A Tale of Two Lives (BurningWillows & Rskde)

Kayden had spent the rest of the morning and afternoon doing two things: crying profusely and moving her belongings to Katerina's quarters. She knew she couldn't bring her clothing, they'd expect her to wear Katerinas outfits. All she brought was her trinkets and her books, and just as she was settling in she heard a knock on the door.

"Hello?" She called before opening it, looking at the bulk of a man in front of her. She recognized him as Flynn, best fighter in the clan and also Katerina's tutor.

"Uh, hello," she stuttered, a little nervous in his presence, "uh I...I uh..."

Flynn narrows his eyes when he sees her tear streaked face. "Listen here lass, everyone who knows about Katerina is sad, but the fact is that you are now the one who needs to be strong, a, I getting through to you?" He asks, his eyes seemingly piercing into hers.

"Any sign of weakness would allow any of these clans to take advantage of you and your father, a civil war would break out, the deaths of thousands that could be easily prevented if you quit your sniveling." He says coldly, as a werewolf he doesn't really have much sympathy.

"You're going to be starting lessons tomorrow, I'm going to get you in shape and a good fighter if it's the last bloody thing I do for this clan." He explains. "Now get ready for the ceremony tonight, you need to present yourself to the clans, and you will do it as Katerina, and you will keep a calm and clear face the entire time, now go." He says before turning to leave her doorway.

Kayden stood there, stunned. She had never spoken more than two words to Flynn before now, and not hat he was talking to her she felt like she was being reprimanded, like a wolf pup caught in the pantry. Slowly she let the door shut and retreated into the room, wondering where that had all come from. At least he knew what was going on.

She moved to the wardrobe but as there were still hours before the ceremony so instead she decided to head out and clear her head, wandering the halls. For now she could still be Kayden, and no one noticed Kayden. As she wandered she ended up in the guest hall, hearing it bustle with noise as people got ready. She wondered who these men would be. Katerina had met them all once or twice so far as the days led up to the ceremony but Kayden had never got a peek. She was walking into this blind.

Dominik wanders through the halls, looking around to explore, never having been inside of the Winter Wolf caverns before. He wanders into what he believes to be the guest hallway, looking around him in wonder at the whole cave system, intrigued about how it came to be.

He spots a pretty face, he approaches her. "Hey, I'm Dominik." He says, offering his hand. "I've never been here, how was this cavern made?" He asks.

Kayden blanches. No one had ever noticed her before, or for that matter asked a question.

"Uh we dug it out decades ago. A lot of the rooms were naturally built and we just made the hallways connecting it all. Are you here for the big ceremony? Our halls seem full with strangers lately."

She didn't remember Katerina mentioning a Dominik as a candidate so she assumed he had to be a visiting relative.

"Have you gotten a tour of the whole den?"

Dominik nods, still interested in how this huge cave complex came to be, as he had never really seen anything like it before. He looks around before nodding. "Yeah, I'm a visitor or something, my pack is here so I'm here to support them." He says with a laugh.

"If you could show me around that'd be great, what's your name by the way?" He asks her, raising his eyebrows in her direction. "Since I gave you my name it would only be fair." He says with a chuckle.

She hadn't meant to offer him a tour but now she was.

"It's Kayden. Just Kayden."

She led him around, showing him the mess hall, the sleeping quarters assigned to indivials or mated pairs, and finally the throne room.

"The ceremony will take place in here. It's big enough to host the entire northern pack and then some. Food will remain in the mess hall down the hall to the right but in here all the festivities will take place. What do you think? The walls are pure crystal."

Dominik nods, he makes mental note of her name to ensure he would not forget it.

He walks around with her, nodding while she speaks about the various areas within the cave system, though what really steals the show is the ceremony hall. "It's.. Beautiful." He admits, placing his hand against the crystal wall. "We don't have anything like this out in the west." He admits.

We also don't have anything like this in hell.. He thinks to himself, he pushes the negative thought away, turning back to her. "Anything else I should know before the festivities?" He asks, crossing his arms and raising his eyebrows at her.

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"Don't be tardy," she replied, smiling softly at him, "My fa-I mean the Alpha doesn't like tardiness. And prepare to gorge on food. The hunters have been working relentlessly for weeks now. It was really nice meeting you Dominik, but I should go. I need to change into my evening wear for the ceremony. Maybe we will see each other later?"

Dominik smiles, nodding his head. "Alright.. Yeah, I'd like to see you again." He admits to her with a laugh. "I'll seeya tonight." He says before walking back the way they had come from, walking to his quarters to rest up before the festivities began, the rest of the packs should be arriving now.

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Kayden returned to her new quarters too, knowing he had no idea just how much he'd "see" her tonight. She didn't know why she had introduced herself as Kayden to him, knowing he'd see her tonight as Katerina. But in the end it wasn't like he was a candidate and her old self could not choose a mate, so there was nothing that could come from Dominik. Unfortunately.

When she returned to her room she found a dress laid out, someone having tidied the room and left her outfit from tonight. She bathed and spaled her skins in luscious oils before dressing in her full length simple blue gown, the neck a sweeping arch that dipped between her modest breasts and held together by only a golden clasp. After brushing her hair, Kayden decided on braiding either side to the back and then letting it flow freely, enjoying the mature and yet and wild look it gave her.

With all that said and done she smoothed down her dress and set out to find her father, needing to rehearse what to say and do before the ceremony began.

Dominik gets around an hour of rest before walking out of his quarters to join all of the packs for the festivities, sortve excited to see what Katerina looked like, considering Kayden is from the same pack and she looked beautiful, he assumes that she would also look amazing.

He blinks and snaps out of it. Remember.. You're not here for that.. he tells himself, spotting the candidate from the pack that hired him, he scoffs at the wolf, the man is too weak to get a mate on his own, a part of Dominik is tempted to let him get knocked out of the game.

He puts his hands behind his head, they are very hot to the touch, which puts his mind at ease. He could probably be sitting in a volcano and drinking a pint of beer like its summer heat.

The ceremony was about to began and Kayden hid in her - Katerina's - room, nervous. She was waiting on Christian to escort her to the throne room, where the pack and all vistors would be waiting minus the candidates and her. Her father would be there too, making his grand entrance before she did. And as he had drilled into her over and over in the last hour, everything rode on this. If she messed up, the clan could easily fall to war. A lot of pressure for a girl on her 18th birthday.

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Ivory finished setting her gown straight and went to work on straightening Christian's collar. She wore a simple green gown that complimented her curves, made of simple cloth with a leather braided belt and gold embroidery along the arms. For her mate, she had picked out one of his normal attires when he wore to meetings and Beta events, then fancied it up with a cloak made of bear fur she had sown herself as a gift.

"Do you like it?" she asked, adjusting it on his shoulders so it fell down his back perfectly, making him look magnificent and royal, "I do love grizzly fur on you my love."

Sleeping next to his mate always seems to have this magnificent effect on Christian, he's happier, awake, alert, and a grin is pretty much plastered on to his face as he watches her dress into her beautiful gown.

He stands and she helps him change into his clothes, when she wraps the cloak around his neck his fingers run down the design, it's very well made, and very warm. "I love it." He says to her with a smile. He leans to her and captures her lips with his for a moment.

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Ivory smiled, cupping his face to kiss him back lovingly. This man was her everything now, and he knew it, just as much as Ivory knew she was his. The fur cloak looked amazing, and he looked fit to escort his little sister through the throne room.

"You shouldn't be tardy," she kissed him once more and then pushed him on his way, "I can find my way to the throne room, you need to find your sister, Katerina. Perhaps I'll find Kayden in the throne room and sit with her. Now go dear. I'll save you a seat."

Christian, groans softly when she pulls away, his hands had gravitated to her hips and suddenly he doesn't want to leave the room with his mate inside. "You'll come back here later, right?" He asks as he gets pushed away, deciding not to even bring up Kayden.

He kisses her back and leaves the room, walking to Nina's old room. He knocks on the door, opening it when he knows it's okay to do so. "You look beautiful." He says to her, and she did, she looked fit to be an Alpha female.

"Cmon lets go, we have a ceremony to attend, you'll knock the fur off of every wolf in there." He says with a laugh. Christian isn't a very happy person, he's cold and calculating, but around his mate and most of his family he tries to allow his optimism to reign.

"Christian," she turned to see him as he came in, the skirt of the dress dancing around her feet delicately. She hadn't realized till she had put the dress on that it was embroidered, the top part of the dress an actual corset with embroidered black flowers and wines sweeping across the entire top. It stood out on the light blue cotton, make the dress even prettier.

"I can't do this," her voice wavered, her eyes turning back to the mirror, "I mean I look...I look like her in this but...but I can't do this to Katerina. To her memory. I'm terrified."

Christian furrows his eyebrows together, entering the room and closing the door behind him. "Kayden, look at me." He says to her. "I know you don't want to do this, but the problem is that it's not your decision." He explains. "If you don't do this, the clans will go to war, that means more will die."

He bites the inside of his cheek softly. "And plus, you get a choice of mate, there's a lot of good candidates out there, they're all fighting for your hand." He explains. "You won't have to marry Gregory and for all you know this could be a better life, you're going to be an Alpha, Kayden." He says to her.

"Why can't you be Alpha?" she asked, sounding exasperated, "You and Ivory turned out perfectly. She's so sweet on you. You two would make great leaders. I don't know the first thing about leading. I'm in over my head here. I'm scared Christian. I really am. I don't want to mess this up and I'm afraid I might."

"Because I'm already leading the Eastern Pack, Kayden." He says to her. "I couldn't just leave even if I wanted to." He explains. "Kayden, you're so strong, you need to see that within yourself, for tonight, don't worry about leading, be charismatic, put a smile on your face, flirt, do whatever." He says to her.

"You have the support of an entire clan that is counting on you to be able to lead, everyone will help you achieve those leadership abilities, and your mate will certainly have some experience, Flynn will also train you." He says to her. "Now pick your head up and let's go, everyone's waiting on you." He says before offering her his arm.

She took it hesitantly. Of course he was right, and his words all rang true. But those were words for Katerina, not shy quiet Kayden. She had minutes to steel herself, calming her knotted stomach as they closed in on the throne room. As the large oak doors opened Christian led her across the beautiful rooms, all eyes on her as she took a seat on the throne that had once been her mothers, her father waiting beside her in his.

"Thank you Christian," she mouthed, watching him recede into the crowd to stand with Ivory.

"A few words before we introduce our candidates," Issac began.

Christian nods to his little sister as he stands with his mate, his hands clasped in hers as they listen to Isaac speak.


Dominik enters the throne room and stands among the candidates, he watches Katerina get walked up to the throne, but to his surprise its little Kayden again, he furrows his eyebrows together in confusion, deciding to ask her about it later.

He stands tall with all of the other candidates, all of them waiting and listening to what Isaac has to say before the festivities would begin, which Dominik has no idea about as he hasn't attended one of these celebrations before.

The candidates had been placed beside the crowd, Melding in so that Kayden barely noticed them. After Issacs speech he waved to Gareth who began to announce each candidate, letting them walk forward for Kayden to see before kneeling at Issacs feet and then moving on to the side of the stage. The first two were from the Northern Pack themselves, named Kale and Ulrick. Next was the River Pack, Abe and Reagon. Then came the Southern Pack, first a young man named Daerk with dark copper hair and then a slightly taller man with freckles and an easy smile under his mop of red hair, Bear. After they introduced themselves it was the Eastern Pack candidates, a young man named Troy who barely caught Kaydens interest. The second candidate was called Lukai and he took her breath away. He was gorgoeus, with dark hair and large brown eyes and a smile that made her heart skip. Her brain flickered to the man she had met earlier, Dominik, who had been equally handsome and stunning. But he was only visiting and she had to choose from the candidates. And right now...Lukai looked like her best option.

The next two were large bulking men with silver hair, and while they looked young and fit thier hair stood out to her. She didn't think they were ugly though; there was a certain beauty to thier looks, and she recognized them as Grey Wolves.

"Introducing Hans," Gareth announced as one of the men stepped forward before the next, "and his twin brother Fern."

Some of these names, she thought to herself, stifling a giggle.

Lastly came the Western Candidates and a scrawny man who looked less like an Aloha and more like a terrified Omega stepped forward. He was introduced as Stephen and Kayden grimaced as he fumbled forward, barely making eye contact with her as he kneeled in front of Issac. She had maintained a neutral face so far, playing Laterina quite perfectly, but she almost broke character watching this man fumble along. How had he become a candidate? Even she was less clumsy then him.

"And finally Dominik of the sun wolves, son of...Rafik."

Kaydens breath stopped, and her heart skipped before starting to pound. He had definitely not been dressed up when she had seen him the first time and now he outshone the entire room, like a flame in the dark. Her eyes were glued to him, watching him approach and wanting to ask a million questions. Why had he not told her he was a candidate? Did he recognize her as Kayden? Could she pull off being Katerina in front of this dazzling wolf?

The rest of the room seemed to silence as well, all eyes watching the stunning man approach Issac. Kayden could hear other heart beats pounding, a few girls giggling at his looks, already wanting for him. If Kayden didn't choose him she was sure another wolf would scoop him up. It was the way of the werewolf to mate at 18, and there were plenty of available maidens this year. Any candidate that did not get picked would easily find a mate still, on display for the entire clan.

"And that concludes our candidates," Gareth announced, "let the festivities began as we celebrate our future Alphas birthday and her right to choose a mate!"

The crowd erupted in howls and applause and people began filing out to get food or wine, while others stayed to chat. A few wolves were setting up instruments made from wood and twine, preparing the live music for the night. As for Kayden, Issac told her to remain in her seat. All good and drink would be brought to her, and the candidates could come one by one to speak to her privately. All she need do is continue the charade. As for the Alpha he disappeared promptly, possibly going to speak to his son are talk to guests, whatever he felt was needed.

Dominik rolls his eyes as he sees Stephen approaching Isaac, one of the main reasons the West had to cheat was because of this awful candidate, but of course he would have to eliminate the competition during whatever challenges he is asked to face, for all he knows she just outright chooses a mate, he finds himself having little to no idea how the process worked.

When his name is called he approaches Isaac, he can feel the body temperatures of the girls around him increasing, he has to stifle a laugh, he tended to have that effect on some women, but this whole crowd seemed to be drooling over him.

He falls to one knee before Isaac, as the West wolves had instructed him to, therefore marking him as submissive to the Alpha's rule. He stands when Isaac is done and leaves, deciding to wait for the other candidates to talk to Katerina. He walks down to the food and drink, grabbing a glass of wine and a rib of Elk before eating and drinking it all. He puts his things down and looks over at Katerina, most of the candidates have already spoken to her at this point.

He approaches her, crossing his arms as they begin their private conversation. "You look like someone I know." He says jokingly. "I thought the Alpha's name was Katerina." He says to her with his eyebrows raised. "Unless I've been misinformed somehow." He says to her, he had felt her body heat sky rocket when she saw him, not a good sign on his part considering she is meant to be choosing Stephen.

The festivities started off horribly, at least for Kayden. While the food was amazing and the music was beautiful the conversations were all rather drab. Wolves both candidates and none rose to speak to her, either offering her sentiments for her birthday or wishing to introduce themselves better. Most of the candidates had little to offer, obviously hoping thier looks and Alpha-born status would be enough. But like Kayden, Katerina had always been one for intellect as well as beauty. Kayden impersonated her sister perfectly there, asking them questions to judge their intelligence. A few passed, but more failed. Lukai was one of the few she enjoyed chatting with, seeming to have his own opinions and even dating to ask her a few questions of his own. She was a little disappointed when he left so another could speak to her, having enjoyed his company. At one point Ivory came up to wish her a happy birthday, and ask where Kayden might be. Christians mate had always been kind to the twins, and one of the few wolves to pay attention to Kayden.

Of course she had to lie, saying her sister must be around but she had yet to see her. As Ivory stepped away Dominik approached and Kayden smiled, trying to keep her composure.

"You must have met my twin sister," she lied, keeping her heart beat racing at the fact he was lying, but she could easily write that off as being in this presence, "we look one and the same do we not? I am Katerina, Alpha born to my father, Issac. Kayden was Omega born."