The Unmated and the Orphan

Chapter VIII The Encounter

** Aura POV

I woke up to a beautiful morning as the sunlight peered through the thin layer of the curtain in the room. I turned to the window and hugged my blanket feeling the early cold breeze. I realized I won't have to do any pack work or serve any pack members today and was so grateful. In the back of my head, I wished there are more mornings like this from now on. But I know this won't last forever.

Then it suddenly hit me, what that creature said. Something like, 'votana to peel pee-iosh?' I shook my head and reached for my phone from the bedside table and search the internet about it but stumbled upon an entirely different language which made me felt a bit dumb. Its actually, 'βότανα του Asclepius,' which means Asclepius herbs? And I was all the more confuse and shrugged it off thinking, it's so irrelevant with my current situation.

I sighed and headed to the bathroom to take a shower. I was so tired last night that after going in, all I was able to do is crash.

After my shower I took a pair of jeans, white fitted shirt and black vest in my luggage Then I went to the chair and picked up my jacket to check the pocket where I found the piece of paper was given by the Gamma yesterday. How could I have forgotten one of the most important part of this trip. Upon opening it, I was surprised to find the lower part torn away from it. There was a scribble:

In the shape of a new moon, awakening befalls after maturity. Priming on the hidden grounds of Asclepius, whereas confidant awaits.

R. Alba

'R. Alba?' I gasped in my thought more questions filling up my head again. And this person with the same last name as I do, is he or she related to me since we both have the same last name? A relative who can help find my parents, maybe? I read the scribble aloud in the hope that something will come into my mind, but none! I threw my hands up in the air, slightly frustrated. I decided to get dressed quickly all. Once I'm done, I went out of the door, locking it behind me.

As I approach the lobby I was greeted by Blade's smiling face.

"Mornin' pretty, how's your sleep?"

"Do you always flirt with your customers?" I joked making him smirked. "Good morning,"

I watched him reach for something under the counter.

"Here you may want to bring this with you," he handed me a folded leaflet and when I opened it, it was a map of the city.

"Oh so this is Salem City," I happily said, finally knowing where the heck I was dropped off. Blade scoffed but I ignored him as I scan the map to find where I start.

"Yes you are," he sounded very amused.

"Oh my, thank you! You don't know how much I need this," I waved him goodbye and headed out the door.

"Anytime, pretty." I heard him say.

Now thinking about it, Blade is kind of cute. He seems about my age and I can't help but like his funny personality. However, I somehow feel there's more to what he is. Maybe he's a wolf too? I brought my attention back to the map as I reached the bus stop. My eyes focused on what I saw, after 3 bus stops from where I am, is the Asclepius Herb and Organics.

'You gotta be kidding me!'

Just then, Auset's voice echoed in my head.

'Be guided..'

My heart is thumping, it left me staring at nowhere as my hands automatically drop on my lap. I cannot phantom how any of it can be true. What does it have to do with my parents anyway? This doesn't seem to tell anything about them. The inner me, battling between what's being presented to me versus logic. I shook my head, if I want to find them, I have to choose the latter. I checked the map and looked for the statistics office of the city, believing it's where I should start. Then the bus came and I hopped on, choosing a window seat. I rested my head against the seat since it will take half an hour to get there.

'Do not delay destiny or curse will be upon you,'

Auset appeared in the midst of fog turning to me. She held my hands and look me straight in the eyes with intensity. We were just staring at each other for awhile, mirroring ourselves in each other's eyes until I felt as if I was drowning. Suddenly, visions flodded my head, a ghastly looking beast with screwhorn and bloody claws running after me. I sense all his evilness and I felt powerless compared to him. There was an argument but I'm not sure what about then war between packs erupted. It was horrifying and I started to feel as if it's the end. But what really left me heart stricken is when I saw Idris, caught in the middle of it all. I immediately let go of her hand in fear then I realize this is not just a dream when I opened my eyes. The creature is trying to communicate with me all this time but why me? Is she on the good side?

"Statistics Office," The bus driver yelled that snapped me out of my thoughts. I immediately stood up clutching the strap of my purse to my shoulder and hurriedly got out of the bus.

Infront of the office, I already sensed what I'm looking for isn't there but I went in anyway, procrastinating everything about what the creature said and showed me. Upon reaching the clerk window, I told the person a brief but concised story as to why I need to check the two names I just gave her. Although she was skeptical since I have no proof that I was anyway related to my parents, for the sake of doing something that day, she agreed to search the records in her computer. Even if I already knew what her answer is, I was still dismayed to hear the truth that no records of their names exist in the system. I gave her thanks before heading out while thinking about Auset. I checked the map in my hand again, maybe it's worth a try. Maybe, eventually, this will lead me to where I came from, to what I'm looking for. So I caught the next bus back.

Here I am, finally, at the Asclepius Herb and Organics. Standing with hands on my hips, head tilted to the right, with skepticism on my face as I study the shop from the outside. It's clear glass displays different kind of herbs in tray plants, the potted and hanging plants and some oils and organic juices in beautiful bottles on the counter and shelves. There's a blonde woman -probably a few years older than me, going about inside the shop while I contemplate if she owns the place. I tapped my foot on the floor before I drew a sharp breath. I started to the door, pulled it slowly as the chimes clang then I peaked inside. The woman turned around with a big smile.

"Hi there, welcome!" Why does she look familiar? "How can I help you?"

She went behind the counter.

I stepped inside and let go of the door that made another sound from the chimes. I looked around trying to avoid her gaze, thinking how to ask my question without freaking her out.

"Um.. actually I am looking for s-something.." I gulped feeling my throat running dry. 'Is she the confidant?'

"Yes I have a lot of organics and herbs, exactly what are you looking for?" She clasped her hand together waiting for my response.

I cleared my throat, "A-actually, it's not the..o-ordinary," sizing her up with my eyes.

Her brows furrowed, then she c****d a brow up before her eyes widened. Then she gave me that knowing look with a naughty smile which confused me big time.

"Oh I know," she walked towards me which made me step back. "Is it for love? Revenge? A disguise? I'm afraid there's a price though,"

She circled around me then stopped infront of me putting a finger under my chin. "Tell me, what is your kind?"

My eyes went small as my mouth tightened. "My kind..?"

This time she's the one who stepped back in panic as she placed a hand on her mouth.

"Oh no," she gasped. She stomped like a kid which amused me for a moment there. "I'm sorry dear.. My bad,"

Then she raised her hand as if to cast a spell.

"Paraleípo!"

Knew it! I acted fast by dodging and looking away while my arms crossed over my face.

"What the heck?!" she shrieked. The she made a few more steps back bumping her back against a display shelf shaking the organic liquid it holds.

I slowly peaked from my arms and all logic left me seeing an orb around me, blinking in blue light. I looked at my hands and felt the power flowing from within it.

She was just staring at me as if she's trying to recall who I am and utterly confused.

"Who are you?" she whispered.

Then I felt the shop spinning, my breathing slowed down. Pain travelled through my body until I lost strength.. And all I could see is darkness..