Chapter Five
1355 Words
Jennifer's POV
“What have I done?”, I whispered, my brows furrowed in confusion as I cradled her on the floor. *Liana, what did you put in the pendant?
I tried lifting her from the floor but my back screamed in protest. I tried again, managing to pull her up, into the bedroom. She was quite heavy or I was just old.
The bed creaked as I lowered her into it, pulling the blanket up to her chin.“You're going to be fine,” I whispered, smoothing hair back from her forehead. Her skin felt hot. “You hear me, everything will be fine.”
I quickly dashed into the bathroom and soaked a towel in water, squeezing it a little. Placing the wet towel over her forehead before pulling a chair beside her.
I don't know how long I sat there, long enough for exhaustion to drag my eyelids like weights. “Just a few minutes,” I murmured.
Something warm touched my hand. I jerked up, gasping. Rays of dawn light streamed through the windows, it was morning already! “How long had I….”
“Good morning Ma,” Emily's voice stuttered beside me. Her eyes were open, brown eyes staring at me with confusion. No green glow.
"Oh, thank God you're awake," I grabbed her face between my hands, searching her eyes. Her fever had subsided. “You're really awake!”
“My head Ma, I've got a headache,” she groaned.
"Okay, let me get you something for it. Just stay in bed, “ I said, standing and hurrying towards the kitchen.
I heated the stew from last night while preparing willow black powder for the headache. When I got back, she was touching the pendant with trembling fingers. It had gone dark.
“Here,” I dropped the tea by the bedside stool, helping her sit up. “Drink this first, it will help with the headache.”
She took the cup with both hands, grimacing at the bitter taste as she drank it. But she didn't complain, just drank it till the cup was empty.
“Good. Now eat something," I smiled at her. The sheer joy she was okay overwhelmed me.
I had set the broth and some bread on the table. She took a bite, chewing slowly like it took all her concentration while I watched her like she was going to disappear if I looked away.
“I think you should stay back home today," I broke the silence.“So you can rest and recover from…
“Mum, I'm fine," she shot back. “Moreover, if I stay home you will have to stay behind and watch me and Alpha Brendan needs you for the ceremony. You can't miss that.”
She was right. Damn. She was stubborn just like Liana. “What if you collapse again with that pendant?” I asked.
"I won't. The pendant is normal now," she said, holding it in her hands. “Please Ma, don't leave me here all alone.”
“Fine, you can come with me, but you will not do anything, just sit and watch. Have I made myself clear?
“Yes Ma, she said excitedly.
In an hour we were both ready to leave. I kept on watching them closely for any sign of concern, but nothing so far.
“Remember, I whispered, if you feel unwell you let me know immediately.”
“I will.”
………………….
Emily's POV
The air smelled of roasted meat and smoke filled the air as we approached the pack house. It was already packed with people.
The pendant sat heavily against my chest. Heavier than last night, or maybe I was just weaker. I pressed my hand over it through my dress, feeling for that pulse.
Nothing. Just cool metal and stone.
"Are you alright?" Jennifer asked for the third time.
"I'm fine."
Inside, the heat hit me like a wall. Too many bodies, too many fires, too much noise. My head swam.
"Sit," Jennifer ordered, pointing to a bench along the wall. "I'll check on you every hour."
I sat gratefully, legs trembling with relief.
The morning dragged like it wasn't in a hurry. Around me, maids rushed about carrying decorations, food etc. They were excited about the night ahead, the songs, the torches, the promise of transformation. For them tonight was magic but for me, it felt different.
“What if my eyes turned green against?, I thought before shrugging it off.
"Clank!"
A tray hit the floor across the room. Mira stood there, face red, scrambling to pick up scattered silverware.
Our eyes met. She straightened and headed straight for me, concern written all over her face.
*No. Go away. I can't deal with questions right now.*
"Where have you been all morning?" Mira dropped onto the bench beside me, too close. "I was about to come looking for you. You look terrible."
"I was sick." I tried to smile. “But I'm feeling a bit better now though."
She pressed the back of her hand to my forehead like Jennifer had. “Are you sure you should be here?"
"I'm fine. Just didn't sleep well," I lied.
She opened her mouth to ask more, but another maid called her name.
"Duty calls." She touched my shoulder.
I watched her go, grateful and guilty in equal measure.
I leaned against the wall, pressing my hand against my pendant hidden inside my dress, as if to steady the heartbeat that would not slow down all day. I could feel it, pounding ever louder.
By nightfall, the whole pack seemed alive. Torches lined the path to the courtyard and the air was filled with music, laughter and the wild beat of drums.
The great hall blazed with light at nightfall. Candles lined every beam, their flames dancing to the drum's rhythm. Crimson and gold banners draped the rafters, glowing in the firelight. Tables groaned under roasted meats and jeweled mounds of fruit, goblets overflowing with wine. Pine smoke sweetened the air.
Alpha Brendan raised a goblet, his voice carrying strongly despite the limp that slowed his stride.
"Tonight, under the Blood Moon, we honor the bond of pack and blood. Tonight, we feast as one."
A roar of approval shook the hall. Goblets clashed, wine sloshed, drums quickened as the selected first-timers lined up towards the high table.
I needed fresh air, the hall was getting rowdy for me with the noise.
As I walked towards the exit, two men walked in with guards like they owned the place. “Who were they?” I mumbled.
As they breezed past me, the surrounding air shifted. Something changed. The pendant against my chest pulsed again. I stopped mid-step, hand flying to my chest.
The atmosphere changed immediately when they walked in. A servant dropped her tray, the clatter echoing like a death knell. Even the drums fell silent, as if the musicians' hands had turned to stone.
The first man who led the way, wore a grin sharp enough to slice the tension in half. He was wearing black leather armor that gleamed like oil in the candlelight, silver clasps catching the light with every step.
His face was all sharp angles and a smile that made my stomach drop.
Beside him walked a mountain of a man. Bald. Bearded. Eyes like dead coals sweeping the room. His cold dark eyes swept the hall, and wherever his gaze landed, people looked away. Even the warriors shifted uncomfortably, hands drifting toward weapons they dared not draw.
Alpha Brendan rose slowly, face draining of color. "Lord Varek." His voice came out strangled. "We were not expecting you."
The name hit me like a fist.
*Varek.*
The man who killed my parents, who'd been hunting me for seventeen years.
He's here, and I'm standing ten feet away from him!
Varek's smile widened. "Surely, Brendan, you did not think the Blood Moon ceremony could pass without.
me." His voice was cold and steely.
The hall fell silent, and in that suffocating silence, I knew, the night had turned.
- Writer
