The Lycan’s Daughter

A Mangled Body

I wore an undershirt, tucking it down my pants, and a pair of boots. I quickly brushed my hair before going back down. Chris was waiting for me, wearing clothes he always leaves lying around. Mom washes them, making sure they’re clean so whenever he’d visit he wouldn’t have to go home.

He took my hand on his, and led me to the main hall. Amoux is sitting on his usual seat, with scout leader Trevor, Shaka, and her mate Jacy sitting beside him. On the other side of the table sat Deacon, William, Vladimir and Caius.

When did the two of them get here?

“We’ve been waiting for you.” Amoux motions to the end chairs, that’s reserved for my parents during pack meetings. I guess with them gone, there shouldn’t be any reason why we can’t sit here. I miss seeing them here though.

Mom usually lights up the room with her warm smile, and Dad would stare at Mom throughout the whole meeting. I can’t say I don’t envy my parents’ love for each other, but sometimes their antics are too much to endure.

Everyone’s eyes were fixated on us as Chris led me to our seats. I realized this is a very awkward spot, Deacon is on my left, while Chris is on my right holding my hand tightly in his. Vladimir has an eerie smile, while William and Caius look tired.

I could feel Deacon’s eyes burn on my skin. “Let’s get started shall we? I’m sure everyone’s exhausted from traveling all the way out here.” Amoux handed out pictures of different people with bones sticking out of their body parts. I winced at the sight of it, but I can’t stop looking. My curiosity is going to be the death of me.

“It’s gotten worse, they’re targeting babies now.” Shaka breathed out. “Why would they be targeting infants?” William asks.

“Maybe because they’re easier to capture than adults?” Jacy shrugged. “It makes no sense, if it’s blood they’re after it’s more convenient if they kidnap an adult.” Caius responds.

Yes, it doesn’t make any sense. They don’t need blood, these rogues are covering a much more heinous crime. The longer I stare at the pictures the more my head thinks about something else.

“Babies have more bones than adults.” I didn’t mean to say it out loud, but I guess I did because everyone’s attention turns to me. “What do you see?” Chris asks, I took the pictures and arranged them on top of the table. They’re all waiting patiently for an explanation. When I finally finished arranging them, it became clearer, though it’s missing a huge chunk in the middle.

“The parts missing from these people make one whole body.” Vladimir smiles to himself when he realizes it too. “I still don’t understand, why would they need different body parts? They could just take one adult for whatever it is they’re doing. Also, why the babies now?” Scout Leader Trevor asked.

“You’re wrong about one thing.” Vladimir chimed in, completely ignoring Scout Leader’s questions. “Babies have cartilages that are more flexible than bones, maybe to make up for small details in the face.”

“The question still remains, what for?” Amoux turned his gaze to me, looking for answers. A thought came to mind.

“I’ve read about a ritual in one of Mom’s books. Something about summoning the dead and immortality. The ritual requires different body parts from different people for it to be completed. I can’t remember the exact word they call it, resurrect?” I tried thinking about the book again and again, but nothing came to mind.

“We’re going to need more than the word resurrect, Princess.” William interrupted my train of thoughts. I shot him a look. “I was 8 years old, you can’t expect me to remember that after so many years.”

“Resurgere.” A voice said. I turned my gaze to Caius, and he was smiling at me. “The word’s resurgere, my lady.” He repeated.

“Translation to those who don't speak weird?” Shaka asks, raising a brow. “It’s a Latin word, meaning ‘rise again’.” Vladimir answered her.

“We have to act quick, whoever these people are, they’ll be looking for organs soon.” I plopped down my chair. Everyone became dead silent.

“We’ll talk about the rest later. Everyone can rest now.” Amoux still has a worried look on his face, but he covers it with a smile. “Thank you Celeste. Your insights are greatly appreciated.” He patted my back, and nodded to his son before leaving with Scout Leader.

“We’ll get going now, Princess, Sir Chris.” Jacy and Shaka bowed down in front of us, following Amoux and SL Trevor out.

“Let’s head back?” Chris suddenly nudges my arm, my heart is still thumping loud from fear that something big is still yet to come. Is that normal? I know the people around me sense my emotions. I guess it’s one of the reasons why they don’t want to say anything.

“Where are they staying?” I turned my gaze to the four vampires staring at me. “The west building. The King renovated the place so visiting vampires could rest there.” He answered.

“Okay. I guess I’ll see you all later.” I smiled at them. Even though William is a pain in the ass, and Vladimir is creepy, I still respect them.

“Goodnight princess.” Caius nodded in my direction. “Goodnight Sir Caius.” I nodded back, smiling.

I ignored the glooming vampire beside me who hasn’t spoken a word since we came here, I could feel a dark aura emanating from his body.

My wolf wants to stay, she wants to throw herself at Deacon, but Chris suddenly took my hand on his and led me away.

I don’t want to make a fool out of myself in front of everyone so I just quietly followed.

We finally reached the house, I was about to say goodnight to Chris but he pulled me in for a tight hug. “You did great.” He whispered.

That made me smile. “Thank you for including me.” I whispered back. Chris kissed my forehead gently, with a sweet smile on his lips, he whispered goodnight.

I walked up to my room smiling like a kid. He’s also one of the reasons why I wanted to be a scout. Chris has always been there for me, I feel so comfortable around him. I think it wouldn’t hurt to try and love him as my mate. After all that’s what everyone thinks.

My wolf suddenly growled at that thought. She’s not against Chris, she just doesn’t see him as a partner, more like a family.

I plopped down the bed, confused. I know who she wants, but it’s unnatural for a wolf to be with a vampire. Also, I don’t think he likes me that much. He's been glooming ever since he got here. I took his letter out from my pocket, sighing.

The only proof I have of the most perfect night I’ve spent with him. I’ll keep this close to me for the rest of my life.

I woke up with a raging headache, and an agitated wolf. She’s still sulking from the thought I had last night. I guess that makes two of us. I’m also agitated, my head hurts so bad.

After a quick shower, I wore a gray shirt with the text ‘Not today.’ written on it, and a pair of gray sweatpants, matching it with white running shoes.

I tied my hair up, before I went to the cafeteria to eat, and get coffee. I’m not a fan of coffee, it normally gives me a headache on a regular day, but caffeine is a great medicine for migraines.

Thankfully only a couple of scouts are here, most I don’t talk to. I fixed myself a cup of coffee, and took a plateful of bacon and pancakes. I decided to eat outside in the garden.

There’s a table set up here where me and my parents always spend our time every Sunday. They’re always busy, running around taking care of everyone, and making sure people are safe, but Mom and Dad also made sure to make time for me.

A strong gust blew my hair tie away, I was wearing a not so tight one because my head hurts, and I don’t want to pull my scalp, causing more headaches.

My hair flew with the wind. I swear if my Mom doesn’t forbid me to cut my hair on a regular day, I would cut it myself for being so annoyingly long. I can only cut my hair during the full moon. For whatever reason, I don’t know.

A dog suddenly jumped to the table. I would know if it’s a young kid in wolf form but it doesn’t have two heartbeats.

It pounced directly at me, and started licking my face. “Stop it!” I had to hold it back, to get it away. My wolf doesn’t like the idea of animals. She’s cautious around them. More so a cat, or a dog.

It’s a young white pup, and an awfully enthusiastic one. “Where did you come from?” I asked, even though it couldn't understand me.

I scratched its stomach, making the dog turn on his back, with his tongue sticking out. “Yeah, I live for these kinds of scratches too, little dog. You and I both.” I giggled. I took a bacon slice and fed it to him. Yeah, he’s a he. I saw his thing in between his legs, and it doesn’t take a smart person to know that it’s a he.

The dog gladly ate it, chomping through the flesh of meat using its blunt teeth. “You wouldn’t survive in the wild with those canines.” I lifted his lip up to look at his teeth better.

“Your teeth look like a baby’s.” I smiled to show him mine. He tilts his head sideways, looking at me with his innocent face. “My canines are sharper than yours.” I told him. He doesn’t understand of course, he just catapulted himself to me and started licking me again.

As much as I want to stay, I have to train. I picked up my plate and stood up.

“Well, you better get back to your owner.” I patted his head. I don’t plan on keeping him around. His owner might be worried sick, looking for him, but he keeps following me around.

I left my plate on the sink, then headed outside to go to the training grounds. I thought the dog finally went back to his owner, but it was waiting patiently for me by the door. It became more enthusiastic when it saw me.

“Fine. You can hang around for a while.” I sighed in defeat.

It happily trailed my steps to the open fields. “Stay here.” I picked it up from the floor and sat it down on the chair not so far from me so we could both still see each other while I’m training.

I took my bow and quiver from the inventory. The usual dummies for shooting are always available for training scouts, I don’t have to set one myself up.

I breathe in deep, concentraining. I always hit my target, archery requires precision and dexterity. Every time I shoot I feel the wind so I can adjust my pull.

I never miss.

“Thought I’d find you here.” Chris’ voice rang from beside me. I turned my gaze to him, but I was still able to hit my mark. An impressed smile plastered on his face.

“Archery has always been your passion.” He said, taking a bow in hand. “Who’s your friend?” He turns his attention to the dog. “I don’t know, it just started following me around.” I chuckle.

He whistled, and patted his lap. The dog remained on his seat, with his head sideways. “Dogs usually love that.” He shrugs. “Maybe it doesn’t like the way you smell?” I teased. “Or maybe it’s just attracted to slow wolves.” He shot back and started running.

I dropped my bow and quiver down the ground and ran after him. “Slowpoke!” He yells, running backwards to face me. The dog barked, and ran after us too. I feel the wind blowing directly against my face, my eyes fixated on Chris’ while running with all my heart to catch up to him.

He suddenly stops, making me tumble onto him, we plopped down the ground like yesterday when we were in wolf form. He broke my fall, taking all the impact on his back.

“Are you okay?” I worriedly asked, examining his face. I didn't see a wound or even a tiny scratch, the realization dawned on me. I mentally slapped myself for acting stupid.

Werewolves heal fast.

I punched him on the chest when he started laughing at my reaction. “I legit got worried! Dumb wolf.” I rolled my eyes at him.

He tucked the hair on my face behind my ear neatly, before gently placing his hand on my cheek. I could feel my face growing hot when I realized our position. I was on top of him, with my legs straddling his waist.

“I love you, Celeste.” He breathes out.

My mind went haywire, and I could feel my own heart thump faster than normal.

“Princess! Sir Chris!” A voice interrupted the awkward moment between us.

Before I could respond, the dog suddenly pounced at us and started licking my face. “I’m right it does like slowpokes.” He teased, helping me up from the ground. I shot him a playful look. “I stand to be corrected.” He whispered under his breath, taking my hand in his.