Chapter Four - Marren’s Touch
1218 Words
Three days after the dinner, Kael takes me to somewhere I’ve never been before.
“Where are we going?” I ask, as we drive deeper into the forest. We’re in Ironfang territory. Somewhere closer to the boundaries. Far away. Almost hidden from the main pack.
“We’re going to meet someone who might help you. Someone who knew your mother.”
“My mother?”
He finally stops at the driveway to a small cottage hidden behind the trees. Smoke coming out from its chimney.
“Yes, your mother,” Kael finally says. “Your aunt Marren. Your mother’s sister. She lives here. She’s also a healer.”
“What?” I unstrap my seatbelt, ready to open the door. “I have an aunt in Ironfang and no one told me? That’s not fair.”
“Your father cut ties with most people from our pack after he lost your mother. Marren respected that. But she’s been asking about you since the courtship was announced.” Kael steps out of the car. I follow.
He knocks on the door once. Waits. Then knocks-
The door opens.
A woman in her fifties. Standing in shock. Her hand flies to her mouth when she sees me.
“Luna. Oh goddess! You look exactly like her.”
I’m a bit startled myself.
“Like who?”
“Your mother!” She opens her arms, envelopes me in a fierce warm hug. “I’m Marren, your mother’s sister. Come on in. Both of you.” She barely releases me but gestures for Kael to come in too.
The cottage is a small cozy space. Smells like bread and candles and herbs. Marren goes to make tea while I sit on a wooden table.
“I wanted to reach out so many times,” she says, handing me a mug. Offers Kael one too. “But your father - Ricardo - cut ties after your mother’s death. He was destroyed. Anything that reminded him of her became too painful. I understood. Gave him space. But I’ve thought about you every single day. Wondered how you were doing. Prayed for you.”
“I never knew you existed.”
“That’s my fault, sweetheart. I should have insisted on seeing you. Should have found a way to remain in your life. I’m sorry.” She reaches across the table. Takes my hands in hers. “But you’re here now. That’s all that matters.” she lets go. “Kael says you needed help shifting.”
I nod.
“Your grandmother - my mother - didn’t shift early. Everyone thought she was dormant. Called her names. Wrote her off. Then at her mating ceremony, her wolf snapped. Came to life. A rare beautiful white wolf. One minute she was human, the next she was this beautiful white creature. Nobody doubted her again.”
Hope starts building inside me. Painful hope.
“So…it’s genetic? The dormancy?”
“It’s in your bloodline, Luna. Powerful wolves sometimes take longer to emerge. They’re worth the wait.” Her eyes lock on mine. “Your wolf is there, sweetheart. She’s just scared.”
Kael clears his throat. “I should let you two talk. I’ll be back in a few hours?”
I nod.
He leaves.
“Tell me about my mother.”
Marren begins describing my mother to me. Everything she ever liked and disliked. Down to how she became a healer at a very young age and spent years learning everything there was to know about it.
We talk for hours. After a while, Marren stands. “Come on, let’s see if you can reach your wolf.”
She takes me to a small room at the back of the cottage. Empty, mostly. Except for the cushion on the floor.
“Sit. Close your eyes and breathe.”
I do. Suddenly, the room feels very quiet. I can hear my breathing.
“Reach inside. Not desperately. Just…gently. Like you’re stretching your hand to a frightened animal. An animal who needs to know it’s safe.”
I reach for my wolf. Search deeply for her.
Nothing.
I go again.
I’ve tried this a thousand times.
Then I hear something.
For the first time in my life, I finally feel something.
Something distant. Echoing. Subtle. Faint.
“She’s there,” I breathe out.
“I know she is.” Aunt Marren squeezes my shoulders. “Your wolf is scared sweetheart. Give her time. Patience. It’ll all come together.”
She turns to my front. “The ceremony is about a week from now right?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. It’s not enough time, but it’s time nonetheless. We can train everyday. Your big day will come, Luna.”
She pulls me into a hug. I sob against her.
As the days pass, I visit Aunt Marren more regularly. Kael drops me off every morning and picks me up by evening. Some days I feel closer to my wolf, some days I don’t.
But Aunt Marren never gives up. She keeps believing. Everyday. Keeps encouraging. “She’s there, Luna. Don’t give up.”
Six days to the ceremony. Then five. Then four.
We’ve been training so long I lost count.
The pressure is building. Everyone’s watching. Waiting to see if I’ll finally shift.
Kael is supportive to be fair. But I can also see the worry written all over his face beneath the supportive mate he tries be. Sometimes I catch him lost in his thoughts - wondering about what will happen if I don’t shift at the ceremony.
The evening before the ceremony, while we’re in the clearing, I ask him: “Are you nervous?”
“A little. But it’s not about the ceremony. My father. His reaction if all this doesn’t go well.”
He looks away for a while. Lost in thoughts. Then turn towards me. “But I trust the bond. It doesn’t lie. Tomorrow, we’ll show everyone what we are together.” He holds my hands.
“Thank you,” I murmur. “Thank you for everything. For believing in me. For trying to make this work.” I look up to his eyes. “Whatever happens tomorrow. Whether it comes or not, I want you to know that I appreciate all you have done. I hope I can repay you.”
He holds me up gently. “You are more than enough, Luna.”
He plants a soft kiss on my forehead. Folds me into a loving hug.
That night I can’t sleep. It’s really happening. The pressure finally dawns on me. Overwhelms me. I manage to get my self together in front of my laptop. Log in to my account. Record one last time. One more time before Luna becomes Luna of Ironfang.
Has a nice taste to it.
The room goes silent.
“Hi everyone. Thank you for listening to me all this while. Thank you for making me feel special and less invisible in here. Something is changing in my life. Something big. This might be my last recording for a while. But know this - I wouldn’t have made it this far without you. And to my most loyal fan - MoonWatcher27, thank you for everything.”
I log out. Close the laptop.
Tomorrow changes everything.
- Writer
