The Girl with The Dragon Wolf Tattoo

Chapter One

{Adrienne’s POV}

I used to want to see the outside world, the only place my parents forbade me to be in, but I knew so little then, so, I tried to forget that there is another world other than this beautiful paradise I am living in. But the harder I close my eyes, the closer I see it. The blinding light and the pull to go out and see the good in the bad. Those beautiful creatures hidden among the darkness simmering within themselves. I want to see those, even just for one time. But as I grew older, the more I realized one thing…

... Sometimes, it is better to just keep our eyes close and be completely and entirely ignorant of the idea and the fact that not everyone has a light… everyone has hidden darkness inside them, but not everyone can be good.

We just have to choose. Open your eyes, or keep them close.

And as for me… I chose the latter, a long, long time ago…

“Adrienne Dahlia Fatima Costa!” my mother’s ear-piercing scream could be heard from the magical falls that separate our home from the ‘outside world’, as my parents call it. The clear blue water looks so beautiful glistening under the big bright sun. The sound it is making as it continues pouring against the big hard rock below seems to calm my soul down.

The magical falls and I have always been close even when I was just a small little girl. It helps me keep calm and also clear my mind. It is found at the end of the eastern side of the hidden clearing that I’ve been living in for the past twenty-six years of my life. I never know how deep it is nor its width. I just know that without this magical fall, I would’ve more likely turned into a walking ticking bomb that’s always ready to explore any second.

I chuckle at that kind of thought.

“Adrienne!” Another scream from my mother and I was already on my feet, running towards her.

“Coming, mother!” I saw her frantically walking around the meadow and the worried expression on her face was very unmistakable. Any person who would see her face right now would be curious, but that’s not the case for me. Not a single day in my life was made that she didn’t worry about me, but I never understand why.

I never did anything in my life that ever endangered me. But I guess that’s how a mother usually acts.

I’ll never know.

When her eyes finally settled on me, I saw how her face morphed into a relieved one.

“Oh, there you are!” She ran towards me and hugged me tightly. “I’ve been looking for you, Mo leanbh.” It means ‘’my child’’ in fae folks language. She told me that she had a fae or fairy friend and she was the one who taught my mother that language. “Where have you been?” She asked, after pulling away.

My mother, Marietta Costa, is a werewolf and a rare one of its own. She is a white wolf, as all creatures call them, and from what I have read, there are only less than ten of that kind scattered everywhere in the world. And two of them happen to be my mom and dad.

“At the falls,” I said to answer her question.

She shook her head, looking in disdain. “Of course!” She exclaimed in exaggeration. “That falls again. How many times do we have to tell you, Dahlia? Do not go there. What if someone entered inside this clearing and tried to hurt you?”

“But you said no one could ever enter here. Our home is a safe place, no one can harm me as long as I don’t go out, isn’t that what you said, mamai? And the falls are still on the inside, it’s still part of our hidden home, so why can’t I go there?”

She pressed her lips together, her brows knitted in a deep frown as she stared at me right in the eyes. Then, her eyes softened. “You are the most precious thing to me, Dahlia, and I can never be able to forgive myself if something bad happens to you.” A sigh came out of her lips as she caressed my hair softly. “I wish you could see the outside world the way I do. No living soul there is not tainted. It is not important how big or small, short or tall they are, as all of them are equally dangerous, and they are not as good as you think.”

It was my time to sigh, this time. “And I wish you could see them the way I do, mamai. Not everyone is as bad and dangerous as you think they are.”

“Are they not?” She exhaled. “Dahila, you have never been outside, never been exposed to violence, so you could never understand where I’m coming from. They are dangerous, ruthless and they are not worthy of you and your little beliefs about them.” I opened my mouth to respond but she raised her palms. “Enough. You are not going back to that fall again, Dahlia. Please, listen to me. Listen to your mamai.” Her voice turned soft at the end and I could hear her desperation.

I look down.

I don’t like seeing my mamai like this. She is just looking out for me, I guess. So, I should at least do something to ease her burden, even if it means not going back to the magical falls again.

Hesitation filled me as I slowly nodded my head. “Okay, mamai. I won’t go back there anymore. I’m sorry for worrying you. I swear, I didn’t mean to.”

Her smile brightened and I could see how satisfied she was with my answer. “That’s my girl.” She kissed my cheeks, making me cringe a little and I know she saw it because she suddenly chuckled. “Thank you, Mo leanbh, you don’t know how much that means to me.”

I just smiled in return.

“Well, come on. I’m sure your father is also worried about you.” She held my hand as we started walking back to our home. “What do you want for dinner? Do you want me to cook your favorite food?”

My head automatically moved and nodded, eagerly. “Yes, mamai. I want a triple Bavarian chocolate moose cake, paella, and Empanada.”

“Hmm, someone looks excited.” She teased, grinning widely.

When mamai and I entered the house, I saw my father right away. He was wearing his reading glasses while seriously looking at the papers scattered over the table with a deep frown on his face.

I don’t know why, but I suddenly feel nervous and worried. My gut is telling me that something is not right and my parents seem like they know exactly what it is.

My father looked up after hearing our footsteps and when his eyes landed on me, the serious expression on his face loosened up and was replaced with a soft look.

“Mea principesa,” he smiled while standing up from his seat.

My father, Oswald Costa, knows and speaks a lot of languages and one of them is Latin. He’s the one who taught me to speak hundreds of languages and I like it. I like the fact and the thought of being smart and highly educated, even though I’m not certain when or there will be a time when I can finally put all my knowledge into use.

“Hi, dad.” I smiled. “Is there something wrong? You look so serious back there. Do you want me to help you with something?” I briefly glanced at mamai who was looking at dad with a bothered expression, adding to the odd feeling in my gut.

“Oh, that,” He scratched the back of his head and looked at the papers scattered over the wooden table behind him before looking back at me. “It's nothing, just trash that your mamai and I forgot to dispose of a long time ago.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, hesitantly.

He nodded, looking very eager and… suspicious. “Yes,”

I was about to speak again when my mother pats my shoulder, affectionately. “Well, Mo leanbh, why don’t you go upstairs and take a rest or change perhaps. Your dress looks dirty and you’re a sweating bullet. Go change before you get sick. I will just prepare our dinner while your father, here,” She gave my father a stern look. “dispose all those garbage and clean up the table, right darling?”

And like a scared mate, my father quickly nodded his head, clearly had no choice but to agree with mamai. “Right.” He then looked at me, apologetically. “You’re mamai is right, mea principesa. Just come back down here when dinner is ready.”

“Sure, mamai, dad. I’ll see you both later, I guess.” I started walking upstairs, to my not so big and not so small room.

We are living in a medium bungalow house that stands literally in the middle of the clearing with a small garden at the back.

My parents told me that there are big houses in the outside world. Buildings as tall as the sky, beautiful mansions, and huge castles, but even though I am just living in this not so big and not-so-small bungalow house, I never feel any less. In fact, I am content with what I have, and I thank my parents for that. Not only do they teach me how to appreciate little things in life, but also to be contented and accept wholeheartedly what the moon goddess gave us.

I opened the door of my room and shut it close before gently sitting back on my bed. I let out a small sigh, then wandered my eyes around.

On the wall in my left corner, above the wooden cabinet that my father personally made for me, is a painting of the outside world, based on my imagination and my parents' stories.

People walking on the road, five women having a casual talk while watching little children’s play, two men riding their horses, and tall houses from medieval times are beautifully placed on each side of the road. Their faces have no details yet, and even though I have already tried countless times, I still couldn’t put out the details of their facial appearance. My mamai said that it was because I would never remember or imagine the face of a person that I’d never seen in my life. And because I’ve been living my whole life here, with only my face and my parents in my mind, I would never be able to give the people in my paintings a clear facial detail, unless I go out, which is never an option.

If only I could go out…

Trying to shrug that thought off my mind, I stood up and went directly to the bathroom. Mamai was right, I am indeed dirty. Now, I understand why my father visibly cringed after seeing my appearance earlier.

***

Fresh and clean. I thought while brushing my hair that my mother loved to braid every day when she was not busy doing some house chores.

As I stared carefully at my appearance in the mirror, I could totally see the difference between my parents and me. My mama has dark hair and pitch-black eyes while dad has dark brown hair and eyes. And me? I have long wavy ash blonde hair and piercing bright blue eyes.

There was no doubt there that I was not their biological child. And that’s true.

I was an adopted child. A human girl adopted by two white werewolves.

They never hide that fact from me. That also explains why mamai is always worried about me because I am just a human and I could easily die by just a snap of a vampire or werewolf’s finger. I am never like them and I would be lying if I said that I am not bothered by it.

I love my parents and I’m willing to do anything for the people I love, but I sometimes can’t help but ask, why me? There are literally so many kids, werewolves, or humans they could choose from, but they chose me, and I always wonder why.

I froze and just stared carefully at the mirror.

My eyes are turning bright blue again. It’s literally glowing and my hands—

I looked down at my palms and saw the tips of my fingers also glowing–like they wanted to burst out.

Oh no, it’s happening again.

“M-mamai!” I abruptly stood up and practically dashed out of my room and went downstairs to the kitchen where I saw my mother already walking out while looking worried. “Mamai!” I hugged her tightly with my eyes closed.

“Shh, it’s alright, mo leanbh. Don’t panic, I’m here. I’m here.” She kept on mumbling while rubbing my back, softly.

She led me to the living room and sat down on the couch while I lay my head on her lap.

“What happened?” I closed my eyes and snuggled my head to her stomach. “Do you wanna talk about it?” She asked after some moments of silence while stroking my hair, softly.

I swallowed thickly, then opened my eyes and stared into nothing. “It happened again, mamai. I saw my eyes glowing bright and the tips of my fingers heated, like a strong energy, wanted to come out.” I shook my head in so much frustration. “Five times, mamai. It has happened five times already, ever since I’ve turned twenty-six. It has to mean something. I-it’s not just some hallucinating nonsense you and dad were talking about!” I burst out, standing abruptly and staring directly into her eyes.

Shock was written all over her face and she was staring at me like I was a complete total stranger. And I knew then that I had crossed the line, and I myself was shocked at my own outburst. I never yelled, never raised my voice, never disobeyed them, and never acted like a reckless woman, so it’s not a surprise to see how shocked she was.

I was a good daughter, an obedient one. But now… what’s happening to me?

“I… I-I’m sorry, mamai. I never meant to shout at you.” I stuttered and immediately apologized after realizing what I had just done.

She closed her gaping mouth and sat straighter on the couch, then motioned for me to sit down next to her. So I did.

I bit my bottom lip when she didn’t speak and just continued staring at me with a solemn and sad expression at the same time. I feel guilty, frustrated, confused, and lost. Well, I’m always lost, but I’m feeling even worse than I have ever been.

When I couldn’t take any more of the silence, I spoke. “Mamai, I promise, I will never do that again. I-I’m just feeling very upset and—”

“Your real parents didn’t die in a car accident.” She blurted out, making me freeze like a statue. “They were attacked and murdered by a group of hunters who were once a close friend of your real parents themselves.” She looked away, not meeting my gaze.

“What..?” Was all I could master to say and even a pin drop would be much more louder than my voice.

My mind is still trying to process what she just said, but no matter how hard I try to understand, I always end up with a blank mind.

She must be joking. “Your father and I took you here after the attack as per your parents' request. With your mother’s last dying breath, she made us promise to protect and hide you from the dangerous world outside our home.”

My eyes watered at the thought of my biological mother, halfway through death but still thinking about my safety. And before I could realize it, tears started to fall from my eyes.

I wonder what my mother looked like and if she was still alive, would she treat me like how mamai treated me? With so much love and tenderness. I wonder what she’s like.

I felt warm palms wipe off the tears on my cheeks.

“Shh, stop crying, mea principesa. It doesn’t suit you.” I looked up and saw dad, looking at me in sadness and pain. “I’m so sorry for hiding it from you. I know saying sorry would never justify what we did, but please believe me when I say we only want what’s best for you. And I know your real parents would want the same thing. For you to be safe.” He kept drying my tears as they continue pouring down my eyes even though no sound of cry is coming out of my mouth, not even a whimper, but I couldn’t seem to stop them from falling freely.

If they were there when my real parents were attacked, does that mean they were close friends with each other? Humans with werewolves?

“W-what exactly were my parents? Are they just like me? A human?”

Mamai was the one who answered. “Mo leanbh, you are not a hu—”

Before mamai could finish her sentence, a burning arrow passed my face and hit the yellow curtain beside the window on our left side. I could feel the heat of it and the force it made still lingers on my face.

My head quickly snapped at the open window on my right side but all I could see was the sun going down and a… wait, is that a group of walking people in black?

I was about to ask them when my father suddenly grabbed my arm, making me stand up. “Adrienne, go to the tunnel, now!”

My eyes widened but I didn’t move, I couldn’t move. I was rotten in place. “W-what are… those?”

Feeling the rapid beating of my heart as mamai and dad looked at each other with terror in their eyes. “Hunters. They’re back.”