Raaksha's Story: Chapter One

Chapter One1

“I hope I’m not too late…” I mumbled to myself, making my way up the front steps of Moonlit, the old Manor house I called home. Its large oak double doors loomed in front of me and I looked at them, my hand resting on the old, brass doorknocker.2

Maybe I could go back in to the forest… I thought, looking over my shoulder and not seeing any horse drawn coaches, Mother wouldn’t notice I’m not there, surely.3

My muscles rippled with the thought of another long run and maybe a short hunting trip in the forest again.4

The faint whisper of footsteps on the other side of the double doors met my ears.5

Damn… 6

I doubled back down the steps but I was too slow. One of the double doors creaked open and the sweet scent of vanilla floated out.7

“Raaksha, dear?”8

I turned to face the Lady of Moonlit, Lady Elizabeth, and smiled with a little sheepish wave.9

Lady Elizabeth had adopted me seven years ago, when she found me in a human adoption centre after my parents were murdered.10

She stood in the doorway wearing her masquerade costume for the Ball she was hosting. The silver, sleeveless dress clung to her slender figure, showing off her curves tastefully. The matching mask she held in her hands was just as elegant.11

“Where are you going, dear?” She smiled at me with that same smile she wore when I first laid eyes on her, “The Masquerade Ball starts soon, and you are not dressed yet.”12

“I was going to go back into the forest for another hunt”, I grinned, “and practise makes perfect doesn’t it?”13

She chuckled, “Yes, dear, it does, but you’re needed inside, not out.”14

“But…”15

“No buts Raaksha,” still smiling she moved aside as I slumped through the doorway, disappointed, “Come on dear, chin up. I know you’re not one for parties, but please, you know it would mean a lot to me to see you in there enjoying your self.”16

“Yes, I know mother. I’ll go and get changed and be down soon.”17

“Thank you, dear.”18

I made my way to the marble staircase and smiled at her, “That’s okay, Mother.”19

Through the open doorway the sound of hooves crunching along the gravel drive caught her attention and she peered outside.20

“The first guests starting to arrive?” I asked.21

“Indeed they are. Which means you have to hurry and get dressed,” she chuckled and shooed me up the stairs, “Oh, and would you like some help with your dress?”22

“No, no, I should be able to get it. Thank you anyway.”23

“Alright, but if you need help just give me a call, dear.”24

“I will.”25

I walked down the hall, bare feet padding silently along the hallway rug until I came to my room. The door had the carving of a wolf face on it.26

Giving it a light push, it swung open silently and I walked in, breathing in the scent of the books that occupied most of the wall space. The lace curtains danced in the slight breeze, carrying the scent of the surrounding pine forest, which came in through the open balcony doors, and the loose papers on my desk lifted a little. 27

Removing my shirt and throwing it on to the pile of clothes already hanging over the couch, I looked at the dress laid out on my four-poster bed. It was as elegant as Mother’s and we had spent some afternoons together, designing and making it. 28

The black, corset bodice had silver spider webs threaded on the left breast and the right waist and the black, floor length velvet skirt had sliver beads sewn on the hem. Beside the dress was my matching mask, a simple half-faced black mask, with a silver lace lining.29

I slipped off my jeans, throwing them in the general direction of the couch and slipped in to the dress.30

My arms aching; I sighed in frustration.31

Bloody hell, how hard could this stupid thing be to do up?32

I grumbled as I tried again to pull the cords tight enough and tie up my corset so it wouldn’t fall down when I moved.33

Just as I thought I had it right, there was an impatient knock at the door.34

I cursed, “Who is it?”35

“Hey Raaksha, how long does it take you to get dressed?” Damon asked as he opened the door and walked in.36

Damon has been my best friend since I’ve been here. He was one of the only vampires apart from Lord Victor; Mother’s husband and my Father, who had welcomed me with open arms. Though he didn’t live at Moonlit, he was there everyday and we became close very quickly.37

He was wearing a tuxedo and a plain black mask, simple yet elegant. That was Damon.38

“Lady Elizabeth said she sent you up here an hour ago. What have you been doing?”39

“I’m having trouble doing up this bloody corset of mine,” I grumbled, “Mother made it look so easy when she did hers up…”40

Damon chuckled, “As far as I can tell there isn’t any blood on your corset.”41

I glared at him.42

“Alright, don’t glare at me like that,” he laughed, “Would you like some help?”43

“Please.”44

“Okay then, turn around.”45

“I’m curious now, how do you know how to do up a corset?” I chuckled as I turned my back to him.46

He laughed again, and tugged on the cords roughly, “Tight enough?”47

“Yep, can barely breath,” I gasped.48

“Good, that is the way it’s meant to be,” he chuckled and tied the cords, “Alright, now turn around and let me have a look at you.”49

I sighed, rolling my eyes but turned around and he watched with an approving smile.50

“Looking good,” he said passing me my mask, “Now come on, or we’re going to miss the party.”51

I groaned.52

He chuckled, “Yes, I know, you’re not a party animal, but I’m not going to let you be a party-pooper either.”53

I chuckled, “Okay, okay…”54

He grabbed my hand and dragged me through the doorway, leading me to the ballroom, “You’ll enjoy yourself, you know you will.”55

The Ballroom was overflowing with people; women in their elegant, flowing dress twirled with their partners on the dance floor, all in time to the music being played by the orchestra. A sea of black tuxedos dotted with silver, white, and reds of the dresses.56

I walked into the room, my eyes still lingering on the dancing couples and the way they seemed to float over the dance floor.57

“Wow… I knew Lady Elizabeth could throw parties, but this one takes the cake,” Damon said, slipping an arm around my waist and following me into the crowd.58

I laughed, “Yes she always knew how to have fun.”59

“You’ve got that right, Raaksha.” 60

He looked around the room in awe and I smiled.61

Scanning the room for Mother, my eyes fell upon a small group of young, male werewolves, all their eyes were on me and it sent a shiver down my spine. None of them were wearing masks, like everyone else, and they whispered to one another as Damon led me to the dance floor.62

“What is it Raaksha?”63

I shook my head, looking back to Damon, “Nothing, just looking at the group of were’s over there.”64

“Oh, okays,” he moved in front of me and bowed, extending his arm, “May I have this dance, lovely Lady?”65

I smiled, taking his arm, “Of course you may good Sir.”66

He returned the smile and moved us into step with the circle that had formed. 67

Feet drifting across the floor and skirt twirling around my feet, I chuckled enjoying every step and every flowing movement.68

The music shifted to another beat and the dancers changed step.69

“Excuse me?” a soft, velvet voice came from behind me, “but may I have this dance, mi’ Lady?”70

I looked to the young were standing before me, Damon’s hands still sat protectively on my waist. It was one of the young were’s from the group I saw before.71

I forced a smile, taking his extended arm, “You may, Sir.”72

Damon’s hands reluctantly let me go, and he watched, as I was lead to the other side of the dance floor.73

-Don’t worry Damon, it will only be one dance, I’ll come find you when I’m done-74

-Okay, just one dance-75

“Please, don’t call me Sir, my name is Mick,” he smiled; wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close, surrounding me in his spicy scent.76

“Nice to meet you, Mick.” I said, following his steps.77

He looked over my shoulder, a smirk on his face, as though he had achieved some goal or something.78

I shook my head and rolled my eyes. What is with the male ‘wolf population, I thought, always trying to out do and impress one another.79

“I didn’t catch your name…”80

I smirked, “I never gave it.”81

A chuckle rippled through him, “And by that I’m guessing you’re not going to?”82

“You guessed right, Mick.”83

We moved to the music in silence for a few steps, Mick’s gaze going over my shoulder every now and then.84

“So… I hear you live with the vampires.”85

I nodded, “You heard right.”86

He considered me a moment, “Don’t you get lonely this time of year?”87

I arched an eyebrow, “Lonely…?”88

“Yes, lonely…” he pulled me closer and whispered, “You do know what time of year it is, don’t you?”89

I looked at him, puzzled.90

He leaned closer, his whispering breath caressing my neck.91

“Mating season,” he said, his hand slipping down to cup my butt cheek.92

Grabbing his hand roughly, I tried to pull away from him.93

He chuckled tightening his grip on my wrist.94

“Let go of me,” I growled softly.95

“Come on, just one more dance,” he smirked, “we’ll go outside, where we can be alone…”96

I glared at him, “No. Now let go.”97

He didn’t let go but he loosened his grip and I pulled away from him, storming through the crowd.98

Should have known better, Raaksha, I thought to myself, that is the only thing young were’s like that think about.99

“You let her go?” I heard someone say behind me.100

“Go after her, dude,” said another, “you can’t let a catch like that walk away.”101

-Damon, where are you -102

A hand grabbed mine roughly, pulling me around, Micks spicy scent filling my senses.103

Cheers came from his pack mates in the crowd behind him.104

“No one refuses me,” he snarled.105

“Really?” I smirked, “aren’t you going to learn the hard way then,” confusion flickered across his face, “because you don’t always get what you want.”106

A growl rumbled in his chest, “I always get what I want.”107

I ripped my hand from his grip as he tried to drag me to the door.108

“I said no. Get over it,” I turned and scanned the crowd for Damon.109

Mick’s snarl gave him away as he lunged for me.110

Moving out of his reach I kicked him in the gut.111

He landed on the floor with a grunt, “You little bitch.”112

The music stopped momentarily and everyone was watching us.113

Great, I sighed, I’m making a scene.114

I glared at him as he staggered a little and stood.115

His face contorted in rage, he lunged again and this time my fist connected with his nose. Bone broke under the impact and he stumbled backwards, with his hand cupped over his face, the smell of blood reaching my nostrils.116

I spun on my heel; the crowd that was watching parted and let me through as I walked towards the doors.117

“Bloody jerk,” I mumbled.118

“Who’s the jerk?” Damon asked as he caught my arm, “I’m sorry, I got caught up.”119

I looked at him, taking a deep breath, “Don’t worry about it and Mick, he’s the jerk.”120

“Oh,” Damon chuckled, “The guy you just smashed in the face?”121

I nodded, “Yep,” and grinned a little, “Felt rather good actually.”122

He grinned, “And what did he do to get a serve like that?”123

“He didn’t take no for an answer.”124

“Right, I’ll take note of that for future reference.”125

I gave him a playful shove and he laughed.126

“Was that really necessary, dear?” asked Mother as she came up to us.127

“I believe it was, yes,” I giggled a little.128

Mother smiled, “And what did he do to deserve such a gift?”129

“He didn’t take no as my final answer.”130

“Final answer to what, dear?”131

“It’s mating season, Mother, what else would a young, male ‘wolf, have on his mind?”132

“Uh right,” she chuckled, “and I see you got your corset done up in the end.”133

“I had some help from Damon.”134

“Really?” Mother said, raising and eyebrow as she turned her attention to Damon.135

He blushed under her gaze, “Yeah, well…”136

She laughed, “Do not worry Damon, your secret is safe with me,” she said winking at him, which made him blush a deeper red.137

“Have you seen your Father at all this evening, Raaksha?” she asked.138

“No I haven’t seen him yet actually,” I replied frowning a little.139

Mother sighed and glanced around the room.140

“Alright. If you see him, tell me please.”141

“Okay, mother, I will.”142

I watched her melt in to the crowd as she walked away.143

“I wonder what is wrong.” I said to Damon.144

He shrugged.145

“Excuse me all…” Mother’s voice drifted over the music as it softened and all eyes turned to her, “I would like to thank you all for coming this evening, I know many of you travelled some distance to make it…”146

I stood beside Damon, his arm casually draped over my shoulder, and listened to Mother make her announcement.147

“As you all should be aware of, it has been seven years this evening, since the Council of Ancients made the treaty between werewolf and vampire,” she looked around the room, at the mix of vampires and werewolves in the room, “Tonight is a celebration of another year passed with no war breaking out between the two.”148

The crowd clapped, and a few were’s whistled.149

I looked around the room, seeing that Father still hadn’t made an appearance, and that Mick was still glaring at me from the back of the room.150

-Mick still glaring at you, Raaksha?-151

-Yep-152

Damon chuckled quietly, –Don’t worry about him. I doubt he’ll try anything again, besides, I’ll keep you safe-153

I looked up at Damon, an eyebrow raised, -Really now? And what makes you think I can’t take care of my self? You did see what I did to his nose didn’t you?-154

-Mmm… yes I did see that…-155

-There you go then.-156

Damon chuckled again and I shook my head turning my attention back to Mother.157

“I would li-“158

Mother was interrupted by an ear-piercing scream that ripped through the air. The whole room was silent as people looked about, trying to see whom the scream came from.159

Everyone’s attention turned towards the doors of the Ballroom, as they slammed open, Ebony charging through them.160

Her mascara was running down her cheeks, her hair looking unkept, and blood on her dress.161

“Mother! Mother!” she yelled hysterically, as the crowd parted for her to pass through.162

“What is it sweetheart?” a note of worry in her voice.163

“It…Its Father…”164