Chapter 27 An Unexpected Visitor
Two days after I finished my first semester of college, my heat cycle hit again.
It was longer, lasting six full days. Aylin explained that since we were a mated pair, the heat would be stronger and longer each time until I became pregnant.
We had already discussed having a baby and we don't think right now is the best time for us, so we have been using protection, ever since my first heat.
I figure I will be able to handle it since the heat cycle only comes every six months, so we can decide if we are ready for a baby before each cycle.
“Aylin, that was intense!” I say looking at my mate.
“I am going to take the rest of today and tonight to rest, okay?”
“Okay, Celest, I am going to take a quick shower and then I have to go check up on some pack paperwork. Don’t wait up for me, okay, just rest, the heat cycle doesn't affect me like you love.” After he left I laid on our bed and crashed so hard that I didn’t feel Aylin come back to bed.
In the morning, Aylin and I shower, I go into the closet and for the first time since being here I pick a shirt that will show off my mark, I put on a white off the shoulder top.
It has layers of ruffles that go halfway down my thigh.
On top of the shirt I put on a midnight purple corset that has sparkly silver stars all over it.
I found the matching purple tights that also have a few silver stars on them, and a pair of silver sparkling flats.
I do my hair again in curls that hold up my silver moon and blue and purple stared tiara.
Alyin walks in the closet and grabs a pair of black fitted slacks and a midnight purple top that has silver filigree on it.
“Come on Aylin I haven’t been downstairs in days, and I want to see our people and eat a good meal,” I grabbed his hand and started pulling him to the door and he followed reluctantly, I know he has so much work to do.
We made our way down to the dining room and found most of our housemates eating as well. Zeta looked up and smiled at me.
“Oh Goddess, look at that beautiful mark! You have been with us already for quite a few months and I have yet to see it with everything going on! Aylin, what does yours look like?”
He lifts his shirt to show the same mark as mine.
“Yours is the same as hers? I have never seen that before. Normally each one of us has their own. But then again, I have not witnessed two Lycan together.”
She said, scratching her head. “I wonder if it has something to do with her being the Queen,” she kept talking but more to herself then to us.
We walk hand in hand to the counter where breakfast has been laid out buffet style.
I do not hesitate and grab a heaping plate of food, I feel so hungry.
Aylin lets out a chuckle and grabs his own plate.
As we sit down to eat when there is a tap on the resident door and Zeta goes and answers it.
A young woman asking about open rooms comes in and follows Zeta.
She kept apologizing, saying she didn’t know it was the resident entrance, and Zeta assured her that it was okay and just next time to go in the front.
As she passes the table she stops abruptly and stares at me directly into my eyes, and the slowest grin creeps across her face and her dark green eyes light up.
Her beauty takes my breath away as I stare back at her.
She is around 5 feet tall, lean but muscular and has very dark satin brown hair, almost black.
She has striking features, well defined lips, smooth clear tanned skin, and high cheek bones.
She doesn’t say anything, but she bows to me and continues to follow Zeta to the front lobby.
Through our link Aylin asks, “Do you know who that is?”
“No I don't, why?” “Something is off, she bowed to you, and she is not from our pack.”
“I have been bowed to a lot since telling the pack I am Queen, maybe she has friends or family around who have heard the news?”
“I don’t know Celest, I haven’t seen her before and I have been to all the packs around, and she doesn’t have a scent, which is odd.”
I feel a sinking feeling in my stomach and Aylin grabs my knee.
“I’m sure it’s fine, just a passerby needing a place to sleep,” he says and continues eating.
Through our link I can tell he is nervous, we don’t normally have nonwolves show up like this.
While putting my dishes away I talk with Zeta about my mark, “I have never seen a mated pair with the same mark Celest. I wonder if it's because you're lycan?”
“Zeta, I have actually been working with Archer about this. Since I am Queen my mark will match my mate. That is how it has been for the previous Queens as well.”
“Oh, you’re working with Archer? Are you two compiling all the new information about lycan and you being queen?” I nod, “That is so exciting!”
“I want to thank you Zeta, for having Aylin here and then protecting me. As you already know, I never thought I would find love, because of my past but l am so in love and connected with Aylin. I can feel everything through our bond. I am excited now that I can link with him and the pack.
Since having that run-in Bloodmoon pack, helping the pack with some concerns, and school I haven't been home much. I have missed spending time with you and Asher, especially since you are due to have your baby anytime now.
I want you to know I have been working hard with Joe and I am able to use two of my lycan abilities. He thinks that since I am Queen I was granted more than one. I have been able to cast out my aura of peace on two occasions and heal our crops with a golden aura.
I finally feel like I am useful to our family.”
I look at her and give a big hug. “Thank you for everything you have been doing for me.” She smiles and hugs me back.
“Celest I knew that since you came to me at the age of 21 you would have more responsibilities than you would have as a child, but the truth is sweetheart, I am just grateful you found your way back to me.
I know that as you grow into your true form you may not always be around the Inn or even on the pack lands. I just want you to know, I love you, and am very proud of you.”
I hug her again, she really is the mother I always wanted. “I love you too Zeta.”
When I let her go a strong sensation comes over my body, and I feel like I am being pulled in the direction of the gardens. “Hey Zeta the garden is calling to me, especially now that everything is in bloom, I am going to sit out there for a while, okay?”
“Okay Celest, I’ll let Aylin know.”
I go out to the garden and sit in the swinging chair.
The day is beautiful and the weather, though breezy, is nice.
I grab the throw blanket that’s resting on the chair and sit there listening to everything and anything around me.
There are birds chirping and different animal sounds from the meadow is peaceful.
I close my eyes, swaying back and forth just listening, when I hear a small voice singing in a low voice:
In the hush of the velvet night
Where the ancient oaks hold tight The sisters gather by the cauldron's smoke
And the youngest one, the silence broke
She saw a vision in the flame
A quiet heart without a name
Not of power, not of steel
But one to heal, one to heal.
By the root and by the stem
They pass the warning, pass the gem
A child of twilight, born of grace
Will bring the balance to this place
Through the chaos, through the storm
The prophecy will soon take form
Harmony, oh, harmony
They see the broken, shattered glass
Where the greedy armies pass
But in the center, flickers light
Banishing the longest night Not by fire, not by sword
But a gentle, spoken word
To heal the infection, to mend the broken way
We’ll walk in a new direction, and bring forth a brighter day.
The 8 stars collide in perfect tune
Under the silver-crested moon
The prophecy is sealed and spun
Before the rising of the sun
Fear not the darkness in the air
The one who comes is holding care.
The circle breaks, the mist ascends
The wait was long, the path now bends
The six rivers shall flow and do not waiver,
Harmony restored by the predicted savior.
The song is so mysterious and beautiful, but I can’t open my eyes and look.
They almost feel like they are glued shut.
I feel a gentle hand run across my face and the voice whispers on, “We have been looking for you Queen Celest, you must come to me. You’re the cure to the infection and the time is now,” I feel a pinch on my shoulder and my eyes spring open, but no one is there.
I raise my hand to my cheek, and I can still feel the warmth from the hand.
Who was that? What infection were they referring to?
I look down and there is a small drop of blood on my shoulder.
I wipe it off and look at the blood on my hand.
Aylin comes outside and freezes when he sees the smear of blood across my fingers.
“What just happened; are you okay?” I look up to him and with blank eyes.
“I don’t know, I just found this on my shoulder. Is there a little mark, maybe something bit me?”
“Weird there is nothing there,” He sat down with me, and I rested my head on his shoulder.
I told him about the voice saying they were looking for me and the song I heard.
But, when I opened my eyes there was this bead of blood, but no one was out here with me.
Aylin looked around, he seemed nervous about the situation.
I shrug, “Maybe someone was just singing nearby,” I say as we continued to swing in the garden.
The day was quiet and lovely. After enjoying the morning with Aylin outside on the swing, he had to go to his office.
He let me know it would be a while because there is a lot of work that needs to be done since he stayed with me during my heat cycle.
I made my way inside and sat down in the study.
I want to investigate what that voice was singing about, some kind of infection.
Plus, Aylin had Archer have been doing some scouting on elder centers from the bigger cities.
They brought me some fliers so I want to use them to start drafting my ideas on what I would want in the elderly home.
The day passed quickly and when I looked up it was dark outside my window, and the clock struck ten.
I called it quits and found Aylin, still in a meeting, and blew him a kiss and made my way to our room.
Our room; I was never going to get tired of that.
I climb into our bed and pull up the covers and drift off to a restless sleep.