*~Gabrielle's POV~*
My head was spinning as Mother directed me to the main house and gave me a room next to hers. I didn't even know how to feel about this whole situation.
Getting married to the Alpha, leaving my house for the High House, and becoming a Luna, all of this before recovering my memories is kind of scary, and it's making me sick to my stomach.
I gazed at my room. Everywhere was shiny and pristine. The curtains were white, and the bed was huge. There was a closet, and everything just looked so exquisite I couldn't seem to adjust. Maybe… just maybe I need to calm down.
I sat on the bed, unsure of what to do in my new room. I gazed at the walls. There were no carvings, none of my faces. And honestly… can I even carve in a beautiful room like this?
I lay down on the bed, it was soft. A little too soft for my liking. My back started to hurt.
I hadn't slept on a bed in three years, not since the day I woke up in that cell. And somehow… it didn't feel comfortable.
I moved to the bare floor instead and DAMN! It was way better. The coldness of the floor hitting my bones… it's a feeling I can't describe.
So now that I had a room… and my freedom… I could finally roam about the house, right?
I immediately stood up and opened the door to my room. Perhaps walking around might help awaken my memories like the lantern did. And so, I began strolling.
But… nothing. Not even a flicker of memory.
Still, it was fun. Walking freely through the house with no one stopping me. I saw the statues of the past White Wolves and was fascinated. The statues of my ancestors, each one beautifully carved. Every wolf looked unique, powerful, and massive.
Then I spotted Mother with some maids, packing a bunch of white clothes. I immediately hid she must not see me, or she might send me back to my jail.
After she left, I continued walking… and then I stumbled upon a large door with the crest of the White Wolf. I was going to walk past, but something about the room gripped me.
I walked toward it and tried to push it open, but it didn't even budge.
I pushed again. Nothing.
I gave up and turned around—but I was suddenly pulled back by the door. My gown had gotten caught on the knob.
I removed the fabric from the latch, and my eyes caught the crest of the wolf again. It was so familiar like the statues of my ancestors.
I raised my hand to touch it.
Suddenly, a gust of wind pulled me inward. My eyes closed, and pain shot through my brain. That same voice echoed again
"Mummy, I want to tie my hair into a bun!"
It was exactly the little girl's voice I'd heard when I turned on the Lantern.
I felt dizzy. Then, the sound of a door creaking open caught my attention. I immediately opened my eyes and saw a room filled with various artifacts… and a coffin.
A coffin?
What is that doing here? And what is all of this?
I took a step inside. Another gust of wind blew gently across my skin. My inner child, my curious soul wanted to know everything in this room. From the books, to the strange relics, to the coffin.
I walked toward it, eager to know what was inside. My hands slowly reaching for the lid.
But just as I was about to open it when….
"Gabrielle!"
I froze.
It was Mother's voice…Oh no! I'm in trouble… big trouble.
I slowly turned to face her, Mother–who looked surprised, astonished, and scared all at once. She rushed over to me and grabbed my hands.
"Oh dear, what are you doing here? How did you open this door? Have you… have your powers returned already?" she bombarded me with questions, looking so scared that I had to bite my lip to stop myself from bursting into laughter.
"I… I… I was taking a walk, Mother," I said.
She immediately pulled me away from the coffin, though a part of me still wanted to rush back and see what was inside it.
When we got outside, she raised her hand, and some white stuff floated out. The door slammed shut.
Did she just seal the door… with her powers Then how on earth was I able to open it?
I looked down at my hands. Have my powers started to come back? Is that why I saw a memory again?
"Let's go," she said, grabbing my hand again. "Never step foot on this side of the house again."
I could only nod, knowing fully well I'd definitely come back. My curiosity won't let me rest.
"Your wedding gowns have been prepared, dear," she said, suddenly shifting the mood.
"Wow, Mother… that fast? The Alpha just proposed hours ago," I said. Why was she doing all of this so quickly?
"Oh dear, your wedding might be tomorrow. The Alpha is due for a mate since the Goddess hasn't provided one for him and since you caught his attention immediately, you're the most befitting," she replied.
"But Mother… what if he's not my mate?" I asked, and she laughed.
"Oh, dear. A White Wolf doesn't have a mate. You simply pick who you want and make them your mate. That happens when the Alpha marks you," Mother said.
I was about to ask more, but she cut me off quickly.
"Enough with the questions, Gabrielle. Mother is tired already."
We entered her room, and my sisters alongside other wolves were already there with a sea of gowns.
They sat me down and turned me into a mannequin. They kept trying them on me, asking which one was perfect. I kept picking each one they brought, my mind too occupied with the question I really wanted answered:
What's inside that coffin she desperately doesn't want me to see?
Eventually, we agreed on one gown, and I faked a yawn, I was already tired. Mother let me return to the room assigned to me. As soon as I got there, I lay down on the cold, bare floor, letting the chills calm me down a little.
Seconds turned into minutes. Minutes into an hour. An hour into hours.
Eventually, I noticed everywhere had gone quiet. I stood up and tried opening the door… but it wouldn't budge.
Of course Mother would lock it so I wouldn't be able to go out. Typical.
But I am my mother's daughter.
I took off my bracelet and used it as a key—a method I learned from trying to escape my jail. And it worked.
I took a deep breath as the door creaked open. I rushed out, heading straight for the side of the house Mother warned me never to step foot in.
I stopped at the huge door, raised my hand to the crest, but nothing happened. No powers. No memories.
Then I pushed the door again and to my surprise, it opened! Unlike the last time, when I had to fight for it.
I stepped inside. There was no gust of wind. No echoing voice.
I looked around and I nearly collapsed in shock.
Everything… absolutely everything… was gone.
The books. The artifacts. Even the coffin the one that had felt like it was calling me was gone.
Is Mother aware of this? Or… is she behind it, Gosh… what is she hiding?