Renaissance

Episode 6

*Cecelia's POW* We have been running in wolf form for I can't remember how long. The beautiful autumn passed through. Bendis instinctively knew her way around the woods, teaching me a lot in the process. We have been feeding over animals of our hunts and drinking water from streams and ponds. She had a very durable body, and I was thankful for it.  Sometimes, we had to endure hunger for a few days. Sometimes we had to endure thirst. But I was content, feeling that we have been closing in on our home, our family.  Lost in thought? She asked. Making me smile  Yes, I was thinking how thankful I am to have you as my companion. I simply answered. I liked having someone to share my thoughts without the need for any censor. It made me feel free, and I loved the feeling so much, I was afraid if I could go back to the collected person I was raised to be.  Suddenly, Bendis came to a halt. Making me wonder what was going on. She was silent for a moment.  There are rogues somewhere close. She said. Worrying me instantly. She did explain to me about rogues, and I now knew that we had every right to be scared. Although Bendis was calm and it helped me from freaking out. What do we do? I asked. We are close to our pack borders. Maybe one or two days of run. She elaborated. We could make a run, thanks to your training, we are fairly fast, but I have no idea how fast the rogues can run.  What other choice do we have? I asked. We can face them head-on. If they attack, we can fight. You have confidence you can win against multiple rogues?  Positive. I think with your logical thinking, and I have the power to do so. I don't know, Bendis. You decide. I said. You have my trust. That's the spirit. Leave it to me. And guide me with your insight. You will know what I mean. I nodded internally, and she began to advance, with a slow walk, towards the area stunk of rogues.  We were walking at a slow pace for almost an hour when I saw a dirty grey wolf. It was so dirty that I thought its fur was black at first. Bendis didn't stop or slow down and just kept walking with the same rhythm. We almost passed them when I felt a strange stirring from our left. Bendis, watch your left. Almost the same instant, a dirty brown wolf jumped from the shadows, leaping on Bendis. I watched as it flew towards us, as if in slow motion. I thought I'd be freaking out, but I was oddly calm as Bendis too quickly ditched the rogue, catching him by the back of its neck while it was passing our right and ripping his head off of it. I felt the taste of its blood. It was nothing like our preys' it was foul and as stinky as the rogues. Bendis spit the head towards the other rogue who was preparing its attack. He hesitated for a split second, exposing him to Bendis's attack completely as she leapt onto him and ripping his head too, in mere seconds. There were three more rogues left, now circling into us.  The female attacks first! I said calmly. Somehow, I was right.  In less than fifteen minutes, all five rogues were dead.  Bendis. I called. Hmm?  Should I be alarmed that I am too calm? I asked. I heard her chuckle softly. If you weren't you, you would be freaking out as the apocalypse hit us. She joked. I am one hell of a lucky wolf. I don't know about that, but you sure are a deadly one. I said.  That, my friend, I am. *Autry's POW* It has been a few months since my encounter with Cecelia. After the unfortunate night of our mutual rejection, I haven't seen her. I suspected that since she said she was staying here, we were sure to see each other at some point and then I would have my chance to apologise to her. Although, no luck so far. Godric has been avoiding me ever since the next day with Cecelia.  I had constantly been feeling the pain in my chest. I thought it would subside with time. On the contrary, it only got more potent with each passing day. If this were normal occurring, I would ask our pack doctor about it but, I couldn't risk anyone finding out about this, even my parents. So I shut up. But, the constant pain was changing me, and I don't think in a better way.  Thankfully, our studies and internship were going fabulously. I already had numerous good ideas for the business. We decided to keep them to ourselves until the education period was over. Polishing each idea and turning them into proper projects. So that when we go back, we will be ready to apply them immediately. We were in one of the night classes when something hit me. It felt like a series of emotions were flowing into me, causing my adrenaline levels to peak. I shook my head in an attempt to clear it! I took a deep breath. It seemed working for a split second, but then another wave hit me, causing me to jump to my feet.  "Mr Garrett, is there anything you would like to ask?" The lecturer asked, puzzled. "I- can I step out?" "Sure, Mr Garrett." He answered, and I ran out of the classroom and the campus as fast as I could. What the heck is happening to me? I thought to myself. And I was surprised to hear Godric's voice in my mind for the first time in months. Our mate! He said.  Now you decide to show up! I whined. We don't have a mate anymore, remember? And whose fault is that? He growled as I entered my room, which was… Why does it stink of rogues? I spat to the floor. Why does it taste like a rogue! I told you, you imbecile! It's our mate! Godric said again. I think you are obsessed and losing your mind. We-do-not-have-a -mate! I roared internally. Then humour me, and explain why we are in this f****d-up state! Come to your senses, Autry. What does it take to reject your mate? He asked. You need to tell your name then clearly state that you reject your mate by telling their full name! Damn it, Godric, you already know that! I was shouting by now. And you just assumed that an orphan knows her full given name? He shouted back. Making me cringe with realisation. Finally, you moron! He insulted. The foul taste of a rogue came into my mouth once again.  Why on the bloody earth didn't you tell me this, then?  Well, it worked for me! Seeing you go through the pain that you more than deserved, obviously. He said mockingly. It wasn't adding up, though. Say the rejection wasn't complete, and the pain in my chest was coming off the bond. It didn't explain the excruciating pain I experienced that night, nor did it explain the rogue taste in my mouth. Autry, before we came to this city, I was proud of being your wolf. Yet you disappoint me every minute since we encountered our mate! Just tell me! When was Cecelia's 20th birthday? He asked. She told you during dinner! He added. I was confused for a second. She said that night was her birthday, but why did it matter.  That night was a full moon! Godric stated.  Oh-my-holy-f*****g-Goddess! No s**t!  "It couldn't be!" I whispered out loud. Oh, it is… Godric answered. How could I be this blinded! She turned that night for the first time, and I felt her pain. And now… Godric, do you think- I mean- could she really be? Fighting rogues right now? I somewhat asked. Seems like she already killed four. He smiled. I spat once more. Make it five… *Cecelia's POW* After the incident, Bendis found a small pond and washed herself to rid the foul rogue smell off of us before taking off towards our pack. I wanted to go immediately, but she said the smell could make them think we were a rogue and cause them to kill us on the spot. So I agreed. Not that I had any choice.  We took off again, making it near the border in half a day. It was nighttime, so we decided to wait until morning and try to get through the gate at a decent hour. Bendis laid down under the trees just three lines farther to the border. We were able to see the gates from where we laid. I saw a flag that bore the same crest that was engraved on my pendant. She relaxed her muscles. Good night, Cecelia. Good night, Bendis.  We drifted off to sleep. I had a strange dream, but I could no longer remember what it was when I was forcefully woken up.  What’s going on? I asked Bendis, trying to look around. But her head was directed downwards, and she didn’t want to move it.  The night patrol found us. We need to behave because I can’t link the guys to tell them we actually belong to this pack. Our stink doesn’t do any good, I fear. She quickly explained. Two brown paws entered our line of sight. I looked as Bendis looked up. The Brown wolf pointed his head as if to tell us to follow him. We did so.  Passing through the gates, the brown wolf directed us towards a small building that almost looked like a police station. He transformed to his human form, and a man waiting at the gate quickly threw some pants to him.  “Transform”, he demanded, the other guy showing us a dress to put on.  How do we do that? I asked Bendis.  Leave that to me, she said. Quickly changing us back to- well, me! I grabbed the dress and quickly put it on. Thankful for the thoughtfulness.  “Follow me.” the brown wolf said, and I obeyed. He took us to a room, felt much like a negotiation room.  “Sit,” he ordered. Even though this bugged Bendis, I obeyed and sat down.  “Wait here. Do not move,” he said and left the room, locking the door from behind. I looked around. The room smelled of mould. The walls were stone, and there were no windows whatsoever. After a few minutes, three older men and a woman entered the room. All of them sat before me. Their eyes were so cold; it made me wonder if we were at the correct pack.  “You are bold, young lady, sleeping so close to foreign territory. I wanted to meet you in person. Why are you sleeping right next door?” the man on the far left asked me. He had snowy white hair and a wrinkled face, which indicated old age to me. His eyes were emerald green, and he was a tall and muscular person.  “I am sorry, Mister,” I started “, but I don’t think I am in foreign territory,” I answered. Seeing the puzzled look in their eyes, I elaborated. “I don’t know what happened 20 years ago, but I was left as an infant, to a human orphanage. I have strong evidence to believe that I am a part of this pack.” I said.  “Well, then, why do you stink of rogues?” the man sitting next to the woman asked.  “Five of them attacked me about four hours ago,” I explained. “My wolf took care of them.” they exchanged looks.  “How long have you been running?” she asked.  “I have been running since my birthday,” I said.  “Which is…” “September, 26th” they stirred in their seats.  “Those are serious claims, young lady. Do you have any proof?” the man at the far right asked. I nodded, showing the pendant which was still hanging from my neck after all that transformation. I took it off from my neck and handed it to the older lady.  I watched as her beautiful honey-coloured eyes grew in size and then clouded for a moment.  “Where did you find this pendant, young lady?” she asked me, with an accusatory tone.  “It was handed to me by the orphanage headmistress.” I explained, “she said that they found it on me when I was found at the gates.”  “Are you sure it’s not stolen.” she pushed further. “Miss, I would guarantee you that I have not stolen anything. Although, I wouldn’t know if it was stolen before that.” I explained. This explanation seemed enough for the lady.  “Could you tell me your name?”  “They call me Cecelia Alcmene.” I said.” “I am afraid that is not your name, dear,” she said with a caring smile now.  “How could you be so sure?” I asked.  “Because I am Cecelia Alcmene.”   *Autry’s POV*  I was pacing back and forth in the lounge area of my room. She has been fighting rogues! Why is she f*****g fighting rogues? How on earth could she even know with no training how to fight them! And she already killed five of them! Goodness, f**k me, what do I do now!  Please stop pacing; you make me dizzy! Godric whined in my head. Suits you! You call me a moron, yet here you are. You know that she turned out to be a wolf, you knew that she was close by and in pain, yet you did nothing, trying to torture me to get your revenge, and now she’s fighting rogues!  What choice did I have? You’ve been cramping with pain; you couldn’t get to her on time anyways. I would have tried! I hissed. If we weren’t literally the same being, I would have caught him by his throat by now. But fortunately for Godric, he was just in my head. I would have traced after her and do anything within my power to apologise to her.  No apology is going to make it. She will hate us forever, and she has every reason to!   Stop your nonsense, Godric. You know that I would do everything to win her back! You know that I would get on my knees and give my life for her!  Yet you were not so willing to do that before you realized she was, indeed, a wolf!  I wanted to protect her!  The best protection for her is and has always been us, being by her side.  I screwed up! Okay?! Everyone could! For once in my f****d up life, I screwed up! Do I not deserve a second chance?!  This silenced both of us. I was about to cry. I took a deep breath when I felt it. A slap across my face.  "What the!" I said before realizing that it wasn’t me who received that.  CECELIA! I screamed before taking off from my room.