My Fated Mate

17. MOONLIGHT KISSED

POV (ABELIA)

I had always believed I had a verbose vocabulary.  I was careful of curses and slurs, and even slang was not something I commonly used.  Elder Goldenrod had enforced it in the house, or on me, that only those with a pathetic paltry understanding of the english language would dare use vulgar speech.  However, there comes a time when the only words that feel accurate, are so profane that they almost sound profound. 

"What the f**k?"  I shouted, as her big white fluffy wolf ears shot up and she looked at me with wide eyes.  The word tasted foreign on my tongue, but what the heck was I suppose to say to what was happening here.  For one, where the hell was I?  I looked around, which caused her head to follow me like a magnet.  All around me were thick black vines with hideously sharp thorns on them.  It was like I was in a sea of briars.  I reached out to touch one and felt a cold shiver go down my spine.  The moment my fingers made contact with it, the vine let out a high pitch scream and then turned into a black mist and vanished.  What the hell?  Was this an illusion?  Had I really fallen into a vampire's compulsion?  But, if that were the case, who was she? 

Being a student of Ashfork, I had seen my fare share of werewolves transform into their wolf.  It was pretty common knowledge that the boys turned at 15 and the girls at 17.  I had seen all different colors, black, brown, golden blonde, red, and even coat variations that looked like Huskies, Rottweilers, German Shepards, Boarder Collies and oddly enough a Dalmatian.  However,  this was my first time seeing anything like her.  Pure white.  Her coat was completely white, and glowed as if she were made of snow or.

"Moonlight."

I jumped back when I suddenly heard her voice in my head, not with my ears, but inside my head!  My quick movement caused her to let out a slight whimper. 

"I know you are confused, but I wish you would not do that."  

She said, as she took a slight step forward.  I wanted to move away from her,  but her sad tender voice was so pained that I could not help but obey.  I watched as she lowered her head to meet my gaze, causing our eyes to lock.  I felt a strange tingling sensation go down my back and radiate to my hands, as I stared into her golden glowing eyes.  They were so beautiful, and in some part of my brain they felt familiar.  They kind of reminded me of. 

"Yours.  They look like your eyes."  She said, as she smiled at me.  

"Can... can you...hear my thoughts?"  I said nervously, as I touched my head, unsure if I really wanted to know the answer.  It certainly appeared that might be the case, due to the fact she had been finishing my train of thought a few times now, not spoken sentences, my thoughts.  I watched as she smiled and sat down.  Dear Satan, she was massive.  From just her sitting pose she already was 4 inches taller than me, and being only 5' 3" everything towered over me.  I felt my throat go dry, as she smiled and nodded her head. 

"Of course I can hear your thoughts.  We are one you and I.  Like all werewolves and their wolf." 

Quickly I put my hand up to stop her, causing her ears to twitch.  How, had I never noticed animals talked more with their ears than their tails?  It was like those things on the top of her head were antenas, that were emoting left and right, and they kind of made her look like a cute cartoon.  I quickly shook that thought from my head, due to the fact that a slight growl was suddenly coming from her chest.  Damn, did she hear that? 

"Ummm..."

"Aurora."  She said, as she opened and closed her mouth, revealing a pair of black gums that were inlaid with very large white teeth and fangs, causing a slight gasp to escape my lips.  It was clear I had no idea what was going on here, and she very much seemed to understand everything.  The look on her face was enough to tell me that.  Quickly,  I took a deep breath and tried to steady my thoughts, which only seemed to intrigue her more. 

"Listen."

"I am." 

"What I mean is..."

"I promise you, I am your wolf."

"But, you have to realize that..."

"This is not crazy, it is a natural.  I am your wolf." 

"But this is..."

"It is not impossible.  It is truth, yours and all other werewolf children's truth."

"So, what you are saying is I am a..."

"Werewolf." 

"That is impossible!"  I shouted, causing her to flinch and make her ears go down in confusion.  I found myself instantly standing up to defend my case and make it clear to her how wrong she was.  Also, sitting was starting to cause me great discomfort.  It was like my entire body was some how coming to life and it wanted to run, jump and howl to be heard.  Wait, did I just say howl?  I watched as an amused look appeared on Aurora's face, which only irritated me more to prove my point.

"I will not believe this.  You are just a lucid dream that is happening in my mind, as I get ready to meet my end."  The moment the words left my mouth Aurora growled angrily at me, causing me to jump back. 

"It is not impossible, because it is the truth!  Furthermore, due to you having acknowledge me,  I have already begun healing you." 

"Healing me?" 

"Why yes, my dear girl.  Can't you tell?" 

I looked around and to my shock the dark briars were slowly moving further and further back, as if they were being pulled into the shadows.  I walked over to get a closer look, but quickly Aurora jumped up and blocked my path. 

"No!  You must not go near them."  She barked, as she shook her head. 

"What are they?"  I said, as I strained my neck to look past her.  A slight sigh escaped her mouth, and what she said made the hairs on the back of neck stand on end. 

"They are death, and you were very close to being consumed by them." 

Quickly, I stepped back as a wave of something hit me.  I fell to my knees and clutched my head.  What was this?  Images, were quickly flying at me.  A kaleidoscope of pictures began flashing through my mind.  Broken bloody glass, a desiccated hand raised to the moon, a beautiful sapphire ring nestled in black velvet and a pair of pleading green eyes.  I knew those eyes, they were Victor's, but why was he looking at me like that?  He had Jasmine, there was no need to care for me anymore. 

Suddenly, he came into view, and my heart stopped.  He was so handsome and as our eyes met he reached his hand out for me, but before I could  grab hold of him, he pulled back and began to attack his cheeks with his fingers.  What was he doing?  Oh Satan, no!  My eyes widened in disbelief and shock, as Victor began to aggressively claw at his face, as if he had an itch that was so deep there was no way to reach it.  This could not be happening.  He was letting out ear shattering screams as he maimed his features, till he was unrecognizable.  Pieces of his flesh began to drop around me, like the leaves of an oak during fall.  But these were not leaves, and as the filleted skin landed on my knees it slide down to the floor and left a blood trail behind.  

I soon found myself screaming for him to stop, but no sound would come out of my throat.  I covered my mouth with my hands and watched in horror as he stripped his head clean and he became nothing more than a blood soaked skull.  My lip quivered as he slowly raised his head and when our eyes met I thought I was going to die.  RED.  A pair of glowing red eyes bore into me.  I could not move.  I felt like they were trying to consume me alive and just when I thought the nightmare was finally over he charged forward and shrieked at me, as he reached out his blood soaked hands for my neck.  I fell away from his clutches and landed in a pool of blood.  My whole body was shaking  as I raised my hand and saw it was covered in the thick metal smelling liquid.  I compelled myself to look around.  Where was Aurora?  Why had she left me in this hell?  It was becoming harder and harder to breath.  I had to get out.

"Make it stop!"  I screamed, as I covered my face with my hands.

I was going to die here, where ever here was.  This was not fair.  Was this my purgatory, my price for being magic less?  I could feel angry tears welling up in my eyes, as the soft sound of something walking on a thin veil of water started to enter my ears.  I pulled back my hands and noticed there were small ripples in the blood around me, as if something was moving on it.  Then I saw them, a pair of glowing white wolf's feet.  I slowly raised my head and the moment our eyes met I felt big tears run down my face.  I was not sure what compelled me to do it, but it felt so natural or needed, that I suddenly found myself wrapping my arms around her. 

"Aurora!" I sobbed, into her chest.

"I know." 

"I...don't understand.  I thought I was going to..." 

"You are not going to die, my dear sweet girl.  What did you see?"  

She said, as she wrapped her big white tail around me.  Everything about her was warm and comforting.  Was this what if felt like for werewolves?  They truly were blessed to have such a creature living inside them.

"I am the blessed one Abelia, to have been given to you."

I felt my heart stop.  My name, she had said my name.  Without warning I felt something click or snap into place, it was like a part of me that I had know was missing had suddenly been found.  How could this be?  There was no way she could be real, that any of this was.

"I promise you, I am very real. 

I pulled back to get a better look at her face.  She was so beautiful, almost godlike.  How could I dare touch such a creature, or even be near her.  Me, a cursed magic less witch that would always be left to survive alone, and die that way too.

"I wish you would not think such things.  Because unlike others in your life, I will never desert you Abelia.  For I am you, and you are me, and that is a bond that can never be broken." 

My eyes widened on hearing this, as she slowly took her paw and gently pushed my head to look down at the ground.  I vehemently shook my head in protest.  There was no way I wanted to see those horrors again in that bloody pool, but she nuzzled my face with her muzzle and I soon found myself barely opening my eyes.  However, what stared back at me, in a pool of crystal clear water, was not a bloody nightmare from my mind but a young girl.  

She had flowing white blonde hair that gently cupped her face around her shoulders and a petit frame that made her looked like a fairy.  She had rich plump pink lips and her cheeks were rosy.  Everything about her was breathtaking and full of life, but what made her other worldly were her eyes.  They were golden brown, with not a speckling of gold, but a rim of gold which gave her a regal powerful look. 

"You are beautiful, my Abelia." 

Aurora said, while I watched as a snow white wolf appeared behind the young girl.  There was no way.  This reflection was mine?  I looked to Aurora who placed her big head on my shoulder.  

"Moonlight kissed,  that was what the healers said when you were born." 

"When I was born?

"Yes.  All the healers in the pack and visiting packs, took one look at you and knew you were special.  A true wolf of the Moon Goddess.  A pure white wolf."

I looked up at Aurora with confusion, but she just smiled

"It appears, I have a long journey in trying to convince you of what you are."  Aurora sighed.  "But it is alright.  I will teach you everything that you should have learned, and soon you will come to realize who you really are."   

"I still don't understand.  If I am a werewolf, why have I never heard you before?"  It was a fair question.  I had studied the physiology and patterns of werewolves, along with other supernatural beings, and I knew that there was no way for a werewolf to ever be anything but a werewolf.  If what Aurora was saying, was true, then why had I never noticed her before?  Why had I never once felt like a werewolf?  As I pondered this question.  Aurora began to get tense, as she lifted her head from my shoulder.

The truth is not pretty, and I don't know if I should tell it to you yet."

"What?"  I could feel myself getting a little irritated.  Yes, it was comforting to have her, and if she did save my life then I was eternally grateful, but there were too many holes in this story.  In her story.  This would not do. 

"I wont tell you Abelia.  Not till you have gone through your first change.  Until then, you will just have to trust me."

I could feel my mouth open and close like a fish.  Trust her?  I still was not sure if any of what I was seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, in this odd place was even real. 

"I believe it is time for you to go."  Aurora said, causing me to c**k my head at her. 

"Time to go?  Go where?" 

"Back to the world of the living.  You can't stay asleep on the ground all night."

"What?" 

"I really do have my work cut out for me."  Aurora sighed, as she shook her head. "This place is your mind Abelia, and it is where you will always be able to find me."   She said, with a sly grin, as she raised a paw and pushed me in my chest.  

"Wait, what do you mean?"  I shouted, as I suddenly felt like I was free falling through space.  I let out a scream as my arms and legs waved wildly, as I tried to hold on to something and then...

BAM

I shot up, like one would do after a horrible nightmare.  I found myself clutching my chest because my heart beat was so erratic I was worried I might be having a heart attack.  My whole body was drenched in sweat and my breathing was shaky.  Where was I?  Quickly I tried to get a grasp of my surroundings.  It was pitch black and the only clue I had was the smell of soot and ash, which had filled my nose and lungs, and was bringing on a coughing fit. 

"What the heck happened?"  I said, as I rubbed my head and felt a slight pain.  I looked down at my right hand and saw a red s***h that was partially healed.  Oh Satan, the corpse curse.  A wave of nausea suddenly hit me, causing me to empty my stomach, as everything came flooding back. 

"Are you alright?" 

"Dear Satan, it can't be?"

"Abelia, we are going to need to work on that.  Werewolves believe in the Moon Goddess not Satan."

"This can't be happening?  I am still hearing that voice."  Suddenly, a growl shook my mind and caused me to hold my head. 

"I am a patient wolf, but if you refer to me as "that voice," I will not be."  Aurora snarled, making me bite my lip and strain out an apology.

"I am sorry Aurora."

"It is alright, my dear.  I know this is a lot to take in, which is why, even though it pains me to wait for you, that is what I shall do."  

"Thanks."  I said, as I scratched my head.  This was crazy.  There had to be a logical explanation on why this was happening.  A spell?  A curse?  A...oh dear.  Aurora was growling again. 

"Abelia!  It is because you are a werewolf!"  She snapped, causing me to flinch.  "Haven't you ever wondered why you can't do magic?  In the history of that coven, no child like you has ever been born.  Why is it so hard for you to even consider, that the reason is because you were never born a witch."  Aurora groaned.

"I thought you said you were going to be patient."  I chided.

"At this point, my patience might be spent before we even get to the Rogue Assassins." 

"Rogue what?"

I could feel Aurora pacing around in my head, pacing.  How was it even possible that I could feel her actually walking and clawing in my mind?  She was upset, very upset, and her emotions were flowing down on me in waves.  I was starting to get anxious.  How did werewolves live like this?  Maybe I was wrong about them being a blessing.  Oh crap, can she hear that? 

"Yes, I heard that."   She said, in a pretty annoyed voice. "Listen, for now, why don't you go get yourself cleaned up.  A warm shower might do you some good.  I will stay quiet, and let you think whatever thoughts you want, even if they annoy the hell out me."  

I felt a lump in my throat, as I tried to swallow it down.  She was not upset, she was angry.  Should I apologize?  But, what would I even apologize for? 

"My dear girl.  Just go.  I don't need your apologies.  If I did, you would be doing them for the rest of your life, or at least until you accept that you are indeed a werewolf." 

"I'm sorry, but that is not going to happen.  I will never believe that I am a....a..."

"A werewolf!   Dear Moon Goddess, how am I ever going to deal with these insults?  14 years I have waited to talk to you and this is what I end up getting.  A child that would rather be a witch, the very creatures that have imprisoned and killed use for generations, over her own kind!"  

"You forget, yourself wolf.  I am a witch!"  I shouted, causing Aurora to let out a deep throated growl. 

"Very well.  Believe whatever you want.  I am sure when you turn 17, in 5 months, and sprout a coat, tail, and paws you will say it is because some witch cursed you!"  Aurora snarled, but I could feel it.  The hurt, the pain in her voice, as if she were about to cry.  How could I yell at her?  Only a few minutes ago I was lying dead on the ground and now I was shouting at her.  She was creature that had saved my life.  

I knew the effects their wolf had on werewolves.  They protected them and when everyone in the world abandoned me, she had raced to my aid.  How had things gotten so out of hand?  I suddenly found myself reaching up for my coronation necklace, something about that cool metal on my finger tips always calmed me down.  Oh no, my necklace!  I quickly grabbed my phone and turn on the flashlight and began to run my hands through the dirt. 

"Stupid witch.  Why did you have to be so damn morbid and bury the cursed thing." 

"I would leave it where it is, if I were you."  Aurora said, in a slightly passive aggressive tone, which caused me to snap at her. 

"I thought you said you were going to be quiet." 

"Very well, don't say I didn't warn you.  But I would have thought, with you being such a brilliant student and all, that you would know what happens when a werewolf touches...."

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!"

I screamed, as a searing hot pain shot through my hand.  It felt like my fingers were on fire, and all I could do was clutch them to my chest as I fell to the ground.  Tears were starting to pool at the corner of my eyes, and as I raised my hand to see what had happened,  a shudder went through my body.  Where my left fingers had just brushed the chain of the necklace, four of five thick raised blisters were starting to form.  I held the tips of my fingers up to my mouth and blew on them.  The cool air made them sting, but it did give me a little relief.  I soon found myself looking at the necklace, as my mind began to spin. 

Silver.  The necklace was made of pure silver and silver was considered deadly to a werewolf.  There were stories of alpha werewolves, during the crusades, being captured and chained up in silver shackles.  The teachers had said it was painful and would weaken a werewolf's ability for their wolf to heal them or turn.  I remembered looking around the room and seeing the werewolf students shuffle uneasy in their seats.  The other students laughed at them, causing the werewolf kids to growl.  We had only been in middle school at the time. 

As the years went by, and we entered high school.  There were a few cases where some witches and vampires had worn silver jewelry and accidentally brushed past a werewolf student and caused them to get burned.  I had always thought it was like touching a hot stove top or copper kettle, dear Satan, it was nothing like that.  It was a burn that ate through your flesh in an instant, and caused you to feel like your whole body was aflame.  How in the world could anyone survive being chained up if silver caused them this much agony?

"I am sorry Abelia.  I should not have let you touch the necklace, but I thought it would be the easiest way to prove to you that I speak the truth.  You my dear, are indeed a werewolf."  Aurora whimpered. 

For a few minutes I just sat there looking at the necklace.  The green stone was glowing in the moonlight and even the silver chain was shining.  Slowly, I looked around and found a piece of cloth in the witches potion circle.  It had clearly been used to clean up some foul smelling brew, but it would have to do.  With a shaking hand I approached the necklace and dropped the cloth on top of it.  Then I reach down and picked it up, and quickly tied it all up into a little bundle and threw it into my bag, as a sigh of relief escaped my lips. 

"Are you still mad with me?" 

I refused to answer, her.  There honestly was no reason to.  She would understand just from my thoughts.  I was not mad at her, how could I be, when I was completely and utterly numb.  My mind was racing so fast with one thought after the next, that I was not sure what to think.  As I began to make my way back to the school I was starting to realize that I knew nothing about werewolves.  Yes, I had taken classes but Elder Goldenrod was not a fan of us learning too much about the other kinds.  I only took the classes to better understand them on a medical level, but now it was obvious I needed more knowledge then just that.