The Emerald Queen

I AM A WOLF

"Nora, Kylemore School is on the Jade Moon territory. That's where we will start looking for answers about your birth" Says Patrick.

"Wait, I've just escaped that hell hole, found out that I'm a wolf, A WOLF, and now you want me to go back there?"

"I know this must be a lot to take in. Usually we have our whole lives to deal with things like this. I've always known that I was a wolf. I grew up in the pack and it is the most normal thing to me. I had my first shift at the age of 12. Puberty is when our wolves fully come to life. You have been so beaten and abused, underfed and kept away from your own kind, it's no wonder you had no idea. But that will all change today, Nora."

"If Kylemore is part of the Jade Moon territory, does that mean that they knew who my Father was?" I ask.

"Most likely. Majority of the girls that go there are human, but there are shewolves there too. I noticed a few of them last year. The humans in our territories know of our existence and we manage to live peacefully together. So there is no reason to think that Dorothy didn't know exactly who your Father was, and who you are. It may even be why she worked so hard to keep you hidden."

"So all Dorothy could bear to tell me was my Father's first name? I hate her Patrick. I hate that woman."

"I know, my love, likewise. She abused my Mate and she will live to regret it. But first we need her to tell us everything she knows."

"We'll go tomorrow then. I can't wait another day. I've waited my whole life to know who I am, and tonight you can teach me about being a wolf." I demand.

I don't know what has gotten into me, but I've had enough of being silenced, of being abused and made feel like I am nobody. I will embrace my wolf and I will get answers from that horrid woman. I look at Patrick and his smile is taking up his whole face. 

"We'll go to the forest tonight then." 

I can tell that he is happy about this. Patrick leaves me to go consult with his Father some more. While he is gone, I take the chance to nap. 

I'm woken by a knock on my door. I rub my eyes and realise that it's dark outside already. I wonder how long I slept. 

"Come in." I say, still a little groggy.

Patrick appears from behind the door and offers me a warm smile.

"Have a nice sleep my love?"

"I did, thank you, but I fear I slept a little too long. What time is it?" I ask.

"It's only 8:30pm. You slept for a couple of hours. The sun has gone down and it's the perfect time to head to the forest. Are you still ready to meet your wolf?" Patrick asks, handing me a set of clothes.

"Never been more ready for anything." I say, maybe a little too confident. "What are the clothes for?"

"Well to shift into your wolf, you will need to be naked, or risk shredding your clothes. I thought you might want to save that beautiful dress."

"Ohhhhh." I say, my face becoming red. 

Well, that's embarrassing. I've just met this man and now I'd have to get naked in front of him? By no means do I have a great body either. I'm way too skinny and I look more like a child than I do a woman. Thank God for Mrs Murphy. 

"Don't worry, everything will be fine and after tonight I bet you will feel more alive and more yourself than you ever have." Patrick says, encouraging me. "Meet me out front in 20 minutes."

With that he leaves and I realise that I can't get out of this dress alone. Just then, Sonia bounces into the room unannounced. She's lucky that I like her. 

"Alpha said you might need some help getting out of that dress, so here I am." She beams.

"Thank you, Sonia. Turns out I'm a Werewolf and I'm going to try my first shift tonight."

"I know, Luna. Seems like you are the last to learn about what you are. But I'm glad you have and I'm glad you're here. This pack has needed it's Luna for a while now."

It only takes Sonia a minute or two to undo all of the buttons of my dress and she leaves me to do the rest alone. 

"Oh and trust me, being a Werewolf is awesome." She shouts as she closes the door. 

I shimmy out of my dress and put on the clothes that Patrick left for me. It's a simple top and a pair of loosely fitting pants. Looking in the mirror, I tie my hair up onto the top of my head and let out a deep sigh. Am I really ready for all of this? It still seems so unreal, too bizarre to be true. Werewolves are something I only every thought existed in fairy tales. Now I'm being told that I am one? Either this is some strange cult or it is what I'm being told it is. I guess I'm about to find out. Sliding on a pair of comfy flat shoes, I head downstairs and out the front door. Standing there, I see Patrick. He has his back to me and he is only wearing a pair of pants. No top and no shoes. The muscles on his back stand out under the light of the moon and he looks like he may have been carved by the Gods. He turns to me and smiles. My heart races and my knees go weak. He walks towards me, kisses me on the cheek and takes my hand.

"Ready to run free, my love?"

"As ready as I'll ever be."

We walk hand in hand to the forest. If I wasn't with Patrick, I might actually be scared out here in the dark. After spending my life indoors, the openness of the outdoors is a little intimidating, but I love it just as much. The cool air of the night kisses my skin and the bright light of the moon is something to behold. We walk though the forest for a few minutes until we reach an opening. We are surrounded by wild flowers and I can see the stream on the other side.

"It's beautiful here." I gasp.

"Not as beautiful as you." 

I turn to see Patrick staring at me, a look of longing on his face. I smile at him and place my hand on his cheek. He leans into my touch and closes his eyes. He really is a stunning man. How did I get so lucky? 

"Let's do this." I say, waking Patrick from his trance. "What do I need to do first?"

"If you're ready, we will just sit down for a moment. You need to connect with your wolf before you can shift. Close your eyes and try to clear your mind of everything. Try to find your wolf, she's in there. You just have to accept her and let her come forward."

I nod and sit amongst the flowers. This place is magical. I take a moment to take in the smell of these wild flowers, something I've wanted to do my whole life. They are fragrant and sweet in the cool air. I try to clear my mind and focus like Patrick said. At first I can only hear the gentle breeze making the long grass dance. Then suddenly, I feel a tingle. At first I think it's Patrick rubbing the back of my head, but it's too slight. I focus again. The tingle becomes stronger and a white light flashes behind my lids. The tingle spreads throughout my body and I am struck with a sound I will never forget. A growl. Again, I think this might be Patrick, but it was inside my head, not beside me. I continue to listen, frozen in place. Another growl, louder this time.

"Nora." I hear, though it was faint like a whisper.

"I am Celeste."

My eyes shoot open and I jolt up to my feet.

"Celeste." I breathe. "My wolf is Celeste."

"I can feel her." Patrick smiles, holding my shoulders. "Ready to let her out?"

"I'm ready."