"A cage?" Haiban asked while eating a chocolate bread from my kitchen and pricking a tiny piece for Acro.
"To avoid another harm." I showed my wounded hand caused by Hessuel's attack. "And to keep him from running away like he always does lately. Do you mind?"
"Nope. It's your strategy. I'm only an audience."
I pull out the blanket covering the cage Hessuel's wolf is in. His reaction doesn't change from the last time; he's growling at me and aloof. "You can understand wolf language, no?" I look at Haiban again. "Why is he acting like this?"
His shrugging shoulders contain sarcasm. "Because you cage him."
"No, I mean," my voice lowers in dismay, "he's been like this ever since he died." Gradually, I sat in front of the cage, sticking my eyes at Hessuel who's been glaring at me like a powerful prey. I unleash my spellbook and with dear compassion, I recite the spell. A big enchast appeared underneath our feet and the rings of its light levitate around us unsteadily. This spell feels cold but the wind it blows whistles a certain melody that would tame the wolf.
"Hessuel... he who resonates the song of your howl in the soul of your listeners, that is the meaning of your name. Hessuel, if you can hear me, come forth to my voice and extend your hand," I recited, then close my eyes while stretching my hand to him. The process of this spell includes diving into the thoughts of the wolf to search for that slumbering intelligence. However, all I see is pure darkness within him. "Hessuel? Hessuel... can you hear me? Hessuel?"
And I keep on calling him several times, looking for him in the darkness without end. My forehead scowls. My fingers start to quiver. And my hope is about to waver. When I open my eyes again, my hand is still empty. The spell can't work on him. I tried once more, "Hessuel, please. Heed my call. Please let us fix this! I want to fix everything for you! Hessuel, come back to me! Hess—!"
"Dandeline." I ceased begging after Haiban pacified me.
I wipe my tears with my knuckles immediately. Reviewing the spell again, I translated that the spell is invalid for him! All this time, I've been pleading for mercy on a stone. Determined, I stood up, dismissed the spell, and prepared sandals at the doorway.
"Where are you going?"
I answer, "I'm not gonna let this reduce to naught. After all that research, catching a flying ax and walking in a stinky ship, I will not let this go to waste! I need more angles for this spell to try out."
"And what is the name of that place?"
"Palace!" I blurted. Haiban is squinting from the living room when I request, "I'll be out for a moment. Please entertain yourself with my dogs and keep an eye on Hessuel. Thank you!" Then I hurried away from my island.
Risky this may seem but I am desperate. I should never let my talent slap my mourning face, again and again, to bring me back to my resolve. I knew this requires exhausting actions but I still choose to cross this decision because of the worthwhile destination even if it takes me a hundred years at age 23. My dream will not remain the same way I call it, it'll soon be called 'reality.'
It cringes me to look back at my poor decisions before. Some regrets are useful for a change of mindset a certain goal requires. And those are the consequences I have made ever since I reached out for my grandmother's hand.
The palace turned into silence the second I set foot inside. My attention wasn't disturbed until I arrived in Biaco's room. Other than Hessuel, he's the only one I can use for my experimental spell. Currently, he's napping on the bed without the sticky kids—which is perfect timing. Neither my soundless creaking of the door escaped his keen hearing. I approached him compassionately the way I always do, sat beside the bed, and caressed him.
"Biaco... I'm really sorry, but I have to try." At first, I checked the validity of the specimen by connecting the spell with him. A glimpse of hope and a maze sparked before my eyes: the spell could work for Biaco! My spellbook is matching with his condition as well. He's politely watching me while performing the spell. "Biaco, he who cherishes the sprouting seeds, if you can hear me," I extend my hand for him, "follow the voice and take my hand."
His inner thoughts are clear: it's a vivid reflection of mine. He sniffs my hand first yet I yank my hand away from him. "Don't pee on me," I warned, then lent my hand again. He gave me his paw. The instant I feel its softness, the enchast whispers the melody louder and the blinding light from it embraces Biaco. His paw became a big and rough hand, his image increased in size until the final transformation.
His intelligence is naked in front of me, yet for the first time in a while, I see him again face-to-face. Awkwardly panicking, I snatch the blanket and cover him! I enchanted it in a snap and it became a white bathrobe. The spell worked on him... but why not with Hessuel? What's their difference? Did the Moon Goddess lock Hessuel's intelligence deeper? I can't confront her lest I could mock her by breaking the covenant.
"Biaco! How are you feeling?" I questioned while examining the differences between him and my mate's condition by my spellbook.
"Moon Priestess... What's going on? I thought I'm... dead?"
"Was. Wait, you can't remember what happened after you died?"
"... I know not. Did something happen?" He narrows his eyes on me, then roams his sight around his room. "What happened to my pack? What happened to the festival? Where is the silver wolf?"
The memories of his intelligence were completely frozen! He's been stuck since 6 months ago. "Your pack, or should I say, the whole wolf race is living in peace now. There's nothing you should worry about. Hessuel has the same condition as you. And I will recover his Intelligence like I did to yo—"
"He died?"
"Yes."
"... And you're going to raise him from the dead?"
"Yes. There are so many things you both have to catch u—" My throat aches as Biaco's tough hand grips me! Slowly, he stands on his feet, hanging my toes in the air!
"I shall not let you raise the monster again," he groans. It's surprising to see his deadly glare just by hearing about Hessuel! At this very moment, I realized that the reawakening of his Intelligence is the reawakening of his resentment, bloodlust, and despair as well in his thoughts! The strong force from my magic pushes him and me away from each other. I set foot on the floor and he quickly tackles me! I circle an enchast in the air to shield me and hit him back to that bed.
I unleash my spellbook when he's about to attack me again; I cage him in a glass box with that bed. Later on, the werewolves of Vengeance pack along with Tanya arrive.
"My... What's going on here!?" Tanya is holding her chest dramatically. "You brought him back to life, too?”
I intervened, "Biaco, I trusted you and that is the reason why I bestow my spell upon you. But you proved me wrong... I have reawakened a mistake."
"Oh, I know what kind of an enchantress you are. Don't make your tongue clean your schemes. You used me as a trial for your spell. And now that it succeeds, you're gonna use it for your mate, isn't it? You are trying to open the door of hell on earth.”
I admit, "I'm not weighing down all the blame on you. I'm truly sorry... This is my talent and I will use it for my own benefit, neither law could limit my moves. I will take responsibility for you." I reminded him of his miserable past. I brought him back to the life he longed to escape. And I failed to comprehend that because all of my concern is poured into Hessuel. "Forgive me, Biaco." I hushed with a finger on my lips and he fell deep asleep.
"Keep an eye on him," I ordered the Omegas. I was on my way out when Tanya blocked the doorway with a hand on her waist.
"It wasn't coincidental why I appeared here," said the Gamma of no modesty while playing with her painted fingers. "As a matter of fact, I'm astonished by your enchantment that can bring phenomenal things to this palace! Report this to the Alpha," she ordered one of the Omegas. "He's still a great influence on making decisions." Without question, the Omega complies.
"And you," Tanya approaches me with her poise, "I was given an order to fetch the zombie silver wolf in your house for further interrogation."
"Interrogation? It means the case is progressing?"
"Yes. And most importantly, he’s connected to Mraz’s case, so he must be under strict surveillance."
Two Omegas are escorting us too. When we set foot on my island, the smell that makes me drool is swiveling around my house. Being a pregnant werewolf doubles my senses and dainty at the same time! It's only a matter of seconds when I open the door and the confetti sprinkles on me.
"Welcome back, mademoiselle~! Oh, no, Madam Dandeline~!" Haiban joyfully surprised me while wearing an apron. I pick and toss a piece of confetti from my hair and ask,
"Father, what is this all about?"
"To surprise you. I prepared my kitchen specialty that I used to prepare for my wife! Come and have a taste."
I felt my face flushing and my chest filled with the warmth of his thoughtfulness! "Thank you... but I got a surprise for you, too."
Tanya is waving at him from the garden, my enchantment is prohibiting her and the escorts to set foot on my veranda.
I said while faking my smile, "They're arresting you back at the palace."
"Oooh, we're both surprised. I'm expecting it too and I won't deny it. What brought you to the palace?"
"Biaco is my only testing subject other than Hessuel. The spell worked on him. I don't know why it's different for Hessuel..."
"You... brought Biaco back to life?" His voice and mood suddenly changed.
"Yes and that's my big problem."
He chuckles. "I see~"
"What's with that expression?"
"Because it's not my problem~" he answered, then he embraced my shoulders. "Have a great lunch. I'll go back to the palace now."
"Thank you." I hugged him for the first time.
The newly cooked viand he prepared has been waiting for me in the kitchen. I feast in the dining room—with my dogs staring at me again—and shake my shoulders in great satisfaction! Haiban is a perfect husband material! I hope Hessuel can do this... But, no! I should be the ideal partner and stop demanding it from others! I can't wait to prepare this kind of viand for Hessuel.
After the dig in, I visited Hessuel in the living room again. He was napping when I unleashed my spellbook to review the history of the enchantment within him. The findings got me furious.