Prologue: The Sun Goddess' Daughter

'Talking to their werecat'

~Mind-link ~

Lilith's P.O.V.

When I was a child, my father would always tell me the story of the sun goddess' daughter Alinta and her tragic love story. Like any story my father started in the beginning of how Alinta became the sun goddess' daughter. As Alinta was not immortal or a goddess like her mother, instead she was mortal and had been adopted by the sun goddess. When Alinta was born she was different from the other cubs in her pride. Her fur wasn't the normal tan sandy brown like the others instead Alinta's fur had a fiery red tone to it. It having been a time of superstitions Alinta's uniquely colored pelt was seen as a sign of a bad omen or a possible curse. So Alinta's pride did what they thought was best for the pride as a whole.

Abandoning the poor defenseless cub to try and somehow survive on her own. Though it seemed to be fate that the very same day the sun goddess had decided to visit the mortal realm where she came across Alinta. Feeling bad for the abandoned cub the sun goddess took pity on Alinta. Taking Alinta back with her the sun goddess raised her as if she were her own child.

When Alinta turned eighteen she wished to return to the mortal realm wanting to see the place of her birth. After much convincing the sun goddess finally agreed to take her daughter to the mortal realm. While she was there with her daughter, she kept a protective watch over Alinta. As she quickly caught the of many lions as not only because of who her mother is, but because Alinta had grown into a quite a beautiful lioness. As her fur that had once led her birth pride to abandoning her is now bringing many suitors. Her red-ish colored fur looking as if it was on fire when she is in the sun.

Which made many believe that she had been blessed by the sun goddess not cursed. Causing the number of her suitors to grow though not all of them wanted to marry her for love. Some wanted to be her mate for her beauty and rarity. While others wanted her as a mate for the status and respect that would come with being partnered with the daughter of the sun goddess. Though as hard as they tried none of them could catch her eye let alone her heart. That was until she met Kailer a young lion who was next in line to be king of his pride.

He did not care about who her mother was or what she looked like. Nor did he approach her as a suitor, but instead as a possible friend. Over time as the pair's friendship grew stronger it started to become something more than just a friendship. Eventually Kailer became king of his pride after the passing of his father. With this the newly crowned king asked Alinta to be his queen. Which the young lioness happily said yes too. everyone from prides far and wide all shared their congratulations and happiness for the now engaged couple. That is except for one a lion named Erebus who had actually been cursed by the sun goddess.

Erebus like Alinta had been abandoned by his pride though at a slightly older age as he hadn't been born cursed. Unlike Alinta Erebus was not lucky enough to be found and taken in by anyone. Which made him pride less and a loner also known as a rouge. Though it didn't mean that he would never be able to join a pride. Though it wouldn't have been easy as it was very obvious that he was cursed. As his fur was as black as ink while his eyes were a dark blood crimson red. Yet his curse and appearance weren't the only reason prides refused to let him join their pride. It was also because of his demeanor that he was never accepted or allowed into any pride.

As because he had to grow up alone without a pride while being cursed had a harsh and cruel life. Which lead to him having a hair trigger temper that he developed to survive. So, he was quick to anger and violence leading many fights. Many actually thinking that he enjoyed fighting any chance he got. As his whole body is covered in many scars from fights. Though despite all of that Erebus never caused any trouble for any of the prides. He was just a terrifying presence that existed in the shadows away from everyone. That was until the day that Kailer and Alinta's engagement was announced.

Some say that he had gone mad with rage because he was actually in love with Alinta and wanted her to be with him instead of Kailer. While others say he wanted Alinta to use her to make the sun goddess remove the curse that she had placed on him. Though no one will ever know for sure why he snapped other than Erebus himself and maybe Alinta. As on the day of Alinta and Kailer's wedding Erebus kidnapped Alinta. Kailer and all the other prides searched for hours for any trace or sign of where Erebus had taken her to or at least a general direction.

Though no one could find a think not even a faded scent trail and as hours turned into days. Days turning into weeks many slowly started to give up at ever finding her. As they started to believe that Alinta was lost to the world, but not Kailer he never stopped believing that he would one day find his beloved. Eventually Kailer's determination and dedication to his search and Alinta finally paid off as he started to close in on where Erebus was hiding Alinta.

Though by the time he had found her he was too late. As Erebus having realized how close Kailer was to finding him to try and take Alinta from him. Refusing to take the chance that Alinta could be taken away from him he decided to kill her. So that no one not even Kailer could take her from him. When Kailer saw what Erebus did to Alinta not only his heart, but his very soul shattered in grief. In grief and anger Kailer fought with Erebus desperate to avenge his fiancé. Yet even once he beat Erebus in a fight and pinned him to the ground, he couldn't kill the monster that took Alinta's life.

As he knew that this was not what Alinta would have wanted. So instead, Kailer spared his life banishing the cursed lion to no man's land for the rest of his life. Despite being shown mercy Erebus decided to attack Kailer when his back was turned. As he must have thought that it would have given him an advantage though he was sorely mistaken. In the end Erebus gave Kailer no other choice, but to take the cursed lion's life.

Kailer had taken Alinta back to the pride that had become her family and home. The sun goddess mourned the loss of her beloved daughter before placing a blessing over all of the prides. Doing it in honor of her daughter's memory and the kind loving heart she had she gave ever lion and lioness a soulmate. As a way to prevent something like this from ever happening again this blessing being passed down to ever future generation to come.

Though once this blessing once placed it was the last the sun goddess was ever seen. As she never returned to the mortal realm again as it was probably too painful for her. As time passed and we evolved to survive in the world turning us into shapeshifters. Allowing us to join the world of man like werewolves and other shapeshifters we gained two souls. Our human soul and the soul of the shifter that we are. Though with these changes a new legend of the two lovers and the cursed lion was born.

It being said that Alinta and Kailer's souls were reincarnated, so that they can find each other again in each lifetime as soulmates. So, they could finally live the life that was, so cruelly taken away from them. It being said that once they mark each other's as mates that they will remember who they are. Along as what they were to each other as well as what they went through.

But according to the legend Alinta and Kailer weren't the only ones who were brought back. It being said that with their return Erebus was also reincarnated. Though unlike everyone else he was not blessed with a soulmate. As the curse that the sun goddess had placed on him was placed onto his very soul. Meaning that it will forever follow him in every life he is reborn into. Forever to be alone and without a pride forever without a soulmate. Though unlike Kailer and Alinta Erebus remembers everything from his past lives and who he is.

So, in every lifetime he would try to find Alinta before Kailer can. Why he continues to hunt after Alinta the only one who could answer that was Erebus himself. Some assume it is because he truly just wants Alinta to love him. As others think it is to force the sun goddess to remove the curse, she placed upon him. Or maybe it is just that he simply went mad from the time that he spent in the void before he was reincarnated.

*But stories are stories for a reason. As they are always told by the winner or the survivor. So, the truth may not always be what it seems.*