Chapter 6. Aika

POV Isabella Di'Giotanno

A week has passed, and my wolf has become silent. After her last sign, she has not spoken to me again. I even think I dreamed it, making this whole situation cause me a deep anxiety. Damn wolf!       

My birthday is tomorrow, and today is a full moon. I am very nervous because I know that my life will change drastically. They say that the first shift is very painful, and being almost eighteen, I am mentally preparing myself for that level of pain.

"Today is a full moon. Are you nervous?" Asks Eric.

"What do you think? Dah!" I tell him a little annoying.

"Wow, what a bad temper you have today. I hope your wolf is nicer than you, "Eric says, huffing.

I whiten my eyes at Eric, while I stick my tongue out at him. He tells me in a serious tone, looking me directly in the eyes "Don't stick your tongue out at me. Otherwise, you want me to do something naughty with it."

"What?" I say it, confused.

"Forget it!" Eric replied.

"Here they were!" They say entering Luna Ayme, alpha Patrick, and my mother.

"We must talk Isabella." The alpha tells me, staring at me.

"Today is a full moon, and it is very likely that your first shift will be today," says Luna.

"Yes, honey, we want you to stay outside the pack house. If you go into the forest, we won't be able to protect you enough." says my mom.

"Protect me?" I asked, looking at the alpha with a hint of fear and concern.

"That's right, Isabella. It's just a precaution. Because we don't know what your shift will be like, things may happen at the environmental level, or nothing may happen, and it will be like a normal shift. We must be prepared in case someone or something wants to cross the border." Says the Alpha.

"But will I be with all of you? I mean, will they all see me naked?" I asked, embarrassedly worried.

"Isabella we will be around. You will be alone with Claire. Do you agree?" Says the Alpha again.

I look at them all nervously and bit my lip, then I tell them "If you think it's the best... Eric, will you also be with me?"

"If you want me there, I wouldn't be anywhere else. I will be with you, holding your hand." Eric tells me reassuringly.

He tells me this, looking at me with his eyes wide open, showing me infinite concern and something else that I can't decipher.

"Well, it's decided. Claire, come with me; we must get the warriors' shifts ready since we will all be busy tonight. It will be a long night." Says the Alpha again.

"Yes, alpha. I'll be with you at dusk darling. I love you so much, my little girl." Says my mom.

"And I love you too, mom." She kisses me on the forehead and leaves after the alpha. I sit in the kitchen lost in my thoughts.

"I'll go too Eric. I have to get everything ready here for tonight," says Luna Ayme. As she kisses her son on the forehead and gives my hand a loving squeeze. She is so lovely.

"Okay, Mom." says Eric.

Luna Ayme leaves the kitchen.

“A penny for your thoughts? Are you okay?”, Eric asks me, visibly worried.

"Oh? Yes, is just, I'm... hum... Worried."

"It´s normal that you are worried, but you are not alone, Isabella. You have an entire pack that loves, respects, and cares for you. Everyone is worried about you." he said.

"Really?" I asked with surprise.

"Of course." he replied. "When dad told the warriors about your first shift, they all applauded and congratulated your mom. Your mom couldn't get enough of pride. They said that this pack was so blessed by the Moon Goddess, with a wolf with gifts, which would allow peace to be brought to our world. And what better she-wolf than you?"

"But Eric, what if my wolf is normal? Everyone waits for her to be extraordinary."

Eric approaches me and takes my arms, staring at me, and says "So what if it is normal? It's yours, and that's more than enough. You will always be more than enough. Do not forget it!"

I blush at his words as I reply "Thank you for always being here for me. You always bring out the best in me."

"And you bring out the best in me," he said.

"Ah! that´s so cute! Now tell him that you love him and stick your tongue up to his bell!" says the unknown female voice.

Confused by the words, I say "What?"

Eric replied "What? What Isa?"

I ask, "Did you say something?"

he said, "I have not said anything."

The unknown female voice says, "Well, what do you think, obviously I'm the one talking, silly! not you!"

I panic, and I scream "Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"

 Eric shouts, "Ahhh! what's happening!"

I said "My wolf is talking!! She's talking to me!" and I start jumping and dancing from one side to the other. Eric looks at me in shock, while he said "Wow!! Ask her name."

"What is your name?" I ask.

She replied "My name is Aika."

I said to Eric, "She says her name is Aika."

Eric replied, "Aika? How cute. I love it! Do you know what it means?"

I think for a moment and then I respond curiously, "No, but do you know?"

"It means love song," he says.

Aika replied, "Wow! Not only he is hot, but he also has a brain! Girl, I'm telling you, we have to keep him."

Embarrassed I asked out loud, "Aika, what are you saying?"

Eric looks at me confused as he replies. "Huh? What things does she saying?"

II realized I spoke out loud, so I replied "Hum, nothing worth repeating."

Aika took my words as a provocation to what she replies, "Coward"

I replied out loud to Aika, "Shut up!"

Eric surprised by my answer, asks me "Am sorry?"

I touch the temples of my head, while I tell him, "Oh no, Eric, this is so confusing."

He laughs at what I said while he says "Ahahaha, right. I better leave you two alone. Aika, I'd love to meet you tonight. I look forward to it."

Aika, all excited, answers him "I'm looking forward to running my tongue all over that glorious body."

I, horrified, say out loud, "Aika!! Down girl!"

Eric gives me a big smile and kisses me on the forehead. I must admit that I have always found his smell comforting. So, when he gets closer, I inhale deeply.

Then I look at him again and see him smiling at me, with his eyes shining with affection.

Aika says, "Admit it that you like him."

I responded out loud surprised and embarrassed, "What?"

Eric gives me his beautiful smile as he says, "Goodbye, ladies... " And so, Eric leaves the kitchen.

"What am I supposed to admit exactly?" I said.

She replied, "That, you like him."

I said, "Well, no, we're talking about Eric."

She said, "AND?"

I replied, "And that he is my friend."

She asks again "AND?"

I answer, "And that we live together."

She asks again "AND?"

And I answer again, desperate for her questions, "And that I have known him all my life."

She replied, "AND?"

And at this moment, I just think, Goddess she's so annoying! I said, "Aika, you are unbearable!" I tell her, moving my hands quickly.

"It's a good thing that I live inside your head then..." She says it winking at me.

I replied, "Isn't having a wolf supposed to be something cool?"

She answers me with a mocking tone, "Well, it is, and others would love to have a wolf as cool as me."

And I respond sighing, "By the goddess... What awaits me!"