The Unmated and the Orphan

Chapter VII The Journey Begins

**Narrative

Aurora sighed in relief when they passed the borders safely. But there was a weird feeling of something.. Disconnecting.. She felt her body shook until she was overcame with weakness. She held on to the car dashboard for support as she gets lightheaded. Feeling needles piercing every pores of her skin leaving her in pain. Gamma Choi turned to her, finding her in tears. In his head knowing what it is since they just passed the borders of the pack.

"It's normal," he sounded concern. "It may take awhile but it will go away. Your ties to the pack have been severed, it causes pain or may get you dispirited." He explained further.

She nodded slowly while her heart is breaking as if she left the most important part of herself. She never felt more alone than how she feels right now. She wiped her tears that involuntarily fell down her cheeks, as she tries to control her breathing. She closed her eyes and leaned her back against the car seat to calm her mind.

'Idris..' she thought. Recalling seeing him for the first time after many years have passed. His scent that hypnotized her and made her almost jump out of the window. It was astonishing how just the thought of him made her breathing steady.

'To βότανα του Asclepius..' her brows furrowed at the interruption. That mythical voice.. very familiar but can't make out where she heard it before.

'Find Rafaela,'

This time she opened her eyes and saw the vision of that same lady she saw by the lake in her dreams floating in front of her. Looks exactly like her but with ears like an elf, white-blond, long hair, pale skin and yellow eyes. Layers of white, chiffon fabric wrapped around her body. For a moment, she felt they are one which left her in disbelief and confusion.

"Who are you?" She asked in all curiosity.

'I am you and you are I,' she gave her a serene smile. 'Auset,'

Aurora gasped and was all the more lost in bewilderment at this revelation. She's unable to speak as questions after questions came up in her mind.

'Be guided, the time has come.' She encouraged before Isis disappeared in her eyes.

"W-wait! What do you mean?" She tried to run looking for her but all she sees are thick fog folding around her.

"Auset?" As she search through the fog, "Auset!" Then a tap on her shoulder.

"We're here, wake up." It was Gamma Choi shaking her shoulder lightly.

She opened her eyes and sat up straight, mystified. A slight headache made her touch her head although grateful it was only a silly dream. She didn't realize she had fallen asleep and was a bit surprised it's nearing sunrise. They have travelled that long which she never expected.

"This is where I leave you," Gamma Choi told her. "There's a town up ahead," He took his wallet out and handed her some money which she politely refuse to take.

"N-no Gamma, I'm fine. I have saved money for myself," Pushing his hand back. "You've done more than enough for me,"

But he insisted by putting it her jacket pocket.

"Take it," he ordered firmly as he stares her straight I'm the eyes. "Be cautious anywhere you go,"

Aura nodded shyly. She took her luggage from the back seat then opened the side of her door and went out.

"I can't thank you enough Gamma Choi. Please be safe on your way back," she smiled warmly. He gave her a nod and a firm smile.

"Do not trust anyone," as his last warning.

She nodded and closed the door. It only took a few seconds for the Jeep to back up then it sped off the road from her eyes. Then something hit her that made her roll her eyes and slap her forehead.

"Great, I forgot to ask him where I am." She looked around and it's all trees. "Right,"

She sighed and started walking to the town while dragging her luggage. By the time she reached her destination, she felt as if her tongue is literally dangling out. Her throat is dry and her stomach is grumbling. The sun is now high, its heat warming her skin. She started to feel tired from the her long journey and walk. The sweat in her body makes her feel sticky and spoiled.

Then she saw a decent diner up ahead and decided to take shade and eat. Upon entering, she instantly chose the seat by the window at the far end corner of the diner. She slid lazily through the chair and rested for a few seconds, staring at the menu on the table. Then a waitress came by with a pad and pen in hand.

"Hi, anything you liked in the menu?" She asked cheerfully.

Aurora sat up straight before replying.

"I'm sorry, I'm too hungry to look at the menu.." The waitress' grin is fading as she nods in uh-huh.

"If you have chicken and fries, sundae and coke -I'll be the happiest."

The waitress nodded awkwardly but quickly smiled again.

"Sure let me get those for you. Do you want them large?" As if knowing she's very hungry. Aurora nodded quickly in agreement.

"Yes, please! That'd be super!"

When the waitress left she took out her purse and prepared coins for her payment. It didn't take long for the waitress to come back with her food on a tray. As soon as the food landed on the table she grabbed the coke in can, opened it then gulped it down her throat noisily. Next, she snatched the burger, unwrapped it in a hurry then took a big bite which left the waitress stun.

"Hmm.." Aurora moaned, pleased with the taste. "It's awesome," taking another huge bite.

The waitress giggled as she sheepishly grinned while choking down her food.

"Oh here's my payment," she through her mouthful then carefully shoved the coins to the latter who was very amused.

After the waitress counted the coins, she nodded to find the payment is just right and then some.

"Oh here, you're in excess of 5,"

"Oh keep it, please."

The waitress beamed. "Thank you let me know if you need anything else,"

"I do actually.. Do you know a cheap place I can stay?"

She seemed thoughtful for a couple of seconds before speaking again.

"wait here," The waitress swiftly turn and went by the hall entrance leading to the comfort room. There is a public phone hanging by the wall. She punched some numbers and waited for the other ring to end while flipping the coin Aura gave her in between her fingers. When someone picked up, she cheerfully informed a guest looking for a place to stay. She hung up after, tossing the coin in the air and catching it without looking. She headed back to the customer's table.

"Guess what, found you a room." She started cheerfully. "Two blocks from here there's an inn called -Haven Stop."

She turned around before looking over her shoulders to Aura. "Tell 'em I sent you, Bridget Martin."

Aurora smiled warmly, "Thank you ever so much, Bridget. Will do,"

"No worries," She watched Bridget left in view while whistling. She can't help but noticed though how she got so focused listening to her whistle trying to identify what beat it is that for a moment she seemed to be hypnotized.. She shook her head when she recovered, bemused for a second before deciding to finish her food quickly and leave.

She started walking again after leaving the store, to find the inn Bridget told her about. She can't help but notice how this town is so different from the one in the pack land where it boasts of it's own town. It has everything one will ever need that there's really no reason to go to a human city. Here, everything is modern and looks so commercial. Unlike back at home, everywhere you go there's a touch of nostalgia. The houses and stores are classy, every streets and house has a history. Everything was built by the pack members and their ancestors. Her face went sad at the thought, she never expected that she would miss the pack this much.

Just then, she felt eyes watching her making her feel uneasy. She looked over her shoulder and in the corner of her eye noticed a figure in a black hoodie. She kept her eyes on the road, taking bigger steps. Her heart started beating fast. She took out her phone and turned on the front camera. The she used it to get a view behind her making sure it's out of sight of who might be following her. True to her suspicion, the figure kept on with her pace. Her heart was drumming louder now and for a moment she panicked. She remembered what Gamma Choi mentioned about taking caution. She felt her heart sank, feeling helpless.

'Think, think, think!' She scolded herself. With no weapon and training how to fight, how could she defend herself? She doesn't know what else to do but -run! She ran fast not looking back until she sees the inn up ahead. She kept running even faster and came to an abrupt halt reaching the wooden front door of the Haven Stop. She bent over resting her hands on her knees as she catches her breath.

"Can I help you?"

When she looked up, she shrieked and jumped away realizing it was the figure she was running from. She started screaming at him while taking a step back, her hands extended out giving the stranger a stop signal to not come close.

"G-get away from me! Don't c-come near me!" While she looks around for something to defend her. She hated that her voice gave her away, sounded too shaky. "H-help! Help please!"

"Whoah, wait!" the man said as his ocean-blue eyes widened, conscious at some of the passers by who would occasionally glance at them. He removed his hoodie revealing his blonde mohawk fade. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.." He abruptly whispered.

"We're alright," he smiled awkwardly to onlookers who are now slowly walking away.

Aura didn't move but slowly eased a bit.

"W-what do you want?!" She demanded firmly leaving the stranger amused.

"That was too cute," he said with a chuckle, bringing her luggage out then tossing it at her. She struggled to catch it. "You left it the diner,"

She was dumbstruck and felt her face red hot and regretted her being silly that caused unwanted attention. She looked at her bag and to the guy in front of her, his hands on his hips.

"T-thank you," she avoided his eyes.

"Apologies accepted. No hard feelings," He joked changing the air into a lighter mood. He extended her hand to her, "Blade Seth,"

Aurora met his gaze before reluctantly shaking his hand.

"Aurora," she made a small smile.

"Okay I guess I'll know your last name some other time," He shrugged before turning around to walk into the inn.

"Y-you're staying here?" clearly surprised.

"As a matter of fact I own this place," he shrugged as he opens the door. "Need a room?" He continued strolling to the desk as she hurriedly follow him inside.

"Y-yes, one night please." He pouted as he gets behind the counter.

"Shame," giving her a playful smile.

Something tells her he's flirting with her but dismissed the thought right away, giving him a small smile instead.

"Oh, Bridget Martin? She told me about this place,"

His mouth formed an O as he nods while writing something in his log book.

"Did she now," more like a statement than a question. He handed her a key and she took it.

"Room 6, down the hall to the left." He pointed towards the direction.

"Thank you," she said quietly then turned around starting down the hallway. She have this feeling that it's going to be a very interesting trip.