and led me into the large living room, where my father and mother were already waiting for me.

My mother looked at me worriedly and came running towards me. She looked much thinner than I remembered. Tears were streaming down her cheeks and she hugged me tightly.

"My little girl..." she whispered softly and looked at me worriedly. I returned her hug and looked into her eyes too. I didn't know what to say when the tears came and I had to cry.

She gently stroked my hair and also sobbed: "I'm so sorry that we couldn't help you.... I almost went crazy with worry. Please forgive me...", she whispered and looked me in the eye, whereupon I nodded several times and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"Please don't worry about me anymore... I'm fine," I assured her and looked at my father, who smiled sadly and patted me on the shoulder.

"How's Lory?..." I asked uncertainly, to which he nodded. "He'll be fine," my father said and offered me a seat.

I shook my head hastily, because I wanted to see him.

"Please, I have to see him..." I whispered softly and felt my companion's bond tugging at me. The feeling was indescribable and it felt like a part of me was dying inside.

"Darling, the doctors are doing everything they can to help him... I beg you, let them do their work, you'll see him soon," my father assured me as Leonardo and Marga came rushing into the room. They looked at us uncertainly, whereupon I practically ran into Marga's arms and hugged her tightly.

"If only we hadn't come here... then none of this would have happened. It's all my fault..." I whispered quietly as tears ran down my cheeks.

Marga shook her head hastily: "It could have happened to anyone, Bora... You mustn't worry too much about it now, he'll be back... I'm sure he will," she whispered to me quietly and hugged me close.

She was the only friend I really had and somehow she managed to give me comfort.

Oh Lorys... I pray to the moon goddess that you get well...