Chapter 5:
Felicity
I really had no idea what crawled up Roger's ass. That almost seemed like fatherly advice. Roger had been around since before my sister and I were even a glimmer in our parents eyes. Hell to be truthful he had been around prior to my parents even getting together. He was one of those old timers that didn’t have any children or even a mate. Rumor had it he had a mate but she was sterile and they lived a long happily married life until she passed a couple of years before my sister and I were born. I always just thought the man was a creeper but maybe just maybe the creepy vibe was something else.
I entered the pack house and ran up the stairs. Our pack house wasn’t like others. Our pack house wasn’t big by any means and served as only a house for my family and guesthouse for visiting alphas. All parties were held at the community center, which included meetings. Our house was a three story farmhouse. And three stories was being generous as the top level was technically just a semi converted attic space that served as my bedroom. It was daint and held no windows and very musty. The dark room held very little light except that came from my lamp by my bed. My bed was a single bed that I had a makeshift canopy that I made out of the old lace from the curtains in the house. When my father decided to upgrade the interior I convinced some of the Omegas to give me some of the pieces that were to be thrown away and I was able to repurpose a lot of the furniture and fabrics. I made curtains to give my room the appearance of windows. One of the Omegas helped me bring up a Chaise lounge that I found on the street that I had found on the street. I took some old fabric from a bedspread in one of the guest bedrooms to transform the lounger to a much more upscaled and hip lounger that now laid at the end of my bed. I repurposed an old table into a desk along with an old kitchen chair. I was not permitted to have new furniture. My father stated that it was a complete waste of money as one day I was to take over the pack and thus the Alphas floor which was on the main floor.
I was permitted a computer but because the internet didn’t reach up here the only thing it was used for was to write up my papers for school otherwise I had to use the computer off the kitchen that was monitored by my father. Many said my father was abusive and controlling but he was just protective. I was the heir to the pack. He needed me to survive to pass down the pack so I didn’t mind it much when I was subjected to locked in curfews. Of course none of my friends knew as they wouldn’t know what to say. Plus since no one was permitted to sleep here no one knew.
Yet, next week I would finally be 18 and gain my wolf. I wanted to celebrate but I knew that asking would cause issues. Maybe I could sneak out, but that was risky because my father always checked my room before locking me in. Plus he would be able to sense if I was not here. I couldn’t risk it. My concussion was already causing me enough issues. As I made up my mind I laid on my bed and prepared to go to bed early as my head was killing me. Next week, I will celebrate my birthday with my friends.
As I prepared my bed I could not wait to fall asleep and go to my favorite dream place and meet the only being that knew of my pain and judged me not for it. He was so skittish but I knew any day my dream would allow me to pet him and feel his warm coat under my fingers. The wolf had to be me. Had to have something to do with me coming together with my wolf. I mean what else could the dream mean? Yet, the surroundings were so peaceful and tranquil. It always calmed my inner turmoil. After getting on my nightgown, I quickly climbed into my bed, turned off the light and after a couple of deep breaths I was walking through the woods to the lake.
Once in my dream world I would always go to the lake and sit there watching the sun or moon dance across the water. Most of the time, an all white wolf with black socks on her feet would stand by the tree line and growl. She was very scared of me but I knew wanted to come to me. I was hoping upon my 18th birthday I would finally be able to touch her and come together with my wolf. I only had six long grueling days till Friday and I would finally have her. Finally touch her and have my best friend.
I made it to the lake in record time as I sat in my usual place and lightly touched the cool water. When the wolf didn’t come I would sit here for hours making ripples in the water. The first time I came here was during a horrible day. Rogues had entered the pack and had killed several of our top fighters. My father was furious when he learnt that one of the soldiers on roaming guard had fallen asleep against a tree. The young boy, barely 18, was caged in the center of town for days before being drawn and quartered, then his head was placed on a spike in the center of town for all to see. That night my father had returned home furious. He had forgotten to unlock my door and thus I was unable to escape to the tunnels. He was mad at me because that night I had asked to go to the school's homecoming pregame bonfire. I promised that I would be only an hour past curfew and would even agree to taking pedo Roger with me. But when he had told me no, I made the comment that I never got to have any fun. I was back handed, dragged up to my room by my hair and thrown on my bed. Unconscious. I didn’t even know there was a pack attack until school the next day. And had to cover several bruises as it looked like my father used me as a punching bag for the night.
That night was the first night I had come to my dream world. That was the first night I met my wolf. He was at the lake as I stumbled out of the woods scared thinking that it was for real. The wolf was at the lake drinking slowly before growling. She refused to allow me to get close to her. Being raised in a wolf pack I knew not to run or to approach. Instead I sat down against the tree and confessed my truths to the wolf. She just sat there listening but making no move towards me.
By morning I had realised that my ‘dream’ was just a fantasy of my imagination. Since then I dreamed every night and every time I angered my father. Tonight was no different. Only difference was that tonight I was not interested in prolonging my time. I wanted to be there now.
After getting to my dream world the lake was serene. I sat and began to play in the pretty lake. It was so clear that I could see the beautiful sea glass at the bottom making the lake look like a confetti cannon went off. As the sun began to set I heard movement in the woods and there came my wolf.
“My wolf. Why don’t you look so pretty today” I said as I did every time I saw her. Although I did not know for sure it was a she or he as I never got close to them. I just always assumed that this was my wolf introducing herself to me to prepare me for our future. It was the only thing that made any sense.
“Come on sweetie. Don’t you want me to pet you? I promise I won't bite. I just want to pet your beautiful mane.”
The wolf only growled at me. Though since coming here for the last couple of years we have gotten much closer to one another. We could now be just short of arms length away. But anytime I would reach out to her, she would growl and bare her teeth at me. Once I attempted to challenge if she would actually bite me and continued to approach her. She damn near took off my hand as I felt her spit hit my hand as she attempted to bite it before running off into the woods.
“Why hello my children? I am glad that you two have met although I have seen you two have been communicating on your own for some time now.” Said an ethereal voice although I couldn’t see anyone else around us. I kept turning around attempting to find the woman with the most relaxing and calm voice. A bright light grew larger on the other side of the lake and looked as if the ball of light was getting closer. The wolf began to shake and was trying to decide between fight or flight before settling on freezing in place. I could not make out any features from the light but took on the shadow of a woman. Before stopping short of us and talking again to us.
“You are okay. You have no reason for fearing me as I am your goddess, Selene.” She spoke softly. Oh. My. Goddess. What did I take before going to bed? Am I dead? Did I die in my sleep from my concussion? Did I have brain damage?
“You are fine my child. You will understand it all eventually. You two were destined with a hard life, and for that I am tremendously sorry. You two are my prodigies and for that I will gift thee with unimaginable power.” What did she mean? Before I could ask her what she was talking about, the wolf standing next to me whimpering and whining vanished. She was just gone. I turned back to Selene.
“Wha…Wha…What happened to my wolf?” Before Selene could answer me she was gone. Once again I was left alone at the lake. Alone. With the moon shining brightly and full on the lake. I stayed at the lake for what felt like hours before I heard my father come home and slam his car door. He was in a mood and I knew that it would not bode well for me. I decided to stay in my room and pretend like I was sleeping. It was 9 pm by the clock on my desk.
“Son of a bitch. Damn it,” my father screamed. Whatever happened was not good. I could not wait to escape back to my dream world where I once again could find peace with my wolf.
Felix
I was floating. For once there was no pain, there was no sadness. There was just me. Then I was back in my dream world but the bright figure appeared before me and sat with me until I stood up.
“Hello my Son, I am so glad that you have awoken.”
“Wh… Wh… Where am I? Am I dead? Have I finally made it to heaven?” I asked her confusingly.
“Well that is up to you to decide. You may stay here with me and watch the alternate version of the future or you may return home and play out your destiny. You must choose my child, for you hold your own future.”
Whatever could she mean. How do I choose? Either I am dead or I am not. There really isn’t any gray area here.
“I can see by the look on your face that you are very confused about what exactly that I mean. So please step up to my vision pool” she said, motioning me to step up to a bird bath with silver looking liquid in it. There I watched what looked like my dream world come into focus, I watched as the woman that would always be sitting by the lake began to look frantically through the woods while crying. She kept screaming out for the wolf that was me. Her face looked broken, along with her nose. Her face was streaked with tears and the remains of what looked like blood on her lip and nose while her right hazel blue eye was turning a nasty shade of black. I could tell that she was still too young to have the power to heal yet she was a shifter like me.
She frequently talked to me. She told me of her father and his abusive ways yet she claimed that it was all her fault. She would tell me of her fate to be forced into marrying another for her family and her friends and sister. I did not understand. This woman was fictional. She was the product of my overactive imagination. Why was Selene showing me my dream world. I looked up at her to ask her but before I could get the words out she responded to my unasked questions.
“You believe that your dream world is fictional?” she asked me, watching as I shook my head for yes. “Oh my child no. No it is not. It is a real place on your current pack that you may not remember but was where you were found. There you frequently communicate with your mate. She is a real girl with real problems. Now you may go back and help her get out of those struggles as you feel or you may stay here with me and watch what fate will decide. Either way my child you are not to blame for either outcome as there are still thousands that could happen. Fate is a fickle thing and no way is quite certain as there are many playing pieces and many different outcomes. Your outcome was not to come this way but as you have served me well and you apologized to me for no wrong doings of yourself, I will grant you permission to decide your fate. Is it to return or to stay?” She asked me.
“what will come of the girl if I do not return? Will she be safe?” I asked.
“YOu do not ask if you will return to a peaceful life or pain free one but if she will be safe?” she asked me with wonderment in her eyes.
“I do not care for my life, or pain. I can bare it, but she does not deserve it anymore. She has been through enough. If I return can you ensure her safety? I will do whatever you ask of me but please spare her.” Just then the goddess began to laugh a hearty laugh. A laugh from deep within her soul. Confusion laced throughout my mind. Is the goddess laughing at me?
“You, my child. I laugh at you. Here you have suffered more than any one man, woman and child yet you still feel sympathy and wish to take another's pain away and take it on yourself. This my child makes me laugh as I now feel that I have made the right choice in choosing you and your wonderful mate. Now you shall return as you are needed.” she stated as she began to fade back across the waters.
“Wait. What are you talking about? What do you mean that you have chosen well? Who is my mate?”
“My child you will not remember this conversation but will feel a sense of deja vu, just know that soon enough you will know all and will know ultimate joy and love. Do not give up my child. Continue to fight my child, for you should be greatly rewarded,” and with that the goddess was gone.
After she left the pain began to seep into my bones and I felt nausea as I felt my body was moving. When I finally awoke, I was back in my cell being cared for by the brothel's own caretaker. Many do not know her name nor do they know that she is there caring for all their wounds while they sleep off their wounds. But she is always there. Farah is one of the older ladies, she has never participated in the sexual expolites but rather cleans the rooms, cleans our cells, cleans our wounds and even for some of the younger and scared kids that pass through here she takes them under her wing and nurtures them.
“H… H… Hello Ms. Farah.” I said with a croak in my voice.
“He did a number on you this time Felix '' she said in her normally soft voice. Most of the time you would have to strain to hear her speak. “I am to tell you that you are being transfered to the pack house to be a kitchen slave. I am happy that you are finally leaving this place. But please Felix, keep your head down and stay away from the Alpha. If he knows that he didn't actually kill you He will continue to use you till you are. Please stay away from him. And…” she said as her voice trailed off.
“What is it, Ms. Farah?” I asked. My throat still hurt and felt like I had been gargling with glass before swallowing swords then drank salt water while eating a lemon. The pain was becoming unbearable. I could tell that there was more that she wanted to say but didn’t know how or maybe she wanted to ask a favor?
“If you could, could you please look after my dear daughter if you see her. Please tell her that her mother loves her very much.” She said with tears flowing freely down her face. She was so collected normally. Although I had seen her shed a tear or two she typically would not out right cry. This must mean something extremely important to her.
“Ms. Farah, I would do anything you ask of me. I have seen you patch up everyone here, taken the beatings for the little ones and even shed tears for all of us here. Whatever you ask of me I will do.” I said taking her hand in mine and lifting her chin to meet my eyes. “I vow, someday, someway I will free you of this hell and you will never feel this pain again.” This was a vow I promise to all slaves. Somehow I felt empowered and felt a sort of strength flowing throughout my entire body. Maybe my dream was actually true and the Goddess herself actually did visit me within my dreams.
