Creating Roots

Anastasia

Hailie watched the man walk away, bewildered. Hailie tightened her grip on the glass. Absent-minded, Hailie missed that the glass began to c***k. Hailie was blissfully unaware until she felt the liquid coat her hand. Shocked, Hailie cursed before putting her drink on the counter.

“I’m so sorry! I cracked the glass.” Hailie was bewildered as the bartender seemed disinterested.

“Would you like another drink, Miss?” Shocked, Hailie shakes her head no before waking away. Instantly feeling sick, Hailie heads towards the bathroom. Leaning against the counter, Hailie splashes her face with water. Chills envelop her body and Hailie finds herself having to clutch the counter to avoid falling over.

Glancing in the mirror, Hailie is horrified by her pale complexion. Though nothing disarms her more than the color of her eyes - blood red. Hailie immediately bites onto her hand to avoid screaming. She would not ruin her Aunt’s diner.

Hailie stumbles out of the bathroom and looks to ensure everyone was preoccupied before making her way to her bedroom. Hailie barely makes it into her room before her body gives out on her. Her bones feel like dead weights and her blood seems to be on fire. Hailie hardly remembers letting out a blood curdling screech before passing out.

Eventually, Hailie begins to dream. She is stumbling through the woods behind her house. Hailie watches herself frantically looking for something. Then out of the brush steps a wolf. The wolf was smaller than the one she saw on the trail. Though Hailie expected to feel the same fear she had on the trail, no such emotion surfaced. Hailie takes a tentative step back but the wolf simply bows to her. Then when the wolf rises, she hears the wolf loud and clear in her mind.

I am Anastasia, your wolf. It is good to finally connect to you, Hailie.

Luna, Atlas, and Timothy all watch Hailie patiently as she connects with her wolf. While Xavier paces restlessly across the hospital suite.

“She’s in pain.” Xavier’s voice is meek and his father simply shakes his head and lifts his hand up to stop his son.

“We all went through it, she’ll be fine.” Xavier growls menacingly at his father and Timothy simply snorts.

“Watch your manners, child.” Defeated, Xavier takes a seat next to his father and cradles his head in his hands.

“We all went through it but none of you had to witness your mate experience the awakening.” Timothy sighs and rubs his son’s back empathetically. Atlas and Luna share a couch silently. Moments pass and then Hailie moans and rolls over. Xavier springs up and immediately lays a hand on Hailie.

“She shouldn’t be moving. The awakening should take days.” Atlas simply laughs at Xavier causing Luna to rub her forehead.

“Yes, yes I underestimated her. Thanks for the reminder Atlas.”

Hailie stares at Anastasia. The wolf is magnificent. She has deep brown eyes and velvety white hair.

Normally the awakening takes many days - weeks even. Though we don’t have time, do we? The Moon Goddess was worried you’d leave before starting your journey. The Dessert Pack belongs to Jakob's bloodline. You will be the next Luna in charge and I will be here with you every step of the way.

With those parting words the dream swirls and dissipates until Hailie is simply staring at the hospital’s lights.

“Well, what the fuck.” Immediately Xavier is at Hailie’s side, holding onto her hand. Stunned, Hailie does not react immediately. Slowly, Hailie turns to face Xavier. Hailie offers a smile before cupping his cheek absentmindedly.

“Well, if it isn’t the handsome stranger whom I shared a dance with. Care to share your name now?” Xavier swallowed deeply before leaning deeply into Hailie’s hand.

“I am Xavier.”

“Xavier. I like the sound of that.” Kissing his nose, Hailie removes her hand before looking over to her aunt.

“As for you. You have a lot of explaining to do.”

“Excuse me?”

“You have a lot of explaining to do.” Hailie kept the same firm cold tone with her aunt. Though she adored her aunt, she had hurt her. Besides, Hailie had a lot of catching up to do. Looking around, she sees the two men shift uncomfortably. While Atlas desperately was trying to cover the smirk on her face.

Her aunt looked exhausted and did not immediately meet her tit for tat.

“That is no way to speak to your Luna, Hailie.” Though Hailie felt the unconscious urge to bow, she kept her gaze connected to her Aunt’s.

“I’m speaking to my aunt, not my Luna. Anastasia and I will need your guidance and I know one better to help me. Well, besides Atlas, maybe.” Hailie playfully winked at Atlas to ease some tension within the room. Though her Aunt stayed stoic.

“Your wolf's name is Anastasia?” Hailie simply nodded as she saw her Aunt’s eyes swell.

“That’s the name your father wanted to give you. Though he could never deny your mother anything.”