Only A WishWritten by: Udon T.E. And Abigail K.T.

Chapter 15: Canis Alatus

Chapter Fifteen:

[]CANIS ALATUS[]

"Stella," I said, relishing the way it rolled off my tongue, savouring it for a split second.

Now that I'd officially gotten a spirit dog, I had hastily jogged to the kennels. 'Pyri. You have your first day of Spirit training tomorrow, correct?' Stella asked me through our newly formed bond, the question rolling off her figurative tongue with such overwhelming grace even I could envy her.

"Yes, about" I paused, remembering. "Seven-forty," I replied, out loud, all the while testing our new, silvery-lined bond, watching it pulse and bend in my mind.

'Understood.'

After a few paces of unnervingly awkward silence that neither of us wanted to break, I spoke up.

"So... Stella, what do you like to do?" I asked, nonchalantly attempting to fuel a conversation.

'I like hunting.' she said through our bond, her eyes filled with cool, calm calculation as she slid her chilling gaze up at me.

"...Oh," I said, not loving hunting, but mind you, not because you usually have to kill the animal. I, impeccable with a bow, have never missed a mark.

'I also like to guard my bonded Xenatrian.' She glared down at me, not giving up her too-cool attitude.

"Anything else?" I said helplessly.

'Fine!' she whispered through the bond. 'I also. Like. To. ...chase, " she said defeatedly.

"Great! Finally, something we both love! Running." I said, lightly clapping my hands.

'...yay.' Stella responded sarcastically, but I knew she meant well.

We entered the building and I clicked off my helmet, tossing my hair. 'Woah.' Stella breathed, awestruck. 'You're even prettier than I imagined.'

"O-oh, well thanks, I guess. '' I said flatteredly rubbing the back of my head.

I tugged gently on my high ponytail, tightening it.

"OK, we should probably get to your new home. My locker is 103, so that's down here. They said the kennels would specifically adjust to our breed." I told Stella.

'Okay,' she responded. I thought I heard a slight tone of nervousness in her voice.

"Uh, Stella, I'll come to visit you in the morning before training, and I'll try to come tonight, okay? You won't be alone." I comforted Stella as my gaze softened

Hold it together, Pyri, I thought as a flood of emotions threatened to overcome me.

'Thank you, it means a lot.' She flicked her gaze away, her face and her voice changed back into practised neutrality.

"You can tell me what happened when you're ready, okay? I won't push you to tell me." I said, somewhat understanding how Stella felt. I smoothed my hair again, one hand still on the obnoxiously useless leash.

I walked her into the kennel and scanned her with my wrist bracelet.
"Wow", I muttered, "Purebred Akita. I got myself a hell of a steal.".

-[ADJUSTING SURROUNDING TO -AKITA- NOW]- The AI voice of the kennel said.

Almost immediately, the temperature in Stella's kennel dropped, and a light wind started blowing. In the corner, there was a large tent with a warm, heated dog bed in it. I walked over to the plush bed and pat beside me, signalling for Stella to come. In a few steps, she covered the distance, her movements so full of practised grace it made even me jealous. She plopped down beside me, resting her head on her paws. I gently stroked her back, absentmindedly, as I let memories from before Lucerix swallow me, Stella's cold attitude letting reminders of my 'family' back home seep back into my mind. Hold it together, Zephyr, hold it together. I fought tears, battling against the flow of past emotions.

As if sensing it. Stella's voice filled my head, cradling my mind and blocked out the memories I had been reliving.

'Who are those people?' Stella prodded, her voice as gentle as I'd ever heard it.

"My..." I decided whether or not to call them family, seeing as to what they do to me. "My family." Insularity creeped into my voice against my will.

'They seem like mine.' Stella forced, voice strained against the agony of own past.

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Word count: 690 words

Apologies for not publishing this one, don't know how that happened

(UPDATED X)

Xx Abigail