Anne Parker's Story

Anne was already up and running across the castle, lately she had been under a lot of pressure because both of the secret group Jacob had in mind and because of the new trainees would often get hurt. Some of them had never even fought in their lives before and Anne could recognize fear through some of their eyes. She kept running as she made another realization, the Luna was pregnant and so was her friend Bryarly. This place was now filled with even more hormones than the first day at the ceremony, and Anne was worried for the safety of the girls.

As soon as Adrian made the mindlink Anne laughed, 'BRYARLY! ZOE! ANNE! ClAUDIE! lets have a girls day today! we can go get ultrasounds of the pups then.....i really want to go to the water park! PLEASE! i saw it as we were coming here it looks so fun and big!' . Girls day huh? Anne laughed yet another time, as she remembered promising Jessica to go out on a girl's night too, however because of her busy schedule they had not done so yet.

Anne appreciated Adrian's concern and thoughtfulness and smiled at the thought of going out again, I guess I really need to clear my head for a bit, besides if Adrian or Bryarly need any medical help, I might just help them out. Without thinking too much into it, Anne finally decided to go with them. She got ready in a flash and hurried to where the Luna was without knowing she was with Lucas. She stopped before they could see her, Anne saw what a lovely couple they were and smiled for a little, and realized that all of them had a mate, hell... even the vampire had one, but Anne was the only one without one. At first she didn't mind at all, in fact she believed it to be better, but now seeing how everyone had not only a mate but a lifeparnter for good and that she was about the only exception made her a bit lonely.

Seeing how he would probably accompany Adrian and that Bryarly's mate would do exactly the same made Anne feel a bit uncomfortable. Sure she got along with Lucas, and she didn't mind the blonde one at all but thinking that the others would also invite their mates made Anne feel even less at ease, embarrassed even. 'Stop it!' she finally said her inner wolf, 'this is so unlike you! You're not one to feel bad about yourself, so what if you don't have a mate so far? a lot of people depend on you, and need you to be in your better judgment instead of being a sad little thing over things you can't control'. Anne finally snapped out of it, and realizing she had been staring at the official royal couple she stood back waiting for Adrian at the entrance looking a bit distance she stood staring at the main door for a bit, struggling with herself she thought of many ways she could refuse the leave for the girl's reunion, however nothing she would probably say. After all the safety of the girls was more important than Anne's broken pride.

Zoe had just gotten out of the shower when she got Adrian's invitation through the mental link. Zane was still sleeping-in in bed. She smiled, excited at the prospect of a girls' day, and quickly finished drying her hair and got dressed in some comfy black yoga pants and a t-shirt. The girls really did need a day to relax and just have some fun away from the stresses of everyday pack life, and she was excited to spend time with her friends, even Claudie, she realized. She had started to warm up to her, and saw her as less of a threat. She still kept an eye on her every now and then, and they weren't friends by any means either, but she didn't necessarily hate the girl, and Colton seemed to be happy with her. If the others accepted her and trusted her, then maybe it was okay to give the girl a bit of a break. Its not like she'd done anything to harm or offend them so far....at least, not yet. Zoe shrugged and went over to sit gently and quietly on the bed beside Zane. She kissed him on the cheek good morning and smiled as he groggily blinked at her. "I'm going out with Adrian and the girls, they want to have a girl's day and get ultrasounds and go to the water-park. I'll be back sometime this afternoon or evening, I'll see you later love." she murmured to him, kissing him on the forehead once more before getting up to gather her things and heading towards Adrian's dorm. When she got there, she waited in the hallway by their room. Spotting Anne, she walked up to her and smiled. "Hey, Anne, how are you?" she asked her, knowing that she was going with and realizing she hadn't seen the med wolf in a while.

Anne was stroking her hair carelessly waiting for the other girls to arrive, thinking of the busy schedule she had ahead of her as soon as she they would get back from their little trip, and thinking about her new pack. She remembered that Claudie would be coming along and couldn't help but wonder if they would get along, she had seen her a few times but had never really engaged any conversation with her since her arrival. Even so, Anne was a cautious woman and if she had to be honest she would not let her guard down, however she would not treat her differently unless she gave her a reason to.

It was then when Anne noticed someone slowly approaching her, it was none other than Zoe a member of the Ocean Moon Pack. She saw her smiling to which she responded with another smile. Anne had not seen Zoe in a while since she joined the Royal Moon Pack, but she could admit it was nice seeing her doing well. "Hey, Anne, How are you?" she asked, "Oh, hey Zoe." Anne said with a mildly interested tone."I'm doing good, thank you." Anne replied almost with a robotic tone, when in fact what she had on mind was something along the lines of 'Honestly I've been better'. She had already been asked the same question too many times that it had become a habit to respond exactly alike every single time, even when in truth she was far from 'good'. After all, she needed them to trust her with their lives, she didn't want them to think she was emotionally unstable or incapable, even more now that she was the Royal doctor.
"What about you? I see you are doing well on your own. I am sure you have already found a mate?"

"Ok Lucas me and the girls will meet you at the ultrasound place love you" Adrin giggled and kissed her mate on the cheek before exiting the room instantly seeing Anne and Zoe.
"ZOE ANNE!!!" Adrian shouted happily and lunged at the two girl bring them both in for a big bear hug.
"Today is going to be AWESOME!! oh i just want to let you guys know that Lucas and Tyler are just coming with us to the ultrasound's cause they want to see their pups then WE GIRLS are ditching them after and going to the BIG AWESOME WATER PARK!!" Adrian giggled loudly, she was so excited to spend the day with her girls.
"OH maybe we can even get a hotel room tonight in the city and make our fun even longer, take a break from all this drama and shit?" Adrian asked.
A kick from her stomach made her smile bigger and she took both of the female's hands and put them on her stomach.
"Their kicking isnt it amazing! oh and keep this a secret between us girl's cause if the other's in the castle found oout they wouldnt let me leave my room, me and Lucas are having twin's!" Adrian said happily.
Something kicked in and Adrian turned to Anne with confusion.
"Anne whats wrong? I'm sensing your upset, about what sweet pea?" Adrian asked in concern as they waited for Bryarly and Claudie.

Anne was taken by surprise at Adrian's tight hug as she pulled all of them closer. She opened her eyes in surprise for a moment not expecting the sudden affectionate gesture, even so, Anne smiled warmly at Adrian as she told them her plans for the day. "Today is going to be AWESOME!! oh i just want to let you guys know that Lucas and Tyler are just coming with us to the ultrasound's cause they want to see their pups then WE GIRLS are ditching them after and going to the BIG AWESOME WATER PARK!!" said Adrian excitedly to which Anne simply smiled again. "OH maybe we can even get a hotel room tonight in the city and make our fun even longer, take a break from all this drama and shit?" 'Sounds just about right to me' was the first thought on Anne's mind, but as soon as the thought came to her mind she scolded herself, she knew she had to stay at the castle just in case someone got hurt and specially because she didn't know when Jacob & Lily were planning on the surprise attack on the queen, or if they had even postponed the whole thing.

Anne was once again taken by surprise by Adrian as she informed her and Zoe, "Their kicking isn't it amazing! oh and keep this a secret between us girl's cause if the other's in the castle found out they wouldn't let me leave my room, me and Lucas are having twin's!". Even though Anne had already learned about her pregnancy as soon as she showed some signs, she felt glad that Adrian would be so open about telling them of her pregnancy. "Congratulations Adrian! I am sure you will be an amazing mother". Yet again, Anne was caught up by surprise, but this time by her own-self. She wondered if she would ever have any pups of her own, and for a moment she got lost in thought again.

She did not listen when Adrian asked her in concern, "Anne whats wrong? I'm sensing your upset, about what sweet pea?", instead she merely hear her voice as a sound from afar, as if it was out of her reach. Because of this, she was caught off guard as she glanced at the blonde pregnant Luna that stared into her eyes directly waiting for an answer. Telling by her face full of concern, Anne already knew what she had asked. To which she answered in a tone she hoped would show sincerity, "Honestly? I think the war is finally taking its toll on me, I also miss my old pack and... " Anne stopped herself before she could say anything else, besides she had already said too much to her dismay. After all, Anne hated complaining and whining about things she couldn't even control, no, in truth she hated complaining overall.

"Oh, hey Zoe...I'm doing good, thank you." Zoe continued to give Anne a warm smile, but she knew something was off with her pack-mate. She had said she was fine, but it hadn't really sounded like she'd meant it. Zoe wondered what was bothering her and was about to ask when Anne spoke again, before she could say anything. "What about you? I see you are doing well on your own. I am sure you have already found a mate?" Zoe was about to confirm that yes, she had a mate, and she was doing fine, when Adrian arrived and greeted them both with all excited giggles and a giant bear hug that prevented Zoe from saying anything she might have wanted to say beforehand. Zoe's smile widened and she embraced her friend and Luna back, glad to see her in good spirits. After Adrian excitedly listed off their plans for the day and suggested a hotel room, Zoe smiled and nodded, agreeing that a hotel room was a great idea. She laughed. "A night away from the drama sounds amazing." she agreed. Although, in the back of her mind, remembering that Claudie was coming, she just hoped spending the night holed up in a hotel room together wouldn't cause more drama. When Adrian placed Zoe's hand on her stomach and she felt the kick, her eyes lit up and she couldn't conceal the joy on her face. She was truly happy for her friend and found herself wishing that Zane and her could have the same thing someday soon and have children of their own, although she wasn't sure she herself was ready for that yet. Maybe someday. She laughed softly. "Your secret's safe with me, girl. And congratulations!" she said with a warm, enthusiastic smile. Honestly, maybe a girls' day was a good idea. She hadn't felt this happy and free in a long while, and they all needed it. "Anne whats wrong? I'm sensing your upset, about what sweet pea?" she heard Adrian ask the young doctor. Remembering Anne's previous monotone and insincere reply to how she was doing, Zoe glanced over at her. When she heard her reply, she thought she cut off a little too quickly, as if there was something more, but Zoe let it slide for now and just smiled, Anne obviously didn't want to talk about it. "I think the war's taken a toll on us all, and you'll see your pack again soon enough. Why don't you try to relax today and just try to have some fun? I think we all need it." she said with a warm, hopefully reassuring smile. "The pack will be fine while you're gone, and in the meantime you can forget all the stresses of the past few weeks and relax for a moment at least. That's what today is for anyways, right?" she told her.

"Zoe's right Anne, when this war is over you can go back to your pack, we arent going to keep you here after if you dont want to" Adrian said softly
"That's not all is it?" Adrian asked. What was Anne missing that could make her so sad?

........................................A MATE!!!!!

"Anne are you upset cause you dont have a mate yet?" Adrian asked concerned
"Sweet pea if thats one of the reason's then dont be down about that, Artemis just hasnt found a guy good enough for you yet thats all" Adrian said kindly and hugged her friend.
"Geez Bryarly and Claudie really need to hurry" Adrian exclaimed and smiled trying to make everyone happy again.

Anne listened as Zoe & Adrian tried to comfort her, and smiled once again at both with a warm smile. She felt overjoyed for a moment seeing how worried they both were. She smiled to Zoe and nodded realizing she was right, she needed to relax and today was just the day to do so. As soon as Zoe finished telling Anne to relax from all the stress Adrian spoke again "Zoe's right Anne, when this war is over you can go back to your pack, we arent going to keep you here after if you dont want to". "Thank you Adrian, I appreciate it" she said sincerely this time.

"That's not all is it?" Anne opened her eyes wide open. 'Has she figured out? No! she doesn't know.' she reassured herself to keep her composure. Adrian couldn't possibly know about Jacob's plans.
"Anne are you upset cause you don't have a mate yet?", Anne couldn't help but laugh awkwardly at Adrian's discovery, she was right much to Anne's dismay, somehow she was bothered about the issue, but the truth was that was not all there was to it.

"Sweet pea if that's one of the reason's then don't be down about that, Artemis just hasn't found a guy good enough for you yet that's all" followed by a heartwarming hug that showed her sincerity. Anne hugged her back, and was speechless for a moment "Thank you, both of you". she finally managed to say eyeing Zoe to thank her as well. "I think it's because I see so many lovely couples, besides the hormones and stuff, that my crazy head must be confused that is all". she said trying to light up the mood.

In truth she felt embarrassed to the core, how silly this was, to be saddened about not having a mate. 'Oh the irony!' she thought, knowing how before coming to the castle she would have never felt bothered by such matters, and how she did not want to come to the castle for the same reason.
Adrian spoke again with another smile that made Anne smile genuinely this time.

Claudie walked up to the group of girls, "Good morning." she greeted kindly to everyone. Self consciously tugging at her sleeves making sure they covered as much as possible, she glanced at everyones faces. Adrian was glowing as usual, Zoe looked at her as though she was about to explored or something, then Claudie's attention was brought to the girl she had never met before. "Hello, I'm Claudie Nightshade." she introduced herself.

Anne was smiling trying to reassure Zoe and Adrian when she heard someone coming closer. She smelled her scent and recognized her right away, Claudie. She was finally at their reach when greeted everyone "Good morning". She covered herself with her sleeves a little too fast and oddly, she must feel uncomfortable still... and rightfully so was all Anne could come up with for the moment.

Anne stared at the pale girl that was a new addition to Adrian's former pack, and was a bit surprised as she stared back at her. "Hello, I'm Claudie Nightshade." Anne waited for a moment wondering how she could react to her greeting, at first she stared at her expressionless without being too rude. But a thought clouded Anne's judgment, more like a memory came came back to her, the smell of vampires specially the scent of this female and the scent of the blood of the many wolves, cold and dead on the floor. I couldn't save them... was the last thing she thought before her mind came back to reality. There was nothing else that could be done about it, that much was true, however that didn't mean that Anne needed to like this woman.

Even though she had decided that she would not treat her differently until she proved her wrong, Anne couldn't help but feel anger towards the woman that had made her feel helpless. Even worse, she made Anne remember that there were and would be times when not even her medicals skills would not be enough to save those around her. At the end, Anne simply nodded at the woman without introducing herself or giving in a smile, simply a firm nod, Well, this is going to be awkward all over again.

Before something like that could happen, Anne spoke to everyone in the group, "now we're just missing Bryarly right?"

Zoe smiled genuinely back at Anne and nodded slightly in acknowledgement of her thanks as she made eye contact when Anne eyed her to show that she was thanking her as well. She nodded, understanding completely. "Don't worry, hun, you and your soul-mate haven't found each other just yet, but you will. I promise. And don't let the other couples get to you. If you're ever feeling down or lonely, come to us, we're always here to help." Zoe told her with a warm smile. "And don't feel bad or silly about it. I think everyone feels that way before they find their mate; its normal to worry about it when you see everyone else that has some happiness that you don't yet. But don't you worry, Artemis will find you someone special, if she hasn't already." she promised, sincerely believing it. Not everyone found their mates at the same time, but she was sure Anne would come across him sometime soon. She sincerely hoped she did, for Anne deserved that happiness. She didn't see why Artemis wouldn't have given her a mate, like all the other females of the packs. Anne was just as deserving as the rest of them, if not more than some of them.
When Claudie came up to them, Zoe turned her head and tried to give her just as warm of a smile, but her uncertainty and still mistrusting judgement towards the girl must have shown through, for Claudie seemed to give her some sort of a guarded look that was just short of being friendly. The vampire girl's presence still made her more than a little uneasy. And she noticed she wasn't the only one; although Adrian was very friendly toward Claudie as if they were long-lost sisters or something, Anne seemed to tense up at her approach. Zoe noticed how she didn't respond right away and how she avoided having to greet her back by noting how Bryarly was the only one missing now. And then Zoe realized why Anne would feel angry at her. She had had to heal all those werewolves Claudie had injured at the night of the attack she had led, and some of them hadn't made it. This trip was going to be more awkward and unfriendly than Zoe had originally thought. It was sure starting out on a bad foot now that Claudie had joined them. Zoe blinked out of her thoughts and nodded in response to what Anne said. "Ummm, yeah, do you think one of us should go check on Bry and fetch her?" she asked, kind of relieved that Anne had changed the subject and steered away from interactions and introductions with Claudie.