Finding My Mate

What is this funny sensation I feel all over my body? I tried to open my eyes but it proved a difficult task. With a little more effort,it opened slightly,and I realized I was wet. No not wet,I was deep in water,my hair,my clothes,my body,I was completely immersed and was going down. The survival instinct in me kicked in,I tried to swim to the surface to save my life. I am a good swimmer,I can do it but it seems my body wasn't interested in fighting for our life,just my brain. Bubbles began to pop out from my mouth as I took in more water in panic instead of air. I was going down,always had been going down all my life and as usual,no one to save me. What's the essence of surviving when I'd just drown again in another river? What's the essence of living when no one is interested in my life itself? My struggling limbs began to go limp and heavy as I lost consciousness and surrendered to my looming death. Finally some peace. My eyes closed. A force woke me up from my sleep, pushing me with so much speed to the surface,till I was floating on the river. How long have I been in there? Am I now in Hades? I looked around and saw a beautiful woman. She had on a flowing gown which was the blue of the moon and on her hair was a shock of white hair, flowing down to her waist. She smiled down at me with motherly affection. "Not now, child." I tried to ask a question in my confusion,but suddenly felt an excruciating pain all over my body. I screamed hard and loud as every part of my body felt like it was on fire. I don't know how long this lasted for, then suddenly everything stopped. And I opened my eyes to see I was lying at the bank of the river. Surprisingly I felt no pain again,like everything that happened was in my imagination. I stood up and looked around but I was alone. Where's the woman I saw earlier,I looked around but no one. I took slow steady steps to the river drawn by the moon reflecting off it. I looked into it and saw a strange face staring up at me. I screamed and shifted back in a hurry. Returned to the river after some time and looked into it again. Same face, it didn't change back to the one I have known all my life. "What's happening to me?" I lift a tentative finger to my face in shock. *********************************** Reyna's POV "It's another beautiful day!" I stretched out languidly on my bed and smiled at the ray of sunshine coming in through the window. I stood up gingerly and walked towards the window to watch two little birds pecking at each other as they perched from one flower to another, playing and making beautiful melodies that filled the morning. Their dallying disturbed the peaceful pair of butterflies who were napping lazily on a rose flower. "Even birds and butterflies have mates to keep them company but you... " I shook my head in mock despair at myself. I sigh yearning in my soul for a partner of my own,this has always been my desire. 'Our mate.' my wolf perked up at the thought. I walk back towards the bed to settle down. She made a high pitched sound,which was filled with hollowness and so much yearning. She was going mad from loneliness just like I was. "Soon dear." I consoled her and myself with these words even as I walked towards the bathroom. It is that time of the year,I can already feel the buzzing and excitement in the air. It is the mating frenzy where all our emotions both wolf and human, are heightened. And also this is when we hold a sacred gathering in the Blue Pack. This gathering I have attended for five years without result,to be honest I really do not know why I still keep going. It could be because of this little spark of hope in my heart that one day, maybe just one day,I would get lucky and finally find that mate I've always craved for all my life or..... I scoffed at my thoughts. "... I'm just a stickler for disappointments." I muttered out loud. This meeting is held once every year at the vineGarden, where wolves in their mating season, especially the female in Blue Pack,comes out to mingle and if the goddess is willing,we get to choose our mate. For life. But this year, there's a rumor going on about the Alpha in search of a mate,if this is to be true, we would be having a gathering at the vineGarden twice. My wolf and I are excited about this occasion,though,for what reason I do not know. My reputation follows me everywhere in the pack,the murderer who killed both of her parents. This has made me an outsider in my own pack. A pariah,my presence itself is a stain on the Blue Pack. I rolled my eyes dramatically, relieving the sorry state of my life even as I cleaned up the house. Sometimes they are subtle in their expression of disgust for me but oftentimes some overzealous wolves are always eager to show their obvious distaste blatantly. This has been ongoing since I was a teen, I've always been an object of ridicule and bully among my peers. Now I'm twenty-five and I can't totally say I'm impervious to their crude acts and insults. Even my uncle who is my only kin and guardian makes use of every slight opportunity he gets to maltreat me and remind me of why I'm not loved in the pack. To remind me of who I am. Like I need a reminder. "Pfffftttt." I blow hot air through my mouth in disbelief. A murderer who killed her own parents and is still alive on his benevolence and of course that of the Alpha and my pack as a whole. "f*****g pretenders,all of them." I slice the onions angrily, taking out my frustration on the meal I was preparing. My uncle,my worst nemesis is currently not around which is a big relief to me. And no I do not know where he is and do not care but I'm going to enjoy every moment of his absence. These rare occasions where he travels and leaves me all by myself are not easy to come by and is greatly treasured by my wolf and I. At least I would attend the meeting with an outfit of my own choice and not something forced on me to look ugly. Who knows I might finally find a mate I smile, looking in the mirror as I check out a purple gown, which once belonged to my mother. I watch as my lips tilt up in a genuine smile, reminiscing on those happy days I spent with her and my father in this same house. Memories of us making lovely dresses, attending imaginary balls and hosting our imaginary guests. A single tear slid down my eyelid and I let it run down to drop on the dress in my hands. How could they possibly think I killed my parents? Stupid,all of them,stupid and gullible hypocrites. I placed the cloth carefully on the bed and decided to go wash up..... "Bang!" The entrance door slammed open, cutting my journey short. "Open this door murderer!" A loud voice shouted from outside. My uncle wasn't around, that's not my uncle's voice either. It was a female's,I don't have any female acquaintance. Pondering this,I tread carefully to the door and turned the lock open. I then came face to face with an angry wolf. Madam Carra or something was her name,I think. I don't know her name really because I was used to calling her 'the witch' though not aloud. She is my task master and when I say taskmaster I do not use that word jokingly. "You b***h!" A hot slap landed on my face.