The awakening process hits me like a wave of curiosity. My brows were furrowed, and I was frowning as I looked at the Fenrir, puzzled. "Okay, what about it?"
'The awakening process is greater than any werewolf's changes. It's too great to be handled easily, and only a few were successful, while some don't.'
"Great? In what way?" I asked, thinking as I stared at the mixed sky.
'Yes, it's too great, to the point you had to be a triple S Elite rank, which some say you must become a monster to face a monster.'
"I see...a monster..." I scoffed, not believing what I was hearing, but a part of me already felt that kind of shift in me. Then I sighed before I asked carefully, "What kind of monster will I be turning into?"
'The equal of your wife's monstrous side.'
"I haven't seen it. I only saw how she commanded her land, but not how they called her the bloody conqueror," I said, but something felt odd when I said it.
'Is it? How sure are you that you haven't seen it?'
I squinted my eyes, frowning from thinking about what she was trying to say, until it flicked into my mind. My childhood. "You're right, I've seen it, and I'm the only one she listens to..." I answered myself before looking at the Fenrir and wondered, "Is it because we're mates, or is there something else I need to know, Fenrir?"
'Answers will come in the way. Just flow, get strong, and accept the sides that you are awakening to. You'll see the reason why you need to face all of these.'
I was quiet for a few seconds before sighing, "Fine, let's see it then."
'Good, because the process you're facing had a different way of progressing.'
"Of course, there's another." I sarcastically waved my hand, making the Fenrir slap her tail on my face. I frowned before asking, "How different?"
'For you, there are items that would feel familiar and connected to you. It's the same feeling you had when you received the three. Surprisingly, I'm impressed you found them in a short period of time.'
"Well, I'm a clever omega." I playfully flipped my hair, giggling, and Fenrir rolled her eyes, not believing what I said. I quickly defended myself, "Hey, it's true."
'Yes, you're clever, but you're not an omega anymore. And you can feel it. Embrace it.'
I wanted to argue, but my mouth hung open, trying to rebut; sadly, there was none. Nothing was coming out except a heavy sigh.
"Hm, I didn't realize that my words could shut down your playfulness."
I glared at her tease. "Spare me; my playfulness is only showing to people I'm comfortable with."
'But difficult with your wife.'
Again, I couldn't argue back. It's true, it was hard to be playful around Mirxalyn without pressing the wrong button and then causing a misunderstanding. I don't want to risk it—yet. So, instead, I went back to the topic. "Okay, what are those? What things do I need to find?"
'Are you sure you don't know them? When you're the one who's curious about knowing them?'
I was taken aback and playfully hit her, whining, "Fenrir."
'I see, you don't want to think right now; that's why you're whining.'
"I'm not whining. I'm being adorable," I defended, playing offended.
'Since when?'
I gasped, faking I was hurt. Then I giggled softly, "You're no fun."
'Silly kid. Anyway, as I was saying, the items were seven, but by having them complete, the eighth item will show up. So far, the items you already had were Mirxalyn's Journal, the Magical Smithing Stones, and the Eternal Cross Necklace.'
As the Fenrir continued our conversation, the journal I've got from the Knightrose's library, the smithing stones that I enchanted my swords with, and the necklace I had received from our meeting with Lauryn began showing up, floating before me. They all emit the same peculiar energies that were familiar and connected to me.
I may be staring at the objects floating before me when I realize what she left unsaid. Then I pointed out, "You didn't tell me all the items."
'If I tell you, you're going to search for them. And Bernila, they're not going to show themselves to someone who's looking for them, but rather show themselves to the one who needs them the most. You.'
It's true that when I got curious, I always looked for a way to find them. I sighed because this Fenrir knew me too well. "You're sly for a Fenrir."
'In some way, I could be,'
As soon as the Fenrir responded, the three items began extracting energies into orbs. The orbs merged and formed into one orb. It was glowing bright, blinding until I was shot. I gasped at its suddenness, but something warm spread throughout my body. I coughed from the heat filling my body, making me rush to the small pond and dive in. The pond shimmers, and the Fenrir laughs.
I emerged from the pond, glaring at her.
"What just happened?" I asked as I tried to dry myself, but I'm fully soaked. I sighed and gave up until the Fenrir decided to help and blew air to me. Instantly, I was dry.
'It's yours, Bernila. You will know the rest of them even if I didn't tell you. You could point when they are near or in front of you because they're you.'
I sighed, but frowning, "You're making me feel like my soul is divided into objects that I need to find." There was silence, and I rested on her fluffy fur, thinking how it sounded like before speaking sadly, "That sounds like an adventure, Fenrir."
'Don't you want to?'
I hummed. "I've thought of it, but I lost it after that nightmare." My tone sounded broken when I replied before adding, "I'm more indoors and books than adventure..."
'But you want to see things from your wife's eyes.'
I snapped, squinting my eyes. "How did you—?! Never mind. You won't answer it anyway," I said because I knew this Fenrir was sly enough not to share everything. She was honest but left a blank space for me to fill in. I sighed before answering her honestly, "It's scary, I admit that. But, if you put it that way, a part of me does. I want to see the world, not alone, but with my wife."
'Then you should excel more. Be better because when you do, it will feel light and happy.'
"If you say so." I sighed dismissively but was still hoping.
'Wake up now, little one. Remember, you're in the process and progressing well. Keep going. Don't stop.'
***
My eyes flicker, slowly opening, and I wake up in our bedroom. I yawned, stretching like a cat on the comfy mattress before looking around. Strange things shot my body. I feel strange because I felt calm, as if something had lifted off from my shoulders, although there was nothing. I frowned, thinking carefully when I heard light footsteps from the bathroom and a heartbeat from my wife.
"How long was I out?" I asked as soon as she came out of the bathroom. And her reaction was rare—super rare and comical.
Mirxalyn was startled. She lost her footing, slipping backward before bumping into the cabinet, and then a box fell on her head. Then she cursed, "Fuck."
I chuckled since this was a side that nobody had witnessed before. I was the first one to witness it. "I didn't know she could be clumsy too," I thought amusingly as I went to her side, helping her up, teasing, "You're adorable when you're clumsy."
She glared at me, saying defensively, "I'm not clumsy."
I chuckled as we stood up. I kissed her cheek and was about to head to the bathroom when she pulled my arms and stared at me. I pouted, confused, until her stern expression went soft as if I looked different.
I frowned. "What?" I asked, touching my face, thinking there was dirt on my face before asking, "Do I have a drool stain?"
Amused, she shook her head, pulling my hands away from my face. She studied me carefully, cupping my chin before saying, "Your mark is showing." I tilted my head, confused since my mark never showed unless I was threatened, and Mirxalyn had never threatened me. Then she continued, "It had changed and become permanent."
"Changed? Permanent?" I thought, puzzled. But Mirxalyn's soft look confirmed it, and I could not believe it. "That's impossible."
I rushed inside the bathroom and checked myself in the full-sized mirror. I gasped because it is true. It was still bloody red, and the rose was still at the center, but the thorns at the center of my forehead became a serch bythol symbol. But that was not the only thing that had changed. I became more fit and toned than a chubby figure; my hair was still a mess but became silkier and midnight blue, and my almond eyes were now carrying faint bluish-mauve orbs rather than dark hazel ones.
I was stunned, but when I saw my wife's tender expression reflected in the mirror, I sighed. Then I said, "This is my awakening, right?"
She didn't say anything yet, but she went behind me, draping her arms around my waist, securing and grounding before kissing my shoulder and my neck, and said, "Yes, and it's making it hard for me to restrain myself from doing the deed."
I turned and wrapped my arms around her neck. "And you will when I graduate, but not now," I responded softly, kissing her lips when I remembered my graduation. "Speaking of graduation? How long will it take for me to graduate?"
"Hm, based on your records at your school and your homeschooling, it'll be happening soon. You only have to pass your instructors' assessment and keep ranking up," she replied before kissing me breathlessly again. We were panting when we parted before she continued, "You won't even notice that you already graduated."
I was settling my breathing before guessing, "So, it means...?"
"Your instructors' assessment will dictate it," she clarified before pulling away and going to the closet to prepare my clothes and get me my towel and robe. "Freshen up; breakfast is ready."
I was surprised since she has never eaten with us, even though we're married. Then I asked, hoping I heard her right. "You're eating with us?"
"Obviously." She grinned, and before leaving the bathroom, she said, "So, you should hurry."
Without wasting any moment, I went to shower, excited to share breakfast with my wife for the first time. Afterwards, I was done, fully clothed and refreshed. I went to the dining area, excited, and I almost tripped over myself if Mirxalyn hadn't caught me on time. I sheepishly smiled and thanked her, then we proceeded to breakfast.
The table was filled with laughter as I became the center of their teases. Mirxalyn, on the other hand, kept her expression neutral and unreadable as I was being roasted. But she choked on her drink.
"So, when will we be having grandchildren running around the manor?" Lady Alysia suddenly dropped the question as if it didn't carry any weight until Mirxalyn coughed, and I was frozen.
"Mom, I don't think you need to hurry about that." With composure, Mirxalyn coldly answered her mother until she sensed me trembling beside her. She quickly squeezed my hand under the table, grounding and calming my shaking. "We don't want to rush things when things are still left unsaid. Until then, there's no more talking about babies." I glanced at her, but I only saw conviction and respect in her expression, making me squeeze back. "We'll let you know when it happens, so please, respect that."
"Very well," she agreed amusingly, and I sighed in relief. Then she added, winking at me, "At least, you're thinking it."
***
After a nice breakfast with my wife, I was at school all by myself because Almira needed Allison's help with some student council work. I walked the hall quietly. But passing the other students, I earned a jaw-dropping look as if they'd seen either a passing ghost or a celebrity. I smiled politely and waved respectfully when they greeted me. I even accepted their gifts as I headed to my locker. I could hear their squeals and screams as a fan would.
"OH MY GOSH! SHE'S SWEET AND KIND!"
"I know, right? She even accepted the chocolate I made."
I shook my head, smiling, unlocking my locker. Then I thought, "This is nice…even once in a while…"