Wedding Preparations

Ava

My father returned from the woods with an armful of firewood, and he quickly set about building a fire. The crackling flames soon cast a warm glow around us, flickering against the deepening twilight. I watched as he dug into the back of the wagon, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he pulled out a dusty bottle of wine.

"This," he declared, brandishing the bottle with a flourish, "is very, very, very old wine. Perfect for a special occasion." I rolled my eyes, unable to suppress a smile.

"Dad, if you're planning to get all handsy with Mom after a few glasses, I might just party alone." He laughed, the sound deep and hearty, and even my mother couldn't help but chuckle.

"Don't worry, Ava. I promise to behave, at least for the first four glasses, only because its your birthday." he said with a wink as me and my mother giggled and his deep chuckled followed.

We gathered around the fire as the sun dipped closer to the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. My father poured each of us a drink, and we clinked our glasses together.

"To Ava," my mother toasted, her eyes shimmering with pride and love. "Happy birthday, my beautiful daughter"

"To new beginnings," my father added, raising his glass higher.

I felt a lump form in my throat, but I managed a smile as I clinked my glass with theirs. "To family." I said softly.

We settled into a comfortable rhythm, the fire crackling and the wine warming our spirits. My mother pulled out a picnic spread from the basket they'd brought: roasted chicken, freshly baked bread, cheese, and fruit. Despite the simplicity, it felt like a feast.

"So, Ava," my father began, a playful glint in his eye, "tell us about your day. Any interesting encounters at the market?"

I laughed, thinking back on the grumpy, avoidant faces of the merchants. "You know, the usual. I got some free stuff because they were scared of you."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "It's not me they are afraid of, its your mother." he tilted his head to mom and she rolled her eyes as he laughed.

We ate and talked as the stars began to twinkle overhead. My mother's laugh was infectious, and my father's stories brought a sense of normalcy I desperately needed.

"Remember that time you tried to bake a cake for the first time?" my mother asked, a teasing lilt to her voice.

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. "Please don't remind me. The kitchen smelled like burnt sprinkles for a week." I laughed

"And you," she pointed at my father, "ate the whole thing just to make her feel better."

He shrugged, grinning. "What can I say? I'm a supportive father." we all burst out laughing.

As the night wore on, we fell into a comfortable silence, content just to be in each other's company. My mother reached over and squeezed my hand. "We love you, Ava. No matter what happens, remember that."

I nodded, my heart full. "I love you both too."

We watched the fire burn, the embers dancing in the cool night air. The wine and laughter had warmed me from the inside out, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a flicker of hope. 

As the sky turned dark and the stars began to twinkle above, we had all had a few glasses of wine, and the mood was light and joyful. I pushed the negative thoughts away for the day, i was determined to enjoy this day at least in part.

My father stood and stretched, looking over at me with a smile. "How about we light those paper lanterns, Ava?"

I nodded eagerly, grabbing the candles and the lanterns from the wagon. We each took a lantern, lighting the candles inside them and watching as they filled with warm, golden light. Together, we released them into the night sky, their glow mingling with the stars.

As I watched the lanterns float higher and higher, I whispered a silent wish for a new beginning, for strength, and for the courage to face whatever came next.

My mother took my hand, her eyes glowing with a mix of excitement and seriousness. She pulled me around the fire.

"This," she said, her voice filled with reverence, gesturing at the fire "is part of our lineage. We dance around the fire to seek the blessing of our ancestors. It's believed that the fire can show our hyena the way to us."

From her bag, she produced a small pot of paint, its color dark and rich. She dipped her fingers into the paint and gently drew a simple five-point crown on my forehead. "This," she explained, "symbolizes the blood of queens you carry within you."

I looked into her eyes, feeling the weight and honor of the tradition she was passing on to me. "Thank you, Mom."

She smiled, a tear slipping down her cheek. "Remember, Ava, no matter where life takes you, you are never alone. Our ancestors are always with you, guiding you."

My mother and I continued to dance around the fire, our movements synchronized and graceful. At first, I felt fine, letting the rhythm of the dance take control. But then, a strange sensation started to wash over me—a rush of power coursing through my veins. I glanced up at the sky, where the new moon shone faintly, the clear night making it easy to see the outline of where the moon was.

Suddenly, a searing pain shot through my body. I doubled over, gasping as the transformation began. My father and mother transformed beside me, my mother into a hyena, my father into a wolf, their eyes full of concern as they watched me.

I just realized I've rarely ever seen my mother shift, she was beautiful

"Stay strong, Ava," my mother's voice echoed in my mind through the mind link. "We're here with you." I groaned as another wave of pain assaulted me.

"It's going to be okay," my father's soothing voice added. "Let the transformation happen. Don't fight it." They both paced around me talking me through the pain. 

I felt a bond come alive within me, a connection to my mate that was overwhelming. For a brief moment, it felt good, like a missing piece had finally fallen into place. But then, my mind was flooded with memories of their betrayal—Lucas and Elana, their deceitful smiles, their mocking laughter. My hyena growled in anger, the betrayal fueling her rage.

I could feel him coming closer, my mate, drawn by the bond, he scratched at my mind trying to link with me. But I was still in my hyena form, the primal instincts taking over and Ala was blocking him. "Let me back out," I pleaded with my hyena. "I need to reject him. The pain is too much."

"He's hurt us," my hyena's voice snarled in my head. "He deserves to feel our wrath."

"No, please," I begged, my mind spinning with pain and confusion. "I need to do this. Let me out. he can't see us like this! he is the alpha son, they will hurt my parents!" 

Through the haze of pain, I felt my parents' support, their presence grounding me. They kept reassuring me, their love and strength a lifeline as I battled with my hyena.

"Focus on us, Ava," my father's voice urged. "Remember who you are. You are stronger than this."

I struggled to regain control, to push through the pain. The bond with my mate pulsed, and I knew he was near. My hyena's anger was overwhelming, but I drew on the strength of my parents, their unwavering support giving me the courage to fight.

Finally, I felt her relent.

With a final, desperate effort, I pushed through the transformation, forcing my body back into its human form. The pain was excruciating, but I held on, my willpower stronger than the bond that threatened to consume me.

As I stood there, panting and trembling, I saw Lucas approaching, his face a mix of confusion and concern. "Ava, what's happening?" he called out, his voice tinged with worry.

Taking a deep breath, I forced a smile and approached him, reaching out to touch his arm. "Lucas, I just... I felt something between us" I said softly, pretending to be uncertain. "Can you help me understand what's going on?"

Relief washed over his face, and he nodded, stepping closer. "It's the mate bond, Ava. We're meant to be together," he said, his voice filled with false sincerity. "I know this must be overwhelming, but it's real."

I let him think I was clueless, allowing a moment of vulnerability to show. "So, we're really mates?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

"Yes, Ava," he said, his hand reaching up to touch my face, the sparks of the bond danced over my skin. "We are."

I leaned in as if to accept his touch, but then I whispered, "I Avalyn Grace Nkrumah reject you as my mate, Lucas Nathaniel Silverwood."

His eyes widened in shock, pain immediately crossing his face. He crumpled over, clutching his chest as the bond broke. My hyena and I laughed, a cold, bitter sound that echoed in the night even as our own pain seared us on the inside.

"Did you really think I wouldn't find out?" I sneered, stepping back. "I saw you with Elana. I heard everything."

Lucas looked up, agony and desperation in his eyes. "Ava, please, I can explain..."

"No need," I cut him off, my voice icy. "You were my mate, the one person who...." I couldn't even bring myself to explain, he knew what he was doing. "We're done, Lucas." I don't know if it was the pain or the bond severing but I felt numb. I heard him calling my name but I felt nothing, a voice that once gave me butterflies fell away and turned into just noise.

As I turned my back on him, forcing my feet forward, I felt a surge of power and clarity. I had made the right choice, and regardless of the pain I felt, I was going to stand tall and walk away.