Once A Luna Now A Stealer

Callista

What am I looking for?

Why am I here?

Where am I?

All I can see is the darkness. Pitch black and cold seeping into my very bones, threatening to take away my free will. Keeping it hidden away, whatever I am searching for. Sometimes the darkness toys with me, giving me glimpses, and I run at them like a madwoman. But then it’s yanked away from me, leaving me lost once again.

Where is it? Show it to me, please, I need to know.

Where is it?

What is it?

Where am I?

Who am I?!

I sit up in bed with a start, clammy with sweat, my heart running a mile a minute.

‘What was that?!’ I question myself, ‘Some kind of nightmare?’

It's early morning when I look out the window. Outside, I could see distant rays of dawn peaking under the dark curtain of the night. I check my bedside clock and learn that it’s 06:00 am. Then my eyes fall on the date, and memories resurface.

Oh, right. It’s my birthday today.

I had a love-hate relationship with birthdays. On one hand, they were birthdays. They had to be happy affairs, that's the way of the world. On the other hand, it was one whole day to remind you ‘Congratulations, you were born, now deal with it.’ If you’re lucky, people will have a little sympathy and wish you a Happy Birthday. While my home life was going to garbage every waking morning, I still had friends. They made the whole affair bearable.

My adoptive parents didn’t care for any celebration on my account. A waste of money that was. I am certain that they had cake and a party when I was young, but since I’ve been old enough to remember things, I’ve been deemed too big for parties. My adoptive sister Ruelle had one each year, so good for her, I guess. Goddess knows she’s nasty enough already I didn’t want to live in this house with her if she didn’t get her way for once.

Anyway, birthdays were not my thing. But this year, it was different.

Today is a day of celebration in our pack for members who have or are just turning eighteen - it’s our coming-of-age ceremony. While I couldn’t care less about whatever changes are going to happen with our social status in the pack after the ceremony, I look forward to finding my wolf, the other half of my soul.

Also, to find out who my mate is. There is one candidate in my heart, one that I love. Everyone knows that the person you fall in love with is bound to be your mate. That's one of the only solaces I have. 

Sleep is but a distant memory. With a grumble and a huff from the unwanted effort, I start to get ready for the day. Brushing my long dark blonde hair into a high ponytail so it won’t bother me while working, I dab some mascara to halo my eyes. Once, a boy who had a crush on me said they reminded him of emeralds, which was a nice compliment I suppose. Personally, I just see them as pale green, vibrant only under the sunlight.

Makeup isn’t my strong suit, not that I need it. As a werewolf is, I am blessed with clear skin and a sharp bone structure, with plump rosy lips and straight, white teeth that looked sharp. These are only routine rituals that I do every morning, but they manage to calm my nerves. Somewhat. I know I’m going to be on high alert all day waiting for any sign from my wolf - something to show that I’ve reached this critical milestone of my life.

But for now, I need to get to school.

***

“Oh, look who'd decided to grace us with her presence?” Ruelle snarks as soon as she sees me. "Hello, your Highness, had a good night's rest?" 

"Hello. Ruelle." I greet her, simply. "And yes, thanks for asking."