Her

Chapter 16

I spent my time in the morning alone, bundled in the furs of the pallet. It was always freezing whenever morning came and especially when night descended. It was strange to think that it was only fall with the extreme temperature. Fall at home had been mild, a few chilly days but it scarcely felt as cold as this unless it was the dead of winter and even then it was far milder. So I waited for Lux to come and rouse me as she typically did.

She never came though.

Realizing that the Alpha was going to avoid me, I roused myself up. I ditched the sleeping slip and pulled on the far thicker one and the overdress that was still a little too big for me. Pushing my too small foot into the oversized wool socks and then into the fur trimmed boots, I was almost ready to go and tend to my usual duties that I had found. I was free to go and do whatever I assumed, I hadn't ever been told otherwise and so I went and busied myself with kitchen chores and the nursery area.

I pulled the uncontrollable mane of hair into another braid, difficulty assuming since my hair was wet when I fell asleep and it was as tangled as a briar patch. I gave up after a few tries, hair sticking out and pieces pulled out to frame my face. I pointed ignored my reflection in the mirror as I most often did and stepped out of the safety of the room and was met with such a commotion, it made me falter in my steps.

Wolves rushed back and forth, busy with armfuls of items and wearing clothing that looked nicer then usual. Furs that weren't so matted, a woman had ornaments weaves into her hair, the gold pieces glinting in the lights of the home. It was such a jarring sight compared to the usual warrior gruffness that the women and men here shared. My mind scrambled for some sort of explanation of what was going on.

Saskia appeared arms carrying the small daughter who was dressed for the occasion as well, the small girl wearing a rather ornate gown trimmed with white hare fur. Even she was wearing something as equally ornate, hair decorated with glinting ribbons of gold as well. "Oh, Cyra!" She hummed brightly, her good eye gleaming in excitement. It was obvious she hadn't discovered my earlier disappearance or my newfound knowledge. Maybe she didn't even know.

"What's going on?" I asked, eyes flicking around to study the new details. "Is it some sort of holiday?" I asked, wondering if it was the creation day of one of their gods.

"It's the day of legacien." She simply replied, smile still bright and the excitement of the pack now obvious. "Didn't Lux tell you? She went to go look for you and help get you ready yesterday." She said, shifting the gurgling child onto her hip. "Do you need help? No offense dear but. . . You are expected to wear something a little nicer." She said carefully.

I felt stupid for a moment, inwardly groaning. Legacien day was a sacred holiday to all packs. All the days differed but they all celebrated the same thing more or less, the creation of the packs that our gods had released onto earth. Today it seemed, I would come face to face with whatever monsters that the northerners worshipped as their creation gods.

"No. . . She didn't have the time." I answered, it was the true after all. I didn't necessarily want to talk about the Alpha much less talk to anyone that resided here. Yet. . . I couldn't help but feel the she-wolf's innocence or perhaps naivety to the whole thing. Perhaps she truly didn't know? Maybe it was a secret that the Alpha and her family kept to themselves. I desperately wanted to believe that. I laughed, shaking my head a little as I held my arm for a moment. "I understand. The help would be nice. I'm not sure what I should wear." I admitted somewhat lamely.

Saskia clicked her tongue and gave me a warm smile. "Don't worry, I understand. Your position is. . . Unique." She said oddly, "I'll take you to the Mystic, she'll have you properly outfitted."

At the mention of the Mystic, my mind came back to the bone and the small etching that had been carved into it. Saskia's oddness the way she had said position. I pushed the thoughts that arouse with it away, there wasn't any possibility. None whatsoever. It was me being hopeful, wanting to improve my status, me being greedy for being more than a useless Omega.

I allowed Saskia to lead me outside to the hut the mystic resided in, memories of odd body paint and warmth flooded my mind as we stood outside the door. I could already smell the faint hints of the odd spices and herbs as Saskia knocked, awaiting the arrival of the godly woman.

A moment later, her pale face appeared. All curling red lips pulled into a smile, the same dark colored paint swirled onto her face and I couldn't help but wonder if it was permanent rather then painstakingly applied everyday. She motioned us in, the jingling of bracelets calling us forward as we stepped into the hut. It was the same as before, items haphazardly scattered, silks and velvets aligning the area like a nest.

"I'm supposing you've brought her to be properly outfitted?" The mystic mused, looking towards the Beta female. We had thankfully left Tulip back at the house, I could only imagine the trouble the toddler would get into here.

"Yes mystic." Saskia mumbled, dipping her head. "I thought it'd be best if you were the one to prepare her for tonight."

"Very well, now be on your way. Thank you." The girl replied with a bow of her head and watched as the Beta female left with a sigh.

"Honesty, is Lux so stubborn? After communing with the gods and all? Does Ukaya's words mean nothing?" The girl scoffed, hands thrown in frustration and the bracelets jingled more madly. "It doesn't matter, she has, I mean has to allow you to accompany her tonight. It wouldn't be proper otherwise." She said and shook her head. "Now, have you bathed today? Surely you don't plan to go like that with your hair? You know what? Nevermind, you get no choice in the matter." She scoffed.

"What's wrong with m-" I was about to ask with a frown before she promptly shushed me.

She gripped onto my arm, pulling me through the mess of the hut. "No time to speak! I must get you ready to meet the gods, Erisim will be most interested I'm sure. You must be bathed and dressed accordingly as well. No more common clothes, strutting around as if you aren't Lux's mate." She clicked her tongue.

"Mate?" My heart clenched, the thought I had been carrying, the painful way my body contracted upon her arrival, the sudden ferocity and gentleness Lux treated me with. "Omegas don't have mates, we don't even procreate!" I argued.

"Is that what you've been told?" She clicked her tongue, leading me to a room with a bath, much simpler then Lux's as she ran the water. It looked cold. "You have so much more potential then that. Do you think Lux would have made it with some Beta male? Do you not see her temper? She could never carry a child anyways!" She scoffed, "The pack would have to change hands to. . . to." She faltered for a moment, picking up strange bottles filled with petals and oils, dumping them into the tub. She shook her head. "No, no, we need you. Now, get in the bath."

I looked at her with hesitance, processing the information that the mystic had just bestowed upon me. I had a somewhat good idea who she faltered of mentioning. Samael. My blood ran cold at the idea of him ruling a pack, governing it towards bloodshed. At the mention of the bath, I regarded it was suspicion, staring down at it.

"Well? Hurry! We don't have all day!"

I clumsily and hurriedly undressed, stepping into the water. Just as I had thought, it was as freezing as the landscape outside. Hands came on my shoulders and promptly pushed me into the tub, I shuddered and yelped at the sudden exposure. I had been pushed down to my shoulders, body quaking and suddenly another bottle of oil was poured over my head, making me gasp for a moment. The strong smell of something floral, a flower I couldn't identify overcame my senses.

"We have a lot of work to do it seems."