Chapter 8: Black Dew
1281 Words
Gwy's POV
After Devon left me inside his chamber, I started to focus on my mind.
I closed my eyes and started to summon the small light. It burst before my eyes and then I was transported to Shaman Temple spiritually.
"I need to find Cloud and Ephy. Where are they?" I whispered as my soul freely traveled inside the Shaman Temple.
There, I saw Epiphany crying inside her room. I sighed and shook my head. She must be so hurt that I didn't accept Alpha Qirak's offer to come back.
"I'm so sorry, Ephy. I need to be here so that I can save both of you and the temple..." I said even though I knew she wouldn't hear me just yet. Ephy still has a long way to go before she can master the ability to talk to astral souls like me.
After looking after Ephy, I resumed finding Cloud. There, I saw him inside the main hall where the large altar of the moon goddess is located. He was doing a lot of kneeling and reparations. He must be so desperate to get me back.
Cloud is always a good and responsible guy. He makes sure that everything is set inside before we let others use our temple for praying.
I sighed, closed my eyes, and made precise hand movements. Sparkling lights started to follow my hand movements until I was able to summon a pseudo-body. This incantation movement is exclusive only to the temple priestess like me. It will only last to 10 minutes since my power is weakened.
I opened my eyes and looked at Cloud who was still busy kneeling and praying to the moon goddess. "Cloud! Cloud!" I called up to him.
He suddenly stopped and looked over his shoulder. His eyes widened after making sure that what he was looking at was authentic or not. "P-Priestess! Oh, my priestess, you finally came. How can this be?" he cried.
"This is only a fake body, Cloud. It won't last that long. I just need you to hear me out," I said to him.
"What do you mean? Is this only an incantation spell?"
"Yes, Cloud. I just need you to do something for me..."
"What is it, priestess? Tell me..."
"I need you to lead the Shaman Temple in my absence."
"B-but, Priestess... I am not yet ready."
"Yes, you are. We don't have any choice. You have to lead the temple or else someone from the Eastern Tribe will come and take my temple. Please help me, Cloud. I promise to return after I figure out something in here."
"What's taking you so long? Is the Alpha threatening you?"
"If I don't do as he says, he will destroy my temple and hurt you and Ephy," I shook my head, "I can't let that happen. So please... help me..."
Cloud breathed deeply and finally nodded. "Okay, priestess. I will guard the temple for now until you come again. Please be safe there..."
"I will." Suddenly, I felt the effect of the pseudo-body fading away. I moaned in pain and faced Cloud once more. "I need to go now, Cloud. Take care of Ephy for me..."
"I will, priestess!"
Then, I finally faded. My soul swiftly came back to my real body. I was gasping for air when suddenly, I saw Devon entering his room again.
He looked at me in a calmer state. He just stared at me for a while until he spoke. "Go back to your room."
"W-what?"
"You need to sleep. It's been a long day. Tomorrow, I will introduce you to the council. Remember, you can't expose who you really are."
"Me being me?" I pointed at myself innocently.
"You being a witch. They wouldn't be pleased with it."
"I'm not just a witch! I'm a shaman!" I reiterated.
"Whatever. Just do as I say, okay? You need to cooperate or else I'll tell my men to destroy your temple."
I scoffed at his threat. "Fine! I'm going out!" I rolled my eyes and stomped my feet on my way out.
I came back to the room Devon assigned to me and then I tried to sleep. But no matter what I do, I can't seem to relax. The fact that I'm inside a wild werewolf's territory means that I'm in so much danger.
I spent the whole night thinking about my plan.
I hope I will get to come back to my temple soon...
The next morning, maids came to my room and helped me with the dresses and all. I was shocked when they gave me a much-revealing dress colored in ash gray.
"Is he nuts?! Why would he make me wear this crap? No. I won't do it. No!" I kept on shaking my head.
"But, Miss Hathaway, Alpha Devon chose this dress himself and made sure you are to wear this when you come out of your room," one of the maids told me.
I want to make him a stone right now! Urgh!
I didn't have a choice but to wear the dress after taking a bath. It was a low-cut ash-gray dress. It's diamond-studded as well. Many women would die to wear something like this, but not me.
It is scandalous and considered a sacrilege to us Shamans to wear revealing clothes. We need to stay pure and chaste throughout our lives so that we may use our powers in the right way. But this Alpha of Black Dew Pack is really getting on my nerves!
After several scrams, finally, I finally came out of that miserable room. The maids accompanied me to the banquet hall.
Many elderly werewolves are seated at the long table. They were peacefully discussing with each other and went deadly silent as soon as I came in.
At the farther left, I saw the Latina woman named Margaux eyeing me disdainfully. I almost forgot that she belonged in the council.
"So... you're Gwyneth Hathaway, the fated mate of Alpha Devon?" an old man asked me. He was wearing an old eye patch on his left where a deep and large scar crossed his eye.
"Y-yeah..."
"You must be happy that you became his Luna!"
Oh, if you only knew... I'd rather go home than stay here! I said to myself.
"Well... I am!" I chuckled nervously but no one in the room dared to laugh with me.
"Hey, Miss Cinderella!" Margaux called facing my direction.
I pointed myself while trying to confirm what she meant about calling me a Cinderella.
"Just because Alpha Devon chooses to accept you doesn't mean you are fit to become the Luna. It comes with a great responsibility and I'm sure you know that our alpha is not some soft-spoken dude around. He hates weaklings. I just can't believe he got us a weakling Luna."
The whole room was filled with laughter after she said those words.
"If I can only get to have a say on this? I will make sure to kill you with my bare hands! Just so you know... the council doesn't like you. For us, you are not a future Luna," she continued.
Somehow, I felt a little vulnerable in front of their speculating eyes.
The whole council hates me. And guess what? I love it!
I crossed my arms on my chest and gave them a nice smile. "It's so disappointing that you hate me that much, Margaux. Don't worry... the feeling is mutual!" I winked at her before I sat down on the empty chair.
That was when Alpha Devon came in and we all rose from our seats and bowed to his presence. "Let's start!"
- Writer
