The Blessed One

Chapter 4

***Allue****

I woke up the next morning to Damien snoring hanging halfway off the bed. I chuckled at his childish nature. I was almost saddened at the fact that he is growing up and will be out of this phase soon.

“Damien, wake up.” I nudged his shoulder and he groaned. “Damien, I need to get dressed. If you want to sleep, go sleep in your quarters.”

He made a rumbling noise in his throat that sounded like a pup learning to growl, but got up anyways. He ruffled my hair and left the room shutting the large wooden door. The first rays of morning light were pouring in from the windows and I could almost taste the salt in the air.

I wondered where exactly we were. How far away from home were we?

Instead of taking a bath, I filled a basin with warm water and a cloth and soaps. Gently washing my skin and rinsing felt amazing. The bubbly lather caressed my skin and the water felt warm and refreshing.

I walked to the armoire and picked out a light blue gown with three quarter sleeves. The dress was covered in lace and had a loose and flowy fit. I figured since we were at a beach this would be comfortable to wear while not being too stuffy. I decided not to wear a corset today and took a more natural approach with my hair. My mother used to insist it stayed in a styled look a good 80 percent of the time. Today I left my long red coppery curls loose and flowing down my back and coated my skin in Justine's lotion that she made. It smelled of honey and lavender.

I took a look in the mirror at my appearance and almost gasped. With my hair naturally down I was a spitting image of my mother. Her button nose, a light dusting of freckles on my pale skin, my red hair, heart shaped face, even my cheek bones. I'm sure if I was put next to a portrait of my mother no one would be able to tell us apart.

There was a knock at my door and I slid on a pair of shoes and opened it to see Justine.

“Breakfast is ready lass. Are you hungry?”

My stomach picked that moment to make its presence and emptiness known. I smiled and nodded my head. Funny how today I haven't been sad at all since I woke up. I'm sure it will hit me again later today but for now I know my parents are with the goddess and doing what they can to look out for me and Damien. But for now, that is good enough for me.

We walked side by side down the hallway and I caressed the smooth stones as we went. Light was filtering in through the windows and illuminated everything better than it did last night. There were plants everywhere, rugs lining the halls, and it's clear my mother designed everything. However I stopped in the parlor and looked at the fireplace.

Even with the humid air there was a small fire going no doubt to warm up the house since it was a bit chilly last night. But what caught my eye was the portrait hanging above the fireplace. Why did I have to speak so soon about not being sad? I could feel my eyes watering, and my lower lip tremble. Those traitorous emotions rearing their ugly faces.

The portrait was a painting of my mother, father, Damien and myself. We all looked so happy, and my parents looked so in love. My dad had that twinkle in his eyes every time he looked at my mom and my mom's rosy cheeks blushing a great deal from all of the attention.

Justine rubbed my back and let me work through the emotions I was feeling. She knew I wasn't able to talk about it right this second but knew I wanted the comfort as well. Sometimes crying makes people feel better. It's almost like cleansing the system of all the weight of trauma, heartache, and grief.

I pushed my shoulders back and stood a little straighter. I wouldn't live in a state of sadness. I refuse. My Pa and mom would want us to celebrate their life, not mourn their death, so that's what I was going to do.

We walked through the parlor to the kitchen and I helped her set the table while we waited for the boys to wake from their slumbers. I snacked on a muffin she had made while she chose to write in her journal.

“Justine?” her attention was drawn to me and she waited for my response.

“Where exactly are we? I know we're on a beach, but there are several beaches in scotland.” she smiled and walked to the parlor. I was confused. Is she ignoring me?

Before long, she returned with a scroll and placed it on the table while unrolling it. It was a map. Home was circled and there was another area circled.

“Camusdarach beach…” I whispered. She smiled and nodded. Wait a minute. “Isn't the Crescent pack nearby?”

Her face tightened as if she was nervous. “Yes. their closest border is about 45 minutes from here. Maybe an hour.” I got giddy.

“They are our allies! I remember Pa talking about them! They can help! They can…”

She slammed her hands on the table to break me from my rambling and yelled, “Gu leòr!” I yelped, startled a bit and her features softened.

“I'm sorry little moon. I didn't mean to frighten you... But you have to understand. The attack. It wasn't just rogues there. There were packs there. I'm not sure which ones, we didn't stay long enough to figure it out. So until we do, we can't go to them; we cannot seek refuge there. Alliances mean nothing to people who are filled with hatred and greed. Especially in a war. We will work on figuring out which packs were there and who is trustworthy. Until then you need to stay away from them. Promise me, Allue.”

The guys had slept in late and missed breakfast entirely. It was understandable after the night we had. I decided to walk to the shoreline and do some reflecting on the conversation I had with Justine earlier.

The water lapped at my toes and soaked the ends of my dress. I didn't care though. I felt at peace being in nature. Being close to the water almost felt empowering.

What she said was true though. It wasn't just rogues attacking. Some wore patches with what I assume are clan and pack signants. Though they were hard to make out I could tell the differences between some. Which meant it was multiple packs that had been banned together. How many people wanted Me and Damien either dead or for their own greed? To take us for their own power hungry selves? It made me sick just thinking about it.

My thoughts then turned to home. How many suffered? Did anyone make it out alive? I wish I could contact them, even if it's to write a letter to my friends, or send a raven. But I couldn't. I couldn't risk being traced back here.

I couldn't help but feel sad though at all the lives that were lost. I felt like it was my fault in a sense. If it wasn't for me and Damien being blessed wolves none of this would have happened. No one would have died. Or even if my parents just gave us up.

“Why didn't you? So many lives could have been spared if you just turned us over, or even just me. So many people died, slaughtered. And for what? 2 pups to live? Yes, we were blessed but at what price? What cost did we have to surrender to live? It's not fair. Not fair at all…” I shouted to no one really. Moreso to the clouds in the sky. I snickered then scoffed.

The goddess has a plan for everything. Did that mean she planned for those people to die? Those innocent people? What kind of deity was she that allowed her people to suffer so that only 2 measly little pups could live?

“It's not your fault you know lass.” Mark came and sat next to me in the sand. I looked at him puzzled. How could he think that?

“So many people were murdered. I could have prevented that. I could have stopped it. Mother and Pa could have stopped it. They could have saved everyone and themselves… why'd they chose to sacrifice their lives and the pack just to save me and Damien?”

He sighed and played with the sand. “There is so much you don't understand, little moon. Those people who wanted you for themselves would have either murdered you, subjected you to torture, or used you like a breeding cow. You would be nothing but a means to produce what they would hope to be stronger wolves. Wolves with magical powers greater than they could ever imagine. What they failed to realize is that your gifts and blessings are just that. Gifts from the goddess. Those wolves did nothing to deserve those gifts hence why they were not blessed with them themselves. Your parents and our entire pack knew what we were fighting for. No one was forced. We all did what we did willingly. Out of trust, out of love, and out of loyalty to you, your brother, your parents, the pack, and the goddess herself. She blessed you both for a reason. We don't know it yet, but we will soon. Don't blame yourself child. I don't, Justine doesn't, neither do those who lost their lives. You know that just because they aren't on this earth doesn't mean they aren't alive. Our souls go to live on the moon with Selene herself. They send messages, even contact us when we need guidance, help or even just a loved one to talk to. But I repeat again lassy. It is not your fault. You being more blessed than Damien, I'm sure that makes you feel worse. But look at your wrists. Those brands. Those crescent moons are a symbol of the goddess. She gave you those for a reason. Something is coming in the future, something that the world needs you and your brother for. Without you, from what she said during your blessing, would be the end of werewolves as we know it.”