[P.O.V. Riley Woods]
After the night, mother died and father went rogue. I have had nothing but questions and thankfully father left answers for Jared and me. That day I left the castle, I went back to my father's study before I left. I wanted to find some answers and while looking. I found two journals and each of them had one letter inside of them. One journal belonged to Jared and the other to me. Leaving the one for Jared alone, I took mine and read the letter.
It was a letter to me from my father. The words in it were like father knew something bad was coming. He explained Jared's journal differed completely from mine. He explained Jared's journal will help guide him to run this kingdom. Where mine will help from the outside of the kingdom. My journal held information and leads that my father learned of the prophecy that concerned Jared and me. It also left information on different alliances my father made years ago before meeting my mother. He left different file numbers on the different alliances. It also explained information about a woman named Sarah Parr and her children. This woman and her children are Jared and I, half cousins. He left files on each one of them, too. Father even left files on a man name Alexander Parr and a woman named Evanora Lexington.
Nothing else was in the letter. Besides, he wants me to leave the castle for a while. He wants me to follow his leads and look into these alliances. He explained Jared and I would need them in a big war that was coming. I knew I wanted to leave the castle before mother died. But after she did, I was going to stick around for Jared. But after reading this letter, knowing my father wanted me to leave. I did what my father wished. Packing the journal and all the files he left for me and few other belongings. I left without a word, leaving my old life behind.
In the past three years, I have met with my have cousins. They held a lot of hate for their father, also known as Alexander Parr. Their mother died a long time ago from old age. After meeting my cousins, I went to talk and met with some alliances my father made. Some creatures I met with I have never even heard of. I would stay a couple of weeks with each alliance getting to know them. Also, to let them get to know me. Some had a hard time believing I was Zyston Woods's son. While most believed me right away. They said I looked a lot like him. In the past years the adventures I have had between worlds. I have learned more about who my father was than living with him. Some alliances even got to meet my mother, and they shared stories about her as well.
After meeting the alliances, I checked on the leads my father found. I looked at it more and more. Some leads end up in dead ends. While some leads led me to more leads. Then just four months ago I found what I was looking for. I found it in the human world in a continent name Africa. There, I found a tribe protecting what I was looking for. These villagers were no ordinary humans either, but creatures called were-hyenas. They're a more ancient race than the werewolves. In this tribe, I met a girl name, Shanta. She is a gorgeous African woman with all the curves in the right place.
Shanta helped me study the prophecy and understand it. I study it for about two and a half months, that was when I discovered what it meant. What I learned shattered my world. The information I held, I couldn't let Jared know. I decided I wouldn't go back home if it means I could avoid this prophecy coming true. When I left the village, Shanta came with me. That's how I ended up here in the Moon Goddess Kingdom. I hid on the outskirts, hoping nobody would find me.
I knew the town I stay in was a high risked attack area. That didn't bother me because I wanted to help protect it. I knew over the last three years things were getting worse. But I never imagined that it was this bad. Not only this town, but other towns were being attacked. Not just in this kingdom, but in other kingdoms as well.
The town I was staying in got attacked one night whenever one was sleeping. I protected it the best I could without giving away who I really was. I saved as many people as I could to escape the burning town and the slaughter from the rogues. After the town burned down, Shanta and I left for the next town over.
Laying in bed with two girls with one on each side of me, we were naked. We had an entire night of fun, if you get what I mean. It was morning. I couldn't help but stare at the dark ceiling. Thinking about everything that has happened in the last few days and months. Before I could think about it any further, Shanta walks into my room. Correction, she bangs the door open loudly.
"Get your ass up, Riley! We have things to do today." She scolds me.
"Give me five more minutes," I tell her. The girl on my right side sighs tiredly, rubbing up against me. "Maybe give me an hour."
"Oh no, you're done with your hoe bags for the day," Shanta says as she opens the curtain in my room. Letting in a bunch of light, making me squint. The two girls next to me moan in annoyance and pull the covers over their faces. Then Shanta comes over to the bed and rips the blankets off. "Did you not hear me? Riley is done with you today!"
Shanta yells at the girls, they got up all annoyed. Complaining how big of bitch Shanta was. The girls got dressed and Shanta shooed them out while I got dressed. Many people think Shanta and I are a couple, but the truth is. Shanta and I are great friends and that is it. Have Shanta and I ever slept together? Once and we decided that was enough for us.
After I got fully dressed, Shanta took me to the market. That was our big we got things to do today. Shanta just wanted to go shopping and get some things. We shopped most of the day away. She wanted to stop at one more place before heading back to our place. Stopping at another booth, she grabbed a feather boa with pink and orange feathers. She puts it on and acts all silly with it. It made me laugh she even walk over to me all fun and silly. Placing the feathers around my neck and walks around me. After being silly for a few minutes, she puts the boa back. That's when I felt like someone was watching me.
Looking over to where I felt it coming from, there a man stood. He looked identical to me. He was wearing a suit as he normally did. In fact, nothing much of his appearance has changed. But something about his presence has changed. Standing next to him was an ancient friend and relative he hasn't change much, either from what I could tell. I knew my twin was looking for me. But I didn't think he would find me. I couldn't face him, I couldn't tell him what I have discovered. I can't let the prophecy come true.
"Shanta." Saying her name and looking at her.
"Yea, what's up?" She answers.
"My brother and cousin are here." She looks at them, then back at me.
"Let's split up. I will meet you at home." She nods her head and we go our own ways.
I ran from Jared and I felt awful about it. When I finally lost him, I went back to Shanta and my place. Where I waited for her for a very long time. I was getting worried about her. I know my brother and cousin wouldn't hurt her, but that doesn't mean there other people that would. When I was about to go look for her, she walks through the door.
"Where the hell have you been?" I asked her, a little harshly with worry laced in my voice.
"I decided something you will not like." She says.
"What did you do?" As I asked her that my brother and cousin walked in behind her. I felt betrayed by this woman. Here I trusted her completely. Why would she do this? She knew I didn't want to see my brother for an excellent reason. But I also know Shanta doesn't do things without reason. Looking her straight in the yes I wanted an answer. "Why?.."
"Because it's time to face the facts head-on. We can't run and hide from fate forever."
"I know that but I wanted to try for long as I could." My tone coming out a little harsh than I wanted it to.
"I know, but I need you to trust me. Do you trust me, Riley?" Besides what I'm feeling right now, I know I could Shanta.
"Yes." said bluntly.
"Then it's time to tell what we learned back at my homeland. And what you have been doing all this time."
"Fine." Sighing deeply and rolling my eyes. Walking from them, I walk towards the living room. "If you want to know, then close the door and follow me."
Telling them they followed me into the living room. Getting in a trunk, I pull out all the files and the journal and place them on the coffee table. Taking a seat on the couch, Shanta sits next to me. While Jared and Gabriel sit across from us on chairs. Shit, about to get deep in here.