Dearest Bella

Awoken

Bella could hear a high pitched ringing sound as the room slowly came into focus as her eyes adjusted to the subtle light. The room was big and fancy it had a simple elegancy with white walls; a giant window facing a lake full of ducks and swans. Bella felt like she was dreaming again but a good dream. Then she noticed the heart monitor to her right and a kind looking woman fiddling with the bag attached to her anima. The woman surprised turned around as Bella tried to ask for water her throat felt dry and sore. She croaked out a small “hello”. 

Immediately the lady gave her a small bottle of water with a straw and encouraged Bella to sip it. “My name is Hannah and I’m your nurse. How are you feeling miss Bella?”

Bella looked up at the nurse and asked; “How long have I been here? What happened to me? Where is Jane?” 

As Bella became anxious about her unknown situation she realised she had never been to this place before and that scenery was not from her home town or state. So where was she? As she began to worry the double doors opened and Damian walked out. Confused even more Bella asked; “Damian whats going on? What happened?”

Damian looked at her confused face; relief washing over him to see her talking and alert. Seating himself in the chair next to her bed he began to explain her situation.

“Bella, you were brought here for your protection and the protection of others.” 

Bella frowned at his word of ‘others;’ why did they need protection from her?

He continued; “You are going through a transformation and its extremely dangerous for humans to be around. In order to change our bodies need to grow and adjust. So our skin becomes heated and our bones become soft as they adjust. The pain becomes so unbearable that we pass out or have to be put to sleep till it passes. You passed out from the pain and they admitted you to a normal hospital; unfortunately a nurse was injured.” Bella looked mortified. “It wasn’t your fault Bella, she didn’t know. Carter my beta brought you here to my home to ensure you’re recovery during your transformation.”

Bella felt so confused; “Home… this isn’t the house I woke up in last time.”

Damian sighed; “This is my real home; we are in my territory. I control from the east coast down the mountain range.”

Bella even more confused she didn’t remember anyone person owning land that big. “What is the transformation? Bella asked in a whisper; terrified of the inevitable answer.

Damian tilted his head slightly before responding. “A Luna werewolf.”

Bella clenched her hands into fists and let out the breath she was holding. “Is this a joke?” She asked feeling a little silly.

Damian shook his head; “What a sick joke to play on someone. No, Bella this is very real and the transformation is still not complete.”

Bella looked into Damian’s green eyes; she recognised his fear but also saw admiration, was it for her? No way. Bella let it hit like lightening a huge flash of red hot flame threaded down her spine; biting her tailbone it stayed there for a few seconds. Trembling Bella called out as another flash occurred this time it stayed a little longer at her tailbone. It continued in this pattern for the next hour and a half until Bella could control the flashes. It would take another week til the pain died down. 

The first stage of the transformation; a beautiful ebony, soft tail lay on the bed. Damian helped her sit up every time she had a flash. He was so proud the moment she realised she could control the flashes. Later that night at dinner time Bella felt like her head was splitting and the flashes sent strange purple and red colours racing across her vision. It was her eyes changing and her ears. Bella could her the water from the ducks being splashed around. When the lights went out to let her aching body rest she could see the guard in the other room in the purple and red outlines. 

The next morning Bella felt the worst pain as her arms and legs began to soften and begin to stretch; another flash from her head that went through her whole system sent her body into a complete shock wave. Within seconds Bella was out cold. Damian burst through the room he had heard her cry out and then stillness. Holding onto her; he rocked her listening to her shallow breaths. Her body was trembling and extremely hot but his presence would help her body to relax and heal as he unbeknownst to her was intact her mate. 

∆/˚∆/†∆/˚∆

Bella found herself once again tucked into another place; this time it was a peaceful environment full of trees and the ocean. Bella sat herself down on the sand enjoying the sunshine and the texture of the sand between her toes. When had be the last time she had a moment like this? She couldn’t remember. A movement from above caught her eye as a figure in shimmering purple defended from the sky. Landing softy in the sand she smiled at Bella. Feeling a little shy and weary of the stranger Bella stood up and began walking backwards. The stranger smiled a gentle mothering smile and spoke in a god like voice; “Bella, I’m pleased to met you. My name is ‘Ellezenamae’ or you may call me ‘Zen’ for short. Come sit down with me we have much to discuss before the war begins.”

Bella froze as the scenery around them began to move and a park bench was behind her. Bella sat down and the god like creature sat down with her. Bella didn’t know what to do and folded her hands together pushing her nails into her skin. Elle reached down and placed her hand over hers; “Please don’t do that you are hurting yourself. After all you were created out of love and love is not hate for one’s self.” Bella immediately pulled her hands apart and began pondering the remark. Made out of love..

“How do you know I was doing that?” Bella glanced at her face it was like looking in a warped mirror; Zen’s face was similar as her eye shape and jaw line. However the goddess was heavenly and she was just a human.. Well, she thought she was human; now she knew better. Bella frown at the rush of confused thoughts and was dragged from them as Zen distracted her with a question. 

“Who do you think you are, Bella?”

Surprised Bella looked up into the goddess’ face and for the first time in many years she spoke her truth. “Me? I’m just me a human.. No, I’m a werewolf/human girl. I think.” Bella puzzled over it. 

Zen patiently took her hands again; “Bella you are more than all that. You are my image. You have been shattered and thrown apart; but you my dearest are not broken. You have endured it all; hell literally on earth. One day you will be whole again; you will be my complete. For now you are transforming into your first faze. The second is hidden in a text I gave to protect you.”

Bella shivered “This is faze one? How many are there?”

Zen smiled that knowing motherly smile; “For you there are three. You will have to be patient and ready yourself. Bella, you have everything you need. It’s up to you to decide if you will surrender to your fears or fight and bring back balance. Only you can decide this.”

Bella let the words wash over her it was her choice to take on this responsibility. Either way she looked at it there was only one real choice to make. 

“Who are you?” Bella asked, still feeling a little unsure. 

Zen laughed; “I am the goddess of light; my father was the god of the heavens and my mother the goddess of the earth together they made me. I was curious about this world since the beginning and then I finally found my way here without my parents knowing; I found myself in a situation. You see I had to disguise myself as a mortal and transferred my powers into my necklace.” Zen fondly touched the golden circle hung around her neck. “So naturally I found myself in trouble with a group of men that wanted my necklace. I couldn’t fight them off. Aaron must have heard me cry out; as the men were yanked off me and we fled to his ship. We spent so much time together that I fell in love with him; a creature of the world. My mother was furious when she found out what I had done and began searching for me it was months before she found us. It was to late.. I had my precious baby.” Zen looked away as tears damped her cheeks. I loved her with all my heart. Then they came.. 

Human men they attacked the ship and sent it to the bottom of the sea along with Aaron. I fled transforming back into myself again. This time mother found me and forced me home. I lost both my loves that day.” Zen whispered the last part. Bella felt overwhelming sorrow for her lost little family. It wasn’t fair that she had to face such a fate and that poor baby. Bella reached for Zen’s hand to comfort her. They sat in a serene silence. 

Zen breathed in and looked at Bella with a new light in her eyes; “The time has come. You need to get back to help win this war.”

Bella looked out to the sea as the last word was spoken the world faded and the silent bliss was thrown into the chaos of reality. Damian was still cradling her as her breathing deepened and she pushed off him a little. He was warm and his smell was driving her crazy. 

Damian felt her pressure and lent back giving her space to breathe. He looked at her, all over making sure she wasn’t injured. Bella giggled she knew it was just all apart of her transformation. 

What a weird thought; she giggled again. 

This time he looked at her eyes and then smiled his dazzling, heart breaking smile. Get a hold of yourself Bella; he’s just being polite making sure you’re ok. 

Damian let her go and sat himself in the chair. Something in Bella dropped a little. What was that she thought?

Damian asked “Are you hungry? Its almost lunch time.”

Bella was surprised; wasn’t it just morning. She looked at the clock and sure enough it was 1:30pm. 

“Yes, please.” She said nervously. Damian focused for a minuet like he was talking in his head and then said; “It’ll be here in a few minuets.”

Bella was shocked yet again; “How? What just happened?”

Damian chuckled; “It’s called a mind link. Anyone in my territory can talk to each other with their minds. 

It saves us a lot of time and helps in serious moments like war.”

Bella, triggered by the word ‘war’ remembered her conversation with Zen. “There’s a war coming. Zen told me.”

Damian confused tilted his head; “Who is Zen?”

Bella frowned; “Um.. I think its pronounced Elleznema..”

Damian stood up “Do you mean Ellezenmea? The goddess of light?”

“Yes that was her name; she told me to prepare for war and something about a book, or paper. Um.. I can’t remember.” Bella lay back on the bed feeling a little disoriented; all this travelling in her mind was causing gaps in her memory. 

Damian left the room without a word. Bella focused her breathing in time to the beat of rain hitting the window. A knock at the door and a second later Hannah came in with a tray of food. For lunch was a bowl pumpkin soup and some buttered Turkish bread ready to eat. Bella was famished she couldn’t remember the last time she had eaten and it was obviously showing as she was literally skin and bone. 

As she was scraping the last sip of soup; Damian walked back in with a few pieces of parchment in his hands. Setting her bowl and spoon down Bella waited for Damian to give her the paper or if he would just read it out loud. After a moments hesitation he handed it over. A look of guilt flooding his face. Bella first sees a depiction of a dagger its beautiful covered in gold and surrounded in white Lillies. Something in the back of her mind begins tugging at her. Underneath it is a description calling it ‘Blade of flame.’ It has the power to unify or divide one’s soul. Bella shivered at the cold inanimate object. Further down there is what looks to her like some old prophecy or incantation… 

“The one who sits on a throne of glass;

Shall break the innocent; 

Twice apart. 

Tragic shall the lives of all three be;

Chained to this dark fate for eternity.

Until the day one shall reclaim;

Through a battle of whits, strength and valour;

May the best remain;

To wave their unexpected victory banner.

Then from the fiery blade;

 Driven by the one who hates; 

Only then can three;

Be one. 

again.”

Bella reached the end of the poem to find her hands shaking. What does this mean? Confused for what felt like the millionth time this week Bella turned to Damian; who was studying her reaction closely. He snapped out of it and asked; “Do you understand what this is referring to?” Bella shook her head and puzzled over the riddle. 

“Who sit on a throne of ice? Who hurts innocent people? How do you pull someone apart? Is it killing someone they love?” Bella reread the prophecy over and over memorising it to ponder later. 

Damian shook his head; “I don’t know I thought because you had spoken to Ellezenemea; she would have told you the meaning.”

“You’d think.” Said Bella frowning slightly. I wonder why she didn’t mention this to her. “Who is at war, or soon to be at war?”

Damian gave Bella an incredulous look; “There has only been one war and that was to define territories. We do have small battles with the rouges but all the kingdoms are peaceful. Even Elenor is content with her manor.”

Bella confused realised at that moment she could be near her home, but had to be far away. “Damian, where exactly are we?”

Damian chuckled; “We are in Nyletak; a world next to the human one. It’s only one moon away, we have to use portals to get to and from. I’ll teach you how to make one and the process of travel. The main access point is through the forbidden wood; we have it guarded at all time so no one slips in or out. Sometimes a human wanders in and faints from the pressure or throws up.” 

Bella felt her mind swimming at this new information; not only was her body turning into a completely new and supposedly mythological creature. The planet she was on wasn’t even earth! “So you can teach me how to navigate through space?” 

Damian laughed; “Not exactly, I will teach you the words and how to control your minds’ power. Its like disappearing in one spot and reappearing in another location. Your body becomes energy and it is magnetised to the location you have have chosen. You can go through any material that isn’t wolfsbane or sterling silver. It can help to imagine your body turning into gold dust and floating through the wind.” Damian could see Bella was trying to picture it; he knew it would take practise and not just words to explain such an event. 

“So how big is Nyletak?” Bella wondered out loud.

“It’s smaller than the moon which is why earth is popular with our people. We blend in quiet well; except for moments where someone gives us away to make money.”

Bella laughed; “Nice one haha.” 

Damian admired her laughing, the way her cheeks held a pink glow. How her nose would scrunch up and her mouth.. those lips how he wished he could kiss her. His wolf began to make a low growl. Not now Kaleb she isn’t ready. Dam she doesn’t even know her wolf yet; let alone know you exist. We need to have some patience. Damian was really struggling keeping him at bay. 

Bella let out a yawn, it had been a long day and it was well into the evening. Damian wished her good night and left her to pick at her dinner. Bella stayed awake a little longer and then fell into a deep sleep. Damian wasn’t too far away he could hear her breathing and was watching the stars in the sky. 

Something had sliced through his heart as he read the prophecy. He knew it was her; she was so broken. Yet she was so fierce and determined. He was impressed by how she handled everything today. Tomorrow he would show her his world… Now their world.