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Word Count: 1993

~Faye

"Here we are again," I muse, sitting back in the chair as I sip my tea.

Cal's soft brown eyes meet mine in the mirror. "At least this time, it's for me."

The Ceremony is tonight, where the Moon Goddess will appear in her physical form to grant my annual wish. I'm never nervous for these, as I wish for the same thing every year. This year, however, since this morning, my hands haven't stopped shaking, and my mind hasn't wandered off T.

What is his plan for tonight? He better be considering being chained up to the wall, because that's his reality.

"I still don't understand why you want me in a suit when I could be in my usual leathers, protecting you," Cal comments, adjusting the lapels of the jacket uncomfortably. I can't stop staring at him like this, all dressed up and formal. And more importantly, away from his usual business like self.

"You'll still be protecting me," I say with a frown. "And you can keep your weapons in the inside of your jacket. This is a formal event and I want you to fit in."

My dress has been made for me months ago by a local seamstress. Only just saw it this morning. It's blood red, which is a common colour for this kind of ceremony. It makes me anxious, though. It makes me seem like some kind of sacrifice, not an Alpha wishing for the well-being of her Pack.

"I understand," Cal breathes, brushing the tailor off.

Before I go off to get dressed myself, I make a visit to see T. I have to make sure the Guards are succeeding with my orders.

As I breeze to a stop in front of his cell door, I glance in, smiling at what I see. The assassin who has been using his knowledge about everything against me is in the most vulnerable position. I'm tempted to waltz in there and punch him in the stomach just so he could feel the frustration I'm feeling.

Thick silver chains linked down to the metal cuffs at his wrists keep him securely pinned to the wall. I've never seen something so satisfying in my life.

"Scared, Alpha?" he asks, a smirk tugging at his lips. He's messing with you.

I shrug carelessly; a gesture he likes. "Not exactly. Unlike you, I'm getting what I want tonight. There will be no book for you."

"I'm sure you are," he murmurs, that wicked smile going nowhere. "Have fun, Alpha."

I'm not about to let him get in my head like he does, Instead, I'm going to turn around and leave, get ready, and go to my ceremony without him. If he wanted to propose another deal, he missed out on his chance.

***

"Your mother won't be joining us at the Ceremony," Cal murmurs in my ear.

We are moments away from walking outside my home to greet everyone outside. My dress is tight, my hair is pulled back and I have enough makeup on my face to cover an entire village. It's like this every year. This time, though, mother won't be there. She has never skipped a year, ever.

Cal runs his hand over my back, carefully of the beading on my dress. I try concentrate on that, but the idea of not having my mother watching on weighs heavily on my shoulders.

"She's too sick, isn't she," I say softly, feeling as if cotton wool is slowly being stuffed into my throat. She hasn't got much time left, and everyone knows it. I'm dreading the day someone comes to me with the news that she has passed away. I don't know how I'm supposed to lead as Alpha when it inevitably happens.

Cal nods solemnly at my question. I close my eyes, trying to breathe.

"Everything will be okay, just concentrate on the Moon Goddess and you Pack members waiting for you," Cal continues, rubbing my back one more time before he removes his hand. I wish he would keep it there for the entire ceremony, but I could only imagine the rumours that would come from that.

I nod at him to open the doors, revealing everyone waiting outside. The sun is setting, basking my garden in a crimson glow, shadowing the faces of those who watch on between the roses and shrubbery.

Every claps as I walk out, the raised dais waiting for me. Every step is shaky, as I try to smile graciously at everyone. Cal is behind you. Everything is okay.

"Thank you everyone for coming this evening," I say smoothly, addressing as many people as possible. Every stands in front of me, waiting patiently for the ceremony that is moments from ensuing. I've already summoned her with a familiar incantation that works only at this time of the year, unless I have another immortal to assist me. Right now, I'm on my own with this.

After summoning her, we briefly talked, wanting to wait before I announce my wish to her. She will be following me out in a few moments.

"I hope this year, you find something in my wish that will benefit you."

Everyone claps again, which only makes me feel worse. An idea for a wish has been mulling around in my mind for quite some time, which only makes me feel worse. A part of me doesn't want to wish for my usual this year. I hate the thought that mulls around in my mind to the point I want to tear my hair out just to make it stop.

I hear the door open behind me. Turning around, I smile, holding my hand out to the Goddess who walks confidently through. She looks beautiful, as always, in a brilliantly white dress that is in stark contrast to her dark hair. I wish I had a smile like hers after years of torment from the Moon.

"Faye, you look stunning," Millicent murmurs, as if we hadn't seen each other earlier. She prefers Millicent, her given name at birth to the Goddess, however here, she must be referred to by the name my Pack considers her by.

"Likewise," I reply lowly.

Every is in silent awe of her, as she walks up to stand beside me, hand clasped in mine. Cal is watching with the same amazement from a few metres away, seeming as though he's trying to keep calm and professional.

My gaze happened to brush across the gaze, meeting the shadowy figure from the other night. My mind scrambles to remember the name of the girl who had met with T from the party.

Kalyn.

She isn't holding a book like she promised to bring T, but it doesn't make me any less aware of her presence. I try concentrate on the words the Goddess is feeding the crowd, but I'm deaf to her. Instead, I'm zoned in on her, trying to figure out who she is, and why she is here for T. She won't find him out here, if that's what she is thinking.

I feel a slight tug on my hand. "Faye?"

"Sorry?" I breathe, completely flustered by Kalyn.

"Would you like to announce your wish to the crowd?" she asks, frowning slightly, noticing how distracted I seem. Cal seems to notice too, his eyebrows creasing as he regards me silently. He wants to ask what is wrong, but can't bring himself to interrupt the ceremony, even as my Personal Guard.

Taking a deep breath, I consider my wish. Every part of me wants to wish for my mother's health, even though I should wish for something better for my Pack. My mind spins. My mothers life. My Pack. Her life, my Pack.

The thought becomes so jumbled in my mind, I begin to feel sick. This is impossible.

With everyone staring at me, including Kalyn, I hardly hear myself and my answer.

"I wish to heal my mother from her terminal illness," I whisper.

Everyone remains silent, as I allow it to weigh on myself. Sadness, regret, and also relief. My mother will live, as the Goddess falls to her knees in front of everyone, beginning to sing to the Moon. No one knows what her words mean, me included, however, it is a special magic to do whatever I please. She trusts me with the one wish over any other Alpha. She feels as though they would not make appropriate decisions.

Now look at me.

Like the Alpha I'm meant to be, I simply stand there, waiting for the Goddess to finish. No one seems maddened by my wish, which is the biggest surprise. They all watch, seemingly contented. Is this what they wanted? Would they miss my mother as much as I would?

Once she finishes, it's time for the party. Usually everyone dances around under the moonlight singing to the Goddess and enjoying life. It's my favourite time of the year.

This year, I leave straight away, just as I watch Kalyn do the same thing. As I go back to my estate, she leaves my estate completely. She must have realised T wasn't here and left, as my eyes were on her almost the entire time she was here.

I beeline straight to T's cell. Better safe than sorry.

He's in the same position as earlier, which leaves with a feeling of immense relief. I would have slumped against the wall opposite his cell had T not been watching.

"Where's the book?" I question, while Cal shakes one of the cell bars.

T feigns an innocent head tilt. "What book, Alpha? And can I say, that dress is really-"

Cal growls softly, cutting T off. For once, T keeps his mouth shut instead of making some kind of jab at the non-existent relationship between us.

"Open the cell," I order. Cal obliges, knowing T is chained to the wall.

T's expression hardens as I step inside. The book is in here, I know it. Looking around, I check in every shadowed corner, finding the book under his bedroll. The look on his face as I reveal it to the light is one I shall savour in my mind for the rest of my life. Nothing about it feels scared, however, the answer to everything to do with T must be in here.

"Alpha, you don't want to do that," T says slowly, as I step back outside of his cell, Cal closing the door after me. T yanks at his chains, which only pull him back against the wall. If only he would touch the silver.

"It's over T," I mutter.

Cal follows me to my office, where I lay the book down on my desk. We exchange a single glance before I peel the pages back. My heart stops.

They are all blank.

I quickly brush through each page until I find a pen holding a spot in the middle of the book. Small black ink words are printed in the middle of the page.

I'll be there in another week, darling. Survive till then.

~ Tayten

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Want more and don't want to wait!? More of Faye is available now on Radish!

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For those who don't remember Tayten, she was in Jasper. I won't give away what she really did if you don't remember, or haven't read Jasper.

You'll find out here soon enough.

Anyways, I have a massive headache, so I think I'm gonna sleep. Love you guys (:

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~Midika 💜🐼