Chapter Four

"One. We are one." Two voices chant.

"One. We are one." It whispers in my head, I try to open my eyes. Everything seems fuzzy. I lean on the wall, my head hurts.

"One. We are one!" The voice again.

"What is going?" I mutter half-heartedly

"My name is Ezra, you named me Ezra. Here also is Camli; your wolf." A voice says

"Hello, my name is Camli. I can't believe I am finally talking to you, I have lived inside of you since you were born. I am the wolf side of you." another voice says

Every sound felt too loud and jamming, I could hear and smell the onions grandmother is chopping downstairs in the kitchen. I could see and tell every minor detailing in my room, the rough edges of the paint, the tiny ants crawling on it, spiders, cobwebs.

"Just breathe in Hermione, Breathe in slowly..." They say.

My vision felt red, I taste blood on my lips. Something sharp was stretching out from my teeth "What is happening to me?" I panic, rushing to the broken mirror beside my bed. A tail shoot out from behind, sharp nails growing from my fingers.

I snarl at myself in the mirror. My voice huskier. I made to touch my reflection, the mirror breaks in one touch.

"Hermione! What is going on there?" Grandmother calls, coming to the room.

I shiver in fright, jumping through the window. I run into the woods. Away from everything.

_

My eyes flicker open at the sound of the birds chirping. My hands abruptly reach out for the Kwauzuac neckpiece "...phew! Still here." I breath in a sigh of relief, taking in the sight of my room.

"Doesn't seem like the town's dump is here after all..."I murmur, standing up to look at the mirror beside my bed "…definitely not broken, still very much intact." I say, before sauntering to the window

"Whoops! No scratch at all. It was all a weird dream." I exclaim happily, plopping on the bed.

"There's no way I can be a wolf and a cat at the same time, that's what the Kwauzuac neckpiece is for anyways, to keep both souls from ripping me apart. Plus, how can a gigantic black wolf approach such a terrifying-looking creature, to cuddle it all through the night... Tsk. I think not. Such horrid dream!" I mutter thoughtfully

I sit up fleetly "But Ezra... She's really gone." I hurry up downstairs, strangely feeling alive and powerful. Ketura and grandmother were just having breakfast.

"About time!" Grandmother murmurs, looking up at me "...Just know I won't condone this anymore, after your mourning spree which ends today. You'll be back to doing the house chores."

"What?! You did the chores, grandmother?" I chip in, clearly gobsmacked.

"Don't get any ideas Hermione..." Ketura mumbles under her breath.

I ignore Ketura "For real grandmother?" I ask, chuckling.

They exchange glances. "You shouldn't get too excited Hermione, I did it only because your mate rejected you!" My grandmother spats

"Alright, Alright. Thanks anyways." I say happily, rushing to my room.

"Seems like she gon’ nuts, the rejection must have really affected her." I hear Ketura say mockingly to grandmother.

"She should better get it right, what was that all about?" Grandmother asks.

I close my door abruptly.

_

"Yes, that's her."

"She was rejected by her mate yesterday."

"Eros rejected her."

"He did that outrightly."

"He didn't want to have anything to do with a nonentity." 

"Do you know that, if not for her grandmother's influence, she would have been continuously repeated and still be in her first year?!" Voices and hands' points to me as I walk the hallway. I could see the slow movement of their lips, the sweats on their forehead, the ragged breathing...

I yank my locker loudly to block the overwhelming voices. 

"Do you all have nothing to do, but gossip?!!" A male's voice booms in the hallway. "Get going!" The voice thunders

"Sorry your Majesty!" everyone scamper out of the hallway. I turn to see Ares and Athena, my face breaks into a smile.

I hasten my footsteps to them, unsure of what to say "Your majesties..." I stutter

"You can say thank you?" Ares grins at me

"Certainly, Thank you your majesty." I say with a bow.

They let out a giggle. "She's so sweet." Athena says, extending an arm to hug me.

Wait. This is happening again.

I politely lean in to hug her. Now looking at them closely, the royal twins wouldn't be more eighteen years of age.

"My apologies Princess Athena, I forgot to return this..." I say, bringing the neatly folded cloth from my bag.

Athena shake her head briefly, enclosing the piece back into my palms "Do have it Hermione, see it as a little gift from me to a friend"

"A friend?" I ask, astonished

"Yeah, a friend." She nods happily. The bodyguards’ coughs uncomfortably.

"Okay..." I say slowly "Thank you, Princess Athena" 

"Athena." She corrects 

"...and Ares. Ares." Prince Ares chips in

I shake my head vehemently "That will be too much, your highnesses." I bow again.

"Well, we insist." Athena smiles ".lI just need a female friend, can you be that friend? Please..." I saw sadness flicker in her eyes, it was quickly gone.

My lips part in shock "Your highness, I am so stunned. I feel honored... Secretly I'd always admired you, and wonder what it would be like being friends with you. I never thought it would one day be a reality or that the feeling would be mutual. Thank you..." I say, boldly hugging her. 

She returns it happily. It seems like, I have found another hugger; a bonafide lover of hugs. Whoopee!

"You two, that's enough!" Prince Ares grumbles, separating us. "Where's my own share of the hug? Or do I seem invisible to you two?" He pouts

I giggle, hiding behind Athena "I didn't think anybody else will be needing a hug."

Athena chuckles to the prince's dismay "Yeah, I didn't think that too..."

The bodyguards try to hide their knowing smiles.  

"Hey! You two better give me my own share of the hug." He whines, try to reach for us. We duck his embrace, scurrying away. He charges towards us, pulling us closely as he hug us.

Wow. Prince Ares is definitely one strong being ...Their scent envelopes me like a cotton, Heaven knows how much I need all the hugs that I can get.

"See you during lunch?" Athena asks uncertainly, as they make to leave.

"Sure! Princess!" I throw a salute, grinning from ear to ear

"Athena." She corrects, pouting.

"Princess." I say, sticking my tongue at her.

Ares burst into laughs "See you later, Hermione" He smiles, pulling his sister to class. The bodyguards throw a subtle smile at me before escorting the prince and princess.

I do a happy dance.