Aria sailed across the ocean for seven days. When she reached Netherlands, she realized how big the world was.
Before the war, Netherlands kept its people isolated. They didn't tell them about neighboring kingdoms, fearing young people would leave.
Aria wished they had known. "If we knew the dangers out there, our land might still be safe," she thought.
She found an old boat and used it to return. Elijah's prized white horse came with her, showing her growing anger.
"I'll reclaim my heritage and prepare for war," Aria vowed. "Wolfland will pay for destroying my family."
On the boat, Aria discovered her magic. She summoned birds to bring food, water, and clothes.
"Bring food," she said, and eagles fetched fish.
"Bring warm clothes," she commanded, and swallows returned with cozy cloaks.
Aria beamed. "I'm discovering myself," she marveled. "My powers are amazing."
As Netherlands neared, Aria's determination grew.
"I'll unite my people," she declared. "We'll reclaim our land and honor our dead."
The white horse neighed, sensing Aria's resolve. They've become buddies after staying on a small boat squeezed for several days. Aria shared all her meals with it and it grew more closer to her. They cuddle most nights too.
Aria stepped onto Netherlands' shores, determination burning within her. The majestic white stallion stood beside her, a powerful symbol of her unwavering resolve. It stretches itself after staying uncomfortable for a while.
Initially, the encounters were tense. Netherlands' survivors, wary of outsiders, eyed Aria with suspicion.
"Who are you?" a gruff guard growled, hand on his sword.
Aria pulled back her scarf, revealing her striking white hair. Her eyes blazed with conviction.
"I am Aria Moonflower Silvermist, daughter of Netherlands, granddaughter of Warlock Silvermist," she declared.
Guards exchanged skeptical glances.
"You expect us to believe you?" one scoffed. "You're just another impostor. There's no moonflower with a silvermist name together in Netherlands." She knows that too. Her mother is a moonflower, a white witch and her father is a silvermist, a black wizard. It's very unusual to hear such combinations of names in Netherlands.
Aria's face flushed with anger. They find her funny even after stating all she knows.
"I assure you, I am the prophesied one, destined to reclaim our land," she emphasized.
A Wolfland captive passing by, recognizing Aria, stepped forward.
"Wait! I know her. She's She's a witch of netherlands.I saw her as Captive in Blackwood. She's the white haired prophecy child!"
Others passing by also who had been captives in Wolfland nodded, awe and reverence etched on their faces.
They bowed, acknowledging Aria's true identity.
"Aria, Moonflower Silvermist, our prophecy child," they whispered, voices trembling.
Guards hesitated, uncertainty etched on their faces.
Aria's gaze swept across the crowd, her voice ringing.
"I've returned to prepare our people for war. Wolfland will pay for their atrocities."
As news spread, more Wolfland captives emerged, welcoming Aria with tears and open arms.
However, Aria's mother, Lirien Moonflower, remained unaware of her daughter's return. The community didn't recognize Aria as her long-lost child.
Aria's journey had just begun, fueled by determination and a burning desire for justice.
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Elijah felt suffocated by his mate, Ophelia, at the mating ceremony. Their bond at the Moonstone River was uninspiring, lacking the fiery passion he craved. Elijah's desires were lukewarm, and Ophelia sensed his emotional detachment.
After the ceremony, Alpha Elijah took Ophelia to their new home, Blackwood. This would be their residence until the king's passing, when they'd assume the throne as King and Queen.
Princess Ophelia's primary concern was conceiving heirs to solidify their bond. Her medicine lady, gifted by her mother, was renowned for helping female wolves conceive.
Since their first night together, Ophelia eagerly anticipated pregnancy, her anxiety growing with each passing day. She checked daily, but her womb remained empty.
Ophelia: "I'm very positive about last night, check for an heartbeat today."
The medicine lady takes her hand and checks for a double heart beat as usual. For wolves it's faster to childbirth. They put to birth after three moons. The first day after sexual intercourse produces a faint heartbeat and the foetus grows faster each passing day. Three moons later, the mother puts to birth like every other animal. For vampires it's different, more faster than the werewolves but for witches, it's longer and as normal as humans would, nine moons.
Medicine Lady: "I'm sorry, my princess, there's no heartbeat."
Ophelia's anger erupted, her face flushing with frustration.
Ophelia: "You're useless! How can they call you the best in Wolfland when it takes you so long to make me pregnant. Your medicines are nonsense! Rubbish! Out of my presence!"
That statement hurts like a thorn to her heart. She wants to be pregnant. Her anger reflects on the medicine lady's face. It's her third slap this time from the princess
The humiliated medicine lady fled, tears welling up in her eyes, feeling belittled and disrespected. She has never been belittled like the princess makes her feel. She was the one who made the existence of the princess possible. She helped the queen conceive the princess. The little spoiled brat!
Elijah grew weary of Ophelia's relentless pursuit of pregnancy, resenting the forced intimacy that left him feeling violated. He began avoiding his mate, seeking solace in solitude.He feels raped everything he has sex with Ophelia and it's becoming quite alarming. She will sex with him every goddamn time. In the morning, afternoon and night.
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Elijah (telepathically to Axel): "Is she gone?"
He asks telepathically to Axel who's keeping watch for his mate, Ophelia.
Axel: "No, she's looking everywhere."
Elijah exclaimed, "Oh moon goddess! Just let her conceive and leave me be!" His exasperation echoed through the telepathic link.
Elijah confided in Axel about his doubts of the mating bond days ago.
Elijah: "How's your mating bond with your mate?"
Axel: "Good."
A confused beta replies.
Elijah: "I mean explain it to me. I feel different from the books and schools. I feel like they exaggerated it all."
Axel: "I don't think they exaggerated it. I feel they underrated it in school. It's more stronger than it is written. I can tell my mate from a close mile. I can tell her emotions. She can likewise feel all I feel. I can telepathically communicate with her and she do the same with me too. Our bedroom affairs are more emotional than anything. The bond extends to child bearing too. I feel every pain, every hunger, every kick. I feel everything. It's very deeper, like we're one body."
Elijah realized his bond with Ophelia was lacking, a hollow echo of what Axel described. He didn't feel connected, and neither did she. If they shared a true bond, she'd sense his emotions and place of hidings.
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Aria found her mother, Lirien Moonflower, through Eira Shadowfire. Lirien, a healer witch, lived alone, grieving her losses. Her husband and young son had fallen to the invasion.
Aria saw her mother vulnerable for the first time.
Aria: "Mother?"
Lirien looked up from pounding healing leaves. She's cooking healing leaves for neighbors all over Willowdale.
Lirien: "Astrid?" (Aria's nickname, given by her mother) she's the only one that calls Aria that. She had given Aria, Astrid while Aria's father named Aria. Aria became fond of Aria because she lives at her father's side of the family.
Aria: "Yes, Mother. It's me!"
Lirien rushed to embrace her daughter, crying.
The two reunited, recalling their painful past. After tears and hugs, Lirien took Aria inside what's left of the Moonflower family's home.
Aria: "Mother, where's Grandfather? Where's everyone?"
Lirien cried again.
Lirien: "He passed away a moon ago. I think worrying about you affected his health. When the rest of the Netherlands Captives returned without you, your grandfather fell sick, no healing magic could save him."she cries.
Aria shed fresh tears, missing her beloved grandfather. Her maternal grandfather was the only one who loved her dearly and didn't mind showing it publicly.
As night fell, they sat by the fireplace, sharing their experiences. Lirien spoke of losing her husband and son to the invasion. Aria shared Netherlands' struggles, Elijah's betrayal, and her encounters, including Malakai.
Aria: "Where's the Silvermist buried?" She's asking about her father's and grandfather's graves. She needs to send them off properly.
Lirien: "Your grandfather rests at what remains of the Silvermist tombstone. Your father gave him a proper burial."
Aria: "My father?" She saw everyone killed including her father. He died at a wolf's harsh claw.
Lirien: "He survived the wolf attack. Though heartbroken, he lost everyone so, he lives in solitude at the Netherlands' edge."
Aria: "Where's Father, Mother?"
Lirien: "Fishermen say he lives alone at the end of netherlands, rarely speaking to anyone. It's the place called, the end of the earth." It's a very distance but Aria's more than happy to hear that her father lives.
Aria longed to see her father, planning a visit for the next day.
" I'll visit him tomorrow, mother,"Aria says.
Her mother nods in response.