DIANA POV
Yesterday, I woke up a human. And this morning, I am a wolf. I don't really feel like it, but I trust Scott now more than myself. He did quite had a long prologue of a confession last night. Though, it sounded more like a duty than a bossoming love. The way that he defined the imprint of a mate sounded so perfect. You get a mate, abide it, and live happily ever after. Personally, I thought that it's a bit sad. It felt like he was bound to me because of the imprint and yet, he's willing to endure all the pain of his loss just to fulfill the destiny he didn't choose for himself. Can he really do that? He left me once over his personal conflicts. I bet he can do it again. That's how deep-rooted that pain was. Well, wolves are complicated, but I guess their moon goddess just want all of her children to be loved and not live a lifetime alone.
Still for me, I want everything to be right... my way. I didn't lived a life as a wolf. I want us to choose each other, because we see each other as who we are. Scott may have a different view on that, for he's a wolf in mind and in heart, and that can't be changed. On my part, I can't be that.
His eyes were full of emotions, like he is indeed speaking from the heart. Despite knowing me only for a few days, he is already certain about his feelings towards me. Was that really him talking, or the imprint? What a strong kind of wolf voodoo. Honestly, I like Scott. Nevertheless, should I trust my instincts and take risks too?
When I woke up at the beautiful view of the cloudy morning sky in the glass ceiling, I felt so much refreshed and renewed. I found my clothes dry cleaned, that I swiftly slipped into them after a quick bathroom routine. Scott have already made breakfast. And boy, it was more than I expected than just a cup of tea. As much as I wanted to stay and bombard him with more questions over a nice meal, I had to leave already given that reality hits me with my hospital duties. On top of that, after seeing so many messages and missed phone calls from my mother, Kate, and Calvin, I had to skip the scrumptious breakfast spread Scott prepared before I could even take a bite. There's no other choice but to rush home.
Scott had nothing to do but agree out of my persistence. He just lend me his black coat, probably worried that the skies may scatter rain showers on a very cloudy Sunday. "By the way, when I was attacked in the island, I was saved by a wolf.. yellow-eyed and much smaller than you. Is that one of your friends?", he opened the car door for me as I went in.
"No. That was a nagual.", he closed it gently, and dashed on the other side.
"A nag-what?", I fastened my seatbelt and looked at him in wonder.
"A Nagual. They are the highest forms of shapeshifters, who practices a certain kind of black magic. Our clan hates them. They are basically known as tricksters... very smart creatures who live in solitary, but not strong like us. They can turn to three forms - human, bird and wolf. ", Scott started the car and drove out of the basement parking.
"The one that saved you, seemed very protective of you. They don't usually help without something in return. They say, a nagual with a wolf does not bring good news, much with a vampire. I don't know much about it, but, we're all concerned why a Nagual is keeping an eye on my Luna", he continued.
"How do you spot a Nagual?", curious about the creature that I heard of the first time. Well, I cannot sense them like an Alpha. So, there's got to be another way to tell that a person, bird or wolf in front of you is a nagual. Scott described them like someone I shouldn't mess with. However why would a nagual save me... in an island full of wolves, at most?
"That's easy. They have an incredibly putrid stench steaming off their skin. They are yellow eyed, and that eye color remain even when they shapeshift. And they are afraid of mirrors. They have this ugly tonal wolf counterpart as their real physical nature. Maybe, it scares them with how they actually look", he said as he speed up to Villa Estates, passing by the spot where we got ambushed by vampires.
"Afraid of mirrors…" I uttered as I furrow my brows, making several speculations from my experience. "Mirrors, huh".
"Are you okay?", he asked as he hit the brakes in front of the Woodsworth Home.
"I'm fine", I awkwardly smiled. "Thanks Scott, I think I'm safe here now. Don't you think?", staring out from the car window.
He smiled and unfastened my seatbelt. He went down and looked around trying to 'sense' the area before he opened the car door for me."All clear, but somehow, I feel uneasy knowing the vamps know where you live. Obviously I can't protect you here. So, I hope you can put into consideration about moving out", he said as he close the buttons of his coat on me.
I just smiled timidly, and nodded. As I turn around, I headed towards the Woodsworth Home running my eyes over the great pillar of my mother's sacrifices. Our home has been my safe place where I grew up in and made beautiful memories. Its walls witnessed several of my firsts. Its white-paned windows showed me the beauty of world... with how the seasons change, by what time is best to watch the sunrise, which hour holds the golden hour of the sunset, and from there, I learned to count from when the moon wanes.
And now, it suddenly looked unfamiliar that made me loose the core of security, and belonging. Scott left as soon as I'm entered the house. I looked around the empty foyer, then down to the hall, up to the receiving area. Come to think of it, we have no mirrors in the house. It's basically a rule from since I was young, but then, I never knew why. All windows are covered with thick curtains, there are no shiny trinkets nor decorations that can reflect yourself. I saw Hendrick passing by, and called him getting his attention.
"Good day, Dr. Diana. Did you just come in?", he asked, gazing at me from head to foot.
"Yes.", I removed the coat on me, taking off my stilettos as well. Hendrick held my arm to my aid, helping me not to fall on my feet. "Hendrick, how long have you been working for us?, I hang the coat on my arm, and gave him my stilettos.
"Ever since you were a child, I believe", he smiled sweetly as always. When my mother and I left our old town, we started to live lavishly in this city with maids and butlers. I remember Hendrick still having thick black hair with less wrinkly face that time.
"Would you know why we don't have mirrors? ", I asked out of curiosity, trying to understand the long time taboo in our home.
"Hmm.. let me see", Hendrick placed his index finger and thumb on his chin as he think thoroughly. "I think it's one of the specific preferences of Madam Alva during the time we settled in this home..", he continued.
"Hmmm..", blinking my eyes rapidly, with an understanding that he's not particularly aware about such preference. As I was about walk away, I halted when he suddenly spoke more of the past.
"Long ago, there was a new maid who was cleaning in one of the rooms. She was so young and fond of brushing her hair, decorating her face with vivid colors, and then checking her so called art with her pocket mirror. I specifically told her not to bring out the mirrors, anywhere in the house, except in her quarters..", Hendrick detailed, with too much longing in his eyes. "One bright, sunny day turned into gloom when all of a sudden we heard a loud voice shouting in horror saying she saw a monster. I hurriedly went in the room and found her sitting on the floor with her face between he knees and a mirror on her hand, shaking tremendously", his face started to tremble as he try to hold back his tears. His voice began to lower down, almost whispering. Leaning his head closer, with dark pools of fear. "Ever since, Amelia never faced the mirror. She refused to talk, to eat.. she stopped living until her last breath. Madam Alva didn't say a word after that incident. We just followed her specific orders since then. NO MIRRORS", there's a hint of nervousness in the tone of his breathless and shaky voice. With one sharp breath, Hendrick returned to his bright, elegant composure.
"You're daughter is in a safe place now, Hendrick. Maybe mother has her reasons.", I patted his heavy burdened shoulder as he snort back the tearful memory. "Anyway, we're there any visitors last night?", changing the topic so I won't further make Hendrick bluer.
"None that I know of, my lady", he furrowed his brows as he shake his head, holding on to something in his hand, apart from my stilettos.
"What's that, Hendrick?", I asked taking a peek on the card he's holding.
"Oh, Madam Alva went home last night and I happen to gather her belongings. I found this in one of her pockets. It looks like a picture", Hendrick handed the card over. I almost drop the coat on my arm as I gasp in shock seeing what it is. It's a tarot card similar to what Emilia had in the island showing the 10 SWORDS.
The person who is a wolf in sheep's clothing, they are fools who bring nothing but trickery.
I recalled.
I turned towards the end at the hallway and found my mother in her long black laced robe staring back at me with eyes of a hawk.