Reborn

CH 2

I woke up to the feeling of a slug making its way across my forehead. I sat up flicking it into the water ”ew”. My body was sore, and my head was pounding, sitting there for what felt like hours I came to terms with the past 24 hours, and after looking at my reflection in the water and pinching myself several times I realized just how real all of this was. My stomach growling is wat finally got me to move, boy was I hungry. I found it weird how much this body felt like it had been mine all along, I half expected to…. well, I’m not quite sure what I had expected. I followed a new yet familiar path back towards the pack house, first food, then a much-needed shower. Who knew sleeping in a swampy pond would make you so smelly.

It was odd as I knew exactly were the kitchen was, the architecture here was a mix between mid-evil and modern times., the kitchen was beautifully crafted out of various stones as well what looked like magic crystals powering appliances .such as a large walk in fridge they called a cold storage, a twelve burner stove with a red crystal in each burner, it was known as a cook top here. The best part is though it was busy with many omegas getting breakfast together for the pack members who resided here. Out of the four hundred pack members only eighty lived in the pack house, most of the warriors along with a few other pack members stayed here, while the others who worked the land had small homes throughout the alpha’s territory, unfortunately for me , Devin was never afforded a home due to having no family thus was forced to live in the west wings attic, thought it wasn’t too shabby there was always a draft and without her wolfs abilities she always suffered from the winters .

After being lost in thought standing in the kitchen, the smell of pancakes wafted my way, drooling I made my way to the source, a young girl known as Camela was creating multiple stacks, ripe for the taking. As I approached her face contorted.

“I see you’ve taken being called trash to heart” Camela said pinching her nose “get away before you contaminate the food you freak”. Ignoring her completely I snatched a stack of 10 pancakes but not without licking one first and slapping it back into the pile.

“Hey!” Camela screamed in protest as I walked away shoving one pancake at a time in mouth heading towards the west wing. Boy these were good, ignoring everyone’s glaring looks around me I headed up to the attic.

It took longer than I liked to get top the attic in the west wing but at least I was able to finish my meal granted after all those stairs it would only be a matter of time before my hunger came back and from how scrawny Devin is I bet they have been under feeding her since she arrived. Opening the broken door, I saw my twin mattress on the ground with the thinnest blanket I had seen in my whole life, if you even call it that.

“This won’t be due” annoyed I grabbed my backpack and began packing up my things, which wasn’t a lot. At least 3 changes of clothes, a few Nic knacks and a wad of cash? “Looking at the bundle of paper it was like the U.S. dollar in size, but it also varied to copper coins, silver coins, and gold coins, the paper was colorful to say the least, each amount had a different number of amounts printed in golden ink. Counting it up I realized Devin had never spent one cent of her earning here, not that she had anywhere to spend it since she was forbidden from going into town and had to rely on the pack house for supplies… which she never got.

After I was done gathering my things I headed back downstairs to what I guess you would consider an administrative office, also the play that held all the room assignments and spare keys. The upside to being Devin is most people, the ones who think she’s cursed, tend to ignore existence least they catch her curse. One such person was the lead pack secretary who maned the office, doing all clerical work for the alpha, she was around sixty with greyish brown hair and brown eyes to match, her permanent scowl focused on the stack of papers before her, ignoring me as I walked into the office and over to a large case of keys.

Hmm settling on a bottom floor room used for guests, I knew I wouldn’t be disturbed there. Not bothering to sign it out I twirled the key ring on my finger walking out whistling a tune. Once I opened the door to the room, I saw a plush queen bed with matching furniture and a door that led to a private bathroom. “Oh yeah this will due” tossing the bag on the bed I opened the closet. I’m glad it was customary to provide clothes to guests just in case they destroy there’s shifting quickly. Sorting through, I settled on a pair of baggy grey sweats and a plain form fitting black tee-shirt.

I walked into the bathroom which had a double vanity, toilet and huge walk-in shower with no plumbing I noticed a blue crystal in the skin and one in the showers roof, these provided the water I guess though the drains worked just like my worlds as a gravity fed system… interesting. I tapped the shower crystal once and a stream of water began to flow from it matching my body temp perfectly. Stripping off my clothes I tossed them in the trash, no use in keeping rags. The soap provided was heavenly smelling of oranges and cream, the bar worked as shampoo and body wash.

After a much-needed shower I changed into my new outfit, after cleaning up I was able to see Devin more clearly in the reflection of the mirror, she was thin and pale with piercing eyes and a set of pouty lips. Her long hair flowed to her back she kept it mostly tied back unable to tame its unruly nature. Sighing, I opened the drawers in the bathroom until I found a pair of makeshift scissors... or sheers? I looked at the questionable tool and eventually just shrugged as I began cutting off clumps of hair until it was perfectly lined with my shoulders. “Much better” I muttered feeling ten times lighter.

-I agree- a voice rang out. Shocked I jumped as a growl left my throat looking around, I realized I was still alone…

“ummm hello?” I spoke out loud looking around the bathroom.

“You can hear me! - the voice screamed in excitement.

Flinching, I rapidly turned my head to find the voice’s source only to met with no one. Ok I know I’m not crazy. “Whose there” I said in a demanding voice “show yourself”.

-I can’t not until our first shift, my name is Reign I’m your world spirit my dear… I’ve been trying so long to reach you I thought I had lost you…you were so quiet. But now you can hear me! praises to the goddess. - reigns voice echoed in my head as realization hit me.

“So, Devin can shift? “Recalling countless memories, I never once remember Devin being able to shift or hear Reign.

-The goddess told me all will be revealed in due time and not yet-. Reign paused for a second before continuing. - something’s off I can’t feel our full bond yet, but I feel the time approaching we will be one soon, now must rest. Tired- as my mind went silent, I suddenly felt less alone in this world.

Leaving the bathroom, I dried my hair with a towel debating my next move, the only reason Devin never left the pack was because of the dangers she was told about and not being able to defend herself, in the packs territory she was safe.

“I need to do some research of this world”, there is so much Devin was naïve to, I needed to learn all aspects of this world if I were to survive in it. Luckily the pack house had one hell of a library with tons of history books of the realm, Devin once had to dust all four hundred shelves by herself once so finding the right books shouldn’t be too difficult. Opening the closet I found a [pair of easy slip-on shoes.

Well, no time like the present, my goal was to find a way out of this horrible place, there had to be something beyond the boarded… I mean where did Devin even come from. Conveniently, most of the first floor had housed all the important places, the kitchen, the offices, the library, a medical wing, a meeting hall that doubled as a ball room, where the pack held lavish parties. Passing each room I recalled memories of people tripping Devin just trying to pass by. “hmph” I crossed my arms walking towards the library, I not sure how strong I am but I refuse to let one of these rats touch me again.