Six years had passed and the girl that once went by Ariel was now known as Aella. Now that the girls were older they were becoming more aware of the world around them. Not only were the girls growing into their own bodies and their magic, but their home was growing as well. More young Sorceresses were manifesting their magic and soon the walls were filling up with young girls learning how to control their power while also studying proper etiquette in high society. There were several girls already proclaiming they wanted to find rich husbands, so Greta and other hidden members of the Order were seeking out potential marriage candidates. Kalina who now went by Calixta was one of the girls wanting to find a husband.
This hurt Aella a little, Calixta had become very close to her and she had always pictured taking her vows with her and Celest. But it was Calixta's choice and Aella would respect it. Today was the day Calixta would meet a potential boa. She sat in front of her vanity as she put on the last-minute touches on her hair. Celest had braided it for her and Aella had gathered flowers to put in it. Honestly, she looked perfect as is, she did not need to go through the trouble. But she would make sure everything was perfect for her friend.
It did not take long for Aella and Celest to learn that Calixta was a romantic. Her nose was always in a book. She would rather stay home curled up in her bed reading all day than go to any party. The older they got the more privileges they received. Greta would allow the girls to go to tea parties and dances, to help integrate them into society. Thanks to her magic Calixta made everyone love her and was always the life of the party. Too bad for her she hated being in the center of attention and would rather be left alone. She was willing to put all that aside to find the love of her life, however. This would be her third attempt, she hoped Greta did a better job at match-making this time.
Aella delicately placed flowers in Calixta's hair but felt her arm begin to twitch. She quickly grabbed it and willed it to stop. This had been a growing problem lately, Greta told her it was nothing to worry about and it would pass soon enough, but it became more frequent as of late.
"Are you ok?" Calixta asked directing her attention to Aella. Aella smiled and hid her arms behind her back. "Never better. Don't worry about me, it's your big day!"
"That's right and we are going to be right with you! Well, sort of." Celest stated and she produced a small looking-glass. Celest was now able to eavesdrop through reflections. All Calixta had to do was hide the mirror in her pocket and they could listen in on her date. It worked perfectly the last two times and allowed the girls to gossip about the terrible matches. Knowing she would not be alone with her suitor and her chaperone made Calixta relax a little. She went ahead and placed the glass in her pocket and stood to her feet, just as a knock sounded at the door.
Greta let herself in and smiled admiringly at Calixta, "You look beautiful. Percival will be smitten! I have a good feeling about this one."
Calixta fidgeted with her dress and looked to her friends one last time for reassurance. "Be honest, do I look ok?"
"Nope. You look fabulous," Celest said with a wink. "Now stop fidgeting before you put a hole in your dress."
Aella gave Calixta a quick hug, "We will be right here for you Calli, now go."
The young beauty took a deep breath and followed Greta to her potential suitor. Celest quickly shut the door and rushed to her bed. Aella joined her and pulled out the looking-glass. Celest closed her eyes and pulled on her magic, soon the glass reflected nothing but darkness. That meant they were seeing the inside of Calixta's pocket, they may not be able to see anything but they could listen in just fine.
Both girls became easily distracted with something else as the usual pleasantries were exchanged. He said hello and proclaimed how beautiful Calixta was, and she would laugh nervously while saying he was being too kind. Celest could pick up in Calli's tone that she did not sound too impressed. "Sounds like another strikeout already," She pouted.
"That is unfortunate," Aella sighed. At this rate their friend would end up a spinster, how was her luck so bad when she could seduce the prince if she wanted. They heard Greta lead the couple to the garden to have tea outside. The girls looked at each other and snuck to Aella's window where they had a good view of the two. Celest's nose curled up in disgust. His attire showed that he had money. He wore a long pastel red undershirt with a matching overcoat. The sleeves were voluminous with many ruffles. A ruffled collar decorated his neck. And of course, he made sure to wear his best cufflinks and buckles. He looked dressed for a formal dinner, not a casual garden date. He made Calixta seem underdressed in her simple pastel blue, loose-flowing dress.
"What on earth was he thinking?" Celest asked, her voice full of disgust. "It's only lunch."
Aella shook her head as she crossed her arms, "Poor Calli." The man's appearance could have been forgiven if he didn't appear to be ten years Calixta's senior.
"Shush their talking," Celest ordered as she held up the mirror.
"Greta my dear, you are so fortunate to have such a beautiful lady in your care. I would much rather stay here than have to deal with the wolves in Daimos. But I guess that is not a proper topic for such delicate ears," he said fawning over his date.
"It is fine, I am teaching my girls to be more aware of outside affairs. It won't be but another few years and they will have to take their vows. Even if Calixta chooses to marry, she will still have to deal with Rainer and his pack."
"Well, that is why I was there, as you know Rainer's health has not been the best and I was sent to send his Majesty's best regards. But while I was there, He passed away. It will be announced soon but his son who is only nineteen years old is taking over as Alpha."
"Is he? I'm afraid I don't know much about the young boy. Rainer never said much about his personal affairs and I have been too busy taking care of my girls to go to any of the Mating balls."
"Mating ball?" Calixta asked. She was surprised she was being given so much information but Greta did not seem to mind.
"Yes, dear. That would be the party that is held here every autumn. When the wolves can't find anyone in their pack they wish to mate with, we have to let them into our home and prey on our girls!" Aella felt her skin crawl when Percival called Calixta dear, but Calli held it together well.
"So that's why Greta never lets us go to that," Celest whispered. They knew it was a party the wolves attended, but they did not know it was to find mates. The whole idea made them shiver. Who would want to marry a wolf? Aella found it interesting that this particular party was always held right before the time Sorceresses took their vows. Perhaps it was the King's way of giving the girls one final chance to change their minds before they forever dedicated themselves to the Sisterhood.
"I hate the very thought of it," Greta added. "But, unfortunately when the time comes you girls will have to attend that ball too, hopefully, you won't have to mingle with those mongrels for too long."
"Unless you find someone else who catches your fancy," He said giving Calli a sly wink. How she did not lose her breakfast all over him, was a mystery to Aella.
"What is the new Alpha's name?" Calixta asked, artfully redirecting the conversation back on topic.
"Jarek I believe."
Aella felt her blood run cold, no, that was not possible. She had to of heard him wrong, Jarek was not real. Celest slowly looked at Aella with horror, "isn't that the name of your imaginary friend when we were kids?" Aella silently nodded her head. Calixta sat straiter at the sound of the name, Celest had told her all about Aella's imaginary friend when they had met.
"I must have heard it before," Aella said, almost believing it. Celest nodded, it was the only explanation that could make sense.
"What is he like?" Calixta was not going to let this one go, she was going to soak as much information from Percival as she could.
Percival's ruffled his mustache as he recollected the unwanted memory, "If one ever wanted to know what a monster looked like, they only need to look at him. He's far bigger than his dad ever was and his manners are terrible! He thinks he is above us! He would not even speak to me when I offered my condolences! That is gratitude to you! Of course, the rumors say he is not like the other wolves. He is a ... what was it again... they said he had Lycan blood."
"What's a Lycan?" Calixta asked as she leaned closer, giving him her full attention. This seemed to stroke Percival's ego, and he spoke in a more theatrical tone.
"Lycans are like wolves, but bigger and they stand on their hind legs! They say a Lycan has the strength of five wolves! The bloodline died out a long time ago, but the Daimos pack is spreading the rumor that it is back, pulsing through their new alpha."
"I think that is enough after all Percival," Greta interjected. "I don't want to give the girl nightmares."
"Oh yes, you are quite right! I have been around those mutts for too long. Please forgive me, darling. Besides, it's obviously just a rumor the new Alpha is trying to spread to try and scare us."
Aella left the window, she was no longer interested in hearing the rest of the date. She knew how it would go and it would end with Percival being very disappointed. Thoughts swam through her mind as she tried to make sense of what she had just heard. She felt her arm begin to spasm once again. She yelped in pain as she tried to still it, this was the worse its ever been.
"Aella I'm starting to worry about you, are you sure your ok?" Celeste asked.
"Yeah, it's like Greta said before. It's just growing pains." She made a show of smiling and hiding her arm. Celest did not seem convinced but she would drop it for now.
Around an hour after the date had started, it had ended. Calixta came marching up the steps feeling defeated. "Why can't I find a guy my age who isn't an insufferable ass!" She proclaimed as she fell on her bed. "I give up. I don't think the perfect boy exists. I'll just take my vows."
"Oh, you don't mean that," Celest said as she started to undo Calixta's braid for her. Calixta sat up with a fierce intensity in her eyes, "No I'm being serious. I spoke with Greta about it just before I came up here. I'm done with these dates. I'll just focus on taking my vows."
Aella could not stop her smile, she had wanted so much for Calixta to join them, but she was never going to force it on her. "Are you sure?" She asked daring to hope.
"Yep, I'm sure! I'm done with men if this is all the Order has to offer! I am with you two from here on out! I swear it!"
The two girls pounced on Calixta and hugged her tightly. Aella felt a little guilty for being so happy, but she couldn't help it. They would all three be together forever! "I'm sorry it didn't work out, but I am so excited for us all to be sisters!" She admitted. Calixta laughed and hugged them back, "Me too. For now, on it will be just the three of us!"
That night, Aella's body shook uncontrollably. Something was not right, it went beyond just growing pains. She looked at her friends, afraid to wake them up. Thankfully they were hard sleepers. She needed fresh air, yes that would help her. She quickly dressed in the ugly green cape, even though she was sweating profusely, the weather was threatening rain. As quietly as she could she snuck her way outside and slowly made her way to the forbidden woods. She swore she would never return, but she needed privacy. The moment she was safely hidden behind the cluster of trees she fell to her knees. Her whole body ached with pain worse than in her first cycle. She tore off her cape and loosened her nightgown. The necklace that Greta gave her hung loosely on her neck. It suddenly felt uncomfortable and she needed it off. She had never been without it the moment she put it on all those years ago. But something was telling her she would not get past what was happening if she left it.
She tore the chain off and her body twitched more fiercely. Her body could no longer take the pain she threw up on a tree. She wiped the bile off her lip and rolled away from it. She was too weak to even cry. "Please, whatever it is, make it go away!" She begged at the moon.
'Ariel?!' This was not the same arrogant boyish voice she remembered when she was a child. No. This one was deep and had a force behind it that shook her soul.
"J...Jarek?" she asked.
'Ariel! Where the hell have you been?!' his voice echoed with anger in her head. This was not helping.
"Your not real," she stated. "Go awa-" she could not finish as she threw up once again.
'What's going on?' he asked, concern overtaking his anger.
"I...I don't know. My whole body hurts, and it's contorting in ways that aren't natural."
'Your shifting.'
"No! That's what you do. I am not a shifter! Ahh!" She screamed as her back arched unnaturally high.
'It's going to be ok, I can walk you through it.'
Every part of her wanted to trust him and let him tell her what to do, but the sane side of her warned her that this was not right. She had to fight back this shift. If she did, then maybe she could kill off that side forever.
'Ariel, you have to trust me.'
"No," The rain finally came, she wondered if her magic had called it sooner, but she did not care. She called on more of her magic to help her push back this shift. She refused to be one of them. She refused to become the thing that killed her mother. She screamed as her body fought her, but she was determined to win this battle.
It felt like hours before her body calmed down, she felt so weak but she knew she won this fight. She fell over on her back and panted. All the fight she had in her was gone, she could not even block the imaginary wolf out of her head.
'Ariel... are you ok?'
"Aella. My name is Aella," she informed him. "I am a Student of the magic order. I will graduate in a couple of years and take my vows. Then you will have to leave me forever," she had recited the lines perfectly. It was what Greta had told her to say any time she felt herself begin to doubt what she knew was true. There was a long pause as the wolf processed all that had happened before he finally responded.
'No.'
"No?" she asked confused.
'You can say whatever you want, you can even try and hide away again. But I am coming for you and I will find you.'
These were the last words she heard before she fell unconscious.