Renaissance

Episode 5

*Cecelia’s POV*

I woke up to my screams and excruciating pain. As I opened my eyes and looked at the night sky, I was surprised to see a blood-red full moon. I screamed once more as a wave of pain hit my spine forcefully, as if every bone in my being was broken. My screams echoed into the forest. I couldn’t muster enough energy in me to find out what was going on. I was unable to think about anything but the pain at that moment. This torture went on for a long time.

When finally the pain started to subside, and I was able to think a bit clearer, I heard a very melodic howl. I tried to look around, but I couldn’t even move a muscle.

What the heck is happening. I thought to myself. Hearing the voice in my head answer me.

Happy birthday to us, Cece! Her voice rang in my head. Let's meet officially, shall we? I'm Bendis. Your wolf.

You are what! I shouted in my head.

I am your wolf, beautiful. She said as if it was just ordinary information. I felt my body move out of my will and slowly stand up on all fours and shake through. Then it started to stroll, approaching the small pond. When my gaze forcefully went down, I saw a reflection where my head should be located. Indeed, it was a wolf's head, but an extraordinary one. Her fur was white and had magenta hues at the ends of each fur, making it shine beautifully under the moonlight.

Oh my God, how beautiful! I thought.

Aw, thank you! Bendis said with a grin-like expression on her face. I looked at her in more detail. Her eyes were shining like two tanzanites. They were beautiful. Everything about this being before me was extraordinary. If your staring at us is over, let’s clarify everything once and for all, shall we? she said with a playful tone.

My head was a mess, and I didn’t know how much more I could fit into just one night. Please make it brief. I said, and she nodded, heading us back to where I went through the torture.

So, I am called Bendis. I am your wolf, your life-long companion. We share a body and mind. Therefore, when I’m in charge, you will only be able to watch everything from the sidelines of our minds. She explained being raised in the human world, you were unable to recognise me as your wolf, and I am banned from disclosing anything if you do not already know until you come of age and turn in the first full moon after your twentieth birthday, which happened to be our birthday.

She explained like this for hours on end. The most important information she shared with me were; that we were, in fact, a part of a pack, and she could feel them far away, our species were unique but she didn’t know what way, that I am most probably of Alpha blood, and that she could still feel a connection with Godric therefore somehow we didn’t succeed in breaking the mate bond. About the last fact, she said that Godric and Autry should be experiencing a lot of pain because they were the ones who tried to reject us, so I thought I would just leave it like that.

Every wolf has its own personality; I am one of those who hates secrets. Therefore, I will never keep a secret from you willingly. I nodded internally, And please, do not ignore me anymore. I hate it. She said with a pout, and I giggled.

Do you know Bendis? I think I might like turning out to be a wolf, an equal to that bastard. This way, when I find him to bring his apocalypse, he will see just how huge of a mistake he has made.

I want nothing more, nothing less, my precious little friend. Bendis responded as we laid down onto the grass and slowly drifted off to sleep.

*Autry’s POV*

I woke up to the light bugging me with its brightness. There was a heaviness paining through my chest. I slowly opened my eyes to take in my surroundings. The first thing I noticed was Damon sleeping on a chair pulled right next to my bed. I was in my room. My mouth was so dry, so I tried to adjust myself to get some water, waking my brother in the process.

“Brother, you are awake!” he said worriedly.

I tried to talk but was only able to muster one word: ”water.” He hastily poured some to the glass resting on the bedside table and helped me drink it. “What happened?” I asked with a hoarse voice.

“We don’t know, we were alerted by your screaming, and we found you, struggling on the ground, and then within seconds, you passed out,” he explained. My memory was starting to come back slowly, and I was surprised to realise that Godric has been silent all this time. “Did the human girl do this to you?” he asked, clueless of the occurring of last night.

“No, she didn’t do anything wrong.” I said, “If there should be someone to blame, that will be me.” I shook my head. “In fact, rejecting Cecelia may be the mistake of my life.” I sighed, passing my hand through my hair. It was so dirty from all the rolling on the floor.

“What choice did you have!” Damon argued.

“I could have fought for my love. At least gave it a chance to get to know her. But being the stuck-up jerk I am, I had to think so highly of myself and so lowly of her, only due to her blood status!” I admitted. “Brother, let me give you a piece of advice!” I continued. “Whatever you do, do not reject your destined mate! What I experienced last night was as painful as my first shift, might as well double it!” I said. “I am not in a place to complain about it. I welcomed the pain, willingly, knowing that I deserved all of it.”

“Who are you, and what have you done to my brother?” he asked with a smirk pasted on his lips.

“I am a foolish man with a huge mistake,” I answered. My stomach growled on cue, telling us it was time to eat. “Go get Ken while I take a shower, and let’s get something to eat.

After taking a thorough shower, I threw something on and left my room, only to find Damon and Ken waiting for me. We went down and made our way to a family restaurant to get more food for a better price. We ordered half of the menu, sending a bewildered waitress back to prepare all our food. Since our table was pretty much deserted from the rest of the customers, I explained to the two about what exactly happened last night.

“No freaking out?” Damon asked.

“No freaking out!” I answered.

“No running away?” Ken asked.

“No running away!” I sighed. “Also, no screaming… she was perfectly collected about all the wolf thing,” I said.

“So, when you went about the rejection, she got angry and put you in your place then accepted your rejection anyways?” Damon summarised.

“That’s exactly what happened, brother,” I said with a solemn voice.

“So she did put you in your place….” Ken trailed off.

“Yes,” I said.

“A fearsome mother the Moon Goddess is….” Ken concluded, “that much power coming out from a human orphan… I am sorry, Alpha, but maybe if you didn’t reject her, she might have become Luna worthy of the title, despite her species.” I hated to admit that Ken was right on point. Thankfully the waitress came sneaking in with our drinks. She was batting her eyes at us when she asked if we wanted anything else. When I curtly dismissed her, she went back, huffing on the way.

“She is kinda cute,” Damon said.

“Why don’t you take her home, then?” I played with Damon, knowing what he insinuated, and it was utterly opposing his own beliefs.

“You know I am waiting for my destined mate.” he sighed.

“You know, she will reject you due to lack of knowledge in bed.” I joked.

“No, she will not,” he said with a chuckle.

Now that I talked about it, some of the weight of the situation lifted off my shoulders. Although, I still dreaded my decision, and the pain in my chest stayed in place. I will manage. I thought to myself.

That is all we could do from now on, you stupid bastard! Manage! We could have been all mighty and wonderful. But now, we will only try to manage for the rest of our lives! Godric finally spoke his mind. I knew he was right but also was intelligible enough to know that apologies wouldn’t change anything. I am ashamed of having you as my human. He added.

I know. I am ashamed of being the person that I am. I admitted.

*Cacalia's POW*

I woke up, feeling refreshed and fully rested. When I tried to move, I realized that I was still in my wolf form and Bendis was apparently still asleep. Bendis, wake up, I called softly, causing her to stir awake. We should go back to our room. My classes will start tomorrow. I said. She shook all her fur up and slowly got up.

Good morning.

Good morning to you too. I answered her. So how do we change back? I asked.

It's easy, but I'm afraid all your clothes have torn apart when the moon forced our transformation last night. Are you okay walking around naked? She asked jokingly and I pouted internally.

Hell no! I answered. Getting depressed, How the heck are we going to go back! I asked.

She walked by the small pond and looked down. I've seen her beautiful reflection once more. She was hesitant in saying What if we don't…

What do you mean, Bendis? I asked, not really understanding what she implied.

Don't you wish to find our pack and ask why on earth they abandoned us in the first place? She asked. She had a point. I did wonder what happened all those years ago, so urgent to abandon an infant to the hands of another species.

I do, but how are we supposed to find that out. I know nothing about them. We don't even know what our pack is called! I protest, voicing my concerns.

Well, you don't, but I can feel them. And since we are already of age, I may be able to track down their territory. We can see if it's safe or not from afar. If you wish to enter, we will. If you wish to turn back, we can do that too. She argued and s***h explained. What do we have to lose, anyways.

She had a point, again. And I wasn't willing to go back anywhere near that douche anytime soon. Okay I said.

Really?

Yes. You're right. What do we have to lose! Nothing. Let's go and find our people. I said.

Aye, captain!

And with that, we took off.