Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

She sat in her room the whole day drowning in self-isolation and pity. She sat facing the window, with her hair tied up in a bun. She had her emerald green eyes locked to the window and staring through infinity with a burdened heart. Her thoughts were disrupted by a gentle knock on the door, She was quickly brought back to reality. She already knew it was her mother Rose.

"Come in Mother"

She sounded like a wounded wolf.

Her mother gently opened the door with her fragile hands and walked into Celeste's room. Her mother was such a sweet being, she already knew what was troubling Celeste's mind.

 Rose approached her and sat on the bed. She placed her palm on Celeste's cheek and spoke with the sweetest tone

"You're special Celeste, remember that you're one of a kind"

Celeste stared into her mother's eyes, she wondered why her mother always called her "one a kind", she knew she had nothing to offer Clawthore or even herself.

"Stop Mother, please stop"

Tears welled up in her eyes slowly

"Tell me.....tell me, Mother, what's so special about me "

Her emerald green eyes were heavy with tears searching her mother's for answers. Her mother took her towel and wiped her tears gently

"It's just a matter of time, Celeste

It's an almost full moon, tonight might be the night"

Celeste had gotten to a point that with every passing full moon her hopes of ever transforming into a wolf on a full moon lessened. She had to handle the pains of being segregated every day of her life, she craved to find a mate, to be able to scent him, to be able to become one with him but that was just the least of her problems lately.

 Rose and Lucia were the only companions she had all her life, her father was always so busy serving his due diligence to the pack that they never really had any special bond.

"Mother please tell me something"

She paused and then gently removed her mother's hand from her cheeks and held them tightly staring into her mother's eyes, seeking answers

"Why do I always pass out on my birthday, every blood moon"

Lucia had never had any memory of her birthday, she only remembers when she begins to transform and then succumbs to unconsciousness only to wake up the next day. The strangest thing was that the next day when she regained consciousness she would hear word that a pack member was killed, she felt it was too strange.

She thought she was the target and was being protected by a hidden force, all she could do was think but never knew the answers, she taught herself to be delusional. Her mother never gave her answers neither did her father, they always pretended like it was something insignificant and never gave the topic proper attention, Celeste was hurt by this.

"I...I....." her mother started with a stammer

Lucia kept staring into her mother's eyes waiting for answers, searching to find answers.

Suddenly, the mournful howls of werewolves piercing through the night and echoing through the forest interrupt their conversation, a great reminder of Lucia's deficiency.

As if her mother was greatly relieved by the interruption, she stood up abruptly

"It's time Celeste, let's go and meet the rest of the pack outside"

She quickly left the room, Lucia's mother could see in the dark just like every other werewolf but Lucia had to get a torch to find her way downstairs, she followed behind her mother while they walked out.

She was always scared of the full moon, she felt like she was surrounded by predators. She would always watch them transform into werewolves, their bodies morphing and bones reshaping. Her mother told her it was a bit painful but Lucia knew transforming was a lot more painful. The pack knew one of their own and never hurt Lucia even after they transformed into their werewolf forms. She would always go back inside after the full moon, disappointed!

She stood in front of the door and took in deep breaths before stretching her hand to open the door.

"Celeste"

The voice was so commanding, that she knew it was her father's. She turned around

"Yes Father"

She had immense respect for her father or should we call it fear.

"There's no need to go out there, you can stay if you wish"

She didn't know how to feel about his words, should she feel happy about her father's consideration or should she be sad that her father had also lost hope of her transformation?

"Thank you Father but I wish to go"

Her father replied with a nod and with the swiftness of a striking serpent he vanished.

Damn, she wished she could do that, she taught herself.

She proceeded to open the door.

The view was marvelous as usual, every werewolf was out in their numbers, and she just stared every time.

She would catch a few male wolves stealing glances at her but she sincerely had eyes for only one.

She was a ravishing beauty herself. In the moonlight, her face appeared as if sculpted by the gentle hands of nature. Her eyes, shining with a reflection of emerald green, were as clear as diamonds. Her skin is so smooth it appears to be kissed gracefully by the sun. Her most elegant feature was her hair, it was a lustrous silver in color, in its rare and extraordinary nature, Her silver mane cascaded down her feminine shoulders, and each strand appeared to be infused with starlight as the moon rays reflected through her hair, the texture was a soft silky nature compared to a typical werewolf fur. She felt insecure about her hair at times because of the stares she gets in public.

She droned a simple yet elegant dress, that draped softly against her figure, depicting grace. She was greatly admired.

Her eyes widened, she was mesmerized every time by the sight of a whole pack gathering for a cause. She always wondered why they would dress up so beautifully every full moon only to have their clothes torn to pieces by their bodies, She let out a shrug and smirk. 

She started to look around like she was searching for someone. She couldn't stand being anywhere without Lucia. She was her childhood friend and Celeste loved her like no man's business. She wondered why Lucia was taking so long to show up.

"You looking for someone my lady"

The masculine voice emanated with a striking velvety quality which drew her attention.