The Prophecy of Hydrangea

TWENTY NINE *WOLF RACE 2*

“You dared me Andrea, so I had to take up the challenge” she said proudly.

“But you have never defeated me in running before, so how come now?. I asked.

I wanted more answers.

She stops running, and I stopped too. I was looking at her and awaiting her answers. It took a few seconds for her to reply.

“What about we say I always let you win” she chuckled and continued.

“I know you love to see you win Andrea and that you are not satisfied that I am always a step behind you in every race.”

“So why keep letting me win Lilium?” I asked.

I was so eager to know her reasons.

She hesitated for a while, before saying “Let’s just say I only try to watch your back all those time I let you win.”

Her answer was unexpected. I wanted to ask for a better explanation, but on taking a second look at her, I decided against that. She obviously wasn’t ready to give any further explanations.

“Come over here guys, time’s up for personal trainings.” Uncle Jasper called out to us. “we have to start the match proper now.”

We stopped what we were doing and jogged towards him.

“Hasten up you two, we’ve got no time.”

He said to Lilium and I and he beckoned on us to move faster.

We hastened our steps as instructed. Lilium and I were at the far end of the field when uncle Jasper called. Brenda and Consty were closer to him and so were able to get to him faster.

Immediately we arrived, he said

“For the main business of the day, we would start with running, you guys are required to run round the field 3 times.”

He directed us to the starting line, when we were all standing at the line he said.

“As I said, you would be running round this field three times, so, on your masks, get set….. go”

On the sound of ‘go’, we all know took off. Brenda was leading, followed by Consty and myself, Lilium was far behind. After some minutes, Consty passed Brenda and was leading.

I intensified my steps and soon enough, I was able to run pass Brenda. Consty was running in full speeds, I know it will take some time to catch up with him.

As we were about getting to the finishing line for the first round, I overtook Consty and continued with the race.

I looked ahead of me, I was almost getting to the finishing line for the second round, and I was still leading. No one has been able to pass me. Just as I was about to cross the finishing line, that same shadow passed me. I looked at her, Lilium. Maybe she intends to come first today, I thought to myself.

I increased my speed, I wasn’t ready to give up just like that, I have to put up a decent fight. I ran as I had never ran before, I ran with my eyes closed. I relied on my senses to lead me within the running line. At least if she was going to win me, it should not be without a fight, I must put up enough resistance and would not just succumb to defeat like a coward.

After sometime, I opened my eyes and looked in front of me. I was nearing the finishing line. I added more speed till I got to the line and then I stopped, inhaling deeply.

I turned to see Lilium cross the finishing line and immediately she did, she stopped too. She was a feet behind me, just as always. Seeing her surprised me. I was certain that she would win this time around, then how did I come first.

“Why did you let me win?” I walked closer and whispered to her.

“You have always been the winner Andrea, that’s more like a tradition, why would I want to change that” she replied in a whisper too.

“Okay, maybe you can defeat me in our wolf race.” I challenged.

I was obviously allowing pride to get the better part of me, but I just can’t help it.

Lilium laughed and whispered. “I don’t even get close to your wolf in a race, so how am I supposed to defeat it?” she asked.

“I dare you to Lilium” I said.

I was completely overtaken by pride.

Just then, Consty and Brenda got to the finishing line together and Lilium and I went and hugged them.

“Okay guys, it’s time for your wolves to run. Please shift and let the race begin. You would be running round the field three times.” Uncle Jasper said

Hearing this, I smiled at Lilium before shifting into my wolf form.

The race between our wolves started with my wolf, Dahlia taking the lead. In fact, this has always been the practice because no other wolf ever run pass us or ahead of us in any race, even Lilium’s wolf haven’t as much as ever gotten close to us.

Taking in the fresh air while running, Dahlia closed her eyes, she enjoys the freedom that comes with running, running wild, running to win.

Getting to the finishing line after the third round, Dahlia opened her eyes and behold, Lilium’s wolf, Cider was already at the line waiting for us. This realization came as a terrible shock to the both of us. Reacting to this, Dahlia slowed down her steps, looking at the wolf in front of us as she approaches the finishing line for possible explanations.

“Wow Cider, that was the fastest I have ever seen a wolf go” uncle Jasper said clapping his hands as he approaches us.

Dahlia leaves the scene and went to get our clothes. We shifted and immediately put on our clothes. I heard someone approaching from behind.

“You dared me Andrea”

The person said, but I couldn’t place whose voice it was.

I turned to see Lilium already dressed staring at me in disappointment. I instantly became disappointed in myself, I had been selfish all along, rubbing my victory on the face of my friend, Lilium. I immediately went and hugged her.

“I am so sorry Lilium, please forgive me. I let my winning get the better part of me, I am sorry for my pomposity.” I apologized.

I felt so ashamed of my attitudes earlier on.

“It’s alright Andrea, I think I understand my friend. I am sorry too for not trying to call you to order”. Lilium said glad that we have made up and I was glad too.

We are done with the training for today, and we are all lying on the grass in the field for a little rest before heading back home. I must confess that today’s training was really strenuous. When it got to the wrestling part, Consty agreed to fight with me, and he was damn good with his attacks. For once, I felt like I was in a real fight with a real opponent.

Their display of strengths and bravery made me to wonder if these are the friends that I have known since my childhood. The willpower of each of them has increased drastically.

“Today’s training is the best I had ever had” I confessed to them.

“Yes Andrea, I was marveled by the display of strength by everyone, especially from your friends here. I don’t think I would ever want to stand up against any of you in any fight”. Uncle Jasper concurred.

“And to think that Lilium’s wolf actually came first for the first time in forever” Brenda said laughing.

“Do you mind telling us how you did it Lilium, no one could have ever thought of such possibilities” Consty asked from where he was lying with Brenda.

Ever since after the mate thing, he has never left her side. The two of them have been completely glued to each other, each not wanting to let the other out of his/her sight. He had marked her same night. This might be because it took him long to find her, and now that he had found her, he was not ready to leave anything to chance.

Everyone was so happy about the couple. Most especially Brenda’s mum who is currently planning a crème de la crème wedding for the both of them by the end of this month. And as expected, Lilium and I would be the chief brides maid for the occasion. When Brenda asked me to be her chief brides maid alongside Lilium, I was completely overwhelmed because at a point I started thinking she was going to decide against having more than one maid of honour.

“Andrea asked me to defeat her, she actually dared me to” Lilium answered.

On hearing this, everyone of us burst into laughter.

“Andreaaaaa” Consty stretches my name engulfed in laughter.

“Avoid me completely Consty” I said.

I was laughing at the way he had called my name.

Surprisingly, Consty still maintained the early morning calls to me and he always hands over the phone to Brenda to speak with me. This act has drawn Brenda and I even more closer than we were.

“You know what Andrea and Lilium, I have been thinking” uncle Jasper said.

“About what daddy?” Lilium asked.

“What about uncle Jasper”. I asked too.

He was silent for a while before replying.

“Your not finding a mate at the last full moon ceremony, it happen to a few werewolves, of which Consty here is an example. So you guys should relax okay”.

“Okay Uncle Jasper” I answered.

“And the wait is completely worth it” Consty quickly chirps in.

“Whenever the moon goddess wills, the right one will come, never forget that.” He assured us.

“Thank you daddy. We await the timing of the moon goddess”. Lilium said.

“Thanks for the concern uncle Jasper, I do appreciate it.”

“You are welcome my angels”. He replied with a smile.