Half Blooded

04

I found myself sitting in my bed, staring at the moon. It’s already night time and I still don’t have any plans of going out to talk to my mother. I’ve never been mad at her like this, and if I would be mad at her sometimes, I’ll just cool off for 30 minutes and we’ll be fine.

But... this is different. It’s not just anger that I have in me. It’s also pain. I wonder what would it be like to be in a pack. Would it be fun? Will I have lots of friends? I sighed. I looked at the moon again and noticed that it was full. Right, tonight is the first full moon of the month. I wonder if my pack mates are looking for me.

Do they even know me?

“Tali, are you lonely?” I asked my wolf.

“I don’t know. Maybe I am,” she answered.

We both went silent after that. She must be lonely right now. Wolves are always in a pack because wolves are afraid to be alone. I know that because I just finished looking up things about werewolves.

I laughed at myself. Of course, the things on the internet would never answer me with something true. Werewolves are like mythical creatures and counted people only believes that they really exist. Well, I’m part of it now. Since I am a werewolf myself.

I suddenly heard a knock on my door. I know it’s mother. I wanted to talk to her already and forgive her but, I just can’t help to be mad at her. It must be weird for some people but me, I don’t know.

She lied about my life and who I really am. She’s the only family that I know for 16 years and now, she just ruined my trust.

“Celeste, come on eat already. I worried. I won’t force you if you don’t want to talk to me yet but, please, eat dinner,” she told me.

I didn’t answer and I heard footsteps so... I guess she already left.

I just stared at the door and argued with myself about whether I should eat or just sleep again. I’m still mad at her but my rumbling stomach is much stronger now.

I jumped out of bed and silently open the door if so she wouldn’t hear me. I was about to take a step when I saw the food tray in front of my room. I almost stoop in my food.

At first, I was a little bit confused and surprised. My mother never allowed me to eat meals in my room but this time, she’s the one who’s making me eat in my room.

I shrugged and brought the food inside my room. I was too hungry to think. I immediately ate everything in that tray once I have placed it on my study table.

I was already finished so I drank the water but it spilled on me. So I grabbed the napkin but I noticed that something was written on it.

Celeste,

I am very sorry to keep this from you. I have my reasons to keep this. It was for your own good. I just want to protect you. Please, talk to me again.

Mom.

I don’t know what to do.

“Should I talk to her, Tali?” I asked my wolf.

“I don’t know how to read but I obviously understand words, Celeste. Talk to her and maybe she’d tell you her ‘reasons’. The decision is still on you though.”

Yeah... she’s right. I should.

I took a deep breath and stood up. I checked the time it was already 11 PM. It’s already late. Maybe she’s already asleep. That made me feel relieved.

It wasn’t like I don’t want to talk to her. Of course, I don’t want us to be like this forever, and I can’t let that happen. It's just that I’m not ready.

I need time to think.

I silently stepped out of my room and went slowly walked my way to the kitchen. I don’t want her to hear me outside so I kept quiet.

While washing the dishes, a voice suddenly called me. I was about to throw a plate at her but when I realized it was mom, I immediately put the plate down and continued washing it.

I didn’t speak and pretended as if nothing happened.

“Aren’t you really going to talk to me, Celeste?” she asked me. I paused at was I was doing but I continued right after.

I heard her sigh and speak again. “Can you at least listen to me, darling?”

I washed the last bowl and turned to her with no emotion. I just looked at her and waited for her to talk.

“I... I have to protect you so I kept it from you. You’re a half-blood so I thought when you grow up alone with me and without any wolf surrounding you, your wolf wouldn’t wake up and you’ll remain human forever...” I could tell she was really sorry for keeping it from me.

“Who are you protecting me from? My father?” I asked without any emotions on my face or my voice. I saw her eyes widen but she immediately looked away when she caught me looking at her her eyes.

“N-no... I kept you because your life is in danger. You’re much safer if you grew away from the place.” When she mentions the world ‘place’ she greeted teeth and anger grew in her amber-brown eyes.

“What kind of danger is that, mom?” I curiously asked her.

“You will know, Celeste. I will tell you. Today isn’t just the right time.”

I was disappointed by her answer. I wanted to know more. How could I make sure she isn’t lying? I mean, she doesn’t look like she is but, it seemed like she wasn’t telling me the exact words she should use.

She walked toward me and held my hands. She’s warm.

“Don’t worry, Celeste. I’m always here. I will tell you more about your wolf tomorrow and teach you how to defend yourself. Just in case you’ll need it.”

With that, I got very excited. This isn’t bad at all! And she’s training me? This is going to be fun! I hugged her and apologized for the way I acted.

“It’s okay, Love. I understand. Just don’t worry me like that again, okay?” I just hugged her tighter as a yes.

“It’s late. You should sleep now to get ready for tomorrow.” She smiled at me.

“I will,” I said, excited for tomorrow.

“I can’t sleep! I’m so excited!” I couldn’t help but dream about what was going to happen tomorrow. Would it be training just like the movie? I’d be so strong! This is exciting!

“Sleep, Celeste. Training is tough. Don’t be too happy. Rest so you’ll gain energy for tomorrow,” Tali said, interrupting me.

This wolf has an attitude.

I lay in bed and closed my eyes to sleep.

It was still very early when I woke up. Even when I only got 5 hours of sleep, I felt so energetic! This is going to be fun!

I stepped out of my room, wearing a wide smile on my face. I saw mom in the living room. She looked like she just woke up too.

“You’re early,” she said when she saw me.

“Of course, who would want to be late on her first day?”

She laughed at me which made my brows furrow. “You’re not going to train yet, Celeste! You still need to learn about some werewolf things.”

I was a bit sad when I heard what she said but, not at all. At least I’ll learn something today.

While I was eating, I suddenly felt like someone was staring at me so I looked through the window and saw two bright blue eyes, hiding from the forest.

I looked at it more and it just kept staring at me too. Something in me said that I should go out and go close to it.

I stepped out of the house without saying a word and went closer and closer. The closer I get, the weirder I feel. It’s like it’s calling me.

It started moving backward but it was still staring at me. When I reached the entrance of the forest, I got a clearer look at its crystal blue eyes but it kept its distance from me.

“What are you?” I asked but it didn’t answer. It doesn’t look like a person but its blue eyes mesmerized me and the weird feeling inside me is getting me crazy.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and I screamed as loud as I can, scared that it would kidnap me or something.

“Hey, it’s me,” it said.

I looked at her and realized she was mom. I sighed in relief.

Seriously, how many times would she scare me like this?

“What are you looking at?”

“Look.” I pointed my fingers in the direction when the blue eyes is at without looking at it.

Mom followed my hands but when she looked at me again, she looked confused.

“There’s nothing in there... Love,” she said in confusion.

“What?” I turned my head to see and she was right. It was... gone.

But it was there! I knew it was there!

Where did it go?