THE UNTAMED LUNA

AWAKENING: MY WOLF

I found myself in blood, thick, congealed, and endless, its metallic scent coiling into my lungs until I could almost taste the iron on my tongue. The silence was torturous, so absolute that it felt alive, pressing against my eardrums with the weight of a thousand whispers.

In some areas, flowers were bursting into life, bright white petals bravely pushing through the shadows. However, even the breathtaking blankets of blooms couldn’t hide the terrible stench of decay that lingered heavily over this cursed land. Then a single light burned in the void, hovering above me like a watchful moon. Everything beyond its faint glow was swallowed by an infinite, trembling black.

"Where was I? What was this ominous place?"

My thoughts slipped away. This place felt like death, like from an ancient time. I'm exhaling the despair and inhaling memories.

A sunflower right in front of me wilted away in mere seconds, its petals curling inward like fading memories. Here, time seemed to lose all significance. There were no tombstones to remember, no tears to cry, just the gradual unraveling of who I once was

Then… a voice broke the silence. An echoed husky male tone, reverent and haunting, recited words that bled into the darkness:

“Please help her. Help her to rise. Guide her. Give her the strength to endure the trial."

"The fierce Queen Luna must return…”

The word "Luna" rippled through the air like a forgotten spell.

Out of nowhere, the soft sound of women’s voices emerged from the shadows, sweet and otherworldly, their prayers resonating like wind chimes, that caught in a storm. The air seemed to shimmer with their presence. I saw it!

The glossy surface of a large, dead leaf, faces began to appear... first my mother and father, eyes hollow but kind, then my stepfather’s visage, twisted with sorrow before the wind tore him away, and scattering him into ash.

And then... there is another whisper, sharp and close to my ear, like a breath from something unseen.

“Jezz… Jezz… Jezz…”

My pulse stuttered.

“Who are you?” I demanded, my voice is breaking.

“What do you want from me?”

The whisper ceased. The air went still again, too still. Then came another voice, not from around me, but inside me, curling from the depths of my chest like smoke. “I am Abby Jezz… your wolf.”

My breath caught.

“A wolf? No, I don’t like pets. I don’t have a wolf.”

“You misunderstand. I am not beside you... I am within you.”

Something ancient stirred in my bones. The air grew colder, the ground beneath me cracked open with faint, glowing lines that pulsed like veins of molten gold.

"What do you mean by "You are with me"?"

"I guess, your mother didn't tell you yet. You are my human-form, and I am the wolf of your's. You're destined to be born as a human-wolf in this world. My fate is in you... my queen..."

“How, why...?” I whispered.

“Since the day you were born. You and I are one. Like twins sharing a single soul.”

Her voice was mine... familiar, yet layered with something primal and powerful.

“I’ve slept for years,” she continued, her tone softening. “Your were in pain because I'm going to awaken now. I’m sorry, but these are the signs that my awakening will start,”

I stumbled back. “But I’m not a monster,” I said, shaking. “I’m human.”

“We are both,” she answered. “The twins and Mr. Albanzo will help you understand. They will guide you in your first trial"

The world dimmed again. Her voice faded to nothing but a hum beneath my skin. Darkness pressed in from all sides, pulsing like a heartbeat.

“Why?” I asked about the emptiness. “Why me?”

The silence broke again, but this time with faint, like the heartbeat of something waiting to awaken. And then I realized… the drums were coming from inside of me. A lovely sound of drums. Until,

"Sweetie, wake up," I heard mom's voices.

I opened my eyes. Realizing it was just a dream, I sat up in bed, confused about the strange visions and conversation with a wolf that I couldn't explain.

"Bad dreams?" Mom asked.

Glancing at the alarmed clock, I saw it was 6:00 AM. "Thanks Mom" I said as I jumped from the bed and ran for a shower.

I took my time putting on mascara and smoothing my long hair, trying to look completely unfazed. As I walked into the kitchen, I caught my mother's gaze; she was beaming at me with a big smile.

"Are you trying to impress a certain set of twins this morning?" She asked.

"Mom, I just want to look different for myself, not for anyone else," I replied gently. "All my best for today!"

She smiled knowingly and patted my cheek. "Of course, sweetie. I understand"

If only she knew I was trying to impress my teacher, not the twins!

"I should get going so I'm not late," I said, hoping to avoid more prying questions.

"Alright, let me get you to school," she said.

As we pulled up, the twins were standing outside.

"Which one is it?" Mom asked playfully.

"I'm honestly not sure yet, Mom. Jade is more outgoing while Joel is quieter. I'll know when I talk to them more," I explained.

"Which do you like more?" She asks as she finds a parking space.

"Mom, I like them both as friends equally. I don't prefer one over the other. They both seem genuinely nice," I reply honestly.

"Well, you don't have to choose right away. Take your time," she says. I roll my eyes at her, as she leans in for a kiss on my forehead, I'm thankful she doesn't say anything more to embarrass me.

When I was out of the car. The twins, approach with matching smiles as she drives off. Jade immediately starts talking, and I know it's him.

"You should come to us, after school. You will meet my mom at home. She's super nice, and a good cook" he says quickly.

"Um, I'm not sure about that." I stuttered.

"He didn't mean it like that, Jezz," Joel laughs. "He just thought since you're new, you might want something to do and to meet new people. He meant setting up a casual friend-parent introduction, you know?"

I let out a relieved breath.

"Oh, that's nice; maybe tomorrow. I will have to let my parents know in advance. They are kind of protective." I replied.

"Yeah, sure, of course. That'll be great." Jade tells me They looked at each other for a moment, then back at me.

"We'll let Mom know, and maybe you can have dinner with us." Joel suggested.

"Sounds good." I said. I really appreciated their plans. Today starts off just like yesterday. Except for the twins dropping me off at my first class. Once I sit down, I hear some girls in the back whispering.

"She thinks she's special because she's new. In a week, they won't give her the time of day. She's just a shiny new toy."

How can I hear people whispering in the back? And a new toy...? I'm not a toy! Oh s**t! I am talking to myself now.

"No, you’re not; I am here." A voice tells me something from the deep within me, like I was possessed.

But I'm too embarrassed to turn around and say anything. I am positive they are talking about me. I'm just going to ignore it. Instead, there he is, a Wink Guy sits down and gives me another wink.

Oh goodness! I just want this class to be over so I can go to the English room and see Mr. Albanzo. My mind started thinking of him again.

"Keep it together, Abby Jezz," I scolded myself.

"Hmm, you're in love with my mate." I heard that voice talking within me. Whoa! Is it my wolf talking to me again?

Is this really....

Looking around, I saw no students talking near me. I must have heard it correctly, my wolf was talking again. But I don't want to draw other's attention.

Finally, the bell rang, I practically raced toward Mr. Albanzo's class, but the twins caught up with me.

"Woah, slow down. Are you in a hurry?" Jade jokingly asked.

"Oh no, I just don't want to be late," I said.

"Sure, of course," he replied, exchanging a glance with Joel. I playfully pushed Jade, but he didn't budge. The guys laughed heartily.

"Okay, come on, we'll make sure you aren't late," Joel promised.

Did they know how obvious about who is my crush was? Lost in thought, I hadn't noticed anyone else yesterday. I was so focused on him. Maybe they noticed it.

I entered the classroom ahead of the boys. As soon as I stepped inside, I smelled his cologne. I caught him writing on the blackboard. He turned to me with a wide smile.

"Good morning, Miss Abby Jezz. How was your first day of school? I've heard the boys showed you around here!"

I was dumbstruck for a second as I looked at him in the eyes. He made me mesmerized again. I snapped out of it, realizing he had asked me a question.

"Yes, it was a great day. Thank you. They showed me around and took good care of me. We ate lunch together and everything," I blabbered on, unable to stop myself. He remained standing there, listening quietly, and chuckled at my rambling.

"Great, I'm glad," he said. His tone grew serious as he added, "You can trust them."

His emphasis hinted at a deeper meaning. Did he want me to trust the twins for some reason? We held each other's gaze until other students entered the room. He abruptly turned and resumed writing on the board. As if there is no conversation, between us earlier.