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"The Ever Night has ended but another Night Wolf reigns. It is only a matter of time before fate decides to weave with the same strings."
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[Kayos Adren Prime]

I moved out of my sanctuary, the doors closing behind me as I treaded the length of the dark hallways.

A sound caused me to pause near an intersection, spotting Alchest as he crawled out of the shadows. He moved toward me in the empty hallway, crawling up my shoulder and whispering his secrets in a low hiss.

I remained passive as he informed me of everything he had learned, my expression hardening with every unlikeable news he had gathered, till the very last.

I growled at what he had said, my jaw ticking. Alchest scampered away sensing my growing irritation. My wolf gripping the edge, eyes shining those deadly embers.

She would always find a way to get under my skin it seemed.

A rage forming deep within my wolf I stormed off  in the direction of her quarters, guards scurry out of my way, their eyes glued to the floor in fear of meeting my gaze.

I pushed the double doors open,

"Why has the date been moved?" I growled, trying to keep my tone from sounding more deadlier than I intended.

The five maids surrounding my mother immediately stood, bowing and scampering off in no less than ten seconds.

Mother held a mirror in her hands, calmly studying her reflection, looking back at me through it, "ah the rumor has finally reached you."

"Why have you changed the date?" I gritted my patience a single flame in the midst of a hurricane.

She turned back to puckering her lips, examining her reflection, "The date has not been changed, I merely spread the rumor. You can calm down now Kayos."

My eyebrows drew in slightly at the statement, my wolf calmer, irritation booming instead, "Why?"

"To bring you here, why else?" She sighed, placing the hand mirror down and getting to her feet as she turned toward me.

"I told a maid, who told a guard, who told another and the rest is history," she sighed with a shrug, "I knew your demons or shadows or whatever you call them would pick it up sooner or later and report back."

"You went through all that trouble?" I huffed with a slight eye roll. My mother was the queen of drama.

"It worked didn't it?" She retorted, "and I wouldn't have to have gone through all that trouble if you simply replied to my summons." Her gaze narrowed on me, "I've sent many letters and you've answered to none. I've called upon you and you haven't been here in nearly three weeks."

I let out a sigh, walking passed her to the open window, "I've needed some time alone."

"Time alone? When are ever not alone?" She echoed, and I could feel her gaze on me. When I didn't reply she let out a sigh of her own.

"I am aware that you've been trapped in your sanctuary for a few days now which would have worried me but the sun has been in the sky for a week now so I know you're not in a grave mood."

My eyes trailed from her to the window, my gaze falling first on the courtyard below then trailing upwards slowly to the tower of my sanctuary, staring at it for a moment as she talked.

"It was your father's favorite place too. I will never truly know why." She mused, "but as long as it helps calm you, I find no fault in it."

I hummed at this, absent-minded as I spotted a raven flying out of the high window, getting lost in the bright sky. My eyebrows arched at this for a moment, again the light feel of magic reaching my senses.

"Are you listening Kayos?"

My attention snapped back to reality, though I didn't look back at her, "speak mother," I sighed, "I'm listening."

I turned to her, placing my hands behind my back as my gaze traced back to her.

Her concerned eyes cleared slowly, a soft look in them.

By far that was the expression I hated the most. When she had that look on, she would say something to make me believe she understood however I felt. I know she only hoped to raise my spirit but I don't recall a moment it ever had.

"I know you grow agitated the closer the date of your mating ceremony draws." She began, holding the same look in her eyes.

"Yes," I muttered, my throat dry. I was not fond of the date, it was no secret.

The date felt like a bright sun looming over me, burning my eyes. I longed for a dark cloud instead.

"And I know you wish for more time. The time I can not give."

My eyes studied hers as she spoke. I knew all of this. I did not understand why she was repeating it once again as if it would change anything.

"I am aware."

She let out a loose breath walking towards me, the closer she drew the more uncomfortable I felt. Not because she was a threat in any way, but simply because I knew she would try her best to bring me comfort.

Something that worked when I was a young pup, but her efforts were now wasted and I had no feelings of comfort drawn from her anymore. All I felt was her pity and her disappointment. Those eyes that held so many promises, shattered hopes and wants.

She stopped a foot away from me searching my eyes. The only other being who could.

However, I could feel her fear in them, no matter how hard she tried to hide it.

"This was the agreement made. Time has come and gone and now you must be arranged to be mated on the eve of your 25th. I wished you more time, truly," she urged, her hand caressing my face, "but it is necessary to avoid an Ever Night."

Her fingers slipped away from my face, as she turned away.  She seems to be holding in a breath, or tears, one or the other, it did not take away from the shake in her voice.

My jaw tightened, though I didn't bother to reply to her remarks. Even my mother feared an Ever Night.

Still, I couldn't blame her. It was simply what I am, and even as I stood, I longed for that dark place. To waste into its nothingness before the date of my mating.

Only one thing made me want to wake up another day. It was the mystery of the Keffer. Shade. The girl whose very skin mirrored my soul. Whose existence held a shallow promise I was determined to keep.

"We can not fail the treaty." Mother continued.

I knew of the agreement.

After Criston the Cruel, every Night Wolf that had not been mated by his 25th birthday would be arranged to be mated.

Normal wolves usually found their mates days or months after their eighteenth birthday. If one had to wait for two to three years it was considered long and unlucky yet not completely unheard of.

If one had to wait for 4-5 years it was considered a punishment by Selene, for one's wrongdoings.

If a wolf who was not a keffer had not found his mate in six years or more, they were considered unworthy by Selene, but since they had a wolf, still had some sort of redemption, therefore they still amassed respect.

A keffer had no such luxury. They were cursed from birth and despised by the moon.

I had been searching for seven years.

Seven years could still be held as merely unworthy if I had been a normal wolf, but I was not.

I was a Night Wolf.

They did not wish for another Ever Night. With an arranged companion they hoped my loneliness would be subdued.

It had worked for my grandfather, and they hoped it would work for me.

I studied her as she walked toward her chair, "I know you're disappointed."

She froze at this and I continued. I felt no emotion except the expansion of the dark whole in my chest.

"That I am not successful as Father had been with finding you.."

She remained silent for a moment, before taking a seat. Her soft gaze trailed back to mine.

"I am not disappointed in you. How could I as if you are the one who weaves the strands of fate- no. If there is any emotion I feel, it's anger towards Selene." She hummed, pausing for a moment, her gaze snapping to mine. "Screw her."

I grunted at this, a soft smile appearing on her face and I nodded at the crude statement.

"Vivian," mother spoke.

My eyes remained glued to hers, not familiar with the sudden mention of the name.

"It is the name of your chosen mate."

My chest constricted again when she said it.

"Vivian," I repeated, tasting the stale word.

She nodded, her eyes trailing off me, speaking carefully with a more serious tone, "She is the first daughter of Alpha Cain, one of the thirteen. Leader of-"

"Greenwood Pack. I am the king mother. I know who Cain is."

She nodded after a short hum but continued to explain as if my statement was irrelevant.

"He remains Alpha of his pack because his first son, who turned eighteen summers 4 years ago, has yet to find his mate. Vivian has yet to find her mate, at twenty summers. She will be the perfect mate for you." she stated.

"You approve of her already? You have not even set eyes on her."

She paused at this, "True, it's been years since I last saw her," she chuckled softly as if reminiscing, "Last I did she was 12 summers old but if remember correctly, she was a beautiful child. Grey cloudy eyes and hair as gold as  the sun."

"I do not recall her."

"You never did pay attention to anything that did not catch your interest," she defended, "but she was just a girl then. As a woman, I'm sure she will be able to draw more than just your attention."

"And she agrees to abandon her hopes of finding her true mate? She agrees to marry the dark Prince?" I mocked.

Her gaze narrowed on me at this statement, "Her father says she's quite eager. I believe that means she's ready."

My gaze hardened, "Her father only desires more power."

"And that is what he deserves after the ceremony," Mother quipped, "that is his prize for a sacrifice so great."

My jaw ticked.

"The bride will be here in 3 weeks, and the council of courts will start arriving soon after."

"That I am aware."

"Good." She stated.

"Is this all you wished to say?"

"It was a reminder Kayos, and I had to make sure you were still as brooding as ever," she chuckled, "it warms me to see my son."

I grunted at this but nodded knowing she would only tarry my release if I continued the conversation. Without another word, I walked toward the door.

"Kayos"

I froze, with a sigh, turning around again, "Yes?"

"Don't be a stranger." she breathed, her soft eyes falling on me.

I paused at this statement, before walking out the door.

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