Renaissance

Episode 7

*Cecelia’s POV*

“What do you mean?” I asked, blinking continuously, looking between the four people, trying to make sense of the situation. 

“I mean, you are a mere imposter who is trying to steal my identity!” the older woman said. “You are a lying piece of rogue, and you are trying to use my power against me!” she was still smiling, but it was a sickening one. “How dare you!” she roared. Making me shake to my bones. 

We may not know your name, but you ARE one from this pack. Tell them I can feel it.

“Ms Alcamene, I am not trying to do anything. Even if my name is not Cecelia, my wolf says that she can feel that we belong to this pack!” I tried to reason. 

“And, what proof do you have, except for this stupid stolen necklace?” she asked, throwing it on my face.

“I don’t. But I do have one detail I can share. My birthday is the same birthday that is carved into the necklace.” I said. 

“So?” 

“So, if you are the owner of the necklace, perhaps you have the same birthday as me. I am sure because, on my 20th birthday, there was a full moon, and I forcefully shifted into my wolf.” I argued, hoping it would somehow matter.

“HOW DARE YOU!” she roared, slapping me in my face. “CHAIN HER AND TAKE HER TO THE DUNGEONS!” 

I couldn’t muster what offended her this much. Two guards came in and chained me with some cuffs, and forcefully took me away. 

What the heck is going on?! I asked Bendis. 

Hell, if I have a clue! she answered. 

*Autry’s POV*

I texted Damon to inform him I will be gone for a while and instructed him not to follow me. I didn’t wait for his answer. I just took a bag that I used for travelling in wolf form, filling it with clothes and then some of my weapons and took off. Are you sure about that? Godric asked in my mind. 

I have never been so sure about anything in my life! I answered without hesitation. She was in pain, confused and scared. She never was scared until today. Something dreadful should have happened to her. 

Are you absolutely sure you wouldn’t ditch her ever again? Godric kept pushing my buttons. 

“What the hell Godric? I am sure I do not plan to let her go to the restroom without me for the rest of our lives! WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO PULL!” I screamed out loud. 

It will be easier if I guide you. We can take a flight. It will be faster. He said. 

How do I know where to take the damned flight, Godric? I asked. 

You know, I am a wolf, and I can feel her presence. She is somewhere south, at least 1200 km away. You can fly there, and we’ll run the rest? 

Are you sure? I asked, feeling his nod in my head. I stopped by a taxi and went to the airport. Took the closest flight to where Godric has indicated. After an excruciating three hours, We finally landed and got out of the airport. I quickly made my way through the streets and into a part of the woods where I can change into my wolf form. I ran a little into them so that no one can see me getting undressed. I tucked my clothes into my little bag, which I can carry in my mouth while running and took off. 

Godric was directing me where to go when to turn, and after a little while, I started to get the trails of her scent, getting consistent with every step. I probably ran more than three or four hours before I reached the rogues, left as they were, killed by my mate. Six rogues! Their stink was mixed with my beautiful mate’s scent. It greatly enraged me! 

I kept on tracking her footsteps, finally reaching a pack territory. I didn't even know there was a pack here, and that was some odd occurring. I came to a halt and changed back to human; getting dressed with proper clothing, I closed in on the gates. 

I came to a halt, making myself visible to the guards. Soon, one of them came to me. 

“Who are you?” he asked. 

“I am the future Alpha of the Nero Pack, Autry Garrett, Son of Gerald and Demeter Garrett. I wish to speak with your Alpha.” I demanded. I watched as the eyes of the guard clouded over. Soon after, I was let inside and guided into a huge packhouse, which looked like a manor. An elderly man met me at the door to the packhouse, offering his hand for me to shake. 

“Young Alpha, I was surprised. I didn’t expect a visit from the Nero Pack,” he spoke in a friendly tone. “Come in. You look very tired.” I nodded my head.

“Indeed, this was an unexpected visit on my part as well,” I answered. “I’m afraid there is a pressing matter, which ought to be discussed quite urgently.” I watched as his forehead wrinkled.

“Let us go to my office, then. Important issues should not be discussed out in the open.” I was thankful. I didn’t want to yell at them about my mate in front of all of their pack members. 

He led me to the fourth floor of the packhouse and into one of the many offices. He shut the door and invited me to sit at one of the guest chairs. 

“We haven’t properly met yet.” I started. “My name is Autry Gerald Garrett, and I am the future Alpha of the Nero Pack.” I introduced myself once again and slightly bowing my head to the man.

“It’s very nice meeting you, Autry; I am Ezekiel Raven. I am the Alpha of Maya Pack. It’s great to meet you.” 

“So this pack is called the Maya Pack,” I concluded. He just gave me a small smile and a nod. “Alpha Ezekiel, it’s only fair that I directly tell you my reason for walking into your territory unannounced,” I  said. 

“Indeed, today, it looks like we have a ball,” he said jokingly. 

“I am here for my mate.” I watched as his face became stern. “I believe she happened to enter here, I believe, last night,” I said. He tensed before me. I didn’t know what was happening, but I didn’t like it. Although it seemed like a decent enough pack, I could never understand the intentions of these people.

“Do you know her name,” he asked oddly. I nodded. 

“Cecelia Alcamane.”

*Cecelia’s POV” 

I have been brought into a cell, chained from my ankle with a silver chain. I was afraid for the first time in my life.

Are you sure this is our pack, Bendis? I asked her. Is this how the pack members are treated? 

Well, Cece, I have no idea. Indeed, we belong to this pack. Our parents somehow come from this pack. And I have no idea why the Luna was so- she trailed off in search for a suitable adjective. Impulsive… we didn’t even do anything wrong. 

I sighed, sitting in the utterly dark cell. We have been stuck in here for no more than half a day, and I already felt depressed. Just as I was thinking this, the door to the cell started to open. It opened with a long squeak, and the men from last night came in through it. He had a very sympathetic look plastered on his face. Closing the door back, he turned to me. 

“Cecelia, I need you to scream as if you are in grave pain in between my talking, okay. I am here to torture you, but I know you are, in fact, innocent. I will explain everything. Please, will you cooperate?” he asked in a whisper. And I nodded immediately. I had no other choice anyway. 

“Good, now scream a big one for me.” the elderly man said. So I did. I screamed as if he was hitting me. While he whipped a wall, making some noise. “Very nice. So, my name is Caspian. I am the Gamma of this pack. You can stop now.” 

“Nice to meet you, Caspian. I thought my name was Cecelia. I have no idea of my real name so that you can call me Cece.” I said. 

“Well, your name is Cecelia, just like our Luna,” he said. 

“I don’t understand.” 

“Cecelia, you are her daughter, from her real mate. From the Alpha of this Pack. You are our future.” Now I was puzzled. Why would someone cast their own daughter away and then… “Don’t jump to conclusions so easily, Cecelia. Your mother doesn’t remember anything,” he said. 

“How?” I asked. 

“Scream!” he said again. So I did. “Well, your mother and father have been ruling this beautiful pack, we call Maya. Your father Lancelot one day accepted the challenge of a lone wolf. Ezekiel Raven. Just out of nowhere, he came and challenged your father. He had to accept the challenge. It was an equal fight and lasted for weeks. Finally, Ezekiel won the title and your father’s mate by killing your father. Scream for me, Cecelia.” I did so. “Although Ezekiel didn’t know that your beautiful mother, Cecelia was pregnant. In a few weeks, she gave birth to you on her birthday. She was in sorrow. Although the way he became the Alpha was questionable, Ezekiel adored Cecelia a lot. Losing her mate and having to be mated with the killer of him pained her soul to no extent. So Ezekiel went to a dark witch.” I screamed as if he was ripping my soul apart. “That’s the spirit,” he said, looking at me with adoring eyes. “He had the dark witch erase Cecelia’s memories and replace them with ones with Ezekiel. But this made her forget you as well. Although Ezekiel stated clearly, many times, that this has been his biggest regret, he had to send you away. You were named after your mother because she was in no state to name you, and your father has long passed, and you basically had the same birthdate. I gave you her pendant, hoping that it will reach you, and I left you at the door of that orphanage.” he explained. I screamed once more. Much more genuine this time. 

“So why won't you just tell her this?” I asked, 

"Because that is not my decision to make," he explained, but before I had a chance to ask anything else, his eyes became clouded. He turned to me again, after a moment, announcing:

“Your mate is here.” 

*Autry’s POV*

This pack had something odd, something fishy about it. Godric was nuts in my head, and I had no idea what was going on. 

After I told him Cecelia’s name, he became rigid like a rock. 

“I am afraid I would like to ask you to hand her over, sir,” I said to him. He was uneasy. 

“I understand, young Autry, but that is not my decision to make,” he said. After a few moments, someone entered the office. A beautiful older woman; despite her age, she was stunning. Sitting on the lap of the Alpha, I assumed she was the Luna. 

“What is the matter, my love?” she asked. “Who is this gentleman?” 

“He is Autry Gerald Garrett, of Nero Pack.” I bowed my head. “And this is my mate, my Luna, Cecelia Alcamane.” he introduced us, making me gasp. 

“Why does the boy look like he just saw a ghost, my love?” the lady asked. 

“Well, my dear, this gentleman claims that he is our guest, other Cecelia’s mate,” he said, making her cringe. 

“How many more times should I tell you, Ezekiel. She is no Cecelia. I am Cecelia Alcamane, and I don’t recall having a child, do you?” she scolded her mate. 

“I am sorry, but her name is irrelevant right now.” I barge in. “I wish to collect my mate and get out of this territory as fast as I could. I am not convinced if she is being welcomed here properly,” I said. The woman smiled a crooked one, distorting her otherwise beautiful features. It almost made me sick to my stomach.

“And, what obligation do I have to abide by your wish?” she said, leaning more onto the table and towards my face. 

“It is against werewolf law to forcefully retain another wolf’s mate,” I stated calmly. 

“Well, well, do we have a clever little one…” she said. 

“Cecelia, what good does it do for us to keep her chained? Let her go! I think you scared her enough. As long as she doesn’t try to harm our pack or us, I think we should let her go,” Ezekiel argued. Causing the older Cecelia to think for a moment. 

“Alright. You have to promise me to keep her away from this pack for the rest of her life.” I sighed. I wasn’t even sure if I’ll be able to convince her to come with me. 

“I will do my best, Luna,” I said respectfully. 

“I didn’t even have enough time to torture her!” the Luna pouted. 

“Come on, Cecelia, we know you are better than that. Just drop your grudge; it’s not doing any good to any of us.” Ezekiel scolded her. 

“Fine! I want to see her one last time before they leave.” She said to her mate only and left the room. 

“I’ll take you to her, do not mind the dungeon. We have been kind to her. But I had no other choice, direct order of the Luna...” I nodded as long as she is safe. I didn’t care where she was held. 

*Cecelia’s POV*

I laughed out loud, and the man before me was watching me like I was a lunatic. 

“My mate? No, that bastard doesn’t want to do anything with me.” I said. “Maybe I failed to kill one of the rogues,” I thought out loud.

“You what?” Caspian asked with a shock apparent on his face. I shrugged. 

“I killed five rogues, not very far away from here,” I explained. 

“You killed five rogues, alone?” he asked again. 

“Yes, is that a problem. They were on my way, and they attacked me first.” I tried to justify.

Just as he was about to say something, the door to my cell opened again, and in came the man I assumed that killed my father, and… to my surprise,...

“Autry?” I asked, dumbfounded.

“Yes, Cecelia, I came to fetch you,” he said, reaching his hand for me to hold. He looked at Caspian, and when he saw the whip in his hand, he growled to him. 

“Why on the purple clouds, are you here?” I asked. Looking at him sternly. 

“That matter is insignificant right now. I need to get you out of this place. Are you okay?” He asked, studying my face and parts of my body that were exposed from the dress. 

“I was fine until your idiotic face came in view.” I insulted. 

“Come on; you can insult me all you wish during our trip back,” he said. Tugging my arm to follow him.

“Hello… I’m chained here!” I said, mocking him again. Caspian took some keys out from his pocket, setting me finally free. I could see on his face that he was relieved. “Thank you,” I said to the only person who acted friendly towards me. 

“Let’s get out of here,” Autry said; Ezekiel... leading the way, Autry followed suit, dragging me behind. 

Ezekiel led us to a room, which looked like a meeting room. In there sat my mother, who was oblivious to, who I am. I didn’t sit down. I just looked at her. Studied her for as long as I could, considering I might not be able to see my mother in a lifetime. 

She looked back at me. 

“Thank your mate for coming to your aid, you!” she spat at my face. 

“I am sorry for offending you. It was not my intention.” I answered her softly. 

“Well, look at the magic a night in the dungeons pull on a soul!” she said, sighing. “I want you to listen to me carefully, young girl!” she said with a dead-serious face. “I don’t care if you have the same birthday as me. I don’t care if your wolf thinks you belong to this pack… I don’t like your smell and the way your eyes shine. Never show yourself to me or else, I will destroy you and your little mate of an Alpha at sight. I won’t hesitate! Now, take your sorry asses out of my home and my territory!” 

I looked into her eyes just a moment longer. I tried to carve her face into my mind, desperately. Then Autry pulled me by my hand, and I emptily obeyed his direction. 

I no longer looked where we went. I felt like an empty bag and let myself be dragged by.