Chapter 4

HERA feels nothing but hatred as she stares at Althaia from afar. Althaia was standing in the center of the small stage, wearing what was supposed to be Calista's crown.

Today is Althaia's coronation day because her fiancé Henry announced that Calista and her parents have moved away because she is incapable of leading their tribe and they are also ashamed to face them. Hera knew that was a big lie.

Hera couldn't believe Althaia could still smile in front of their compatriots after betraying her family.

Hera and Marcus spent several days searching for Calista in the forest, but all they found was Calista's father's body. They'd almost made it through the forest, but she couldn't feel or smell their friend's presence. As a result, she gained hope that Calista was still alive.

"Why don't you just let them know what really happened?" said Marcus, who was with her watching the ceremony of Althaia's sitting on the throne.

Hera looked at her father who was sitting in a wheelchair, next to her aunt. Like the others, they are also smiling and happily applauding their new queen.

Her eyes watered immediately as she remembered the threats Althaia and Henry had made to her.

(Flashback)

In a fit of rage, Hera went to Althaia's fort and its pack. She became angrier when she saw them enjoying themselves as if celebrating the abomination they had done to Calista's family.

When she saw Althaia, she immediately approached her and dragged her away from her group.

Althaia violently pulled her arm from Hera. "What is your problem?!"

"My problem?" Hera looked at Althaia from head to toe. "I know what you did, Althaia!" Her eyes were glaring at Althaia.

Althaia was stunned for a moment by Hera's words, but she was unmoved by the ferocity she was showing her.

"Calista deserved what happened to her! She stole everything from me, and all I did was take back what was rightfully mine."

"You monster!" Hera slapped her on the cheek.

Althaia tearfully touched her reddened cheek, smiling bitterly. "Call me whatever you want, Hera. No matter what you do, Calista will never come back."

"I'll make sure everyone finds out what you did, Althaia. You and your pack will pay for what you did to Calista! Once they find out what you did, they will surely renounce you!"

"Go ahead."

Surprised, Hera turned to Henry who suddenly appeared behind her. He put his mouth to her ear and whispered.

"Do you honestly think that we'd just stay still? If you want your family to end up like Calista... Then go on."

Tears streamed down Hera's cheeks as she shifted her gaze between Althaia and Henry. Hera's aunt is already old and her father is also disabled. They cannot protect themselves from Althaia’s pack.

"Don't be stubborn, Hera. Whether you like it or not, you will kneel before Althaia and acknowledge her as our new queen," said Henry.

Hera wiped the tears from her eyes violently. "I will never kneel to a traitor like you!"

(End of flashback)

"Hera, are you okay?" Marcus asked.

Hera was brought back to reality when she heard Marcus' voice. She did not realize that he was already in front of her.

He wiped the tears from her cheek. "You look pale."

Hera held Marcus's hand. "Marcus, take me with you."

"W-what?" Marcus asked, confused.

"I have to find Calista. I can't do that if I stay here."

*****

"WAIT for us here, okay?" Mercy said kindly to Calista before leaving her in the hospital lobby.

Calista sat down on a long sofa, dropping the duffle bag she was carrying. She noticed that some of the hospital personnel were staring at her, and she knew why. Who wouldn't be astonished by what happened to her? The doctor who examined her said she would not be able to survive because her body, bones, and even some of her internal organs had been severely damaged. If she could survive, she'd probably turn into a withered vegetable. But the doctor's credibility was now being called into question because nothing he said had come true. After all, she is still alive, walking, and appears to be stronger than anyone else, at least in that hospital.

"Let go of me!"

Calista looked at the young man who was shouting while being carried in both arms by two large guards. He tried desperately to break free, but it was pointless.

A middle-aged woman approached the guy and pinched him on his limb. "Oh, you stubborn child! Why do you keep running away when your wounds haven't healed?" The lady pinched the guy again, causing him to whine.

Because of the man's appearance, Calista couldn't help but laugh. She recalls who he was. He was the guy with the black eye who just entered his room days ago. The black bruise around his eyes has darkened even more.

"Clyde..." she softly mentioned the man's name but it seemed to reach his ears because he stopped struggling and looked around as if he was looking for someone.

Calista immediately averted her face but still couldn't get the smile off her lips. She laughs at the look of the man.

"I wish I could see that smile often," said Mercy who had just returned from Calista's doctor's office.

Embarrassed, Calista bowed her head and smiled sparingly.

"Ummm... Calista, I have something to discuss with you."

Calista's smile immediately disappeared and meet Mercy's gaze. "What is it, Ma'am?"

"Now that you're living with us, we need to be more cautious; we need to keep your 'werewolf' nature hidden from everyone," Mercy explained. "There are more people here in the city, and not everyone understands like Simeon and me_."

"I understand what you mean, Ma'am. I won't transform into a wolf." Calista gave Mercy a reassuring smile.

Mercy smiled back as she pinned Calista's hair to her ear. "Mama Mercy... Call me Mama Mercy from now on."

Calista nodded timidly. "Mama Mercy."

"One more thing, I would like to change your name for your safety."

Calista was saddened by what Mercy said, but she had to respect her wishes now that she was the one who would look after her. "What would you like to call me?"

Mercy stroked his cheek and smiled. "Callie... Starting today, you're Callie. It's not far from your real name, isn't it?"

"Yes, Mama Mercy," Calista replied smiling.

Mercy wrapped her arms around Calista and gazed out the large window. She couldn't hold back the tears as she looked up at the blue sky. The most important person in her life returned to her memory, her deceased daughter. "Callie, my child."