The following morning, I peer out the chamber window. The pack warriors are training outside. It’s good to see they are all healed. Alpha Maximus isn’t here. He must have up gotten up early.
I bathe and dress before leaving the chambers. There are so many beautiful dresses in the wardrobe. I choose a white flowy dress with daisy flowers sewn under the bust and around the edges of the long sleeves. I walk through the castle, trying to find Alpha Maximus. I walk down the second set of stairs and end up near the dungeon. There’s a room nearby emitting white smoke. Curious as to what’s causing it and enter the room. There are many glass bottles, beakers and test tubes with colourful boiling liquids. Colourful crystals are spread out on another table, and an abundance of plants, flowers and dried herbs hang from the ceiling. There’s a woman in the centre of the room at a table with a basket filled with herbs and vials. She has incense burning near the basket. She suddenly turns and looks at me. Her eyes glow a bright green. She is beautiful.
‘Luna?’ she asks.
‘Yes, I’m Hope, the Luna. Who might you be?’ I ask.
‘I’m Kayla, the alchemist of Blood Moon pack,’ She beams, ‘Please come in. I’m so delighted to meet you,’ she smiles.
As I approach her, she takes my hand and looks at the lines on my palm as if she is reading something. Kayla then lifts her head and smiles even brighter, letting go of my hand.
‘What do you do in here?’ I ask her.
‘I’m working on some chants and making an amulet for the Alpha.’
‘An amulet? That’s amazing!’ I’ve never met someone who can make amulets. Could you make me one?’ I ask her.
‘I’ll see what I can do,’ she smiles.
Kayla walks over to the table of Crystals. There are some rickety shelves beside it filled with old books. One book is on display and captures my attention.
Kayla gazes at the book, ‘That’s a book of spells,’ she says.
‘I’ve never seen a spellbook before. Does that mean you’re a witch?’
‘No, but I’ve been called a witch before. I’m an alchemist, though,’ she says.
‘I’ve been called a witch before as well. They wanted to kill me,’ I say, looking away in dismay. ‘Have you ever met a witch before?’ I ask her.
‘’Well… Um, only very recently,’ Kayla smiles, ‘What about you? Have you ever met a witch?’ she asks me curiously.
‘No, but maybe one day we might? Who knows what our future has in store for us,’ I smile, open the book of spells, and read over a few.
Revito Sprouto means to grow. Dimulous, a spell to darken the light. Illumini, to create a bright light, Interesting. I flip through more pages to read more spells and chants. The back of the book has potion recipes.
Suddenly, Kayla startles me as she stands very close, staring intently at my hair. She’s a bit odd, how she was reading my hand like a book and now staring at my white hair in thought.
‘My parents used to speak of a woman they knew with platinum blonde hair and blue eyes like you.’
‘Really?’ I say.
Could it possibly be my mother who abandoned me? I want to know more.
‘So who was she?’ I ask.
‘She was a witch who fell in love with a werewolf,’ Kayla replies.
Is Kayla implying I’m her daughter and that I could be a witch?
Suddenly, Alpha Maximus enters the apothecary. He pulls me in for a hug.
‘It was lovely meeting you, Luna. I look forward to next time,’ she smiles and walks away through another door.
‘Good morning. How was your sleep?’ Alpha Maximus asks.
‘It was great. I’m sorry I woke up so late,’ I apologise.
‘It’s Okay,’ He kisses my forehead.
‘Can you tell me more about Kayla?’ I ask.
‘Sure, Kayla is our alchemist. Her parents died when she was young. Alchemists are rare to come by. My parents met Kayla’s parents many years ago when fleeing from another pack. The Alpha of the pack was mistreating them and forcing them to make deadly potions to use against other packs. My parents took them in and wiped out the pack. They remained here ever since and eventually had Kayla,’ he explains.
‘How did Kayla’s parents die?’
‘They were killed by the same man who killed my parents,’ he says.
‘That’s terrible!’
‘No more morbid talk. I’ve come to take you to the kitchen to meet Beth, and you are probably starving?’
‘Starving,’ I say.
As we enter the kitchen, I see a lady who looks to be in her sixties baking something. I smile and wave at her. She claps her hands in delight and waddles around the table toward me with excitement.
‘You’re the Luna? You’re so beautiful! Bless the Moon Goddess. She did a wonderful job pairing you with Alpha Maximus,’ she beams, ‘Oh! I’m Beth, by the way. I’m the cook here and have been since I turned eighteen,’ she smiles.
‘Wow, Beth, talk about dedication,’ I reply.
Alpha Maximus pulls out a chair for me to sit as Beth potters over to the oven and pulls out sweet pastries. She dishes some onto a plate for Alpha Maximus and me and waits for me to taste one. The flavour bursts in my mouth.
‘Beth! This is so good!’ I say, stuffing my mouth with more.
‘Bless the Moon Goddess! I’m so happy you like it!’ she says.
Kayla enters the kitchen, picks up a pastry and eats it delicately. I feel embarrassed as I scoffed mine down so quickly.
‘What are you going to be doing today, Kayla?’ I ask.
‘Probably making potions. We used up a lot of healing potions yesterday, so I need to make more,’ she says.
‘Can I help?’ I ask.
‘Sure, Luna.’
I jump up, link my arm with hers, and go down to the apothecary.
‘When did you start making medicines and potions?’ I ask Kayla.
‘When my parents died, I took over their role in making potions and medicines. They had taught me how to make them since I was a child. They left many books on the shelves for me to study as well. One of which you were looking over earlier.’
We reach the apothecary, and I sit near the table with crystals.
‘What are these crystals for, by the way?’
‘They are mainly used to create charms for improving your fertility rate. It can block your scent from other wolves and many other things.
She takes the Green Jade, puts it in a bronze bowl, and chants. She then pours a blue liquid into the bowl.
‘What did you pour in there?’ I ask her.
‘It’s moon water,’ she says, ‘I’ll teach you how to make it one day if you like?’
‘I would love that!’
I spend half the day learning potions and enchants. It’s dawn when Alpha Maximus enters.
‘Kayla, I love that you and Hope have become the best of friends, but you can’t hog the Luna all to yourself. Bella is on her way here. I think she would appreciate it if the Luna is by my side to greet her on arrival,’ he says.
Kayla hugs me, ‘You better go then, Luna. We will have ample opportunities to brew up some trouble,’ she says. Kayla and I giggle.
‘I heard that,’ Alpha Maximus says.
‘Oh, Maximus. We’re just being silly,’ I say, taking his hand.
‘I’m sure,’ he says, looking between Kayla and me.
We are in the grand hall. Alpha Maximus shows me portraits of his father and grandfather as we wait for Bella’s arrival. Suddenly, Alex runs into the hall frantically. ‘Bella was on her way here with Sally and a few others, but she has gone into labour!’ Alex says.
‘Congratulations, Alex! You’re going to be meeting your baby today!’ I say excitedly.
‘How long until she gets here?’ Alpha Maximus asks.
‘They should arrive within a couple of hours. I’m going to find Doctor Matlin so he can be ready for her arrival,’ Alex says and races from the room.
Alpha Maximus twirls me around, ‘I’m so happy to have you home by my side,’ he says.
‘I’m so happy we can finally be together without being hunted down,’ I smile.
Alpha Maximus twirls me around again and then lifts me. His lips crash against mine. He kisses me with fire and passion, ‘love you, Hope,’ he says with sincerity.
I kiss him back, ‘I love you too, Maximus, ‘ I say to him ever so sweetly.
We walk outside to bask in the sunshine and sit at the outdoor stone table and chairs. There’s a lot of excitement as everyone waits for Bella and the others to arrive. Doctor Matlin is in the sitting room, waiting.
Beth serves us all tea with apple pie, ‘How exciting!’ she shouts, ‘It will be so nice to have a little pup running around the pack house! Hopefully, it won’t be long until our Alpha and Luna can have some pups running around too,’ she says.
Everyone smiles and stares at us with Hopeful looks. I sink a little in my seat, blushing.
‘All in good time, Beth. We will have our pups when we are ready to do so,’ Alpha Maximus says, giving me a reassuring smile.
