Chapter 22 – The Owl
“Sometimes, reaching out and taking someone’s hand is the beginning of a journey. At other times, it is allowing another to take yours.“– Vera Nazarian
Halima
Tonight was the night of Anthony and Alesia’s ceremony. Dwayne and Jackie were to be Co–Betas and a man named Ali was to be Gamma. I met him quite a few times, and he was a proper gentleman. And cute, too. I set out the outfit I’ve decided to wear on my bed, admiring how the color and accessories work well with each other.
Per Lyria’s advice, I went with amethyst purple, which was slowly becoming my favorite color. The dress was sleeveless with a turtle neckline guaranteed to cover my back. The scar from the Mark of the Betrayer still gives me a deep sense of shame, so I wanted it covered. The dress was flowy and loose, starting at my waist, reaching down to my knees. My golden flats with ankle straps rest on the floor near the dress.
Walking in heels was a disaster waiting to happen. And by disaster, it involves me kissing the floor.
A pair of gold bracelets and a single charm necklace rest on top of my vanity, glittering under the pale amber light of my room. I don’t understand how to style my hair, so I wore my curls down. Thanks to the love and care from Jackie and Violet, my hair had grown significantly after some trims, now with the ends brushing my shoulders. All I need to do was apply some product to make the curls pop and I’ll be fine!
Tapping my cheek as I stared at the colorful makeup palettes, I debate whether to apply makeup. I keep it simple to avoid the risk of looking like a clown with warm neutrals and lip–gloss.
Stripping down for my shower, I wash the day’s stresses from my body, falling in love with the rich lather of my floral–scented body wash. I learn to appreciate the hot water showers, not realizing how much they did me good. I’ve grown accustomed to cold, pleasureless showers that the joy of a decent warm one was fleeting. Today, I was happy to experience that simple pleasure. After completing my business, I work on my hair in front of the vanity in my towel. I was so deep into moisturizing my hair that the taps on my window startled
me.
“Whoa!” I yelped, jerking my head towards the window covered with curtains. Tightening the towel around my body, I sauntered towards it. The tapping continued and persisted, doing nothing to quell the anxiety pooling in my stomach. Who or what was demanding my attention? Sucking in my breath, I threw my covers open to see the culprit.
It is…an owl?
The white owl sat on the outside window ledge, peering at me with its large golden eyes. I cock my head to the side, arching a confused eyebrow. Weren’t wolves” natural predators to the owl? What is it doing here? Once I opened my window, the white owl flew in, settling on top of my vanity, eyes still glued on me.
“Um… hello?” I asked, keeping a good enough distance from it. “May I help you?”
It stared in silence.
“You know I could eat you, right?”
It still stared.
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Chapter 22 The Dai
“Not much of a hooter, I see.” I chuckle at my joke, hoping it would move, but it didn’t. It just sat there, watching me with big innocent eyes. “You know, the window is right here…you could fly out at any time.”
It does nothing. I groan. This was ridiculous. Was I about to change into my dress with an owl staring me down?
Yep.
Sighing, I rummaged through my closet for my strapless bra and matching panties and dressed for the ceremony. I could hear excited commotion throughout the packhouse and smell the overwhelming mixture of different perfume up and down the hallway, making me gag.
Seriously! She–wolves don’t need this much perfume!
I turn my back to the owl, stretching out my curls to their maximum length. The soft texture of my hair cracks opens a smile on my face. I slip on my flats before slipping on my dress. The top part hugged me at every curve. No matter how small they are. I was filling out my clothes the more I gain weight, something I couldn’t do in my worst state.
Smoothing out the flowy bottom, I turned to face my visitor only to see it gone.
“What the…”
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“Hoo!” I spun around to see the owl on the bed right next to my hip.
“Gah!” Yipping in fear, I fell on the ground, flat on my ass. It hooted as if it was laughing. This damn bird liked to joke, huh? Rolling my eyes, I hop on my feet once more, rubbing my sore rear.
“Hilarious,” I say sarcastically. I take the jewelry from my vanity, placing each in their respective places. I place clip–on rose earrings on my earlobes. “It’s not nice to surprise people like that. I could have squished you if I fell the wrong way!”
The owl hooted once, flying on my vanity once more. The bird was now closer than ever, less than a foot away from me. Oddly enough, the longer I look at it, the less scared I am. My overall deductions of this weird bird were that…it was cute. Its golden eyes peer into my brown, conveying a silent message.
I don’t know what it’s trying to say, I don’t speak owl!
But I felt something. A familiar warmth. The owl hopped closer to me and nuzzled its round head into my palms. Breaking out into a smile, I run my fingers through its feathers. Soft, it tickled my heart. I feel like I know this owl, or the energy it’s giving off. But from where…?
“You’re cute,” I whisper to it, relishing in its soft hoos. “Are you a male?”
It made a sound like a disapproving grunt. “Um, female?” She gave a lighthearted chirp, happy at my answer.
“I guess I should give you a name, then,” I shot the bird a small smirk. “I have a feeling that I’ll be seeing you
around often.”
The owl hooted in happiness, hopping a little dance around my vanity. However, my necklace chain got caught up in her foot, falling backward. I untangled the chain around her tiny foot, gently sitting it upright. She shook her feathers, making me giggle.
“Hmm.” I looked at the owl for a while “You’re white, like snow. But you came out on this full moon night. I remember in a book I read in elementary schools of diverse cultures having different names for the moon. Hmm.” A name finally popped into my mind. “I shall name you. Dianal
She hooted happily, satisfied with the name choice, “Diana, It is then!”
My phone chimed a soft tune, buzzing next to the table lamp, I quickly walked over and looked at my screen to see a reminder that the ceremony will start in five minutes. Hooking my necklace around my neck, I shot a smile at Diana.
“I hope you don’t mind Diana, but I need to finish up some makeup and head down to the ceremony. Maybe, another day, we can chat.”
Diana chirped, flying towards my window. I waved goodbye as she gave me one last look and flew deep into the night.
After her departure, I took in my reflection in the mirror. For the first time, I didn’t topple over and cry. The person reflecting at me was beautiful. That person was me. Grabbing a tube of neutral pink lipstick, I apply at
generous amount on my lips before applying mascara, I was not risking anything with eyeliner.
But I felt natural. I felt beautiful. I feel like myself, Halima the slave no longer stared back at me from the mirror. It’s Halima the woman.
Putting on the last touches of makeup, I take my cell phone and my small purse and head towards the assembly hall. The palpable ambiance of happiness and anticipation was so thick that I could grab
Many pack members were already inside. I place my hands on the double doors, taking in a deep breath to calm myself.
It’s time for Artemis and me to join them. Our new pack. Our new home.
Our new family.