415- Beneath the Full Moon
POV Seraphine Valerian:
I wanted to scream, struggle, run away. Part of me, half-crazed, saw them as a threat. I panted, and Viktor immediately wrapped an arm around my waist, feeling the vibration of dense, furious energy.
“You’re in control,” he said quietly. “She has to obey you.”
I gasped, fighting myself. The other couple remained silent, watching us. Then Elowen approached and touched my arm, saying lightly:
“The wolf is trying to defend herself. Tell her she’s not in danger, that she’s only going to rest temporarily.”
“She doesn’t listen to me…” I murmured.
“If you concentrate, you’ll hear her. I know what it’s like.”
I closed my eyes for a moment. A living being seemed to scream and thrash around deep inside my core, furious. I was afraid she might hurt my baby. In my mind, I whispered:
“You’ll be free soon. I promise. Then we’ll become one. With our love and our daughter. Just wait a little longer, please. Until she’s born and we can hold her in our arms. Protect her with me.”
I covered my ears as though a growl came from my womb, only inside me. I clutched the pendant tightly. Then she began to calm down, though still angry. Restrained, but calmer.
When I opened my eyes, the other woman smiled at me and hurried her husband.
“Now!”
The room looked like a medical office, with an examination table and medical equipment. Viktor carefully laid me down on it before turning to his brother.
“Are you sure there’s no danger for either of them?”
“I am. I visited specialists, we ran tests. I read their studies.” He nodded toward me. “We’ll have to apply this injection to Seraphine every month during the full moon until the birth. Then she’ll start using an elixir that will ease the pain of the transformation. Until the wolf appears. I’ll leave this one with you, to be used at the right time.”
Viktor nodded, still tense, stroking my hair. Elowen came to my other side, holding my hand. Her gaze fell to the little bundle on my chest.
“Was it from a gypsy woman?”
“Yes. She said… that you would help me too,” I murmured as our fingers intertwined.
“While Aldren searched for a physical cure, I discovered a protection and containment spell. Your wolf will sleep peacefully, very protective of your little baby girl. Everything will be fine.”
I believed her, even though the beast inside me still fought back.
“Can we begin?” Aldren fixed his dark green eyes on mine, holding a syringe with a needle. “It’ll be quick. Try to relax.”
Before closing my eyes, I looked at Viktor. I saw the concern on his face and smiled softly.
“We’ll be okay.”
“I know.” He kissed my forehead, and I closed my eyes.
I kept one hand in his and the other in Elowen’s. When the needle pierced my arm, she began speaking strange words in a low, unfamiliar language, guiding my left hand to my belly and pressing it there.
A powerful energy pulsed from her into me, shaking me. The needle came out, the energy entered. Fast and cold, like a small shock running through every nerve ending in my body.
Womb, chest, limbs, head. Until the burning inside me began to fade, along with the feeling of rage. Her voice softened until it was almost inaudible. I relaxed, calm. Sleepy.
Everything became silence. Yet I still felt the peace, as though a weight had been lifted from my chest, dissolving the fear. I intertwined my fingers more tightly with Viktor’s while the young woman let go of me.
I slowly opened my eyes. The three of them were staring at me.
“I feel like myself again,” I whispered, sitting up. Viktor helped me, attentive. His large hands brushed over my face.
“Are you feeling okay?”
“Yes.”
He hugged me, and I smiled. Then we turned toward the couple, who smiled as well.
“In a few months, you’ll have to deal with a strong, independent wolf.” Elowen winked. “For now, just enjoy your own company. And your little daughter’s.”
“Thank you.”
Emotions swept through me—joy and relief.
Finally, I would have time that belonged only to me, to enjoy my new life.
Without fear.
(...)
POV Viktor Averwyn:
The relief brought me a peace I had not felt in a long time. After centuries of mistrust, of losses, of the last war, Adelina's death, and Seraphine's near-transformation while pregnant, it was the first time I truly relaxed. The only thing preventing it from being complete was the threat of the Ancients in Noctheria, which remained unsolved.
She seemed well, calm and cheerful. So when Aldren and Elowen invited us to go to their house, I accepted. We left the car there and walked through the prosperous village.
"Did everything go right?" — Cezar came along with us, to have some coffee.
"Yes. She'll be fine now."
I affirmed, trusting what my brother had said. I knew he was the best in his field and would never put the lives of my loved ones at risk. I was also beginning to trust his wife.
Several villagers looked at us with curiosity and respect. Some smiling, greeting us. All the changes, the restructuring of the territories, must have been strange for them. And knowing that I, Aldren, and Edric were brothers. Even I found it hard to believe in all of that.
The house was enormous and beautiful, very warm. We were received by Nerin, whom I already knew but had never spoken to much. She was tending to the two babies in double strollers.
"They are beautiful!" — Seraphine was enchanted as soon as she saw them, amazed.
"Do you want to hold one? These are Zara and Zimeron" — Elowen introduced them, all proud.
"I do! Oh, my God!" — She took the little girl with great care, while the mother picked up the boy. She looked at me, her eyes teary. — "See, Viktor. Soon enough, it will be our little baby with us."
I felt emotional and smiled. I remembered another baby, with gleaming eyes, dark brown skin, so tiny in my arms. The pain was still too recent, and I pushed it away as much as I could.
"Do you want more babies, right after the first one is born?" — Elowen approached Aldren.
"I want many" — Seraphine stated, full of certainty.
"See, husband, as soon as all this chaos is over, I can open my womb again! I'm tired of waiting! I want my house full of pups too!" — Aldren found it amusing, but Elowen sighed, some of her joy cooling. — "Now I understand why my wolf said I couldn't get pregnant right away. I still have to perfect my magic to bring down Noctheria's, to free our people from those old ones."
"Have you made any progress?" — I asked, tense about that.
"Yes, some. I feel it is close. The ancestors are coming to me in my dreams, teaching me what to do. We will succeed."
"She is completely dedicated to it." — My brother hugged her.