PROPHESIED LUNA

Chapter 3

“Have your sit,” her father pointed to the chair opposite him. “I know you have a lot of questions. I’ll explain everything.”

Chloe took her sit with her eyes still on the book. “This book, how did you get it,” she asked.

“Do you know anything about it?” Collins asked. he also noticed her peculiar interest in the book.

Chloe looked at her father and slowly announced, “I had a dream about it. Just last night.”

There was a sharp intake of breath from her listener. “Have you noticed any other strange thing about you?” he asked.

She showed him the furs she still held onto and launched into detailed explanation of her dream and the things she noticed about herself the previous night.

“I could even hear the neighbours. I ran 30 miles dad. I just felt stronger and free.” She just laid it all out.

Her revelations did not exactly make her father worry less but at least, he seemed to calm down a bit.

“Before I start, I’m sorry for taking this long to tell you everything you’ll be hearing today,” Collins said solemnly. “I thought I could somehow stop all these from happening but apparently, I failed.”

Chloe kept quiet. All she wanted to hear now was an explanation. She would be able to understand her father after hearing that.

“I told you that your mother died while giving birth to you. Actually, she did not die. She’s still alive.” He paused to see her reaction.

“What?!” Chloe was angry. “Go on,” she demanded.

“She’s alive but not with us. Chloe, your mother is a werewolf.” He finally said. He knew any sane person will find that hard to believe and Chloe had every bit of sanity.

She laughed till her sides began to hurt. In between laughter, she said, “If you did not want to tell me anything, no problem,” she held her stomach. “But why would you concoct that kind of incredulous story, dad?”

She laughed for a few minutes more while her father watched her with worry in her eyes. That did the trick. She was no stranger to her father’s jokes but this went on for longer than usual. And that look he was giving her would have morphed into smiles to confirm his joke had been discovered.

Her father was serious! She realized with a start. She sat up and horror began to creep into her facial expression.

“You’re not joking.” She wailed. “Oh my God.” Collins gave her a few more minutes to allow her finally digest that little bit of information before continuing.

“I never knew till I found her transitioning on a full moon. She confessed she already fell in love with me and kept it a secret so we could remain together.” He continued his narration. “By that time, she was already pregnant with your younger brother. Soon after delivery, she left me with you and a note that she could not take you with her due to your peculiarity. She asked me to protect you and read this book to learn about your future.” He concluded. He gave her the book.

“My future is in this book?” she looked at her father in askance. “You mean …?” Her hands flew to her mouth.

“Yes, you’re a wolf too.” Her father confirmed her suspicions.

Chloe tried to recall all the stories she had heard about paranormal beings. she believed her father now. All the strange things happening to her, the speed, strength and heightened hearing started to make sense now. She was a wolf. Chloe Anderson was a werewolf.

“But how come? You mentioned that my future is in this book.” She could not understand that part.

“You’re part of a prophecy. You’re destined to save a pack of wolves, the Blackmoon pack who have been condemned to living in a particular forest. The black forest. In that forest, there has been no sun and no difference from day or night.”

“They’ve lived like that for a century now.” He explained as he stood up to get two glasses of water for both of them. They had been sitting for a long time now and he was beginning to feel pain in his butts.

Chloe accepted the glass of water offered too her, deep in thoughts. “And I’m the one to save them?” Her father just nodded in agreement. “How come they are living like that?”

“Good question,” Collins took a sip of water to wet his dry lips before continuing. “According to the book, their Alpha rejected his mate and the moon goddess punished the whole pack with their current situation.”

Chloe flipped through the book and saw that the supposed prophesied Luna was named Ansia. “Ansia,” she though out loud, remembering the girl from her dream.

“Yes. Ansia. That’s your birth name. I changed it to prevent you from being detected by the evil wolves around. “Her father stood up. “Take your time to study the book. You’ll get more knowledge about how all this things work. Time is far spent.”

For the rest of the day, apart from eating, Chloe remained in her room studying the book. She came to understand her abilities and the additional ones she’ll be acquiring soon. She learnt she’ll have her first shift on her 18th birthday. “That’s in three days’ time.”

She studied the book to the extent that in terms of knowledge of how the werewolves’ world works, she was as good as those that have been living in their packs since birth.

She spent the weekend practicing her abilities. The book mentioned that when the time comes, she’ll be directed to her pack to save them. She can’t trust anyone and always has to be on guard.

The following week at school, Chloe tried to act like her normal self. With the warning she got, she became more suspicious of Lisa and Olivia. She could not help wondering if they were wolves too. Why would two wolves be sent for her alone? Or one of them was a wolf and the other wanted to be a genuine friend.

All she noticed was that Lisa seemed more anxious to be her friend. It was like she suddenly got obsessed. Hmm. That alone was not enough evidence but it made Chloe keep a closer watch on her. She found herself more receptive of Olivia instead.

Towards the end of the classes that day, the students were asked to gather for an announcement from the school principal.

After they had all gathered in the big school hall and had their individual seats, the principal mounted the podium. He blew air into the microphone to test and proceeded to greet he students.

“Good afternoon, teachers and students of Crestwood High,” he greeted to which they all responded. “I have an interesting piece of news for you all today.”

Murmurs began to rise among the students as they discussed what they think the information might be about. The principal cleared his throat and order returned to the hall.

“The annual retreat for your class will be taking place at an interesting place called … ,” he intentionally took his sweet time in order to keep the students interested. “The Dark Forest” he finished.

Chloe immediately felt chills and pulled her hoodie closer to her body. She felt a headache coming.

Somewhere in the school, the hooded person informed, “The message has been passed across. There would be no escape.”