Priscilla sat quietly on her father's lap. He was massaging the back of her neck in an attempt to relieve the tormenting pain in her head. But still, convalescing, barely opening her eyes and with almost no strength she would not let a sound come out of her mouth. The reason, she was for the first time in the council chamber. She had been well taught in the laws of the pack and one was that that place deserved her utmost respect.
In front of her stood Asule, the eldest of all present and he was taking her pulse. His brow furrowed with each passing second until he straightened up.
-Priscilla,- he called to her and she turned her head towards him.
-What?- she replied and they all looked at her, after all he hadn't exactly spoken.
-Asule turned and walked back to her seat, -The reason she's more upset than usual is not because her powers are awakening. It's because her ability to read minds is out of control and I've just checked.
-But isn't that one of her abilities,- Layan leaned her cheek on her hand.
-That's why I was able to know what affects her so quickly. Just now I called her mind and she answered- he turned to the puppy- Priscilla, can you tell what the others here think?
She shook her head and clasped her hands in her lap.
-I just hear a thousand voices. Like everyone in the herd is talking at once. I can't make out what they're saying, but I could hear yours.
Asule nodded.
-That's because I have the same ability. This is worse than I imagined. He was never so severe with me. I could barely listen to more than ten people talking. But in his case I can do it with the whole herd.
-Is it that serious?- Nebraska asked in a deep voice.
-Her mind will collapse one day if she goes on like this, the main reason for all this mess is that she is such a puppy, if only she had a few more years she could deal with them, specifically, after her first heat- she-wolf bodies were more likely to resist any changes or abnormalities if they passed their first heat which defined the end of their hormonal development.
Hades had already said all about his daughter. Especially stressing the issue of the age of her body, the influence of blood and previous events, as well as the power inherited from her mother that she somehow had under control, but with the latest events it was no longer known.
-I don't know if you have noticed a small detail- Shiraina was sitting comfortably on the iron pack chair where she seemed to have been born- Everyone talks about how she has to control her power, how she should be more adult, yes, all that is important, but don't you remember the part where it was said that if she goes on like this she will die before long- -I don't you remember the part where it was said that if she goes on like this she will die before long- -I don't remember the part where it was said that if she goes on like this she will die before long-.
The atmosphere inside the room became denser. Hades also squeezed the hand of his wife who up to now had not said a single word. Nebraska seemed to be calm as she had been raised but inside the guilt and helplessness of not being able to do something for her daughter was killing her.
-You're right,- Layan brushed back the hair that was falling over her eyes, -That's an important point,- she was also starting to get a headache from all that was going on, and by the way to constantly make sure that Priscilla was calm.
Hades let out a deep breath and kissed his daughter's head. She looked up at him with tired eyes.
-We should put things in order of priority,- he said in a deep voice.
Asule returned to his seat.
-The main problems are, her rapid growth and the wear and tear of her cells, the development of her powers and the lack of control of her powers due to her emotions,- the wolf listed them one by one, pausing every moment as if thinking about something.
-If she had developed Layan's ability perhaps she could regenerate her body herself,- Litus spoke for the first time since the beginning of the meeting.
-But if we keep waiting maybe her body won't resist it,- Layan began to speak, -Besides, I don't think it's a good idea for her condition to deal with it. Only the few present knew of his ability to heal- It is not an experience that can be simply passed. The body suffers and the wounds appear and disappear in a loop of several days. Even I thought I would die without being able to overcome it.
That made the others look at him. They rarely heard Layan talk about his past. The one he knew the most was Hades, for after all they had known each other for many years. Still he had too many secrets.
-Then we have to look for another solution,- Leon, the other twin spoke, -I think the most essential thing now is to seal her emotions, they are a danger, especially because they make her lose control, even if Layan is helping her, we don't know how long it can work. On the other hand I know a way to slow down her growth and help regenerate her body, at least until she can stabilize.
Leon looked at his brother Litus next to him and nodded. He cleared his throat at the other glances that fell upon him.
-Alpha Hade, Queen Nebraska, I know the method I am about to say may be a bit violent but I think it is the most feasible and suitable since we have no other way. I know there will be good results, we will only need your approval.
-Nebraska's voice was soft but demanding.
The twin closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them dullly.
-In my herd we have hidden in the coldest slopes, a spring that is able to freeze a person and keep him alive. The years inside this place pass more slowly and help to regenerate the body of the wolf that is frozen. It was used in the past by the late queen to keep from aging but it is never good to repeat this procedure for a long time- -Do you mean that frozen spring?
-You mean that spring,- Layan narrowed his eyes as he nodded and could only swallow dryly.
-You're saying that the only way we have so far is to freeze my daughter until she gets old enough to deal with all this,- Hades kept a serene expression but his eyes were really bright.
-Pa- Priscilla's voice made him look down. She was smiling in spite of everything. She had heard the whole conversation even when her head was in total chaos. She brought her hands up with her father's between hers and kissed his fingers that were clenched into a tight fist. He gradually released each of her fingers until they relaxed- I... I'll be fine... let me go over there-
Nebraska put her hand to her mouth holding back a whimper and the urge to want to cry. Her daughter seemed stronger at that moment than the two of them were almost falling apart. She got up and stood next to her daughter.
-Priscilla-
The little she-wolf also grabbed her mother's hand.
-I've given you two trouble lately. I don't like to do it. I don't like to see your faces when you have bad news about me. That hurts me a lot. I'll be fine, besides it's to make me stronger and it won't be long,- she smiled broadly at them, -I'll just go for a walk and then I'll come back as good as new.
She said that but they all knew she wouldn't be fine. Once she was frozen, so would her emotions. The odds that she would never be able to feel affection, empathy, hate, desire or just love again were almost 100%.
Layan was watching the scene and clenched his teeth tightly. He was anxious. He had bitten Priscilla. All well and good up to that point, he was doing it to control his power, but if she was frozen for who knows how long, wouldn't he himself be damned. He couldn't bite another she-wolf and besides he would find himself looking for Priscilla just to have her around, that was the curse of biting someone, all the more reason not to do it with just anyone.
But he couldn't be selfish at a time like this. His instincts wouldn't allow it and it wasn't because he had bonded with her. Something inside him would really hurt if that void was created.
After another round of back and forth in the end they all fell into the same solution. So it was decided that she would be frozen for 15 years once the Council meeting was over.
Priscilla slept with her parents the first part of the night and then rotated through all of her siblings' beds. She hadn't really slept. She had watched her mother shed silent tears after the meeting had dissolved into a corner, where no one could see her, not even her husband. It was the first time she wished it wasn't dawn.
Litus stroked the princess's head wrapped in a thick blanket that would later serve to cover her well when they reached their haunts. In front of them were only Hades, Nebraska and Layan. They hadn't said anything yet to their other children or they would adamantly object to Priscilla leaving, so it was very early and everyone was still asleep.
Hades walked over to his daughter and held her giving her a deep kiss on her cheek. It would only be fifteen years, very little for wolves really, but a lot to have her separated from him. He pressed their foreheads together and closed his eyes.
-Pris, promise me that as soon as you wake up you'll come running into my arms,- he said.
She raised her arms and wrapped them around her father's neck.
-I promise pa-her voice was shaky from the severe pain in her head, even her movements were a little awkward.
Nebraska came to her side and hades passed Priscilla to her and she hugged her tightly against her.
-Ma, don't cry when I leave- Priscilla hugged her even tighter than the alpha- and if pa misbehaves, water him like always- she broke away with a smile and then kissed her cheek. Nebraska kissed her back and set her down again.
Priscilla slipped out of his arms once she was stable and ran in front of Layan and looked at him seriously. The wolf had his hands in his pants pockets and bowed his head.
-When I come back, I will marry you, Lai Lai.
Layan wasn't the only one who let out a groan, but he still knelt down in front of her and put a hand on her head.
-First you have to come back healthy and strong, maybe later I'll think about it,- he looked down the side of her neck at her mark, he had to admit it looked damn good there but he shook his head remembering he had to stick to the plan. Once she was back and able to fend for herself, he would break the bond. Then why the hell had he told her what he would think. He didn't know himself.
-Princess, it's time to go,- Litus called to her and she reluctantly turned and ran to his side taking his proffered hand, -Alphas, queen, I'm leaving, she's in good hands.
Even though they wanted to accompany him, it was forbidden to reveal the location of where Priscilla would be frozen, so they could only stand there and watch as their daughter was lost in the distance.
To return to adulthood not in fifteen years as planned, but in 10.