Chapter Fifteen.

Alena watched Aurora and Aria from the corner of her eye while she saw that her mum and Adaleigh in front of her. It was Saturday and they were training once again, this time they weren't physically fighting but rather using their magic. Alena knew that she stood no chance against her mum and an oracle let alone all four of them but she wasn't going to give up. She couldn't afford to be weak, especially in training when she was only getting a small taster of what it would really be like to be up against a number of dark ones.

All four of them placed their hands out in front of them, preparing to use a spell that Alena knew she would not be able to block as she two placed her hands out in front of her. She didn't give it a second thought as she focused on the air around her and gathering all the strength she could muster she forced it away from her and projected it around her as she watched her parents and the oracles fly backwards and land a few feet away from where they had been standing. Alena stood, to shocked to do anything as she gaped at what had just happened because of her. She was only half witch which meant she shouldn't have been able to possess such strength in her magic yet she had been able to through people away with relative ease.

"I'm so sorry." She gushed regaining herself as she hurried forward to help her mum to her feet. "I don't know what happened, I didn't mean to. I'm sorry." She continued as she hurried made her way around the square to help all the oracles to their feet. Once they were all on their feet and huddled together Alena couldn't bring herself to look at either them without feeling guilty at what she had done.

"Child, look at us." Adaleigh said softly while Alena shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. She hadn't been able to control herself which resulted in others getting hurt something she hated, she wasn't a violent person and the thought of something stronger being inside of her than she had known scared her, terrified her to no end.

"I'm really sorry; I didn't mean to hurt you." She mumbled desperately trying not to break down sobbing.

"Oh Alena," Her mum sighed as she found herself wrapped on her mums arms, she quickly returned her mums embrace while peeking over her mums shoulders to see that all of the oracles were smiling widely at her despite what she had done.

"Child what you did was truly remarkable, you should never be sorry for showing your true powers, embrace it rather than fight it." Adaleigh smiled at her while Alena nodded her head, not know what to say she pulled away from her mum who was smiling proudly at her.

"Now a little birdy told us that you had a date tonight. A masked ball." Aria said while she sighed loudly as if it was the most romantic thing in the world. At the mention of her date tonight Alena blushed while narrowing her eyes at her mum, it wasn't a big deal that she was going on a date tonight and that was why she hadn't told everyone but her mum seemed to have told everyone that was in her path.

"What are you going to wear?" Aurora asked sounding a little excited.

"I haven't really thought of that, I don't have anything." She admitted sheepishly as she looked at her mum for help.

"Don't you worry about a thing, we will sort you out. Just go have a bath and get ready. What time are you going?" Aria butted in as everyone looked at her to see that she was like an excited kid on Christmas.

"I'm getting picked up at six." Alena told them. Although Samuel himself wasn't picking her which made her feel a little disappointed that someone else who was no doubt a stranger picking her up she understood that it was his dads ball for charity and being his son he couldn't turn up late to pick up his date. Samuel had been texting and even calling her all week to see how she was, they often found a lot to talk about other than the normal small talk that consisted of asking how each others day was and how if they were okay. Samuel had said that he was sorry for not picking her up but had assured her that someone would be at her house to pick her up at six which was the start of the ball which meant she would probably be a little late.

"Oh my, you only have a few hours. Go now." Aurora said as she made a shoeing motion with her hands. Alena sent them all a small apologetic smile before running off into the house collecting and apple on her way which she greedily sank her teeth into as she ran up the stairs. She hadn't realised that she had been training for a couple of hours, she had wanted to start getting ready around twelve starting with a nice, long soak in the bath surrounded my oils and crystals but now that she knew the time she doubted she could spend as long as she liked in the bath but she would still be able to have a bath no doubt.

As she entered her room she headed straight to her bathroom to put the plug in the hole before turning both taps on and pouring more than needed bubble bath into the water along with a handful of crystals before she stripped from her clothes and sank into the slowly filling bath tub with a satisfied ahhh escaping her lips.

She was looking forward to tonight even though she had no idea what she was going to wear and she hoped that the oracles and her mum could find her something suitable to wear, even if it was her prom dress. But she that meant she still didn't have a mask, she could always dig around in the Halloween box that was hidden in the loft that might have an old black bask that she could decorate. Alena shook her head knowing that she wasn't in the slightest bit creative which meant she was going to struggle with a mask for tonight as well as a dress. Not only did she not have an outfit she was nervous about the possibility of having to dance in front of a crowd, a large crowd that she was sure to embarrass not only herself but Samuel as well and possible Daniel because he was her friend. She just hoped she could find herself lost in Samuel's eyes like she had before they left the hall on Wednesday after a successful dance with her stepping on his toes.

She sighed as she turned off the taps with her feet before leading her head back and closing her eyes. She hadn't seen her grandparents since last Sunday and she still wasn't sure how she was supposed to feel about the entire situation. They had seemed truly sorry for what they had done to her mum, but was it too little too late. She knew that although her mum had easily lived her life without them for so long that she still missed them despite who badly they had treated her. Her mum was kind and she knew that her mum would do whatever she thought was right for herself along with her dad and her.

Alena hadn't come across anymore dark ones or even light ones to which she was grateful for it meant that no matter what Tabitha had said or done to her in the supermarket her powers weren't strong enough to call in the less powerful witches, yet. The mere thought of other witches, both light and dark had Alena shivering despite the warm water that surrounded her naked body. She was scared, terrified especially as she didn't know what was going to happen. The worst was the not knowing of what was going to happen and when, she only hoped it was nothing like her dream where she had been unable to control herself she was pulled in the dark door and caught a glimpse of what life might be like if she were to choose dark over light. She didn't know whether there would be an unknown force pulling her in one direction over the other, she didn't know whether or not she would had complete control over her choice all she knew was that she wasn't alone. She had her family, the oracles.

Alena had spoken to her mum about her and Samuel's relationship and whether or not it would be best to tell him about what she truly was and the prophecy. She didn't want Samuel to be brought into her world where danger would pop up anywhere and at any time just like at the supermarket with Tabitha. She also knew that there were more dark ones out there just like Tabitha who wanted her dead or to persuade her into turning the world into a dark place.

Alena shook her head as if to shake out her thoughts as she grabbed her shampoo bottle as squirted a fair amount onto the palm of her hand before lathering up hair. She knew roughly how she wanted her hair to be but she didn't know if it was possible, her hair was untameable and often wild, doing what it wanted to rather than her. Rinsing the shampoo from her hair she grabbed her conditioner and squirted a small amount on her palm before running her fingers from her shoulder downwards. She lowered herself into the tub, her head completely submerged as she rinsed the conditioner. She wasted no more time on thinking as she shaved her legs twice to be sure and under her arms the same, at least that would be something she would have gotten right as she pulled the plug and stood grabbed a small towel from the counter and tying it around her hair before finding another and wrapping it around her body before heading to her bathroom.

It had taken Alena until half five to finished off her look, her finger nails and two nails had been painted with two coats of black and a clear on top while her she had rubbed body butter all over her body so that her skin was smooth. She wanted to make an effort tonight, she wanted Samuel to be happy that he had chosen her as his date rather than some else as well as the others there to like her. Samuel's dad and family were well known around her small town as they owned the majority of the land and a number of restaurants around town. They were respected amongst the community and no doubt a lot of their friends who were equally respected elsewhere would be there to and she didn't want to embarrass Samuel and his family.

"Alena?" Her mum called from outside the door as Alena stood from her bed in only her underwear, she had finished her hair and makeup and had yet to find and outfit.

"Yeah?" She asked as she hid behind the now open door, her head sticking out to see her mum along with the oracles beaming at her.

"Wow, you look gorgeous." Aria squealed excited pushing gently past her mum and opened the door winder leaving Alena in her under wear in front of her mum and the oracles; she blushed a pretty pink while grabbing a t-shirt from the floor and holding it to her body hoping to cover up as much as she could.

"I think you should just go in that, you'd woo them all even the girls." Aria teased as she tore away the t-shirt from Alena who was opened gaping at the oracle while everyone laugh around her. She looked at her mum feeling a little uncomfortable, she was pleased when her mum only smiled but pulled out a dress from behind the back while Adaleigh and Aurora straightened it out so that it wouldn't get creased.

"Where did you get it?" She asked amazed at the beautiful gown in front of her.

"I had it kicking around in the back of my wardrobe we just altered it." Her mum shrugged.

"It's beautiful." She whispered in awe at the fact that her mum as well as the oracle could make something so beautiful in such a short time.

"Here, we'll help you into it." Adaleigh smiled while Alena stepped forward.

Alena found out that the dress was back less which meant she had to change from the black bra she wore into one with a see-through back that she had no idea where her mum had got it from but was pleased all the same. All four of them helped Alena into her dress, careful not to ruin her hair or smudge her back down her face or the dress, it took a few tries but after a while they had gotten Alena into the dress and stepped back with proud smiles on their faces.

"We almost forgot." Adaleigh smiled as she pulled out a mask from behind her back that Alena was surprised to find.

"We'll put it on for you." Her mum said as she grabbed a few hair grips from her dresser before her and Adaleigh carefully attaching the mask to her face before using the hair grips to keep the black elastic on either side of the mask to her head so that it would stay in the same position all night. Once they were done they all took a few steps back to look at the creation, her mum had tears in her eyes which caused Alena to frown, and she self-consciously rubbed her bare arms hoping she didn't look that bad but the smiles on the oracles said differently.

"Beautiful." Aurora smiled.

"Breath taking." Adaleigh murmured.

"Smoking hot." Aria beamed causing Alena to laugh nervously before she turned to her mum who was dabbing at the edge of her eye.

"You're so beautiful Alena, Samuel's a lucky guy." She finally sniffed with a huge smile on her face making Alena's shoulders sag in relief before she turned to her reflection herself.

She gasped out loud unable to control the shook. The royal blue dress wasn't skin tight but clung to her figure outlining her woman curves and assets and it dropped the floor creating a pool around her feet. The dress had thick traps over her shoulders but as she turned to see the backless dress that revealed the creamy skin of her back she knew that it was perfect as it ended at the small of her back. The mask was the same colour as the dress; it covered the tops of her cheeks and the bridge of her and a little bit of her eyebrows. It was outlined in black and silver sequences with the odd white one dotted around, the inside of the back was covered in fine black and silver swirls that started with a gem. She had used smoky eye shadow and more than her normal amount of mascara and eye liner which highlighted her bright blue eyes against her mask. She has curled her hair before putting it a messy yet elegant bun on the top her head with a few curled strands pulled lose framing her face. She looked beautiful, she felt beautiful as she turned to beam at those that had made the beautiful mask and dress.

"It beautiful, I love it. Thank you so much." She gushed being happily rewarded with excited squeals as the doorbell rang.

"Shoes." Alena gasped as she began to look for a pair of silver heels. She hadn't even gotten on her hands and knees to look before a pair of silver heels were put in front of her face. She gratefully took them smiling at her mum as a thank you before hurriedly putting them on and grabbing her silver clutch bag that contained her purse with money for a taxi in case of emergencies as well as her phone and powder just to add weight to the light bag.

"You look gorgeous." Her dad smiled proudly as she descended the stairs, the oracles husbands were stood with her dad at the bottom of the stairs who nodded and murmured in agreement at her dads comment.

"It's not too much?" She asked nervously as she slipped on her coat and zipped it up to cover herself up and keep her warm until she got to wherever the ball was being held.

"It's perfect." Troy assured her with a knowing smile that she dismissed but still blushed at his comment.

"No go; call us if you need us. But just have fun." Her mum pushed her towards the opened door that she slipped out off and closed it behind her to face an old man, smartly dressed in a suit and cap. The driver, she thought as she smiled shyly at him.

"Miss Brown?" He asked with a kind smile as he held open the back door to the expensive black car that was parked in her driveway.

"Yes. Thank you Roy." She smiled at him as she read his name tag.

"It won't take us long to reach your destination Miss Brown." He informed her once the car had started and they were pulled away.

"You can call me Alena." She smiled at him in the review mirror before sinking into her seat and watching as they drove through the now dark town.

Alena's nerves seemed to grow with every passing second and with the closer the got she was suddenly feeling a little bit dizzy. She didn't know what to expect and she was nervous about meeting a number of people that were bound to be there.

"Thanks Roy." She smiled as he held her hand and helped her out of the car. They had pulled up outside a beautiful grand hall; many other people were arriving being helped out of their cars by their drivers before walking up the stairs and into the building where they were greeted by door men who took the coats.

"Enjoy your evening Alena." He smiled before he shut the door.

Alena felt her knees shaking together with nerves as she saw the beautiful gowns and dresses that other women wore with their beautiful masks, she suddenly felt under dressed as she walked up the stairs as fast as she could in heels. A man no older than Samuel opened the door for her before offering to take her coat. In a daze she unzipped her coat and with the help of the man the coat was pulled slowly and gently from her body and down her arms she smiled at the man who shamelessly roamed her body causing Alena to blush as walked slowly further inside the crowded room where people stood in groups, sipping glasses of champagne and expensive wine. She was too busy taking in the beautiful building, the picture painted on the ceiling, that she hadn't noticed everyone's eyes on her as she slowly walked in.

"Alena." Her name was called in the now silent room snapping her out of her daze as she looked to see Samuel making his way towards her. Her heart fluttered at the sight of him, her date, he wore a black suit with a black tie and matching black mask that had silver and white swirls on the inside, his chocolate orbs roamed her body as he stopped in front of her.

"You look breath taking." He breathed as she leant down to kiss her cheek. Alena blushed from his compliment and his public display of affection that she knew everyone had seen.

"Thank you," She squeaked. "You look handsome."

"Shall we?" He didn't wait for her to reply as he snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her to his side as she lead her through the crowds. Many people stopped them and Samuel politely introduced Alena to them, she had been shocked when Samuel had introduced her to the mayor who complemented how good they looked together causing Samuel to beam at her and Alena to blush.

"Mum, dad." Samuel called as they stopped in front of Frank and women who Alena knew was his mum. They couple had colour coordinated with matching masks, matching the dress Samuel's mum wore and the tie his dad wore,

"Alena, my dear. Don't you look stunning tonight." He warmly complimented causing Alena to blush and press herself further to Samuel's side.

"Thank you Sir." She mumbled back politely.

"What was that?" He teased.

"Thank you Frank." She amended with a small, shy smile before she found herself wrapped in the arms of Samuel's mum who was squealing excitedly before she held her at arm's length.

"You're so beautiful. I've heard so much about you. I'm Marie." She grinned while Alena blushed again. She had never received so many compliments in such a short space of time and everything was a little overwhelming.

"Hi." She smiled shyly at her mum before and arm was around her waist and she was pulled back into Samuel's arms.

"We're going to get a drink would any of you like one?" He asked while both his parents smiled and shook the heads. Samuel led Alena to the table full of glasses of wine and champagne.

"Would you like one?" He asked never taking his arm from around her waist.

"I'm not old enough." She smiled shyly as she remembers the age gap before them.

"I won't tell if you don't." He teased as he kissed her temple and held out a glass of sparkling wine that she took with a small shy smile.

"Just this one." She smiled as Samuel's name was suddenly being called by a group of who Alena guessed were his friends.

"Do you mind?" He asked, sounding a little annoyed, whether it was because he was leaving her side or that his name was being shouted she didn't know.

"Go have fun." She smiled and pushed him off of her and towards his friends.

"I'll be right back." He kissed her forehead before storming off towards his friends who looked amused. Alena looked down at the wine in her head before bringing the glass to her lips and taking a little sip.

"Boo." Two voices whispered in her ears caused her to chock on her drink while glaring at Dean and Daniel who were laughed loudly at her face.

"Not cool." She growled a little and placed her wine glass on the table.

"Who knew you could scrub up good." Dean teased as he poked her sides causing her to squirm and giggle a little.

"You're still ugly." She grinned at him.

"Ouch." He pretended to be wounded while Daniel laughed before the both grabbed her hand, Dean settled for her wrist as she still held her clutch bag.

"Let's dance." They grinned as the made their way onto the dance floor. Together the three danced, laughing loudly at each other and those around them laughed to at Dean's and Daniel's awful dances moves. The music changed from its upbeat tune to something more classical as Alena was taken by the waist away from Dean and Daniel who waved her off and set on her feet with Samuel in front of her.

"This is our dance." He murmured. Alena heart pounded with nerves while she looked up at Samuel's eyes and tried to forget all the eyes she could feel on her. She saw that his parents were also dancing and another couple who looked like Dean and she guessed they were his parents; the mayor and his wife were also dancing.

"I'm nervous." She whispered as they got in position.

"Just look at me." He smiled encouragingly and Alena did just that. She looked up into his eyes and allowed him to lead her across the dance floor, the crowd forgotten as she got lost in Samuel's eyes just like the last time they danced together.

"You did great." Samuel complimented in her ear as the sound of clapping brought Alena out of her daze to see that the dance had finished and every one was clapping them, she blushed as Samuel thanked them and leaded them outside into the cool evening air. She shivered from the cold before warmth enveloped her as Samuel had taken of his dinner jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders.

"Thanks." She smiled as he helped her down the stairs and to the middle of the lawn where a fountain was.

"It's beautiful." Alena compliment as she turned to see Samuel starring at her with an expression in his eyes that she didn't recognise. He wrapped an arm around her waist pulling her against his body before the other cupped her cheek, her breath caught in her throat as her eyes darted from his lips to his eyes that searched her face for something. He began to move his head closer to hers and Alena closed her eyes as his lips touched her, butterflies paraded in her stomach as her heart beat wildly, a satisfied moan sounded in the back of her throat as Samuel gently began to move his lips against hers. It was perfect; the moon was high in the sky reflecting on both of them as the sound of the fountain faded into the back ground. It was nothing she had ever experienced; his lips were so soft, moist and warm as they gently caressed hers.

A growl from behind them had Samuel freezing while Alena pulled away, confused at the sound as she looked behind Samuel to see that a sand coloured wolf stood there, its red eyes boring into her as its bared its teeth and snarled at her causing Alena to scream. The wolf was bigger than other she had seen and its fur was matted and dirty and it looked as if it had dried blood on its fur and around its mouth causing bile to rise in Alena's throat while the familiar feeling of fainting overcame her. The sound of Alena screaming seemed to knock Samuel out of whatever frozen state he was in as she released her and placed her behind his back, shielding her from view and protecting her before he began to run forward.

"Samuel no!" She screamed out loud as the wolf began to charge.

She watched in horror as Samuel's body began to change, it shook violently and the sound of his bones snapping caused her to place her hands over her ears while she backed away, tripping on her dress and falling to the ground landing uncomfortable on her bum but she didn't care, her eyes were wide as she took on the sight before her. Samuels clothes shredded into tatters that fell to the ground slowly as he morphed into a huge black wolf that was growling and snarling at the red eyes wolf. The red eyed wolf lunged at the wolf that once resembled a human being, Samuel as he easily dodged the attack and clapped his teeth around its neck. She couldn't believe her eyes, I'm crazy, she thought as she madly blinked to see that the two wolves were still fighting, one of those wolves being Samuel who had just changed right in front of her eyes.

Something touched Alena's shoulder causing her to scream out loud and instantly backing away from whatever it was, she could feel tears rolling endlessly down her cheeks as her back hit the fountain. She looked up to see Daniel and Dean to see them looking at her with pained expressions but there eyes kept darting to the fight that was to the side of her. The coppery smell of blood reached Alena's senses as she turned in time to see the head of the red eyed wolf rolling across the floor, its eyes wide open as it came to a halt starring directly at her as she screamed out loud and backed further against the fountain. Her head came into contact with the concrete as she wince in pain, she could feel the warm, thick liquid trickled down the back of her neck, her head spun and she knew she was about to pass out as her eyes darted around wildly. The black wolf whined as he appeared beside Daniel causing Alena to scream and back further away from all of them, Dean and Daniel didn't seem at all frightened at the sight of the wolf as everything clicked into place, they two were wolves. With the over load of information running continuously around in her head, the smell of blood in her senses and the fact that the back of her head was bleeding was too much for her to take, she fainted.