Chapter 5 - Long Night

I should have ran mad contemplating if not for Raymond who began to comfort me. First I was escaping death from my own pack who were on the verge of wiping out my entire family and in a short time I learned that I have a husband who is trying to get rid of my baby. As if that's not enough punishment, my baby has been taken away from me and I never saw his face at least. No one was meant to suffer like this, especially not me. "It is going to be alright, Ariel. I am sorry, Ariel, I truly am." Raymond whispered once more. 

What have I done wrong? I thought to myself still sobbing as Raymond wrapped his arm around me, leaning his chin on my shoulders.

"I'm going to find those bastards, and I will rescue my child," I muttered as my eyes flared up in anger. I pulled away from Raymond and up on my feet, I said, "remaining here won't bring back my baby..." I was still speaking when Raymond held my hand, 

"Of course, we are going to find him. I am always with you Ariel. I promise that we will find your baby but you cannot do it in this shape. Your child will need you to be strong for him, so please, just take it easy on yourself," he said with sympathy in his eyes. I looked at him for a while and then broke out in tears again as he embraced me. "Shh... Hush now… We will find your baby, I promise." 

It began snowing heavily few weeks after we located a hotel beside a neighbouring street away from where I gave birth. Raymond paid for a room for both of us and also bought food and coffee whenever we were hungry. 

Whenever we are out dining and I look at the people who were also eating and drinking with their dates, I always remember my entire family and how happy I could have been if everything had gone the way I planed, especially if it had turned out right with Salvador. As I observed the people this evening, I did not know when the words escaped my lips, "I need to find my brother but I don't even know where to start from." 

Raymond looked at me and dropped his fork, "that reminds me, you did say you were coming to find your elder brother here in the South. Why haven't you talked about him?" 

"We just arrived, Raymond. You know, I lost my baby." I said with a beam of sadness on my face. I never should have responded the way I did, at least not today we are out to celebrate my birthday.

"True. Ummm... What's his name and if you have a picture of him, I think that will help." He uttered immediately in a way that made me believe he was not comfortable seeing me sad. 

"I don't even have a picture of him, but I can identify him if I should see him, though it's been long he left us. His name is Tyrell. My only challenge is that this city is populated with humans." I said and lowered my face staring down he had to place his hand on mine. "It is populated no doubts but werewolves have an advantage in this case. I could sense the presence of a werewolf sometimes." He finished. I soon began to feel dizzy the moment he stopped talking. I noticed how he looked at me like he was suspecting I wasn't alright, so I had to be excused right away. 

"I need to be alone, Raymond." I said and walked out of the hotel to the side of the beach. Time passed swiftly as I stood alone admiring the beauty of the moonlight. I remained still as I felt the dizziness go away. I had to ponder upon every good memories of my past hoping it takes away the pain of losing my child. "How I wish you were here to guide me through this hard times mom." I whispered to myself as I wrapped my arm around my breast and once more I prayed for the well being of my child. I felt my heart beating abnormally, I thought it was because tears rolled down my eyes, so I had to wipe my tears hoping to control my emotions but it was not about that. I felt myself drawn to the moon, not literally, but I was drawing energy from the moon in a way I could not explain. 

"What is happening to me?" I asked myself and was going to head back to the hotel after spending a long time out without knowing what time it is currently. The minute I took my eyes off the glaring moonlight, the pores in my skin began to expand and I noticed I could not even take a step to leave. It started like needles pricking into my skin then progressed into thousand knives puncturing all over my body, I wanted screaming but I heard my voice similar to a howling wolf like those of the blood moon pack at Whitewood. It was so painful until I heard a voice "easy now, it will be over soon." I looked around to see if there was anyone around but I was all alone with a painful experience that persisted until I could not recognise myself. I unconsciously moved towards the water and each step felt like I was a child learning to walk again until my reflection scared the sh*t out of me. 

"Ariel, is that you?" A voice spoke from behind me but I could not reply after turning to find Raymond looking at me with eyes full of wonder because I was in shock. I have transformed into a white wolf, a very huge one similar to that of Susan the luna of blood moon pack. Suddenly the wind blew hard against the tide, accompanied with a scent of danger. I felt the atmosphere change and Raymond's attention was drawn away from me. His gestures alone made me know there was something else heading in our direction and he was preparing to defend himself.