The Mark of the Wild Flower

Chapter Two, Ceremony

I ran through the woods behind the estate until I could feel better. Tonight, will be tough and draining. I had a big lunch, took a shower, and went straight to bed for a nap.

Not long after I fall asleep, and I dream about brown hair and pink lips. The lips smile and I keep thinking they must be sweet and soft. I reach out to kiss them, they are as soft as imagined, they taste like a peach, I smell something divine. What am I smelling? BANG! The lips disappear.

Suddenly I sit up straight in bed and a loud rattling comes from my door.

“Sleeping beauty! Wake up!” It was Craig. He sounds as annoyed as I feel.

“Craig, are you mad?!” I hate it when Craig starts rapping on my door. I open the door and find him in the doorway standing with the robe. Uhg, the robe. I totally forgot about the ceremony with the elders. When I was younger, I snuck out one evening to see one these ceremonies, I was afraid of what I would see, but disappointed in what I saw. The Elders of the pack, all the living former alphas and the present alpha were there. I could not see much but heard the boy cry in pain and then his birthday celebrations began, big whoop.

I call Lucian and he answers after the first ring “What? I am on my way.” He seems annoyed. Did someone piss in his cornflakes?

“Uh well, I actually wanted to remind you to bring your robe. By the way, where are you?” I become defensive. I am tired and annoyed. That dream shook me a little. I remember the dream, and I feel something churn in my stomach.

“Well Phoebe and Donna went to that human’s house, but I waited for 20 minutes for them to be ready. Dude girls take forever to dress.” Oh right, he has feelings for Donna and would do anything to be with her. “Like why? Anyway, I am home now, I am getting my robe. I dropped the girls at your place, and I think they’re with Craig.”

“I sincerely hope you showered. My father will go nuts if you smell like chlorine.” Chlorine masks the scent of wolves the best but on the night of your 18th you need to smell like a wolf for the ceremony, it is a stupid tradition.

“Blackwood, don’t piss me off!” He is clearly much more irritated than he lets on. I wonder if it is because of his 18th or the fact that just by chance our birthday happens to be on the night of a full moon. When a wolf’s first change is on a full moon, they say the wolf will harness great strength from the moon and also may have special abilities. But a first change is tiring from the first minute of the day and that increases the risk of you being a 100% dickhead the whole day. He seemed annoyed at lunch today and I decide to pepper him on it.

“You know Lucian, you’re a cunt, and I am your future alpha, treat me as such!” I say a little teasing, “Now what is bothering you?”

I finally hear resignation in his sigh, and he says, “I am not sure if it is just because it’s full moon and we’re turning tonight but I smelled something weird today, you know that human girl”

I can actually feel the sarcasm start dripping into my words “Really there’s a human in our school, in the same school we share with the humans?”

“f**k you Blackwood.” He is genuinely irritated, fine I’ll just pepper not insult. “Anyway, Phoebe’s friend?”

“Eleanor,” I said that perhaps too defensively.

“Yeah, anyway so this morning when she was talking to Donna about her figure skating-”

“She does figure skating?” why am I that curious.

“Yeah, dude, everyone knows” now he just sounds suspicious. f**k.

“I did not,” Again very defensively.

“She works in the mall, in the sunglasses shop every other weekend and public holiday saving up for her gear. She is poor man but she’s pretty good.” How does he know?

“Oh.” Trying but failing horribly at this ‘I don’t care’ attitude.

“Okay, anyway. She smelled like a wolf, but faintly.” He sounds concerned.

“Yeah, I bumped into her this morning.” Keeping it casual. I am winning at this. What is it that I am trying to hide though?

“Dude no offence but you stink, you smell like a corn field.” He says seriously, “No she smelled different. And she smelled like a she-wolf. Maybe it was just Phoebe rubbing off…” He trails off.

“I am sure. Anyway, hurry up I am not going to listen to my father’s crap without you.” I try to change the conversation.

“Fine! I’m there in a minute.” He hangs up. Honestly, he is so paranoid.

“Fabian Blackwood, are you prepared to sacrifice your life for this pack?” the oldest elder asks. Lucian and I have been taken to the cellar on the estate. The estate is now a wine estate and the wine cellar used to be the original burrow of pack Almeria. Almeria was the first pack to tear away from traditions and had a Luna as a head and her mate was acting as a Beta. They named the pack Almeria which means aristocratic lady in Arabic. I honestly think it is fitting, not that we’re Arabic but we’re not sure about the origins of our first Luna either. Our pack has been the sanctum of strays since Luna Allesia started this pack.

The cellar has an extra room. It’s nice, warm and comfortable, which helps with the fact that Lucian and I are only wearing our robes. This room acts as the room where all the ceremonies take place, there is a small Window that makes the Moon visible and sheds a brilliant moon beam into the room. There is a fireplace in the corner. Lucian and I are on our knees looking at the oldest Elder, Neya. The rest of the elders are standing around us in a circle. Only Lucian, Neya and I are on the circular carpet that I guess from what we were told as Kids is the carpet weaved by Luna Allesia.

“Yes I am,” I am not sure but I am going to die for it whether or not I am willing and or prepared.

“Lucian Niro, are you prepared to sacrifice your life for this pack?”

“Yes I am,” he sounds so happy and my heart sinks. I wish I could have his enthusiasm.

“Then let us begin,” I hear my father behind us.

I thought I knew what was going to happen, but I clearly don’t remember the next part. All at once our hands are bound, our robes torn open, and our mouths gagged. I peek at Lucian and he looks as confused as I am. No-one is supposed to know about the proceedings of the ceremony until it’s their turn and we were about to find out why. We watched as the elders did a weird dance around us, just fancy dancing, I start to count their steps and realise their doing a waltz, but on their own. It is actually quite comical. I laugh inwardly and watch as all the elders stop after dancing a full circle. And then I feel something warm poor over me. It is extremely sticky and very sweet. Molasses. I feel something inside me stir, almost like I am fighting against my inside.

I cry out as I feel something hot and searing touch my left shoulder. What the f**k was that? Another cry and it goes black. They blindfolded me. I am being pushed and pulled and I follow along. My shoulder pains too much to fight and all I can think of is going home and getting something to soothe the pain. Another searing pain spreads to my back and it is now covering my whole back. I am still being pulled and I hear Lucian crying out. What are they doing to us?

The cold floor changes to gravel and then to grass. It’s cold and I can feel the knot form the rope around my hands coming undone from walking.

I feel a slight push from behind a yelp escapes between my gag and I fall to the ground. Thump. Lucian must’ve been pushed as well as I can hear him hit the floor.

Another cry of pain as it feels like someone is drawing with a hot metal rod on my body.

“Change!” I hear one of the younger Elders yell. And then it hit me.

Eleanor

It was a long day, and I am already tired. My scar was giving me pain the whole day. I walk into my house, Donna and Phoebe right on my heels. I hear my mom laughing and I see Donna’s mom walk out into the kitchen. She smiles very brightly.

“Girls you’re finally home.” She says, “I went to the store but couldn’t remember Ellie’s size, I haven’t seen you in such a long time.” I avoid the estate as much as possible. I still feel terrified of that ugly dog.

“Oh Ellie she picked the perfect dress for you.” My mom sings behind her. I already cringe, I hate it when other people buy me expensive things.

“That wasn’t necessary Mrs Silver but thank you.” I try my best to sound grateful.

“Donna told me you hate it when other people buy things for you, but I am just glad Donna has good friends like you and those estate kids are such brats, I just want you to fit in. So, I came to pick up your mom to help me pick your clothes.” And I cringe even further. My mom is usually too proud to agree to these things. “Let’s go to your room. I want to see your reaction to that dress!”

“Oh, yay!” Phoebe squeals.

We walk upstairs and as we enter my very humble bedroom; I see the most luxurious colours on my bed. I walk closer and on the side is a small dark green cocktail dress with frills. It has a 70’s style but with a modern twist. On the floor is a set of cool emerald green stiletto sandals, and there’s a small box beside it. I pick it up and open it to find a set of beautiful green teardrop earrings. The green stone is surrounded with small white stones making the green shine even brighter. I feel my eyes grow wide and I look up, straight up into the eyes of Donna’s mom.

“What is all this?” I ask really confused.

“Well darling, you have been nothing but good to Phoebe and Donna and I would like you to have everything you deserve!” I feel a wave of acceptance, but it passes as soon as it appears.

“I can’t accept any of it.” I can feel my anger growing. “I can’t even afford the panties you people wear let alone this. I will never be able to repay you.” I actually see Donna wincing and I can see a moment of utter confusion pass over Mrs Silver’s face. “Why did you do this. I have enough dresses to choose from.” I look at my mom for help, but she just looks excited.

“Okay I did not want to offend you, Eleanor. I bought you a few items as this party is full of estate kids and you are the only outsider there, but I’ll take it back after tonight.” Her voice is growing dark, “For now I suggest you wear it.” I feel the urge to submit and I can no longer suppress it and resign.

For the past hour, the three of us showered, did each other’s hair and make-up and then we dressed. Phoebe is wearing a flowy nave blue 50’s dress that hugs her curves very sweetly, with a pair of black patent high pumps. Donna is wearing a 20’s gold sequined dressed, with a pair of gold mary janes, her dark skin is glowing.

We hear Lucian pull up outside but mom first wants to take pictures. We laugh and take a lot of pictures in different poses for 20 minutes and then run to Lucian.

“Boy you are so early,” Phoebe says but Lucian is not even hearing her. He’s looking at Donna and I can see him getting physically uncomfortable.

“I am late. I need to get ready for my own party.” He practically snarls.

“Just open the door and then drop us at Craig’s house.” Donna’s authoritative voice floats past me and Lucian calms down.

“Yes ma’am” he slowly walks around and opens all the doors for us. We get inside

After 10 minutes we’re in front of the biggest house in the estate. I can hear music inside and I feel drawn to the music and I quickly jump out. Craig opens the front door and nearly runs towards us as Phoebe slides out of the car behind me. I just ignore all of this and go into the house. I see a few people are already here and I get quite entranced by the music and start dancing.

Fabian

Another pain shoot through me and I hear the tear of something next to me. Finally I feel some relief and I quickly pull the blindfold off. I stare straight into the eyes of Lucian, only he is a wolf. He is a dark mahogany colour with icy blue eyes. He starts growling. I start breathing heavily and another pain shoots through me. When it’s finally over I look down and I realise I am a wolf.

“Hello Fabian” I hear someone talk, desperately I look around but all I see is Lucian now staring into the woods. “Don’t be scared, my name is Chase. I am your wolf.”

“Oh” well this is bloody awkward. I feel like I just met my great grandfather.

“Yes I know, this is strange for me too. I used to be your subconscious and now I can speak to you.” Oh, great he has sass.

“Now what?” Still feeling very awkward.

“We run” Like I have no control over my body we start running, I can feel the wind in my hair. I have never run this fast in my life. Lucian is right on my heels. This feels so good. “Fabian, we will learn to share control, but for now, I am in charge of the wolf body and you are in charge of the human body” We run for some time, until the moon is noticeably higher in the sky. Lucian stops, looks me in the eye and starts howling. I join him. We then head back home and right outside my bedroom window we jump onto my balcony and change back into humans.

“Oh man, I have never felt this free in my entire life.” Lucian exclaims and laughs.

“It is so good.” I look down and notice the marks on his arms. Intricate gold vines twist and grow up his arms with small fig leaves on them. “Woah, dude that is so cool.” He is marked by the moon. When a wolf shifts for the very first time they are marked by the moon. Almost like tattoos but these can change and fade away for a few days and come back again. The wind blows on the balcony and the leaves on his arms move to the rhythm of the breeze. The mark on a male usually helps him to identify his mate. When she turns for the first time, she’ll have a small matching mark. After they mate the mark on the male will intertwine with hers and she will have a larger mark on her that shows she’s mated and belongs.  He looks at me curiously.

“Dude your shoulder,” I look down to where I thought I was being burned earlier and see this small wildflower. “That can’t be it.” He says.

I turn around to look in the window’s reflection, “Oh excuse me Mr Alpha over here.” Luce starts whistling

“What?” And he gestures that I turn around.

I turn and look at my back in the window reflection. My eyes grow wide as I study the mark on my back. On my back is two feathered wings. The hairs are mother-of-pearl, and the veins are gold. They move to the rhythm of my breathing and when I gasp at their beauty, they flutter a little.

“Wow” I say very softly.

“Yeah dude, it is pretty rare, the moon giving wings. They’re damn gorgeous.” He says rather admiringly. I make a mental note to research the meanings of the wings later.