No one can escape their destiny, I learnt that the hard way. Which is worse? being burdened with great expectation since the day you were born, or finding out that you were never good enough to meet them. Well it's both in my case.
The cold air seeps into my skin, as damp clothes cling to me. My body aching as I push it past its limits, Pain jolting through me with every step, but I keep going. Others my age wouldn't have to put in so much effort, but I wasn't like them.
The sound of cricket and other insects filled my ears, only the forest was awake.
I take one more lap through the dirt road, before heading back towards the estate, increasing my pace to a run as I enter through the main gates and head uphill towards my home.
"Hey little red, Working hard I see."
Don't know which was more annoying, the fact that he calls me little red cause I have red hair and am mildly shorter than him. Or that his annoyingly perfect smirk.
"Hey do…fus." Replying with a quip is hard when you're trying to catch your breath.
(Whistles) "Very original. Rufus, dufus. you're such a genius". Great, his smirk got wider. He throws a bottle of water at me.
" what…ever. What do you want." My throat grateful for the liquid.
"The kids are going through the awakening ritual and am here to remind you that you're coming with me."
"And why would I do that?"
"Hmm.. Because you love kids, you have no choice: your the chief's daughter, your younger sisters going through the ritual and most importantly. Your best and technically only Friend needs a plus one."
"Well, since you put it that way." I say rolling my eyes so far up, it was probably all white for a few seconds, rekindling his smirk.
"It's 6 little red, try to look good. Im going to the training ground. Swing by when you're done freshening up."
"Yeah, whatever."
A few minutes later I'm done washing up. My red hair damp against my shoulders. I use my towel to dry it out. standing in front of the mirror. I'm glad I got the looks to compensate at least. Working out as much as I do will keep you in shape. I threw on an oversized red shirt and a blue trouser. My favorite kind of clothes, the ones that won't stress me to take off. I head down stairs.
"Hey muffin."
"Hey mom."
"Sit down, omelet?." Gesturing to the food she was currently making.
"Yeah, thanks. I'm beat. Is dad at home."
"No, he's trying to get things set up for the ceremony. Eat up dear."
"Thanks"
She sits in the chair across the table.
"So… are you going to attend." It's cute how she's trying to be considerate
"Yeah, apparently I have to."
"You don't have to do anything muffin."
"Thanks mom. But I have to do this. Sophie might just maul me to death if I miss her big day." Emphasis on the big day.
"Okay." Gives me a reassuring smile.
"I'm guessing she's getting ready for the ceremony right now."
"Yeah she is. Lots of chanting and cleansing and then some. you know how it goes."
"Yeah I do." Finishing up my food. Okay, I took seconds. What, I need lots of food cause I work out a lot, not because i'm a foodie or anything. "Thanks mom."
"You're gonna go to the training grounds right."
"Yeah, to meet up with rufus."
"Okay. Keep the dishes in the sink, I'll wash up when I'm done eating."
"Thanks mom. I'm heading out."
"Stay out of trouble."
Am almost offended by that. I head up to the training ground, which is at the highest point in the estate. Next to the ceremony grounds. It's a couple minutes walk so it's pretty close to my house. Which i'm glad about, cause it's a really big estate.
*thud* the sound of my one and only friend throwing someone on the ground, with enough force to knock the air out of his lungs.
The training ground looks like your basic gym house, just massive and with four square fighting arenas where people could spare.
*sigh* "Oh hey little red, came to learn a thing or two. I can show you the ropes, if you ask nicely enough."
Obvious provocation, like I'm gonna fall for that. Of course i wished he would have ignored me, that comment earned the attention of some of his fan girls and a couple other people training.
"No thanks oh great one, I think I'll just observe for now."
"Yeah I think that's for the best, we wouldn't want the princess to get hurt."
And great, right on schedule. One of the dufus's top fan girls, as well as queen bitch. Ariel. i guess she wasn't going to stop at scowling at me from a distance
"I mean it must be difficult for you, trying to keep up with us." An annoying smile plastered over her face. "You know, being so incomplete."
Hushed laughter or I think it's hushed, coming from the other trainees.
Ariel would probably be prom queen if werewolves had proms. She was tall, blond hair, blue eyes, perfect face, in other words gorgeous. But damn that attitude.
"Well, it's not as hard as it looks actually, since I don't have to worry about breaking a nail." The quip didn't get her as much as the smiling Rufus did.
"You."
"Okay, that's enough." Rufus cutting in between us. Since it was getting pretty heated. Thank God. If someone was gonna break something, it was gonna be me and I couldn't heal as fast.
Being interrupted by prince charming was enough to get her to leave.
"You can't hide behind men forever. To the strongest goes the spoils, pack rules. Let's go girls." And the rest of the shinel group followed suit. Gotta love those final statements.
"You okay red."
"Of course I am, why wouldn't I be."
"I can hear your fist clenching." Shit. I relax my hands
"I don't hide behind anyone."
"I know."
"I can take care of myself."
"I know." Resting his hand on my shoulder "Don't let her get to you, that's my job." There he goes throwing that smirk around again. "Besides we both know you're a way better fighter than she is."
"Yeah maybe when we were twelve, not anymore. She could probably throw me across the training ground with one hand."
"Well, she has to catch you first."
"Super speed will help you with that."
"Well, there's more to fighting than that, and you know it. you work twice as hard as anyone. Heck if you had a wolf, am pretty sure you could kick my ass. 4 out of 10 times, on my bad days." A smirk running across his features.
"Wow, that was almost a nice compliment."
"Don't let it get to your head now."
He always knows how to make me feel better, his smile was contagious. "I'm pretty sure I'd kick your butt 10 outta 10 times tho."
"See, straight to your head. and you wonder why I don't compliment you often."
At this point I'm fully grinning.
"Gonna get my stuff, so we can go get set. You're not going like this are you."
"Well."
"Cause that would be crazy for the alphas first child to dress like this to one of the most important pack ceremonies of the year." The "this", gesturing to all of me.
"What, of course not. That's crazy." Crap, I have to change then.
"Hmm hmmm. Go change up. I'm gonna freshen up, since I have a reputation to keep. Meet up at your place, okay."
" hmmmm…. What, Oh, yeah sure."
"You're thinking of what to wear aren't you."
"What of course not. Bye." I run off before he has the chance to hit me with a plate full of judgment.
"Be set by 6, don't forget."
I wave him off without turning back
So what do I wear?
"Wow, you don't look horrible."
From the way he was staring at me coming down the stairs, I looked a lot better than not terrible.
After hours of searching I finally got my mom to help me out with some of my old clothes that still fit, hence, My one time favorite green gown, which is kinda smaller but fits perfectly. Plus it matches my emerald green eyes. A green dress shoe, a black jacket and a black purse . I couldn't bother making my hair, so I just let it flow over my shoulder.
My mom had a tear in her eye.
"Well I am exceptionally beautiful after all." Doing a little princess walk followed by a twirl. Which earns a laugh from him
"Don't do that ever again." Still in between laughing.
"Whatever, shall we." I extend my left hand to him
"We shall." Taking it in between his arms. "Your moms gone ahead. Lunar duties."
"Right then, let's go."
The ceremony was called "The coming of age ritual." It's held every year within the pack, on the highest full moon. It celebrates a transition to adult wood. Which means ya officially 16 and it's also the first time we meet our wolves. Normally every pack member has a wolf, that's why we're werewolves. Of course sometimes, there are exceptions.
"The moon goddess shines her light upon you. May your faiths be intertwined to your destiny upon the night sky." The village oracle chants on, while some people beat drums.
Everyone in the pack gathered around forming a circle. The alpha and his lunar sit on a wooden throne at the right, while those that are about to meet there wolves kneel in the middle, with the oracle, encircling a bun fire. There are 5 of them this year, including my younger sister. She's been giving me nervous glances for a while now, looking my way every chance she gets. I smiled, trying to reassure her it was gonna be okay.
"Let the moon guide you."
"Let the moon guide us." Everyone repeats the chant.
The oracle raised her hand, signaling for total silence.
"Sophie, come child."
She got up from her kneeling position and nervously walked towards her, giving me one last glance.
I smile and mouth out "you're doing great."
She smiles.
"Drink child, This is the spirit water from the lake of tears. It will reveal to you who you truly are."
With shaky hands, she grabs the cup offered to her, resolving herself.
Everyone has different visions when they drink the spirit water. Of the past, of the future, or of memories that aren't yours. A sort of trance. I still can't make heads of what I saw.
She gulps down every last drop, like she's trying to avoid something, I wonder what, Not really.
"Do I". She was about to blarb, then her skin started to glow, white light, almost blinding. Good thing I brought shades. After a few seconds it died out, revealing a beautiful grey wolf with pink spots around its neck.
Laughter and sounds of happiness filled the night air. Meeting your wolf is a cause for great celebration amongst the pack. Not only do they make you "complete", But it increases the pack's overall manpower.
*owl…..!* she lets out a beautiful owl before transforming back, lying down on the floor. The first time changing forms always takes a lot of stamina.
"Silence." The oracle commanded.
Everyone quiets down.
"What is the name of your wolf child?"
She inhales heavily, trying to catch her breath. "Fa…. Fay thats
The name of my Wolf."