The Unsuspecting Mate

Chapter 4

Lorna POV

Gasping awake, followed by lung wrenching coughing, I launch up from my makeshift bed. Unable to catch my breath, the coughing getting worse.

“Calm down Lorna” the soft voice from my dream echo’s in my mind. The shock alone brings on an even stronger bout of coughing.

“Listen to my voice Lorna, focus on my voice”

Minutes pass by as I finally manage to catch little breaths. In and out, in and out.

“Just breath sweet girl, it will pass”

“That’s it, you are doing great, you don’t need to be scared of me Lorna”

I relax back down in the trunk, confused and still so tired but much calmer than I was.

“Who are you?” I say it allowed, even though so far every time she has spoken, I have heard it in my mind.

“You know who I am Lorna. I have always been here, with you. I just wasn’t able to speak to you until now. Happy 18th Birthday Lorna!” The voice inside my head explained.

“Birthday?” I mumble, more to myself than anyone else. Can it be? But that would mean.. .. ..

“YOUR MY WOLF!!!!” I practically screamed inside my mind, suddenly conscious that I don’t want anyone else to hear me.

“Of course I am. My name is Athena, and I’m so sorry for everything you have lived through on your own. You have been so brave and I’m so proud of you.” Shock grips me as a slowly try and comprehend what’s happening.

“Wait!! Are you the wolf from my dream, the blonde wolf at the lake??” I hastened, desperate to know if my dream was real.

“Yes Lorna, I am”. I take a breath, absorbing that.

“.. ..Hello?.. ..” I ask awkwardly. A small laugh occurs inside my mind, it settles me.

“Hello Lorna, I’m so happy to finally be able to talk with you.” A smile crosses my face.

“And I you, Athena. Wow! I’m just so.. .. wow. You are so beautiful Athena, I can’t believe you’re my wolf.” A thought takes hold, I have so many questions to ask. Nobody has ever told me what this was like, what’s normal. Will I wake up randomly as Athena? How do I let her out? Will she come out when she wants or when I want? Can I control it? Can it be controlled??.. .. .. .. .. ..

Question after question skates through my mind. Fluid, one running into the next. Out of control and bizarre.

“Slow down Lorna, there’s time for all those questions and for us both to learn each other.. .. .. .. although I will say that your hair won’t turn blonde now” Athena laughs at that. Yeah that was a silly question.

All you need to know right now is that what’s happening right now is just as it is supposed to be, but things are going to be better now Lorna, things are going to cha.. .. .. ..”. I interrupt Athena sharply.

“Don’t tell me that, don’t give me false hope and platitudes Athena” I saw dejectedly. Too many times I had allowed hope to take root, only to have it dashed and destroyed, and leave me even more bereft.

“The Moon Goddess has shown me, there is a reason for all of this, a plan. Trust that, hold on just a little longer, with me to help you. More help is coming. Just be patient, Lorna”

Despite everything I have been through over the years, Athena’s words cause a bud of hope to develop inside me. Is she right? Could there possibly be a reason for all this pain. Wait.. .. ..

“What do you mean? Who is coming??” I rush out.

“I’m sorry Lorna, the moon goddess has forbidden me from telling you. You have to find them on your own, but don’t worry. It’s your path, that’s all” Athena sounded and oddly felt sympathetic. It’s strange, all of a sudden having someone else’s thoughts mixed with your own. Feeling my wolf moving inside of me, just beneath the surface.

I have my wolf, MY WOLF!!. After all these years of being told I was less than a slave. Being beaten and degraded. I’m not good enough to be entrusted with a wolf. I’m just a runt and a waste of life.

“Lorna!” Athena growled in my head.

“Enough! No more talk like that”

This is going to take some getting used to.

A giggle escapes me, I have my Wolf.

“Rest now Lorna, what Mrs Clarke said is still correct, and I am not full emerged yet. We must sleep and you are already exhausted from all the trauma done to your body. It’s going to take some time for all your wounds to be healed and your new strength to grow. Sleep.”

Entrusting that Athena is right, I curl up in my bed. Finally, drifting off to a peaceful sleep, in the comfort of knowing I’m not alone anymore.

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