Aurelia the Pink

Chapter 4: The Shift of Power

1 Day to Aurelia’s and Jian’s Birthday

- Aurelia (Ling) POV -

I groggily walked down the stairs from my bedroom to kitchen for breakfast. The turn of events from the past month kept me up most nights, if not all. Once I reached the kitchen, I saw my mum stirring a huge pot of boiling soup. My mouth watered at the thought of the comforting soup. I walked towards her and greeted her with peck on her cheeks. She responded by nuzzling me lovingly. Nuzzling is the way werewolves show affection to their loved ones. Kang used to nuzzle me. Ugh! At the thought of Kang, my heart sunk. It no longer bled like before but I still felt the pain from time to time. I willed those thoughts to go away as I focused on the surroundings around me.

I saw mum slipping in noodles into my bowl skilfully. Not just any noodles, longevity noodles! She only made me and Jian longevity noodles every year on our birthdays. While I originally ate it unwillingly just for the tradition and the ‘long life’ (it does not make sense because werewolves are practically immortal) it was supposed to come along with, these noodles grew on me over time. It is the yearly affair I look forward to. My supposedly sharp and fast mind finally put two and two together. “It is my birthday?” It came out of me more like a question than a statement.

“Of course, silly! Happy 18th birthday my dear,” my mother nuzzled me again and sat me down at the dining table. How could I forget my 18th birthday? The hallmark day in a young wolf’s life. I was looking forward to it so much that I started counting down since my 17th birthday last year. I knew the reason why I forgotten such an important day though. Two names. Jian and Kang. Back then, they promised me that they will be there to support me. I wonder if they will now. My mum set the piping hot bowl of noodles in front of me. Looking at the noodles, I trailed my eyes absentmindedly to the empty chair beside me. As if answering my silent question, my mum softly reminded me that Jian had already moved in to Kang’s apartment. Gee, thanks mum for rubbing salt into my wound.

After breakfast, I got up for a walk around the pack lands. I made my way towards the volcano for my hike up. Being near the sky always seem to cheer me up. Right at the base of the volcano, I heard a familiar voice calling out from behind, “Ling!” I quickened my pace but it was no use. As they were reaching me, I spun around and plastered my best attempt of a smile at my favourite couple, Jian and Kang. We exchanged awkward greetings. I had started speaking to them since two weeks back. However, we only had small talks most of the time. Kang still averted my gaze. Whenever we locked eyes, I saw guilt personified. I knew he did not have things easy as well. He felt bad for leaving me hanging. As we took a short walk together, Jian mentioned that they will be there for my first shifting this midnight. Before they left, she pressed a small box into my hands, wished me happy birthday, and took off running. I looked at the black gift box wrapped with a little red ribbon and smiled. Once I reached the top of the dormant volcano alone, I opened the box gingerly. A gold bracelet reflected the blinding sunlight into my eyes. After accustoming to the light, I studied the pendant found chained to the bracelet. The intricate design was that of a rose gold wolf howling to the full moon, which was represented by a huge iridescent pearl. My cheeks felt warm and wet with tears. Jian probably broke the bank (literally her piggybank) purchasing this precious jewellery. They still cared for me even though I avoided them. Even though I thought badly of them. I decided then that one month of moping around was enough. Tonight, I will at least try to have a proper conversation with them.

A few hours before dinner with my family, I went shopping for Jian’s birthday gift. I had completely forgotten my birthday, which meant that I forgotten Jian’s birthday as well. Although she did not know when her birthday was, we were used to celebrating on the same day every year. I finally picked out a perfect gift! A white gold brooch encrusted with diamonds in a shape of a crown. I thought it apt as she is the Luna of the pack now, just like the queen. Flanking the crown were two olive branches carved from jade. Olive branches does not mean much in our region, but in the North, it signifies peace. Jian is the embodiment of peace. I am so excited to explain all these to her later. The dread I felt for meeting them tonight seem to fade away for now.

I paced back and forth in the woods. It was ten minutes before my first shift. Jian and Kang tried to calm me down. Kang asked if I was nervous about shifting. I lied and nodded. To be honest, I was more nervous at maintaining a conversation with them. The moment after I gave the gift to Jian and explained to her the significance, my dread crept back in. I do not know how to continue with the conversation. There were many awkward silences. In the past, these silences were comfortable. Now, it was jarring. Unexpectedly, Kang came over and squeezed my hand reassuringly. I took a deep breath and relaxed. Three minutes before midnight, I stripped down to my undergarments. I was ready to shift.

Just as the clock strike 12, I heard cracking in the bones. But, I felt no pain. Instead, an ear-piercing shriek shocked me as I turned to my right to see Jian shifting before my eyes. I guess she did share the same birthday as me. Her dress was shredded into pieces and sandy brown fur replaced her supple bare skin. Ironically, I looked back at my own body only to see no changes. No fur, no claws, and no fangs. I was a wolf-less she-wolf!