3. Chapter 3
Chosen
My whole body feels numb, and the word Chosen is ringing in my mind, over and over again.
My entire life, I grew up with stories about humans that were changed into shifters with a bite.
Almost all of them were humans that were mates to a wolf and integrated into the shifter community before receiving the bite.
I’d only heard of one human that was bitten against their will and it was an isolated incident where a crazed wolf became obsessed with the human and attempted to change her as a way to force a mate bond.
The human didn’t survive the change and the wolf was executed for forcing the bite and the murder of a human.
Never have I ever heard of a human being attacked by a feral wolf and becoming a Chosen. What did this mean for me? What about …
“My parents, do they know?”
Dr. Lycan looks up at the woman sitting beside the bed. I didn’t notice she grabbed my other hand until now. Usually I’d feel uncomfortable with strangers, or anyone really, touching me, but with the two of them, I don’t mind so much.
“Rebbeca, my name is Abigail Wolfsbane. I’m your liaison, kind of like a social worker assigned to help you through the beginning stages of the change and a guide for integrating into the shifter community. I called your parents as soon as I was made aware of the situation.”
My heart breaks when I hear the tone of voice she uses when mentioning my parents. Nothing good can come from someone sounding so cautious. I know that they would be shocked at the change, but what could they possibly have done to make this wolf feel so uneasy about sharing it with me?
“What did they say?”
I can tell by the look in her eyes that it was worse than I’d originally thought.
Her honey and earth scent sours and I’m almost distracted enough to wonder how I know it's her and why I can detect the difference. I also know that Dr. Lycan smells like roses and wintergreen gum, but the rose isn’t his natural scent.
It also makes me feel a strange mix of safety and unease.
Like I should be worried about something because of the roses, but also like I can trust him to keep me safe because of the wintergreen.
It’s very strange and disorienting, but Abigail's voice draws me back to the conversation at hand.
“They were naturally very upset. I offered to allow them to come see you, but they refused, they said, and I’m very sorry to have to quote this to you, ‘Our daughter died in the woods that night. That beast isn’t anything to us now.
’” She looks up at me with tears in her eyes.
“I’m so sorry, Rebecca. I wish I had better news for you. ”
Abigail really does seem sorry to have to tell me that my parents are that awful.
I try to tell myself that I didn’t expect anything else, but the lie is obvious, even in my own mind.
I’d always thought their indifference towards me was made up, or that it was all in my head and I was seeing things that weren't there.
Now I know for sure that when my mother said they never wanted me and I was an accident, she truly meant it.
I can’t lie, the words cut deep, they hurt worse than the attack, but it's nothing less than what I expected from them. Both of my parents are great people to others. They’d give the shirts off their backs if someone needed it.
However, they are very prejudiced about the shifter community and make it no secret that they think the wolves should all be killed or exiled away from humans.
Their response to what happened to me doesn’t come as a surprise and it isn’t anyone's fault but their own. I’m ashamed to say that I was raised by such bigoted, backwards people.
I can’t choose who I came from, but I can choose to be different than they were.
I can choose whether or not I accept them as family.
And after this, I will never accept them again.
“Thank you for letting them know, Miss Wolfsbane.” I smile at Abigail and I can tell that it’s weak and not very believable, but it’s the best I have to give right now.
“I’m not all that shocked at their response, but I’d hoped it’d be different knowing it was their daughter and the circumstances surrounding the change.
So, what happens now?” My gaze flickers between Abigail’s shocked yet awed expression and Dr. Lycan’s gentle gaze.
I’m not sure who I should be addressing, but I do know that I’m no longer as tired as I was before this talk.
I’m ready to move forward and start my new unexpected life.
Hopefully this one turns out better than my human one.
“You’re taking this all very well, Rebecca.
Please know that if at any time you have questions or you don’t understand something, you can ask us.
No question is too small or dumb. This is an entire new life and culture than the one you've previously lived.” Dr. Lycan catches my full attention once again.
There is something about him that makes me think he is used to being in charge and taking over.
It seems he is ready to move the conversation along again.
Abigail looks a bit relieved that he is as she seems to be having trouble keeping her emotions in check.
I don’t want her to be upset about my parents.
Their choices are their own and I’ve grown very used to living my life without their input.
From the time I turned sixteen, they basically left me to my own devices.
Now, here I am, talking with two wolves and feeling more comforted by the nice, bossy doctor than I ever did by them.
I hope that I’ll be able to tell Abigail about how cold my parents have always been, if for no other reason than to absolve her of the guilt, hurt, and confusion I can read in her eyes now.
“So, now, you’re going to stay one more night for observation.
I’m sure by now you’ve noticed that you are healed and only a little soreness is lingering from the attack.
That should be gone by morning thanks to your new healing capabilities as a shifter.
” He smiles gently at me, obviously trying to give me the information without overwhelming me.
Usually, I’m not this emotional, but a lot has happened in such a short time that I’m having trouble putting my feelings aside and focusing on the here and now.
“Once released, Miss Wolfsbane will take you to her home and teach you about the new world you live in. You’ll stay with her for a few days while you get settled and then she’ll find a good family willing to take you into their home until you manifest and get on your own feet. ”
Abigail pats my hand and draws my attention back to her.
My mind is racing, thinking about everything moving so fast and changing so quickly.
It’s all very overwhelming, but I’m sure I’ll handle it.
I have to, because giving up isn’t an option.
There is always a choice and life is only ever as good or bad as you allow it to be.
Sure, what happened to me sucked. But if I dwell on the bad parts, then I’ll always be stuck as a bitter person and I refuse to live my life that way.
“The only thing you need to do right now is get some sleep. I’ll get you some clothes to wear out of here and a new phone.
” Abigail is much calmer and more chipper now, and I’m glad to see she didn’t let my parents' bad reaction get her down for long. “Tomorrow, we will worry about what’s next. If you’d like, I’ll sit here with you until you go to sleep.
Then I’ll only leave long enough to get the supplies you need.
Dr. Lycan has already arranged to have a cot moved in here so I can stay with you and be available for anything you need.
We’re family now, Rebecca. So don’t worry about anything. I’ve got you.”
Her words are so genuine and kind. I haven’t cried once.
Not when I told them what happened, not when I learned how my life has changed, not even hearing my parents’ harsh words, but when she said we were family, I couldn’t stop the tears from falling.
Even as a human, I never felt part of a family.
My best friend only ever used me for the status of having a ‘pretty friend’. She’d drag me to parties and out on double dates so she could reap the benefits of people wanting me around.
My boyfriend clearly didn’t want to be with me. He cheated on me every chance he got, but he wanted the status of being with ‘recluse Rebecca’, so he kept me on his arm like a trophy and slept around with any girl that would give him the light of day.
My parents and I disagreed on so much, they were so different from me.
So distant and cruel that I wondered why they ever even kept me as a baby.
They never seemed to want me, and I couldn’t wrap my mind around what drove them to care for me.
We didn’t even look alike. Both of my parents are blonde haired blue eyed, perfect southern beauties.
My bright red hair and freckles were inherited from a great, great grandmother, not my parents and they made sure to remind me that my looks ruined their picture perfect family all the time.
Now a woman I’d just barely met is saying we are family.
She is showing genuine care and offering guidance through one of the most difficult transitions of my life.
She is sitting by my side and holding my hand.
She let me know that she wasn’t going anywhere and that I could call on her if I needed her.
That is more than anyone in my whole life has ever offered me and I don’t know how to handle it.
So instead of saying anything, I cry. She climbs in the bed beside me and wraps her arms around me, holding me to her chest and rocking gently.
That makes me cry even harder, tears cascading down my face so fast the room around me blurs.
I’ve never felt so comforted and safe. So cared for or like someone has my best interest in mind.
I feel when Dr. Lycan leaves us, the weight on the bed shifts as he pats my arm one more time and mumbles some words I can’t hear. Then his wintergreen and rose scent is gone and all I can smell is honey and earth. Abigail smells like comfort and understanding. Like a mother should.
She is treating me like I always wished my mom would, yet also so differently than I ever could have dreamed someone would. Abigail holds me as I cry myself to sleep. The blurry world slowly fades around me and sweet oblivion takes my tears and this awful day away.
I’ll give myself tonight to cry, just one moment to let all the fear, pain, and disappointment of these last two weeks wash away.
This is all I’ll get, because come tomorrow, I’ll be stronger, I’ll be ready for anything.
Tomorrow, I’ll begin my new journey. I’ll forget about my human life and learn how to be a Chosen wolf.
I’ll move forward like I always have, and maybe I’ll discover the person I was always meant to be along the way.
Because now that new opportunities are opening for me, I know that nothing I could have done before was what I was truly meant to do.
I was destined to become a wolf, and I’m determined to be the best one I can.