~ A M E L I A ~
As the weekend finally approached, I was elated with the opportunity to not only explore the village more but also find the best places to learn more about the Silver Moon pack, and hopefully, eventually, my parents too.
Walking through the village, I couldn’t help but admire how beautifully built it was, with smooth cobblestone paths weaving through to guide you from building to building. The homes themselves were so classic looking, with thatched roofs and exposed timber frames, it almost felt as if they were pulled straight out from the Tudor times. It was a refreshing sight to see.
Even with the village glacially adapting to an urban environment, the natural environment was one with the village too. The whole village was surrounded and encapsulated by trees, and there were even random trees locat
~ E V E R E T T ~‘Who was that, sweetheart?’ My mother asked as I approached her.Rolling my eyes, I shook my head, ‘Nobody important.’‘I’ve not seen her around before, is she that new wolf everyone is talking about?’ She peered over, staring at her inquisitively.Running my fingers through my hair, I huffed, ‘Like I said, she’s nobody important.’ I looked back to see Amelia wandering around the village, her eyes glistened as she gazed upon her surroundings. Those innocent-looking eyes are hiding a dark secret, I just know it.As I turned back around, Mum raised a brow at me and shook her head, ‘You need to stay focused, now more than ever, Everett,’ she clasped her hands together and kept them low, h
~ A M E L I A ~Itโs warm. No, itโs hot. Scalding.Fire.Thereโs a fire.Oh god, not againโฆMy eyes fluttered open and, as they came to focus, my entire surroundings were engulfed in flames. Donโt panic. Do not panic.I couldnโt move. I can never move. The flames were inching closer and closer. The heat of the flames stung my skin, though not yet touching me. A deafening scream plunged my eardrums. No. Screams. Many others were screaming.What is happening?As the flames came closer to my skin, my body felt like it was ready to shut down, even though all I wanted to do was fight, but I was helpless, motionless. Suddenly, a shadow-like figure appeared in the distance. It appeared to scan the entire room, before setting its gaze towards me. I couldnโt determine whether it was a man or a woman; was it human? At that instant, it rushed towards me and my heart sank into my stomach.The surrounding screams continuedโฆ~ ~ ~ PHREEEEEEEET!Jolting up and gasping for air, I sat up and res
~ A M E L I A ~The universe is out to get me. That was the only reason I could think as to why I was forced to be taught by Everett-bloody-Shaw. His eyes were still locked onto mine, but in a slow blink he focused his gaze elsewhere, as if he didnโt care for me being present. He pulled off his jacket and threw it behind him on the ground, revealing himself in a black compression shirt and dark grey jogging bottoms. The shirt wrapped around his defined muscles as if it was made specifically for his body, he was even more ripped than I thought. His abs do poke through his shirt. Trying to focus my gaze elsewhere, I didnโt want to give him the satisfaction of staring at him since he was already full of himself enough, but my attention went to his arms, which I had no idea were fully tattooed. I couldnโt catch the details of it all, but I did get a glimpse of what looked like a deer skull on one of his forearms; he kept moving, so I couldnโt see it all, but it definitely looked like t
~ A M E L I A ~Sprinting towards him, I tried to pull together the knowledge I had for fighting. I felt so thankful that my parents had me in so many different extracurriculars growing up, which included kickboxing, Karate and Taekwondo. However, my fear was casting a shadow over all my knowledge. I couldnโt recall what to do. I couldnโt strategise. Everett raised a foot lightly, dragging it back just an inch, ready to make his move, ready to analyse me. Wait, he did that before, with Kenneth. Kenneth pulled his rightโnoโhis left fist back, which made Everett pull his left foot back to counter-attack. I can do this. I just need to think tactically. Pulling my left fist back as I approached closer to Everett, who had pulled his left foot back further. His eyes were locked on me, like a hungry predator watching his prey, waiting for me to fall into his trap so he could make the kill; but I was ready. I had a plan.As I approached him, I swung my fist towards him, just as Kenneth di
~ A M E L I A ~Last night, as promised to Sammy, after dinner, I went straight home and rested. Well, I sat in bed and read one of the books from the library until about 1 a.m., which was still better than what I had previously done, so it counts as an improvement. The school had been pretty tame during the morning, and the head teacher had sent all of Year 13 home at lunchtime to allow the new wolves to prepare for the full moon in the evening. Sammy dragged me to the local diner where she and her group of friends liked to hang out. Our group, I guess I should say, seemed to have made my way to being a part of the group without even trying. There was Theo (the guy she totally had a crush on), Gabriel and Kaylee, who was Gabrielโs girlfriend and mate. โAmelia, are you excited about witnessing our crazy full moon ritual?โ Theo asked. โUh,โ I cleared my throat, โyeah, it still surprises me that the pack canโt shift whenever you want, but Iโm interested in seeing how tonight pans ou
~ A M E L I A ~The evening arrived swiftly, just as I did at the nightโs event. The village looked stunning. I was in awe. Surrounding the area were numerous stalls of food and games, the stage on the left was huge, where the band were preparing to play their music, and there were floating lanterns all around to light up our surroundings as the sky darkened.It was like a carnival, but better!A grin grew across my face, admiring the people of the villageโof the packโchatting and laughing away, celebrating what was a joyous event for them all.Wandering around, searching for any of my friends, I finally saw Sammy in the distance talking to her mum with a huge grin on her face, looking utterly beautiful in her dress. She was so excited about shifting for the first time she wouldnโt shut up about it for weeksโdebati
~ A M E L I A ~โWhat the hell are you doing?โ I asked, infuriated.โSorry, did I interrupt something?โ he replied sarcastically, his usual calm egotistic face leering upon mine.Trying to push him away, I failed instantly. Whatever increase in enhancements I might have been feeling under the full moon, Everett was feeling it at an even greater level. Once again, I had no chance. I questioned if I would, even if I had my wolf.He moved one hand from my waist up to my lower back and pulled me closer to him.All I could do was stare into his soul-stealing eyes and arrogantly handsome face. Feeling a sense of unease and powerlessness, not being able to do anything. If he wasnโt such a jerk, someone could probably find great delight in being so close to him, being held by him, smelling his sweet and piney aromaโฆ
~ A M E L I A ~As I watched Everett walk away, my line of vision was immediately taken over by Hudson speeding over to me.โAre you alright?โ Hudson said, cupping my face in his hands, โYou looked so upset at one point, I wasโโโIโm okay,โ I choked out, gripping his wrists, โIโm okayโฆโHudson dropped his hands from my face and took hold of mine, taking me away from the dance floor and away from the crowds. We stood on the edge of the festivities, on the borderline of the forest, โWhat did he say to you?โDropping my head, I couldnโt look at Hudson without wanting to just fall apart.Donโt cry. You can not cry.I had felt ready to tell Sammy, not everything, but enough to make her feel like she knew me. And, if all went well, Iโd tell the rest of the group, including Hudson. Now Everett knows and if anyone else f
~ E V E R E T T ~โWhat the hell is going on?โ I asked in a panic as the candle flame began to burn more aggressively, melting the wax representing Ameliaโs life force that much faster.Sybil watched the candle in amazement. โHer journey through the spirit world has been far too impactful on her body. Sheโs too weak.โโNo,โ I cooed as I looked back at the small amount of wax that remained of the candle. Squeezing Ameliaโs hand, I looked at her and hoped she could hear me in her state of unconsciousness, โListen to me. You are not dying, do you hear me? Itโs not your time. Itโs not yourโโThe room became eerily chilled as the candle flame was snuffed out. I refused to turn around to confirm, hearing Sybilโs saddened sigh was confirmation enough. โNoโฆ Amelia,โ I cupped a hand on her cheek, โwake up. Wake up!โโAlpha-son, sheโs gone.โ Sybil stood and lowered her head, staring at the ground. She also looked heartbroken by this loss. Stepping away from Amelia and towards Sybil, I snapped,
~ A M E L I A ~Panic surged through me. My fatherโs demiseโฆ it was at the hands of his best friend? The Moon Goddess brought us to the time of the battle. As she did, all the magic it took to travel through time was taking a huge toll on my spiritual body. I collapsed to the ground and whimpered, โWhatโs happening to me?โKneeling beside me, the Moon Goddess helped me up, โYou donโt have much time, we need to send you back very soon.โI groaned, feeling myself lose the connection and hold I had still back in the land of the living, I couldnโt feel warmthโฆ I couldnโt feel anything. โHow much longer do I have?โโEnough time to see this last glimpse into the past.โHolding myself up with all my remaining strength, I watched as the events played out. My father and his best friend were standing head to head under the starry night sky. Many members of the pack, especially the council members, were bearing witness to the fight, awaiting to see who would triumph. โAre you sure you want to
~ A M E L I A ~โWhat happened after that? How did Draven become Alpha?โThe Moon Goddess had brought me back to her moonflower garden, her hand on my back rubbing back and forth soothing me, โMy dear, youโve witnessed a lot, are you sure you donโt want to take a break?โI shook my head, โI donโt have time for a break! You said yourself that Iโve got a limited amount of time left back in the human world, I canโt waste it.โShe nodded, โI know, but I can sense your pain and suffering, and things only get darker from hereโฆโSwallowing thickly, I stood tall, โShow me.โโVery well.โ~ ~ ~ Following the events of the hospital fire, the next day was sombre. It wasnโt just the families who were directly involved in the fire who were grieving, it was the entire pack. They were all traumatised and scared for what was to come. The funerals for the newborns were held all together, the Alpha and Luna ensured that they were all treated with equal respect and care during the entire process, as we
~ A M E L I A ~It began to rain. First a trickle, then a complete downpour. The Alpha and Luna looked out to the rain, a perfect resemblance of their sorrow, and knew that they had no more time to waste. They had to say their final goodbyes to their daughter and commence with their plan before people became aware. When they had finally said their goodbyes, Kali had come to terms that she would not be the one to venture out to take their daughter to the person theyโd hope would be the one and only person they could entrust to take her outside of the pack and to her new human family. In her state of only recently giving birth, her werewolf healing was depleting her energy, plus her sudden disappearance from the fire would raise suspicions. They had to take their next steps carefully and mindfully.Enzo sent Kali back to the hospital, where she would have to act as though she had lost her baby in that fire, along with all the other mothers who lost their babies. Such a foul and disgus
~ A M E L I A ~They arrived back at Rieka Manor, successfully unseen by anyone else. Enzo placed Kali gently on their bed and began to pace up and down the room, muttering to himself. โEnzo,โ she was almost hyperventilating, โmy love, please talk to me! What is going on?โ Kali spoke quietly, trying not to awaken their baby, who had finally fallen asleep soundly, but concern was laced throughout her voice.Yet he didnโt stop pacing, deep in his thoughts, โIt canโt be themโฆ They wouldnโtโฆ They couldnโt betray us like that!โโWho?โHe shook his head, โNo, no, no!โ He slammed his fist against the wall, shaking the entire room, โThese bastards,โ he muttered through gritted teeth before sitting next to his mate and wrapping his arms around her, embracing the love of his life and their newborn daughter.โMy love, my Alpha,โ Kali continued to cry silently, โPlease. Talk to me.โEnzo looked at his mate, holding her face softly as he wiped away her tears with his thumb, โMy radiant Lunaโฆโ he
~ A M E L I A ~Devastated was an understatement for how I felt, but I was not surprised at all. Those men had been stuck in traditions for so long they were blind to the facts that were right in front of them. That women wanted to show their strength and power, to prove that they are equally as powerful as they are. Yet these men just have to prove themselves to be the best. The Moon Goddess took me later in the day. The sun was slowly going down, dimming the light sky and introducing us to the upcoming night. We walked down the long hallways of the hospital, and the sterile aroma of my surroundings was hard to ignore. We finally made it to the private room that was dedicated to my birth mother, Kali. She was in her hospital bed, sitting up while holding her baby girl, me. With one finger, she bounced my small hand up and down until I clasped my tiny fist around her finger. โI can already sense that youโre a strong one, arenโt you, little wolf?โ Kali smiled. Even after giving bir
~ A M E L I A ~My expression faded. That was not going to be easy to get used to, but I nodded and followed her towards my birth parentsโ manor. โMost of the pack is slumbering away, nursing their hangovers or resting in whichever ways they seem fit,โ the Moon Goddess informed me as we walked through the manor grounds and phased through the door to enter the home. โHowever, Alpha Enzo knew the importance of caring for the pack, and always prioritised his duties before anything else. So, as his mate rested in the hospital and was learning to nurse you, he was back to his duties. They were still recovering from a recent conflict they encountered with another enemy pack. I believe youโre already aware of some people of the Shadow pack?โI nodded as we phased through another set of doors. Inside the room was a grand table. Sitting around it were men, mostly middle-aged but some older and some younger, but a handful of them I recognised from the present day in the Silver Moon pack. It wa
~ A M E L I A ~A wave of dizziness hit me as I reopened my eyes and took in my surroundings. The Moon Goddess and I were no longer in her garden of moon flowers, but deep within a forest. It was so familiar, yet different all at once. In the distance was a gentle glow emitting from lanterns.โWhere are we?โ I asked.The Moon Goddess linked her arm with mine, holding me close to her, โWeโre in the village of the Silver Moon packโฆโ she began walking me towards the lights, where noise and music began to tickle my ears, โโฆ18 years ago.โI froze in place and looked at her, โBefore I was born?โShe nodded, โIn fact, the day I brought you back to is your birthday.โDrawing my gaze back towards where the noise grew, it sounded like there was a huge celebration going on. This was it, this was finally the time I was going to learn everything. I was going to learn the truth and finally be able to understand who I am. But, for some reason, I could not move.โAre you sure you want to do this?โ T
~ A M E L I A ~It was so cold and darkโฆWhere am I? What is going on?My eyes slowly peeled open, feeling the weight of my drowsiness, meeting the night sky above me. There was not a star to be seen, which was unusual for the Silver Moon pack. No matter where you are, youโd always be able to see stars at night. It was one of my favourite things about the pack. Scanning my surroundings briefly without moving my head, there were trees all around me. How did I end up in the forest? Where was I last? Pushing myself to sit up slowly, my head felt heavy as I tried to recall what happened. Everett had told me to come see himโฆ The Alpha ambushed meโฆ painโฆ so much painโฆMy lip quivered as I examined and patted down my entire body, but there wasnโt a cut to be seen.Am I dreaming? What the hell is going on?A rustle behind me caught my attention. Twirling onto all fours and pushing myself to stand, I felt too alert and concerned for what was out there. โWhoโs there?โ I said sharply. No re