{one}

Aria's POV

As I sit in the bay window of the library, reading a book, I hear a knock on the big wooden door. It echoed throughout the large room making it louder than it really was.

"Yes?" I quietly ask, hoping whoever is behind the door can hear me. After a few seconds, the door cracks open and in walks Maid Sarah. She's holding a golden tray with a bowl of soup, a small loaf of bread, and a glass of water on top. Her eyes scan the room, trying to find me, when her eyes do find me bundled up on the bay window, a soft smile washes across her face.

"Princess Aria, it's past dinner. The King and Queen request you eat." She politely says, placing the tray on the table in center of the room. The royal library was very large with 18 feet tall walls that were lined with books, everything in the room had details of gold with oak furnishing everywhere, whenever you walked into the room, you felt warm and cozy. There was many different accents in the room such as the large fireplace and long oak table that sat in the center of the room, but one wall had a beautiful bay window that shows off the forest that I've gotten used to watching throughout my life. What I loved the most is what's beyond the royal border, from here on the 3rd floor I can see the beautiful ocean, tempting me everyday, I could barely make out any details from this distance but I just felt a urge to be in the water. I haven't left the castle grounds since I was 3, so I never got to go see the ocean, feel the sand, hear the waves crash, but I dreamt that one day I would get to experience what it was like. Almost everyday, I do the exact same thing. I wake up and Maid Sarah helps me get ready, I eat breakfast down in the dining hall with all the other servants but they had no clue who I was, walk around the castle grounds until I was tired of walking around, head up to the library to read until dinner, then get ready for bed. It's a boring routine, but I've grown to like it, especially with the company of Sarah.

"Thank you, Sarah." I state, closing my book and walking over to the table.

"Princess Aria, what book are you reading now?" Sarah asks, as I sit down in my chair. Maid Sarah almost raised me, she's been my maid ever since I was born. My parents always saw me as a burden since I was not the normal first born. In the werewolf community, every Alpha, including the King, will always get a son as the first born, becoming the heir. But if a daughter is the first born, the family is disgraced, it's stupid old traditions that we still follow. So my parents kept me a secret, only the castle workers know about me. Even a few don't know that I'm the princess. Ever since I was born, I've never had a good relationship with my parents, but Sarah is like a mother to me. She practically raised me, she taught me how to brush my teeth, how to shave my legs, what a mate meant, everything you could imagine.

"Pride and Prejudice." I state, starting to eat my dinner. This was my favorite book, I've probably read it over a hundred times, I mean how can you not love Mr. Darcy?

"Again, you read that last week!" She exclaims, a smile creeping on her face.

"So? it's a good book." I laugh, finishing my soup, smiling at Sarah. I slowly finish my dinner while Sarah leaves me soak in my alone time in the library, I began to read again but I'm soon stopped halfway through a page.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but the King and Queen have requested your presence in the throne room." Maid Sarah, states and taking the tray out of the room. I quickly head to the throne room. All the maids are rushing around the castle, preparing for the annual Royal ball that was set to be held tomorrow. Every July, the royal family holds a grand ball at the castle as a way to join together all the packs and create a sense of community among the large kingdom. As I walk into the throne room, I can't help but feel intimidated by my parents staring down at me from their thrones, it was such a large room dressed in marble walls and floors and extravagant decorations, it was hard not to feel inferior.

"Aria, how many times must I tell you to wear makeup when you're walking around the castle?" My mother exclaims, walking down towards me. "You'll scare all the pups with your face."

"My apologies, mother." I say, looking at my shoes, not wanting to look in her eyes.

"At least she knows how speak, without sounding like a commoner" My father states, standing up as well.

"Let's get this over with," my father groans. "The elders recently have told us that since you are now 18, we must begin to make arrangements of you taking over as Queen. While we have never liked this idea and have tried to argue against this matter, the elders have said that the Moon Goddess has given them a vision that you may meet your mate in the coming months. To avoid any unwanted embarrassment towards the crown, we are forced the announce you as our daughter before you find your mate. The elders have advised we do so at the Royal Ball tomorrow as we would have the most media coverage and social interaction with the kingdom. Your mother and I have decided you will not become Queen until you find your mate."

"Tonight, Maid Sarah will fit you for a gown, and tomorrow she will give a makeover. You will greet all the guest with me and your father." My mother grumbled.

"Now you may go, Maid Sarah will tell you anything else." My father says, in his alpha tone. I slowly head out of the room but right when I'm about to leave my mother yells towards me:

"And wear makeup to the ball!"

Ever since I turned 13, all my mother wanted me to do was wear makeup. Yes, I did have a small case of acne but I didn't feel a need to cover anything. As I'm walking to my bedroom, I can't help but feel excited that I finally get to go to the royal ball. For the past 18 years, I've only ever heard about the ball and even a few times snuck out of my bedroom to see what it was like but never got far due to Sarah finding me and sending me back to my room.

As I get near my bedroom, I see Sarah walking up to me.

"Sarah! Did you hear? I get to go to the Royal ball!" I exclaim, jumping up and down.

"Yes, I did, sweet girl. Now let's get back to your bedroom so we can fit you for a gown." She smiles, leading me into my bedroom. When we get inside, she leads me to where she's already set up all her sewing and measuring supplies. I also notice that she has tons of fabric too.

"You're sewing the dress tonight?" I ask, sitting down on my bed.

"Of course, we have to make a dress that will make you stand out as the Princess" She says in disbelief, like I was saying nonsense. "Now, please come stand so I can measure you."

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

"Alright, Princess Aria, I'm all done." Sarah says, pulling away from where she was sewing. I sigh and quickly take off the dress she had started on me. I go and plop on my bed, ready to sleep. "I'll be back tomorrow morning to help you get ready, good night Princess Aria."

"Goodnight Sarah, thank you so much for everything!"

And as soon as the door closes, I'm fast asleep.

I'm running

Running outside

Outside by water

By water with sand

Then I realize I'm at the beach. In my wolf form. I've only ever shifted once but this feels amazing. My wolf is sandy blonde color.

I suddenly skid to a stop, like my wolf had just seen the water. The water I've stared at my whole life from the library.

Slowly my wolf starts toward the crashing waves, I don't know how to swim but I hope my wolf does.

Right when I'm about to take a step into the water, I hear a loud growl behind me. I start to cower but my wolf seems to know this growl and starts wagging her tail. She then turns around to see as very large brown and blonde wolf, looking at us lovingly. Once I see the wolf that growled, I'm not scared any more but I feel comfort.

The wolf starts walking towards me and my wolf starts towards him. When they meet in the middle, I can't help but feel a connection with this large wolf. The amazing scent that comes off of him is like vanilla and oranges. I can't get enough of his scent.

My wolf start to nudge and play with the wolf, and soon they both are playing together. They start chasing each other and soon the large wolf has tackled mine to the ground.

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

Damon's POV

I jolt awake in a cold sweat, everything from my dream still there.

The blonde fur.

The amazing scent.

The ocean and beach.

The small wolf all together.

I must find her.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

First chapter done!!!! Thanks to anyone that is reading this book, thank you for your support, I really appreciate it.

Word count:1673