The Blessed One

Chapter 8

***Allue***

It's been almost 6 years. 6 years of training every day, six years of learning, and 6 years of hiding.

We went back to the pack grounds when Damien turned 16 and got his wolf. He was a beautiful jet black like Pa was. I remember the day he shifted like it was yesterday. I remember the sound his bones made when they snapped and reshaped, I remember his screams of agony from the first time shifting. I remember the sound of his first howl released and the chills it gave me. The power radiating off the tips of his fur was astonishing.

Beta Mark and Justine felt so much power that they immediately kneeled. I wasn't as affected by it, but we think it is because I am equally as blessed.

His wolfs eyes were as green as emeralds and he stood tall and proud. He was bigger than any wolf I had ever seen, even bigger than Pa and Mark. The bulky muscle, the gentle sheen that his fur took when the light hit it was almost blinding. We found out that night what the goddess plans were for him. He had the symbol for the goddess branded onto his fur in a light gold. All phases of the moon with a crown above the full moon. The goddesses wishes were clear, he was to be our leader. He was to be our King and I was to help pave the way. I was the one who was supposed to help lead us to the time for him to rule, to help pave the way for a new way of life for all wolves.

Funny how he seems to have gotten the easy job. Every time I say that though I get a swift pop on the back of my head.

I say it all in good fun though. I have to look at the bright and funny side of things, or else I'll lose my mind. I can't succumb to the sadness of our reality, the bitter truth of what I was put on this earth to do. I almost envy those who have normal lives and can live freely without fear of being discovered or hunted. Without the fear that you'll be captured or killed.

We've almost been discovered numerous times, but we have always evaded, we have always led those who come looking astray. We have not sought sanctuary from the crescent pack or any other pack that is for fear of who we can and cannot trust.

The night Damien shifted, we went back home. That was his birthday gift from Mark and Justine. To search for survivors, information, our parents. To give them a proper burial after all of this time. To gather information on who might have attacked us.

When we got there though, we noticed someone else beat us there. All of those who were slain had been properly buried, their bodies burned in funeral pyres according to werewolf customs. Though 2 bodies were not just burnt they were excluded from the rest of the dead and their bodies surrounded by thistle, blue bells and other wild flowers. We knew that it was my mother and father. His sword and crest lain between the two of them. His hands held onto hers so that their souls could rest together for eternity.

We don't know who prepared these ceremonies, we don't know who gave them the respect they all deserved, we don't even know if there were any survivors. My Pa’s office had been ransacked, even down to the finance book he kept. It's strange though, there were no bodies of the enemy found.

Everyone that was here was a part of our pack. So did no one from the opposing side die? Or did those who came to pay their respects get rid of the perpetrators? If we could find even one body we could have tried to identify which pack or packs attacked. Any and all scents from that awful night had since faded as did the hope of knowing who is our ally and who is foeman.

Damien was so distraught that night that he stayed in his wolf form for a week straight. He growled anytime anyone came close to him, baring his teeth, and raising his hackles. It scared me to see such anger from him directed at me. But I knew I needed to give him time. He wanted answers and he didn't get them. If anyone understood, it was me.

Needless to say when he finally came to his senses he threw himself into training with mark. His human body after shifting had grown as well. He was as tall as father was, and looked like he could have been his twin.

It made me smile to see him be a spitting image of our dad. His black hair, green eyes, freckles dusting his face. His bulky form from not only his wolf form appeared to be the same in human form. He was a wall of muscle. His skin took on a tan luster from being on the beach and our constant training outside. Not to mention his hatred of wearing shirts.

Each day of training brought new skills, new tactics, new knowledge for us to absorb. We didn't just stop with the physical training. We continued learning from Justine about nature, about our culture, our ways of life. We learned about the goddess, our future roles, and even continued our schooling. Our knowledge wasn't the only thing growing.

I had grown too. I was turning 16 tonight. I had grown to look just like my mother. My hair was a deep red, that shined like fire when the light hit it. It fell in curls down to my lower back. My eyes, as green as jade, my skin fair and light without a single imperfection. I looked almost like a porcelain doll. I was average height at about 5’5, my breasts had grown from being barely existent to being full and round. My figure was womanly almost with curves. Due to my training I had an athletic stomach, and my legs were strong. I was like a vixen calling to her prey.

I was truly beautiful though I hated to admit it. I hated to sound vain and conceited. I tried to stay as beautiful on the inside as I was on the outside. I treated every animal, every plant, and those close to me with the same kindness I would show to the goddess. Everything had a purpose, a life, and value, and I wanted to respect that.

“Are you ready for tonight gealach bheag?” Damien asked as he came up behind me. He started calling me little moon after he shifted. It was like he took on a fatherly role, just as Mark did.

I was in my favorite spot. Sitting in the sand overlooking the waves and the ocean. The water still has the same effect for me today that it did then. It was calming, it was powerful. It was almost as if I could control it. A girl can dream. I dreamt many times of just riding a wave into a better life. A life that wasn't so lonely.

“cho deiseil ‘s a bhiodh e a-riamh.” I muttered.

It wasn't like I had a choice in the matter. He ruffled my hair and chuckled. His voice was as deep as Pa’s. It made me miss him all the more. I wish they were here. They were supposed to be here. To help me shift, to help me ascend to this savior I was supposed to be.

I heard a rustling in the grass on the dunes and I grabbed my dagger from under my skirt and aimed to throw.

“Don't attack. It's just me lass.” Justine's soft voice carried over the waves. She had a box in her hand that was tied with a ribbon. I stood and dusted the sand off of my dress as she approached.

“Happy birthday, my darling.” she said with a tear forming in the corner of her eye. She had always been a bit sappy, but we loved her just the same. She handed me the gift and I gently untied the fabric and opened the clasp on the box. Inside was a locket that was a bright and shiny gold. It was the size of my palm, but not overly bulky. I grasped the metal in my fingertips as I gasped.

“Bòidheach.” Its weight was heavy in my hands and the chain was long and equally as beautiful. Our family crest was on the front with small diamonds planted throughout the jewelry.

“Open it.” she commanded and with trembling fingers I unclasped the locket.

I choked out a sob when I saw what was inside. On one side was a painting. I don't know how they were able to get so much detail in something so small. The painting was of my mother and father, Damien, and myself. It was an almost identical replica of the last family portrait we had done; only the difference was Damien and I were painted to be the age we are now.

My cheeks were wet with tears and I felt arms surrounding me. Justine's warm and motherly aura surrounded me as her tiny arms held me in a hug.

“Tapadh leat…” Mark joined us and patted my back. “Did you look at the other side?” he asked gently. I pulled back and wiped my eyes as I pulled the locked back up to look. There was an engraving on the opposite side.

*As long as there is love and memory, there is no true loss. Love never dies. Love is Power. Love is Eternal. Love is the Key. Love is the Answer*

Those words rang with truth through my soul. I looked at Mark and smiled. “Thank you. All of you.” I leapt into his arms and he hugged me tight.

“Tha gaol agam ort, little moon. Never forget that. You are like a daughter to me. Happy birthday.”

In a few short hours, the moon would be at its highest marking the time of my birth. The time when we are connected most to our wolves and the goddess at the same time. It was almost time for me to get my chance to see what it was like to be on 4 paws instead of two legs.

Mark and Damien made one last trip surrounding our land to make sure no one was around. We wanted to make sure we wouldn't be interrupted while I was vulnerable and shifting. He came back and gave justine a light kiss on her lips as she swooned. All these years and they still hold so much love for each other.

In another 2 years when I turned 18 I would be able to find my mate and I couldn't wait. I wanted a love like that but I had a feeling that with who I am, I would never be free to just love. Free to be a normal wolf.

He gave a nod and Damien approached too. “All is clear. I didn't even smell another wolf within a 100 mile radius of the house” That was another one of his abilities. He could scent someone up to 100 miles away. It has come in handy with staying away and hidden.

The moon was almost at its peak and I could feel the power surging through my veins. The crescent moons on my wrists were starting to glow just as Damiens did before he shifted. Mark and Justine approached me to coach me through it.

“This will be painful, lass, but it will be over soon. Don’t fight it, let your wolf take over. The more you fight the pain and the shift, the more pain there will be. Each sift after will be less and less painful. When you fully take your form you will be a bit dazed and confused. That is normal. Hone your senses, and remember your training. Center yourself, trust yourself, and focus your mind.”

The power was growing greater and greater with each passing second and I was having a hard time focusing on what they were saying. I bit my lip to conceal my screams when Damien grabbed my hand.

“It is okay. No one will hear you. I promise. You are safe. If you need to scream, scream. But don't fight it, piuthar.”

After his words, I belted out a scream that almost sounded inhuman. It felt like fire was burning on the inside of my body, inside my veins. Suddenly I felt and heard a crack. My bones were breaking. It was excruciating. It felt like I was being mauled by a bear. I'm not sure how long it lasted, whether it was hours or minutes, but soon enough the pain subsided and I rested in the dirt. The earthy scent filled my nose.

Wait, I can take in scents so much stronger now! I did it! I shifted!

I opened my eyes and looked down to find paws. Furry paws that were covered in black fur.

Was I a black wolf like my father and Damien?

“You are stunning Little moon.” Justine whispered and she held up a mirror.

I was certainly a wolf. But I wasn't black. Not entirely. I was white all over my body except for all 4 of my paws and my snout. Those were black almost like socks. My snout faded from a greyish black into white like a gradient. I was unique. I was truly a beautiful wolf.

I noticed Damien had shifted and I wasn't that much smaller than him. He lifted his snout to the air and howled and I felt the urge to respond with one of my own. I howled loud and proud. My howl was almost as loud and commanding as Damiens. It was a beautiful song that rang through the night. The goddess’ blessed wolf has arrived.