Chapter Two: History Repeats Itself

CHAPTER TWO (NEW MOON)

Chapter Two: History Repeats Itself

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She is The Goddess' Blessed,

Was told to save her people from their fate.

But the Goddess' Blessed couldn't

save herself from her own fate.

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“Mallory!” Damian’s voice rang out, making her look up in surprise. He was standing a few feet away, his hands on his hips, a playful grin on his face. His blue hair gently flowed in the wind. “Fishing again?”

Mallory blinked, momentarily taken aback by his sudden appearance. “Damian! Yeah, I don’t know what else to do…” she replied sheepishly.

He chuckled and walked closer. He looked at the bucket, half of it full of water. Fish swam in the tight space, wriggling out in an attempt to escape.

Jokingly, he said, “If you keep this up, there will be a shortage of fish next season.” Then his eyes found their way back to hers. He beckoned. “Come on, we’re up for lunch. Ma and Oddny are preparing something delicious,” he said, reaching out to help her up.

Mallory nodded, setting aside her fishing rod and standing up. As she moved to pick up the bucket filled with the day’s catch, Damian quickly took it from her hand.

“Hey, I can carry that myself,” she protested, trying to grab the bucket back from him.

Damian only snorted playfully, holding the bucket out of her reach. “Nonsense. Ma said to treat my sisters like a princess, at least until they reach the Age of Blessing.”

Mallory couldn’t help but laugh at Damian’s antics. “Princess, huh? I’m not even your sister,” she said, raising an eyebrow.

Undeterred, Damian dropped an arm over her shoulders and looked at her with a fond smile. “So what? We may not share a drop of blood, but family isn’t just about that. It’s about the bond we have, Mallory. Why do you still not see us as your family?”

Mallory sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and a slight hint of happiness. “Of course I do,” she admitted. She noticed how insensitive she sounded and immediately apologized. “Sorry.”

Damian laughed again and rubbed her head affectionately, dismissing the topic. “Let’s hurry.”

With the bucket now in Damian’s hands, they headed back to his house. Melita and Oddny were bustling about in the kitchen, preparing a mouthwatering lunch.

“Ah, there you two are!” Melita exclaimed cheerfully when they entered. “Come, come, sit down. Lunch will be ready soon.”

“Ma,” Damian went to Melita to give her a kiss on the cheeks. Mallory stood by the side, watching the mother and son exchange. Melita then spreads her arms, inviting Mallory for a hug. The seashell bracelet on her hand clattered.

Mallory gave her a short one. She could tell that Melita wanted some more, but they couldn’t delay the lunch any longer.

“Let’s eat while the food is hot. We had a plentiful harvest, so let’s treat this as an advance celebration for your coming-of-age ceremony next month, okay?”

Mallory looked at the table full of delicacies and nodded her head.

Oddny chimed in, saying that she would get the fermented wine underground for them to drink.

Mallory hesitated, feeling a bit overwhelmed by their kindness. “You don’t have to do that. You should save it for next month,” she said, trying not to impose. She knew how Oddny treasured that fermented pot of wine.

But Damian clapped his hands to retort. “No way we’ll refuse that wine! Come on, Mallory. Oddny’s kindness only comes once in a blue moon!” he exclaimed, the mischievous glint in his eyes leaving Mallory with little room to argue.

“The moon doesn’t turn blue, Damian.” Oddny rolled her eyes at his brother.

Damian snorted.” Exactly.”

Resigned, Mallory finally relented, smiling in defeat. “Alright, alright.” She conceded.

As Melita and Oddny continued their preparations, Mallory observed them conversing with each other. They shared laughter, stories, and moments of camaraderie that only families could have. She couldn’t help but feel grateful for being welcomed into this tight-knit family.

It didn’t take long before they could eat the appetizing foods and their lunch lasted longer than usual. As if the four of them were savoring every last drop of grain as they shared their accounts in their daily life.

Mallory thought that her life was a full circle of house, chores, fishing, and a bit of foraging was boring, but the three listened as if it was the greatest tale they had ever heard in their lives.

Mallory’s heart warmed again. Though she’s been with them for almost a year, she still can’t get used to their kindness.

“Mallory,” suddenly, she heard a familiar voice at the back of her head. A sweet voice of her mother that used to live. “Please, live well.”

When the time came to wash the dishes, Mallory volunteered, wanting to contribute in some way to show her appreciation. As she went down by the river, she ran into other women who similarly went there to wash their dishes.

They waved their hands at her and waited for her to merge into their circle before continuing their topics. Then, after seeing a suitable spot to sit and gossip, the small circle of women resumed. As they chatted, the Blessing Ritual, most known as the coming-of-age ceremony, came up.

“I wonder what the Goddess prepared for me as a Blessing,” one woman said with excitement.

Another woman chuckled. “Well, I hope something good!”

They all chimed in, agreeing and hoping that they would get something that was useful for them. They don’t want the usual double heightened senses or strength, or a bit of pyrokinesis that can only be used to lit fire a bonfire. They want something that can keep the vampires from being alive.

But then, a small voice sounded in a corner. “I don’t really care about that. As long as I can gain the freedom to fully switch on my wolf form and human form, that’s enough.”

Silence engulfed them before they all smiled. The corners of their lips carry a tint of sadness. “Yes, as long as we can finally use our wolf's form freely, that will be enough to save us someday…”

Mallory silently nodded, understanding their desire. The ability to transform into their wolf forms would be a gift that could help them escape faster from the vampires’ pursuit. With the ability of the wolves, the percentage of survival is higher…

Just then, her gaze caught something in the forest, right at the edge of her vision. Squinting, she tried to make out the figure, but it disappeared before she could get a clear view. It can’t be helped.

As unblessed, they just basically has the same constitution as humans.

Concerned, she turned to one woman beside her.

“Did you see that?” Mallory asked, pointing in the direction she had seen the figure.

The woman followed her gaze and saw nothing. She shrugged. “Probably just someone foraging or something. Don’t worry about it,” she replied nonchalantly.

Mallory nodded, trying to shake off the unease in her chest. Maybe it was nothing, just her imagination playing tricks on her.

After finishing the dishes, Mallory bid farewell to Damian’s family, who warmly invited her to join them for dinner. Grateful but feeling that she shouldn’t impose any longer, politely declined and headed home, with Melita giving her some food to take with her.

As she stepped outside, the sun was beginning to set, painting the sky with hues of orange and purple. Unconsciously, she turned to look in a certain direction. Just in time, Oddny went out of the house and saw her.

“Hey!” she chirped, hopping towards her and hugging her waist. Oddny, who is two years younger than her, followed her eyes and stretched her lips. After a moment, she asked. “Still thinking about your mother?”

A sad smile played on Mallory’s lips as she confessed, “There hasn’t been a time I haven’t.”

Oddny empathized. She hugged her tighter. Mallory, without a second thought, returned the hug. The two stood there until the sun was not visible anymore for a long time in silence.

Sometimes, a company is enough more than a string of words.

Thanking Oddny for what she’s done, Mallory and Oddny then parted ways for the night. As darkness fell, Mallory ate her dinner alone, her thoughts drifting to her past and her newfound home in the pack.

As she prepared to settle down for the night, the absence of the moon caught her attention. A moonless night was rare and brought an eerie stillness to the surroundings. Mallory frowned, but seeing the pack as peaceful as usual, she cast the thought aside and turned to enter her room. Just as she was about to close her eyes, a loud bang echoed through the air, shattering the peaceful night and sending shivers down her spine.