Dark shadow

CHAPTER 4

THE ANCIENT HEIRLOOM



Our training sessions began. They were intense, pushing me to my limits both physically and mentally. However, with each passing night , I could feel myself growing stronger and more confident. I also discovered a newfound connection with my werewolf nature, learning to harness its power without losing myself to it.

One evening, as we sparred under the watchful gaze of the full moon, I couldn't help but express my concerns. "Alex, I appreciate all the training you're giving me, but I can't shake off the fear of the Rite of the Full Moon. What if I'm not strong enough? What if I disappoint you ?".

Alex paused, his golden eyes meeting mine with understanding. "Melissa, strength is not just about physical prowess. It's also about determination. You have already shown great courage by facing your fears head-on. Believe in yourself, and be rest assured that you can make it"

His words echoed within me, fueling my determination to push myself further. Over the next few nights, we focused on refining my combat techniques and enhancing my agility. The Alpha guided me with patience and wisdom, offering insights into werewolf history ,physiology and psychology.

Meanwhile, tensions in the village continued to rise. Rumors and suspicions circulated, fueled by fear and misunderstanding. I could sense the distrust directed towards me whenever I passed by the villagers. On this evening, as we made our way back to the village, we passed by a group of women coming back from the market,

"Did you hear? They say she's dangerous, that we should watch our backs."

"I don't trust her. She is unpredictable"

"I used to see her as a friend, but now, I'm not sure I can anymore"

They said, their words stung like invisible daggers, each one chipping away at my resolve. When we reached the outskirts of the village, I paused, unable to shake off the heaviness in my heart.

"Melissa" the Alpha said gently, sensing my turmoil, "remember that words can be like wounds. But they do not define you. Your actions and character speak louder than rumors"

I nodded, trying to steel myself against the hurtful words and judgment.

We continued our walk, the night air filled with a tense silence. But amidst the uncertainty, I held onto the Alpha's words of support, determined to prove my worth and show the villagers the truth about who I was ,who I will be and that I was no threat.

The day before the Rite was finally here, I didn't know whether I was feeling tense or relieved, I just had that pit feeling in my stomach , that one that comes when you are about to face a large crowd of people and stage Fright sets in.

Luckily, Alex and I completed our last training the previous day, so I was instructed to rest today.

After taking a shower to ease my sore joints, I picked up my bag and headed towards Ama's house, hoping to find some comfort there .

"How's your training going?" Ama asked as I eased myself into the house, went straight to the kitchen and picked up a piece of bean cake and put it in my mouth.

“ I can see you are tired” she added as she touched my face, when I went to sit close to her.

Come dear " she said as she got up from her favorite seat, I followed her while still chewing on my bean cake. She picked up her ointment and rubbed my sore legs and started to massage them.

"Do you think I'll pass the rite tomorrow?" I asked, my voice cold as ice. I didn't know what to do anymore, after each training session with Alex I got home to practice and it appeared as if I had never trained. I still couldn't shift into my werewolf form, my combat techniques were not improving at all and the worst part is I kept lying to Alex that I had grasped the training. "I really hope I don't embarrass myself tomorrow", I thought to myself.

"I strongly believe that you will win"

Ama said and suddenly started coughing, I ran to the kitchen to fetch her water.

I knew she was getting weaker by the day and I could tell that she was dying.

"How do I tell her I wasn't progressing in the training and to think that the training was the next day?"

I shrugged off the thought of telling her why I went to her and just watched as she drank the water.

"Your health seems to be deteriorating"

I said as I got the glass from her to place on the old wooden table.

"I'm fine"

She said and gestured at her old box under her dressing table.

"I have always wondered what was inside the box"

I said to her as I stood up to get it.

" it's my family's heirloom, it has been passed from generations to generations and finally it's in my hands". She said, her eyes wide with pride . "This was meant to be my daughter's, but I don't have one"

She said as she got it from me and unlocked the box.

My legs were already shaking with curiosity and perplexity"

"I don't have a biological daughter, but I have a daughter now" she said as she brought out what looked like a string of beads joined together by tiny little crystals, what caught my attention was not the beads or the crystals but the pendant dangling at the end of the strings . It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. The emerald green was so transparent that it appeared one could see through it .

"This is beautiful" I exclaimed.

"You should have it"

Ama said as she stood up to help put the string of beads round my neck and clipped it there.

"Is this really mine" I asked, caressing the pendant, still unsure if this was true or not.

It was the first time someone had gifted me something nice.

"It is yours, I always had it with me when I was your age, and it helped me overcome my fears. I believe it will do the same for you". She said, and I knew where she was hitting at. I couldn't take it, not when I knew I lied to everyone that I was prepared for the rite

" Put this on tomorrow and with faith you will pass your Rite and come home to me ", She said softly.

"I'm not sure that I can receive this gift, Ama"

I said as I struggled to take it off.

"I am not prepared for the rite" I said to her with teary eyes.

"I suspected" Ama said as she handed it back to me.

"I could sense that all was not well, and I want you to have it"

Ama said as she turned to go back to where she sat.

With the weight of the pendant around my neck and Ama's words echoing in my mind, one question haunted me"

Would this ancient heirloom be the key to my success in the Rite of the Full Moon, or would it be just another piece of jewelry, unable to protect me from the trials that awaited?.

***

"Gong" the bell sounded for the second time. I looked outside my window watching the birds fly away . "Finally, the night of the full moon. "

I got down from my wooden bed and it creaked a little, the fear that engulfed me was enough to make anyone depressed. The words of Ama and Alex encouraging me kept me going.

Standing by the windows, I wondered if this night would be the night I would prove my innocence, or perhaps it would be another night to add to my sufferings.

The villagers gathered in the clearing where the Rite would take place, bathed in the silvery glow of the moon above. I walked up to the Alpha once I sighted him and decided to ignore the side comments made by the villagers.

With trembling hands, I held the Alpha hands

"I'm not sure I would be able to participate in the rite"