The Black Wolf and her Mate

ONE

10 years ago

"Mummy, Mummy!" I yelled, trying to get my mother's attention. "Yes, baccha (child)?" She answered. 

"Look what I made!" I said, showing her my latest drawing: A wolf as back as night, howling at the moon. My mom seemed to drift off into space, zoning out. "Hello, mommy?" I said, snapping her out of her thoughts. She shook her head, returning to the world before smiling at me. "Very nice!" She appreciated. I smiled, and puffed out my chest in pride. 

My brother came running by me, tickling my sides, causing me to double over, laughing. "Ramesh, stop tickling your sister!" My mom scolded. He immediately stopped, but grinned mischievously at me. I tilted my head to the side, trying to figure out what he was grinning about. 

Before I could ask, he grabbed my drawing and dashed upstairs. I followed in suit. He used his supernatural speed against me. "That's not fair!" 8-year old me whined. Ram just cackled. "Lena hai to pakad!!!" He taunted. (If you want to take it, catch it.) 

I pouted and turned my head. My mom shook her head at our antics, smiling. "You remember the story of the black wolf that I told you?" She asked me. My eyes widened as I nodded. "Haan, (Yes), mumma." I said, wanting to hear what came next in the story. She never really told me the whole thing. 

All she told me is that one day, in a village where everything seemed normal, a little girl was born, who was special. No one knew it until she was in her teens, but on her 14th birthday, she shifted into a wolf. Not just any wolf - one with pitch black fur. Everyone believed it was a curse. They hated her. 

I fell asleep after that part. I hated that I didn't ever find out what came next. Stories don't end like this! They are meant to lift your spirits!

"You have a special gift. You will shift after your brother because your wolf's potential is greater. You are destined for so much more." She said. I smiled. I hugged my mom because I just wanted to make the moment more lighthearted. The way she was talking about it was as if it was a bad thing. I didn't like how heavy and uneasy the atmosphere got. 

I didn't quite like that she left the story at that, either. I wanted to know what happened next.

I dashed back upstairs with newfound courage and snatched the paper from Ram's hands and stuck my tongue out childishly at him. 

Of course, I never believed it until I shifted. I thought it was just to make me feel better.

Present Day

It was just another regular morning, where I woke up to the alarm in my depressing, boring room. 

Good morning I greeted my wolf. 

Yes, I shifted and yes, my wolf was pitch black, just like in the story my mom told me. I shifted just a year after Ram did. 

Good morning My wolf responded.

After getting dressed and ready in under 10 mins, I made my way downstairs and made breakfast for my dad. Ever since my mom died, he has been different. He ordered everyone around and left his pack. He was Alpha of the Crescent pack. Since me and Ram were only 11 at the time, we had no choice but to obey and follow him. 

We both are 18 now. Our birthday passed just a few weeks ago. I shuddered at the memory of that night.

I brought breakfast on the table and started eating mine. I made some for Ram, too, purely out of the goodness of my heart. I didn't have to make food for Ram, but I just decided to, anyway. 

Flashback

"Happy birthday, Priya!" Ramesh wished me. "You too, Ram." I replied. "Wishing time." I whispered. We both closed our eyes and made a wish. I wished for us to be out of this hellhole of a home. I just wanted to leave. Nothing stopped me. Not even my Dad could stop us, but we had nowhere to go.