After the encounter with the vampire, Romilda made her way home, her mind still racing.
She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, when the door opened.
"Milda, where were you?" her mother asked. Her brows pulled together, as she rushed toward her
"I needed air, sorry I didn't inform you" Romilda said quietly.
Her mother sat beside her and gently brushed her hair back.
"What happened today… You don't need their approval. So don't think too much about it,"
"Okay." Her lips curved into a faint smile.
"Try to get some sleep."
Romilda nodded and dropped onto the bed. Her mother hummed softly beside her. Her body was finally at ease. For the first time since rejection, she slept well.
Romilda feet stayed planted at the edge of cliff as she tried to move.
A few steps ahead, a woman stood with her back to the drop. The wind tore at her clothes and a child lay pressed to her chest.
Romilda strained to see her face but it was blurry.
"I'll die before you touch him," the woman said, her voice breaking.
Romilda tried to pushed forward, but her body would not obey.
Vampires gathered around the woman, their fangs long and stained with blood of other victims.
"Hand over the child," one of them said.
The woman shook her head and took a step back.
Loose stones slid off the edge.
"Stop, don't hurt her!" Romilda shouted but none reacted.
The vampires moved closer.
"No more running," another voice said.
The woman turned slightly.
Romilda leaned forward, desperate to see her but it was still blurry.
A sob came from the woman as she leaned back, vanishing with her child into the darkness beneath
Romilda jerked upright in bed.
Her chest heaved. Sweat clung to her skin. Her hands gripped the sheets.
It was just a dream.
She swallowed and pressed a hand to her chest, waiting for her heartbeat to settle.
After a while.
She pushed the covers off and stepped out.
The smell of tomatoes and spice drifted through the house.
She followed the smell into the kitchen.
A steady tap reached her ears. Knife against wood.
Her mother stood at the stove, shoulders loose, humming under her breath.
Romilda walked in and wrapped her arms around her from behind. "Good morning, Mom."
Her mother paused, then covered Romilda's hands with hers. "Morning, sunshine." She glanced back, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Glad to see your smile again."
Romilda leaned past her, peering into the pot. "What are you making?"
"Lasagna."
The knife slipped on the tomatoes and cut into her thumb. A thin line of red welled up along her finger.
She brought it to her mouth on instinct.
She froze as soon as the taste of her blood hit her tongue.
She pressed her tongue lightly against the wound again, enjoying the sweet copper taste on her lips.
"Milda!" Her mother's voice snapped her back. "What happened to your hand!"
Romilda blinked and pulled her finger out of her mouth.
"Be careful Milda," her mom grabbed some cloth and pressed it against her wound.
She stared at the faint red smear on her skin, her expression tight with confusion, wondering what was wrong with her.
—
The pack canteen buzzed with voices and clattering plates.
Romilda sat still, her eyes stared at her untouched plate, her mind kept recalling the kitchen scene over again.
Suddenly, the kitchen noises sank away, and a voice floated to her, clear and distant.
"Everything is all set. Martin's and my wedding will be perfect."
Romilda's heart skipped. She knew that voice was from Lisa.
"Oh my God, Lisa, I'm so happy for you," another voice chimed, followed by soft laughter.
Romilda's chair scraped against the floor as she walked toward them, her hands curling at her sides.
Lisa spotted her coming and smirked. "Oh. Look who it is. The rejected Luna." The other girls laughed
Romilda stopped in front of them. "Is it true? You and Martin are getting married?"
Lisa tilted her head, smile widening. "Rumors spread fast." She stepped closer. "Of course he chose me." She stared at Romilda from head to toe. "And it's all thanks to his weaker mate."
Romilda's hands clenched at her sides, her jaw tight.
"That's enough." Martin's voice cut in, stepping between them, his eyes were on Romilda.
Lisa's lips dipped into a pout. "She started it."
Martin didn't look at her. He reached for Romilda. "Are you okay?"
Romilda stepped back before his hand could touch her. "Don't."
Her voice came low and commanding. "Stay away from me."
Martin froze, his hand still in the air. He watched her walk away, unable to call her back.
Behind him, Lisa's smile faded. Her eyes followed Romilda, hard and burning.
Romilda slipped into the garden, the cool air brushing her skin. She breathed deeply, letting the wind carry away the heat of anger and humiliation Martin and Lisa had stirred in her.
The lilies swayed gently in the wind
Her eyes caught one among the others.
A single flower wilted, its petals curled and its color drained,
She reached out and brushed her fingers over the lily. "You look just like me," she murmured.
"Luminara," She whispered, the syllabus strange in her tongue.
A faint pulse ran through her hand to the wilted petals.
Slowly, the lily began to open, its petals glowing with bright color.
Romilda's eyes widened, her mouth falling open in shock as she watched the other lilies droop and wither around it.
Her breath hitched. She pulled her hand back.
"What's just happened?"
Her heart pounded.
She glanced around, heart hammering, praying no one had seen her.
She spun on her heel and hurried from the garden to the library, desperate to find out what was wrong with her.
The library stood quiet and tall.
Romilda stepped inside, her eyes scanning the shelves.
A sharp cough made Romilda look up.
"Hello," she said softly, but the librarian didn't acknowledge her.
Awkward heat rose to her cheeks, but she pressed on.
"I… I need books. On strange conditions. Changes," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Like a werewolf not being able to turn, any wolf would reject a weakling like you."
She waved a hand dismissively. "Fine. Go ahead.
Romilda forced a polite smile, heat creeping into her cheeks, and moved quickly, pulling medical texts from the shelves.
She flipped through pages but found nothing.
Her hands stilled on an old, worn book tucked between thicker volumes.
She brushed the dust from the cover and carefully opened the book.
A page about a girl chosen by the Moon Goddess caught her eye,
Romilda leaned closer.
The Heiress of three powers. Wolf. Blood. Magic.
Bound to shape the fate of the world, she will either bring good… or spread evil.
The legend dated back centuries, lost to time but remembered in whispers.
"Is that what am turning into?" she whispered, the memory of the vampire calling her Heiress sending a chill down her spine.
The words carried a weight, If she lost control, could she hurt the people she loved? Her mother. Her friends. Even Martin, who had just rejected her.
"The library's closed."
Romilda flinched.
The librarian stood at the end of the aisle, arms crossed.
"Out."
Romilda shut the book and walked past her, her mind still spinning.