Black Beast

Mates and the Garden

  Beta Devin has led Farah into the dance floor and dance to the rhythm of the music. The two of them chat while they dance, and they obviously are having fun.

  Many male wolves are eyeing Farah, and hoping to have a dance with the beautiful human. But it seems like the Royal Beta isn’t going to let her go any time soon. Some had assumed that the human is the Beta’s chosen mate.

  Fated mates are very rare to the extent that they are considered fairytale. It’s been thousand years since the last known fated mates, mates that are specifically paired by the Moon Goddess.

  They said that finding your mate is the most magical thing to ever happen to two wolves. They are of one single soul, dwelling into two different bodies. But since it’s so rare, the wolves have settled for their chosen mates. Unlike fated mates that stayed loyal, faithful and cannot live without their mates, chosen mates have high possibilities of infidelities and separation.

  Farah suddenly felt conscious that the guests are looking at them.

“What’s wrong?”Devin asked.

“They’re looking at us.”Farah mumbled.

  Devin looked around and indeed every guest is looking at them. Devin chuckled lowly.

“They are just amazed by your beauty, and they may have thought that you are my chosen mate.”Devin said.

  Farah’s eyes widened, and her face turned red.

“W-What?”

“Don’t worry. I don’t mind, I am actually –“

“I’m sorry Beta Devin but I have to decline.”Farah cut off Devin.

  Devin looked at Farah before he sighed.

“I haven’t courted you yet but you already dumped me.”The beta said, giving Farah a small smile.

“I’m sorry beta. But I only see you as a friend and a brother.”Farah said.

  Devin playfully grimaced.

“Ouch. Dumped, and friendzone.”He said.

“I’m really sorry.”Farah said.

“It’s alright. Everyone is just expecting me to choose a mate. I have been trying to find my own mate but I cannot seem to see her in any she-wolf around.”Devin paused.

“But then you came and I thought that you are really beautiful and smart. You are an ideal lady for me. Actually I do like you, but you dumping me I guess is the Moon Goddess’ way of telling me that you are not the one for me.”Devin said.

  Farah gave him a confused look.

“Moon Goddess?”She asked.

“Aragon doesn’t have someone to worship right?”He asked and Farah nodded.

 “Let’s go out in the garden and I’ll tell you about her.”Devin said and he pulled Farah towards the garden.

  Outside in the garden, Farah can finally breathe. She felt suffocated inside from all the guests’ aura and their endless stares.

“So, the Moon Goddess.”

  Devin started as they walk around the patio.

“The Moon Goddess is believed to be the mother of all lycanthropes. Legend said that the creator, the moon goddess’ father was the one that created all Kingdoms.”Devin said.

“How?”Farah asked.

“According to an old book I have read before, the creator threw a star down the wide ocean. And from that, islands grew from the ocean and that nine islands became the nine Kingdoms.”

“The Creator made humans, but the Moon Goddess then created the werewolves. Legend said that a human girl fell in love with her father’s wolf handler, and the wolf handler on the other hand never left the girl’s side ever, loved the girl as if she’s the air he breathes. When the girl’s father found out that his daughter’s been so in love with his wolf handler that she refused her suitors, he killed the boy, his wolf handler in front of his daughter. Distraught and heartbroken, the girl killed herself in front of her father.”

“The Moon Goddess was angered that she turned everyone in the girl’s tribe into half human, half wolf. And inspired by the girl’s love for the wolf handler, she gave them mates.”Devin explained.

 “Fated mates or soul mates are the gift of the Moon Goddess. Two wolves destined to be together to share love and everything together. It is said that a wolf cannot live without his other half, and if one died, the other will eventually die as well. But unfortunately, it’s been hundreds of years since the last fated mates were heard of. So far none of our people found their mates, so they settled for their chosen mates. But unlike fated mates, chosen mates were bound to all complications.”Devin answered.

“Complications?”

“Complications like infidelity, falling out of love, rejection.”

  Farah suddenly felt sad. She was actually fascinated by the idea of mates. To have that person that was meant for you. To have that someone that will love you and stay with you.

“Nighthowl Kingdom started with that girl’s tribe, and the King is the direct descendant of the tribe that the Moon Goddess turned into lycanthropes.”Devin said, and then he looked towards the huge garden.

“The book also said that the place where the wolf handler and the girl were buried was the door way to the Howling Labyrinth.”He said.

“Howling Labyrinth?”Farah asked.

“It’s a place between space and time where the legend said that the girl and the wolf handler’s soul will one day meet again there.”Devin said.

  Farah furrowed her eyebrows.

“So it’s like their souls were lost and someday they will meet there?”She asked and Devin nodded.

“It sounds sweet.”

“They are the first soul mates.”Devin paused.

“I actually longed for that, for a soul mate. But I haven’t found mine, nor found a girl to settle down with.”Devin said.

“You’ll find her soon.”Farah said.

  Devin smiled at Farah, and then his eyes became clouded. And when the cloudiness, he gave Farah a sad smile.

“I’m sorry to cut our story telling short, but the King needed me inside. Do you want to come in now?”He asked.

  Farah shook her head.

“I’ll stay here for a while. I feel suffocated inside.”Farah said.

“Okay you can enjoy the garden while I’m gone.”Devin said and Farah smiled.

  Devin smiled back and jogged his way back inside the castle. Farah sighed and wrapped her arms around her. The cold breeze of the night is seeping through her bones. 

  She resumed walking and let herself marvel the beautiful garden at night. She loves the feeling of walking in the garden. Somehow it felt like she belongs there. She felt warm and calm, and the vibe is so inviting.

  Her thoughts drifted towards Devin’s story, the story of the girl and the wolf handler. It seems like it was a story of true love, love that knows no boundaries.

  Farah kept on walking until she stopped in front of a huge garden maze. The walls of the maze are well covered by moss and vines. The moonlight shining down on the maze made the green moss shine like emeralds.

“Wow.”Farah whispered in amazement.

  And then the wind suddenly picked up and it sound like it was whistling to a tune, music to Farah’s ears. As if this music is lulling her, her feet began to move. She went inside the maze as its path began to illuminate on their own.

   Farah walked further, still being guided by the music of the wind. It’s like voice telling Farah the directions. And those directions brought her towards the centre of the maze. And as is Farah has awakened from a dream, she looked around, confused to where she is.

“What the –“

  She tried to go back to where she came from but it was gone. She was suddenly surrounded by a wall of moss, vines and leaves. Her heart began to hammer against her chest. She was scared, she was confused.

   Farah went towards the walls, trying to see if there’s an opening, but there was none. When the wind picked up again, a chill sudden ran up her spine. A chill, not of dread but of excitement and it made her even more confused. The whistling tune came back, and it sounds like it is telling Farah to turn around.

  When Farah turned around, she gasped and took a step back, her back hitting the wall.

“What happened?”She muttered.

  In front of Farah stood a statue of a huge wolf that is howling to the moon, and the wind’s whistle began to sound like it’s calling a name.

‘Farin...’