C4 The Aftermath

The air hung heavy with a palpable sense of unease, the events of the night casting a long shadow over the once tranquil homestead. The moon, now retiring as the sunset rises in the sky, bathes the surroundings in an ethereal light, its beams casting an otherworldly sheen over the unfolding events.

I stood immobilized, the pendant clutched tightly in my hand, as I grappled with the profound implications of what had transpired. The sudden transformation in Emily, her feral instincts unleashed and the precarious sense of control hanging in the balance had left her reeling with a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

The sight of Emily, my daughter's eyes reflecting an untamed hunger, had etched an indelible mark of fear and uncertainty in my heart. My mind raced with questions, each one more pressing than the last. How had the pendant failed to temper the burgeoning primal urges that now surged within Emily? What greater forces were at play, exerting their insidious influence over my daughter's awakening?

I wondered what might have happened if the full moon hadn’t retired that minute. I would have been dead or probably brutally massacred.

I stood at the cusp of a new reality, my world irrevocably altered by the mysterious forces that now swept through the surroundings with an ethereal grace.

The distant howl of a wolf, borne on the whispering winds, served as a haunting reminder of the untamed wilderness that now coursed through my daughter's veins. Emily, her once-unassuming presence now suffused with an enigmatic aura, had become the unwitting vessel for a power that defied rational explanation.

My heart swelled with a potent mixture of concern and resolve as I sought to comprehend the unfolding enigma. The pendant, its ancient symbolism etched with the burden of a legacy far older than memory, lay heavy in my palm. Its purpose once shrouded in enigma, now demanded a clarity that teased at the fringes of my consciousness.

My thoughts were interrupted by a soft stirring from the figure of Jason, the discovery of his presence was a sobering reminder of the precariousness of the situation. His gradual return to consciousness would undoubtedly add yet another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama.

“Is she still sleeping?” I asked him.

He nodded, still dumbfounded. I could feel him trying to gather words and compose himself.

“How long has this been happening? He broke the silence. What would we do? She is already a threat to herself and everyone. If the people find out….”

“No, they will not, they must not, we will find a way to help her control this. If you truly love my daughter Jason you will help her through this. I know it is a lot to ask, yes I know your safety also matters but right now she needs people she can trust.” I said with tears gradually swelling up.

Jason looked at me with concern in his eyes. I know he loves my daughter very much. But will he be willing to start this journey with her and it won’t cost him his life in the process?

“I need to leave.” He said, leaving me utterly confused and alone.

I breathed deeply to steady myself and turned my gaze to the sunset, its serene beauty a stark contrast to the tumult that had descended upon our lives. Every fiber of my being yearned for a semblance of normalcy, for the chance to understand and perhaps alleviate the turbulence that now threatened to engulf Emily's existence.

Determined to unlock the secrets that had been unleashed, I resolved to delve deeper into the history of the werewolf moon circle and the significance of the pendant that had been passed down through generations. I drew upon the fragments of knowledge that my husband had imparted, this made me remember my husband's study room.

“There may be a hidden truth or something I could find that could help my daughter. There must be.” I said hoping to glean a greater understanding of the immense legacy that now weighed heavily upon my shoulders.

With a renewed sense of purpose, I set out to uncover the enigmatic truths that had remained shrouded in mystery, mindful of the profound consequences that lay in the balance. Each step forward, every revelation unearthed, held the promise of guiding Emily through.

I headed to Emily's room, I saw her sitting on her bed in pain. My heartbeat stopped for a moment. I was in uttermost discomfort.

****************

I sensed my mother's presence. I could feel her pain, her discomfort, and her fear of me.

“Don’t come any closer Mother, I might hurt you. I’m a monster mother…. I’m a monster, the universe has denied me happiness. The earth will despise me when they see my true nature, Mother. No one will stand beside me.” I cried bitterly

“Emily Doris Ethan, I will stand with you between the heavens and the earth even in death will I protect you with everything I have in me. My daughter I will be your rock, I will stand as your shield even though my strength does not match the difficulties ahead,” she said in tears and with a shaky voice.

“Look at me, Emily, look at me. I will finish what I started even if it’s the only thing I do for the rest of my life,” she said confidently.

She ran to hug me so tightly and kissed me. I felt my heart race subsiding as I was in my mother’s arms. She was the antidote to my rage….

“My dear, you have to come with me, I need to show you something. Something I think can help us through these times,” she said.

I wondered what the discovery might be. Would it lead to more complications or would it give me a definite answer to all this?

****************

I sat on my large balcony thinking…. It's been years now and the council hasn't found me worthy because of the sins allegedly placed on my father.

I am filthy wealthy and possess all that money can buy. But it still doesn't earn me a little respect.

A wolf without a pack is said to be useless. I have been useless for years now. I am supposed to be part of the Moon Circle's strongest pack. I am meant to be Alpha, not that stupid opportune child Scott or whatever his name might be.

I need to get the attention of the higher authority. They must see me and value me. I need to take out thousands of human lives to be able to gain their attention and probably clear this nonsense image placed on me.

“Lucian! Lucian! Come here quickly.” I ordered.

“Yes, Master Dean, you called me.” He said,

Lucian was a very loyal servant, he had served my father for decades and now he serves me.

“Tell me Lucian, which human town has seemed hard to conquer? We need to visit them and show these councils of werewolves how it's done.” I said pridefully.

“My Lord, it seems that Silverwood town has been killing every creature that attacks the community. Even trained werewolves don't survive. The hunters are undyingly skilled.” He said,

“Interesting, gather the pets. We are going on a little trip.” I said with a smile….