The Luna's Hidden Destiny

(Mila)

The wind was howling as the front door flew open, causing thick flurries of snowflakes to drift in as my dad kicked off his boots by the door.

“Looks like the storm is coming in early, did you get all the firewood we need for the night?” He asked gruffly, rubbing his hands together as he walked towards the crackling fire.

Crap, I had been so engrossed in my book that I had completely forgotten.

“Getting to it now dad.” I said with a sheepish grin.

I quickly jumped off the couch and grabbed my thick winter jacket, trying to avoid the disappointed look on his face.

He shook his head and walked towards our humble little kitchen.

“Mila, I asked you at least three times now.” He said with a sigh and a stern look on his face.

“Sorry.” I knew I was forgetting something.

I slipped on my boots and braced myself for the cold chill that was waiting for me just beyond the cabin door. We had officially been thrust into the throes of winter. The weather was unrelenting and seemed to last much longer than intended.

I was already craving those summer days, even though fall was typically my favorite season. The trees around here truly came alive during that time of year. The oranges, yellows, and reds that filled the skyline, were absolutely breathtaking. I would spend hours outside walking in the woods and enjoying the falling leaves. But now I just wanted sun.

We lived in a small cabin, it wasn’t much but it was all we had. My childhood home, the only place I had ever known. It had always been just me and my dad, he was all I knew.

His name is William James Rosewood. My dad, being my only family was everything to me. We were a team, everything we did was for each other, our own little family. He is a tall muscular man with salt and peppered hair, his features masculine and sharp. He always grew out his beard in the winter, it was down past his chin now.

I guess he fits the stereotype of a true outdoorsman, especially in the winter. I like to think he is quite handsome, but I might be biased considering he was my dad and the only other male I had ever seen, other than in movies we would watch. I loved my father with all of my heart, he had to be the bravest, smartest, and kindest man that ever lived.

He had taught me everything, how to read and write how to hunt and fight, all of it. He even told me stories of the moon goddess and how she blessed our kind. We would sit outside most nights, looking up at the bright moon, thanking the goddess for giving us our own little piece of heaven. This land and our home, keep us safe and together. We were our own pack, we didn’t need anyone else but each other.

That’s what Dad always said, that I was the biggest blessing he was ever given. I didn’t know much about life outside of the cabin and the woods that surround it. Being seventeen, I hadn’t gotten my wolf yet but that would all change in another week. My dad promised he would start taking me on patrols when I turn eighteen, that I would finally get to go beyond our territory. It wasn’t bad being here, but it was the only thing I had ever known.

My mother, Grace Anne Rosewood, was the main reason why we were out here hiding away. Her tragic death hit my father hard and put fear so deep inside of him that he hid us away. He told me the story once I was old enough, but it always ended with him filling with rage and transforming into Lucius, his wolf, and taking off into the woods. He didn’t come back for hours that night, it was just too much for him to bare.

The reason was that they were mates, but she was tragically killed by a man who wanted her for himself, an Alpha. They vowed to hunt my father down, who was an omega and kill not only him but me as well. After my mother’s death when I was only six months old, he took me and ran.

I didn’t blame him at all, to lose your partner, not only that but your destined mate..it was tragic, and that was why it still hurt so badly. Because that bond was given to them by the moon goddess herself, the other half to make you whole. So my father was truly never whole again after that, I could see it in his eyes sometimes, especially when he would drink on the rare occasion.

He would get angry those nights, ending up lashing out, manly toward me. But he was always sorry, he never really meant it. Those nights were so few and the bruises always healed. I never held it against him, I know how hard it is to live without my mom and to raise a daughter all on his own. He tells me I look just like her, with my emerald green eyes and thick wavy chocolate brown hair, my fair skin, and my bright smile. He told me she used to call me her little flower.

I even have a necklace with a beautiful golden rose on it that I never take off. My mom wanted to give it to me when I was older so my dad made sure to grab it before we left, knowing she would want me to have it. That was my birthday present last year, considering my gift this year will be my wolf. I am so excited I can hardly wait. To finally have my wolf and be able to go beyond these woods, to actually see the world.

I braced myself as the wind barreled through me, whipping my hair back and howling through the night. The sun was now setting but the sky still glowed with the gray clouds from the first big storm of the year. I couldn’t deny it, there was something truly amazing about these woods when it snowed. The air seemed to quiet and the sky illuminated as those huge fluffy snowflakes spiraled down, landing silently on the ground.

But then the wind would hit, reminding me of the harsh temperatures that would last the next few days. I shivered beneath my coat, the cold air filling my lungs and burning them instantly.

I trudged my way over to the side of the cabin, walking towards our little red shed where we kept our firewood.

We collected enough wood to last us for the winter, that was our fall chore. I spent many days lugging wood to the house and stacking it neatly. I swear I still had a splinter in my thumb from three weeks ago. I quickly picked up four heavy logs of wood and cradled them in my arms. The snow crunched beneath my heavy boots as I made my way back to the front. I made four trips, which should be more than enough to last us until tomorrow night. Suddenly, I heard something behind me, my senses going on high as a branch snapped somewhere beyond the woods.

I froze, straining my ears for any other sounds as I scanned the tree line. Nothing, only the relentless howling wind that brought the snow flurries hurtling toward my face. I turned, trying to shield myself, and opened the front door. I made quick work lugging in all of the wood and grabbed the last piece. The hairs on the back of my neck still prickling as I glanced outside one last time, the feeling of being watched lingered but not a sound to prove it. I shut the door and locked it quickly. Afterward, I slipped off my coat and hung it up right next to my dad’s then took off my boots.

“Dinners almost done.” My dad called out.

He stood in front of the stove as he continued to stir the famous chili that simmered in the pot before him. I glanced at the floor and saw the already melted snow trail that I left. Running to the bathroom I grabbed a towel and made quick work to clean it up. Knowing my dad wouldn’t be too happy about it.

“Set the table for me Mil.” My dad said while he busily grabbed two bowls from the kitchen cabinets.

“Okay, Dad.” I glided into the kitchen and peeked around his shoulder, being 5’2″ my dad towered over me, I must have gotten the short gene from my mom’s side.

“Make sure I get a lot of meat, you were stingy last time.” I said looking up at him, and narrowing my eyes.

He chuckled, swatting me away with his spoon.

“You get what you get, and you don’t throw a fit.” He said beaming.

I g*****d, he had said that to me since I was a small child. I swear it made me more and more annoyed each time. I grabbed our spoons and napkins, took them over to our small table, and placed them in front of the two chairs. That’s all we needed considering it was only the two of us. Winter was also the hardest time of year because we mostly stayed indoors. At least I had my own small room now.

My dad built the extension four summers ago and went out for supplies a few times. Those days were the roughest when he would leave me here alone. The longest he had been gone was a week straight. By the fourth day, I feared he might not come back. But he promised to always come back, so I just tried to wait patiently and he eventually did. It happened every couple of months so he can stock us up on canned goods and things that we needed. I don’t know where he goes but I hoped after I got my wolf I could go with him too.

He said it was too far away to walk, usually, Lucius does the traveling for him. Lucius, my father’s wolf, he seemed more protective over me than my dad sometimes. He calls me his pup and used to give me rides on his back when I was smaller. I’m sure he still could now considering how big he is. My dad’s wolf is Black with silver highlights, just like his own peppered hair. He is the best hunter and even took down a bear one time.

After that, I learned he was not only big, but he was strong too. I wonder what my wolf would be like, would I be bigger like my dad too? I once asked about my mom’s wolf but my dad didn’t want to talk about it at the time. I think it still hurts too much, and not just him but Lucius too. After grabbing two glasses of water, I sat down waiting at the table patiently.

“Here you go Mil.” Dad said, placing the bowl of steaming chili in front of me.

“Thanks, Dad, it smells great.” I grabbed the spoon and started digging in.

I ate hungrily, the chili warming me from the inside as I glanced up at my dad. He was watching me intently, smiling as he started eating himself.

“Once the storm passes I want to get you training in the snow, it would be good to go through some of the stuff we learned in the cooler elements.” He said between bites, glancing at me with his classic stoic look.

I nodded my head, already halfway through my bowl as I wiped my mouth.

“I can’t wait to get my wolf, then we can really start training.” I said smirking, reaching for my water as I took a long sip.

I was strong and fast now, but I knew once I shifted I would be even stronger and faster, I couldn’t wait. Even though my dad was an omega he said he used to have some warrior training background. That’s how he knew how to fight and how to think quickly on his feet.

“Mil, you know it isn’t just about strength, you have to have wits too.” His eyes flashed as he looked at me.

For some reason whenever I talked about getting my wolf, my dad seemed to get fired up. Maybe because I was turning into an adult now. Too be honest though, one of the reasons I was most excited to get my wolf was to have someone else to talk to, to actually have a friend. I loved my dad with all my heart, but having only him, a lot of times it felt lonely like I was craving that pack mentality. I would never let him know that though, I knew without a doubt it would break his heart.

“I wonder what color she will be, brown like my hair? Or black like yours?” I pondered while scraping my bowl clean.

My dad stood up, grabbing my bowl to fill it up again.

“Probably brown, usually goes by hair color.” He said while walking back and setting the bowl down in front of me.

“Thank you.” I said while grabbing a strand of hair, and nervously wrapped it around my finger.

“So..mom’s wolf was brown?” I asked curiously, looking down at my bowl. I could feel him tense from here.

“Yes, it was.” He spoke firmly, causing me to look up at him. I was surprised he even told me.

“Her wolf, Aurora, was the most beautiful wolf I had ever seen.” His words were distant as if he were lost in those memories.

“I wish I could have met them.” I began playing with my food now, my appetite slowly disappearing. My dad reached his hand across the table, prompting me to place mine in his.

“They would have loved you..they did love you.” He said with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. I nodded my head, trying not to feel sorry for myself as I craved that love so badly. I wished I had at least one memory of her, a scent, a voice, a feeling, anything..that was the hardest part. I didn’t even know what she looked like, no pictures or anything. After gently squeezing my hand he let go, grabbing our bowls and taking them to the sink.

“I got it, dad, you cook, I clean.” I said quickly, pushing up next to him as I smiled brightly, trying to make the mood lighter. He chuckled and reached forward, brushing my hair out of my face.

“How did I get such a good kid.” His voice filled with affection.

“Oh, just a blessing from the moon goddess herself.” I said, fluttering my eyes innocently.

“Uh-huh..doesn’t have anything to do with my parenting then.” He stepped away, placing the bowls down.

“Maybe a little.” I said teasingly and he laughed, walking towards the living room.

“You pick tonight, I’ll get the TV ready.” He announced, looking over his shoulder. Excitement filled me, we had a small portable TV with a built-in VCR and dozens of tapes. My dad would bring a few more home when he found some on his journey. The TV wasn’t too big but it did the job. We would watch a movie on really cold nights when we couldn’t go outside. We did either that or listened to the record player my dad had. My favorite movie to watch right now was anything with Audrey Hepburn in it.

My all-time favorite was a film called Sabrina. I knew that was the one I wanted to watch tonight and I’m sure my dad knew that as well. I quickly washed up and put away the leftovers. Once that was done I wiped down the counters and cleared off the rest of our small wooden table. Once I shut the kitchen light off I walked towards the living room and saw the tape waiting in front of the TV already.

“I figured as much..” my dad said, nodding his head toward the TV.

He must have seen the excitement on my face.

I quickly took the tape and slipped it into the TV slot, after pushing a few buttons the small screen began to play. I hopped over to the couch and flopped down, laying my head against my dad as he wrapped his arm around me, holding me tight. I inhaled, breathing in his earthy pine scent as I settled into his side.

“This is like what, the sixth time in the past month.” He said groaning and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Hey, I don’t judge when you pick Singing in The Rain every other day.” I glanced up at him, raising an eyebrow.

“Because Gene Kelly is a national treasure.” He said point blank.

“And Audrey isn’t?!” I was appalled. He laughed patting my arm.

“Okay, okay, she definitely is.” He said, conceding the fight.

I nodded happily, staring at the TV as the beautiful Audrey Hepburn made her appearance.