The Arranged Marriage

Ava

Reluctantly, I agreed to the arranged marriage. It felt like the only escape from my shattered life. All I had left were my parents, and now that I was technically an adult, I couldn't be underfoot like a pup anymore. Anything was better than being surrounded by people who hated me, bullied me, and betrayed me in the cruelest of ways.

With a heavy heart, I started packing up my room. Each trinket and memory was a painful reminder of the life I was leaving behind. I couldn't bear to be reminded of Lucas and Elana, their betrayal still fresh in my mind. Anything reminding me of them I tossed in the trash, the memories ruined now anyway.

While my parents busied themselves in the kitchen, preparing food for our small party of three, I dressed in the outfit I had chosen for my birthday party. It was a dress I had made myself, pouring hours of time and effort into its creation over the past year. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at the stunning garment that hugged my curves perfectly.

I hadn't imagined that this would be my wedding dress, but somehow, the idea didn't seem so far-fetched now. With a sigh, I brushed aside my doubts and fears, focusing instead on the glimmer of hope that still burned within me. I pulled out that flyer from the shop and I wondered if John knew this would happen.

As we prepared to leave for the lake, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. The lake had always been my sanctuary, a place where I could escape from the harsh realities of my life. It wasn't quite warm enough for people to be swimming yet, so we knew it would likely be empty, offering us the privacy we needed for our small celebration.

My parents bustled around the kitchen, packing up the food they had prepared. My father was quiet, his usual stern expression even more pronounced as he arranged the dishes in a basket. My mother, on the other hand, moved with a nervous energy, her eyes darting towards me every few seconds as if trying to memorize every detail of my face.

Once everything was packed, my mother pulled me aside, her hands trembling slightly as she handed me a long, skinny, beautifully decorated box.

"Ava, I have something for you," she said, her voice thick with emotion.

I took the box from her, curiosity piqued. As I opened it, I gasped. Inside was a decorated broom, adorned with ribbons and small charms. Some parts of the broom looked older than others as if they had been added over the years.

"It's beautiful," I whispered, running my fingers over the intricate details.

"It's for jumping the broom," my mother explained, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "It's an old tradition. Each bride adds something to the broom before she jumps over it with her husband. This broom has been in our family for generations. I added a ribbon on the day I married your father."

I noticed the ribbon she was referring to, a delicate piece of lace that seemed out of place among the more colorful decorations. My throat tightened as I realized the significance of this gift. This wasn't just a broom; it was a symbol of my family's love and support, a reminder that no matter where I went, I would always be connected to them.

My mother pulled me into a tight hug, her body shaking with silent sobs.

"I'm going to miss you so much," she whispered into my hair. "You're all grown up now, and I'm so proud of you."

Tears streamed down my face as I hugged her back, the reality of what was happening finally sinking in. I was leaving everything I knew behind, stepping into an unknown future.

My mother pulled back, her expression serious.

"Ava, no matter what happens, you can always come home. Remember that. We will always be here for you."

I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. Her words were a lifeline, a promise that I wasn't completely alone in this. 

As we arrived at the lake, the cool breeze brought a sense of calm, the gentle rustling of leaves and the lapping of water against the shore offering a brief respite from my turbulent thoughts. My father set down the basket and immediately headed into the woods to gather firewood. 

I watched him disappear into the trees before turning to my mother, who was already spreading a blanket on the ground. She motioned for me to sit beside her, her expression unusually serious.

"Ava, there's something important I need to tell you," she began, her voice barely above a whisper.

I sat down, my curiosity piqued. "What is it, Mom?"

She took a deep breath, her eyes fixed on the horizon.

"Our family comes from a long line of werhyenas," she said, her words hanging in the air like a heavy fog. "You see, black people were never originally wolves. There are no wolves in Africa. But due to the transatlantic slave trade and the need to survive, we took on the werewolf form here in the Americas."

I stared at her, my mind racing to comprehend what she was saying.

"Werhyenas?" I repeated, the word feeling foreign and strange on my tongue.

She nodded.

"Yes, and in black women who have queen's blood, the hyena genes dominate. This means that you could transform into a hyena instead of a wolf. You will be stronger, faster, and bigger than any wolf, even alphas. You may even be able to do things that I can't."

My shock was palpable. "Wait.....what? How long have you known this?" I asked, feeling a mixture of betrayal and confusion.

My mother sighed, her eyes sad.

"We suspected you might have the gene after you didn't get a wolf on your 18th birthday. Hyenas take longer to manifest. It's still possible you might get a wolf, but it's highly unlikely at this point."

I struggled to process this revelation.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? I've been bullied and harassed and called names all because my wolf didn't show and this whole time you knew all of this?"

She placed a gentle hand on my arm.

"Because it's dangerous knowledge, Ava. You mustn't reveal this to anyone. The history of our family is... complicated. The males don't... appreciate the female competition. They see us as weak."

I listened intently as she began to tell the tale of how they came to be in this poor town.

"Years ago, it got out that our family were werehyenas. The pack was frightened and angry. The alpha killed my father thinking we were all hyenas, and my mother was so distraught that she took her own life after she killed the alpha. I had a sister, we ran, but we got separated, and I don't know what happened to her."

My heart ached at the pain in her voice.

"Mom, I'm so sorry. Is this why you don't shift?"

She nodded.

"Only alone with your father and It's not your fault, I understand you being upset at me. But you need to be aware of our history and be cautious. If you ever meet another with queen's blood, you'll know. There's a connection, a recognition."

Just then, my father emerged from the woods with an armful of firewood, his presence a comforting reminder of strength and resilience. He set the wood down and joined us, his eyes reflecting the gravity of the conversation we were having.

"Ava," he said, his voice firm yet gentle, "your mother and I want you to be safe. Whatever happens, know that you are not alone. You are part of a long and proud lineage, and you have the strength within you to face whatever comes."

I nodded, my mind still reeling from everything I had learned. 

I looked at my father, the question burning on my lips.

"Dad, are you a hyena too?"

He shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips.

"No, Ava. The dominant gene gets passed down through the women in the family. Hyenas are matriarchal by nature, which means the females are typically larger and more dominant than the males. Since wolves are generally weaker in comparison, the males rarely ever express the hyena genes."

My mother nodded in agreement.

"That's right, Ava. It's a unique aspect of our lineage. The women in our family carry the strength and power of the hyena."

I took a moment to process this new information, my mind swirling with questions.

"So, if the males rarely express the hyena genes, does that mean they still have some hyena traits?"

My father exchanged a glance with my mother before answering.

"They might carry the gene, but it's recessive in males. It's rare for male werewolves to show any hyena traits. However, it's not impossible."

"Does that mean I might have some abilities even if I don't fully shift?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

My mother placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"It's possible. You might have heightened senses or strength, even if you don't undergo a full transformation. The important thing is to be patient and let your body reveal its true nature in its own time."

I frowned, still grappling with the concept.

"What about the other packs? Do they know about us? Would they be able to tell I'm different?"

My mother sighed softly.

"No, you will be able to tell the difference between a hyena and a wolf but to them, you just smell as a wolf. Some packs may know about the existence of our kind but they don't know about us specifically. Your safety lies in discretion. We've lived here quietly for a reason."

I nodded, understanding the gravity of her words.

"What should I do if I encounter someone who knows or suspects?"

My father's expression turned serious.

"Stay calm and don't reveal anything. Trust your instincts. And remember, you can always come home. We're here for you, no matter what."

The weight of their words settled over me, a mixture of fear and determination filling my heart.

"Thank you, both of you. This is a lot to take in, but I appreciate you telling me."

My mother hugged me tightly, her voice filled with emotion.

"We're proud of you, Ava. You have the strength of our ancestors within you. Never forget that."

As we stood there by the lake, the sun dipping lower in the sky, I felt a strange sense of peace. Despite the challenges ahead, I knew I had the support and love of my family. And with that, I could face anything.