Her

Chapter 23

I loathed having to wait for night to fall after Lux's talk. She'd let me go, giving me a little journal of sorts and charcoal sticks to sketch and write out the things I would need for the nursery. Instead I had simply set the items down and mutely stared at them. The idea of somehow becoming pregnant with Lux's offspring set a wave of panic and sickness through me and so did the idea of planning the nursery. We weren't exactly a conventional couple in any means of the way. She hardly spoke to me and the times we did interact was during night when she'd ask me about my day or to simply pull me closer. It wasn't as if we were a couple of any sorts but rather two bodies that shared a room. I shuddered at the idea of things apparently changing as she promised. Changing into what? I glanced down towards the journal once more, unsure of what would even go into a nursery. Cribs yes but where would we get those? And to decorate it? I wouldn't know how or where to begin!

I curled my knees to my chest, nauseous as I continued to think about tonight. After Lux had left, I'd sat in the nursery on an old rocking chair, simply staring at the journal and charcoal sticks. The more that I looked at the old nursery, the more lost and trapped I seemed to feel. Homesickness struck me for a moment but not for my old pack but rather Calix. In all these weeks, his memory had floated from my mind but I never grabbed onto for long. What was he doing now? What was he thinking? Was he better off without me or was he worse? I knew I had certainly held him back from a lot of things but maybe he still fared the same. I was desperate for any familiar contact, someone to soothe my worries. Unsurprisingly, nothing and no one came though as I tucked my head between my knees and prayed for an answer, a deliverance of some sort.

Nothing came of that either. My Gods were a long ways away, by the eastern seas and in the timbered forests. They didn't reside in the ice and snow with these new Gods.

The hours trickled by, I didn't move from where Lux left me. Where would I go? I didn't feel confident enough to return to the nursery and act as if nothing had happened. I didn't want to wait in the bedroom for her to show. The dread of having to move only grew inside but was interrupted by the knock of a door. I paused, glancing over. It wasn't the nursery door but rather the bedroom. I got up, abandoning the notebook and sticks as I went to answer it. I knew it couldn't have been Lux and the thought was a soothing one. As I twisted the handle, I suddenly found myself face to face with Saskia. She smiled.

"Lux told me you'd still be in here, planning the nursery." She said with a little smile for a moment. "Are you excited? You always seem to do so well with the pups, including my little Tulip and the boys so I'm sure you must be excited at the possibility of your own little ones." She mused, her hands clasped together.

I didn't answer.

She seemed to understand that the subject was a sore one because she didn't broach it again. "Oh. . . Well, the mystic sent for you. She has things to discuss with you I imagine." She said, stepping back.

I nodded and she watched for a moment as she turned, leading me back from the room down and into the halls. I was beginning to feel as if the mystic was becoming annoyed with her retrieval of me. I could only hope it wouldn't be like last time in which she rubbed me down with strange oils and forced me to take baths. The idea was uncomfortable and as we stepped outside her hut, I found myself praying it wouldn't be anything like that. The door to the hut swung open and the sharp scent of herbs and oils struck me. The mystic looked impatient, waving me in but stopping Saskia once again. The Beta didn't seem to mind, only dipped her head in respect and turned away as the door shut.

"So it seems the day has finally come." The mystic started to speak, glancing back towards me as she reached and gently touched my cheek. "Maybe it's good we waited so long, you look healthier now." She mused quietly. "Night is almost on us and I need to get you ready. The Gods May bless you with a litter but they need the proper help to do so." She said as she started to open oils.

My nose wrinkled, I took a step back. "There must be some confusion, I'm an Omega, I'm barren." I stressed for a moment, discomfort evident in my voice. "I hardly even know Lux! We're not mates of any sort most certainly and I don't understand how I'm supposed to do anything you keep mentioning."

She glanced back towards me, clicking her tongue. "Sit down on the chair and I'll explain." She motioned me. I followed suit, hesitant but sitting down.

"Yes it is true you are an Omega and barren." She began to speak as she started to pour things into a bowl. Red powder and oils were sprinkled in and I could faintly smell the spiced aromas of whatever was being added. "But even your barrenness can be fixed with a Gods touch and Ukaya is sure to visit tonight after the ceremony." She said as she grabbed a pestle, grinding whatever was added into the bowl. "Their a fertility God and even though your pairing for better words lack the necessary parts, it's still possible for you to conceive a child with their help." She said, pausing to add something else. "Still, there is the matter of your relationship to Lux but even Ukaya can't help completely with that." She shook her head, setting the pestle down. I could faintly see a sort of paste clinging to the object.

I watched her grab a paintbrush. "Now strip, I need to start the preparations."

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