Hunted Memories

28- Awakening

Narrator's POV

The room grew silent as they all watched Kathy squirm in pain. The glow in her mark only increased even more. Aerial prayed in his mind that Kathy would come out of that situation. His only daughter was in so much pain. Triton held Kathy's hand in his, wishing she would open her eyes and tell him that everything would be all right. 

"Where is mother now?" Triton whispered, his eyes still on his sister. 

"The Oracle and elders took her."

"It's been two days and she hasn't woken up," Zena announced worriedly as Kathy laid still on the bed. 

Their attention was taken back to Kathy who's mark was glowing even more. The light from her mark increased to the point where it was almost blinding. Everyone had to close their eyes so as not to go blind. Cynthia was the first one to open her eyes and when she did, what she saw caused her to stumble back in astonishment. The rest followed suit, shock was evident on their faces. 

Kathy's mark had fully turned red. The crescent moon was bigger and seemed to be glowing. It also had another symbol attached to the middle. Aerial thought the symbol looked particularly familiar. Kathy opened her eyes with a gasp and they were even more surprised. Her eyes were as red as the second moon on the day of the new moon. 

"Oh. My. Moon!" Cynthia exclaimed as they all watched Kathy sit up. 

"Are you okay?" Aerial rushed over to Kathy. 

Kathy looked up, her eyes teared up as the previous events flashed through her mind. 

"Mother…" She mumbled, her eyes pleading with him to tell her what she wanted to hear. 

"She survived but barely. The Oracle and elders took her to the moon pool to request healing from the goddess. Only they can be in there with her, we can only stay here and pray for her," Aerial told her. 

Kathy breathed out in relief. The darkness she felt earlier returned to its spot in her mind. She tried to find guilt for killing Lena but couldn't find any. 

"I remember everything now," Kathy announced. 

"Everything?" Aerial asked hesitantly. 

Kathy nodded. All her memories had been returned to her. Everything Lena did to her after Hala took her to the beach. She sat on the sand waiting for Hala to return. Lena appearing in her true form and touching her forehead with black mist encompassing her pointer finger. Kathy passed and when she woke up, everything from her first ten years of living was gone. 

"Do you feel any different?" Triton asked. 

"No, I feel better, whole and even more powerful," Kathy replied, sounding different. 

"What is your name?" Aerial asked. 

"Ayla," she whispered, the name flowing easily off her lips like she was in a trance. Aerial let out a sob of relief. His little Princess was back. The name Ayla was given to her by her mother. It means the halo of light around the moon. Just perfect for Hala's little moon. 

"I've never really liked the name Kathy anyway. Ayla suits me better," she said with a tired grin on her face. 

Ayla was her name. The name was given to her by her biological parents. She preferred that to Kathy which was given to her by April Mallory. Now, Kathy would be a distant memory just as April. 

Ayla was her name, her identity, her memories, and her new life. And she loved it. 

Meanwhile, outside the room, a black wolf was seen pacing outside. With enhanced hearing, he heard that she had woken up and was fine. His mate was in that room and too close but far from his reach. He could perceive her addicting scent of cherry blossoms, a scent only he as her mate could perceive. He shot a longing look at the window before trotting away. She wouldn't feel the mate bond anyway.