Eclipse Child

Scared of living,

afraid of dying,

terrified of being.

- L.A.S

“Are you sure that’s all you need?”

I eye the small pack Orion carried. He looked down at it, confusion on his face for what else he might require. I sigh and grab the object from him, a sound of exasperation leaving me when I see a t-shirt and apple.

“Orion, what the hell is this?”

“You told me to pack...”

“I told you to pack your stuff, as in, all your stuff."

Confusion is still mixed within those grey eyes as if he is saying, what else would I need?

“By the Moon,” I grumbled my curses, entering the bathroom, and pulling out the objects he needed to function daily.

“Toothbrush,” I say the word slowly, holding it up for emphasis.

He almost looks insulted by the action.

Even with the addition of the other items though, the pack is still light.

“And where is your toothbrush?” he asks, looking down at the single one and giving me a challenging expression.

“I used yours,” I said, before walking out, a satisfied grin forming on my face as those grey eyes narrow in disbelief.

It was still dark outside. The sun had not yet risen, and neither had the parents.

I turn to take in the small house, eyeing the dark windows. That really was their goodbye then.

“Are you ready male?” The old name slips back to my tongue, a force of habit after using the word all those months within my mind.

He doesn’t comment on it though. Instead, he only nods, his eyes not looking at the house like mine. They were looking forward into the woods.

“We’ll stop at several packs along the way for rest.”

His mouth twists at my words. I realize that he would have no trouble staying in fur for the whole trip.

“Let’s go then.” He does not hesitate in taking off his clothes. It’s only then that I am aware that this is the first time I am seeing his full flesh. He pauses, waiting for me.

I feel anger at my sudden modestly. He had already seen everything. I needed to get used to the sight also. I still could not help but glance at him.

I pack the clothes within the bag and turn at the sound of fur colliding with skin. The shift was like none I had ever seen before.

It was rough. Course. Not easy looking. There was almost a painful process in watching it. A beautiful harshness that came from the progression. It reminded me of cutting flesh purposely open to let out toxins that hid underneath the surface.

I frown at the sight. It was probably because Orion stayed too long in fur. He did not give skin enough time to heal over. He did not let his mind return to the state it should have been.

The wolf knew how to stay a wolf, but it did not know how to be something else.

He approaches me, taking the pack from my hands with his jaw.

With my hands-free, I’m able to shift and join him. And soon we are running through the woods. Up the mountains.

It was a familiar sensation. Orion running with me.

The first night I gave in and let him sleep within the woods. The thought of a hot bath and warm food made me shift and demand for my clothes as we neared the Shaldon pack.

Begrudgingly he went with me.

But he stayed as a wolf.

“Alpha Jace.”

The Alpha eyes me with surprise. It left my mind that I had been gone for three months now.

In those three months I had somehow returned with more strength, and a wolf by my side.

“This is my mate, Orion.”

Alpha Jace stares at Orion, before looking back up at me. I keep my face neutral. As if this is the most natural thing in the world.

“Um...please...come in.”

He opens the pack house door, letting us through and showing me to the guest bedroom I had stayed in before.

“And your mate...”

“He’ll stay with me,” I quickly said, noticing how Alpha Jace had glanced outside when he asked his question. I didn’t want Orion to accept the offer.

Like last time, I leave before they can ask any questions.

I know already that Alpha Jace would call Uncle Mark, who would tell mom- reporting that I was alive. Mom would tell dad and Leo. Aunt Quinn would tell Lilah. The chain of events would lead to them knowing I was alive and coming back.

A nagging sensation ran in the back of my mind on whether or not Alpha Jace would tell him about Orion.

We leave early. It will take us all day to run back to Alba Rosa, and I want to be back before night falls.

Orion easily keeps up with my pace. More like I keep up with him.

Years of conditioning has led to his wolf side having better stamina than skin.

It was all about balance. And Orion had tipped the scales in favor of one side over the other.

The shift in power over the land indicates our arrival in Alba Rosa. We are still some miles away from the border. I stop when we are close enough.

Orion pauses, one paw raised in anticipation for us to continue, but I shake my head, airing out my fur before shifting into skin.

“Shift Orion. We need to approach the border like this.”

A low whine leaves his throat.

“Just because you are with me, does not mean you can just walk into another pack land.”

I walk forward, my frustration rising as he slowly caves in on himself, another low whine leaving him.

“Shift, come on, it won’t be for long.”

He rolls on his back.

“Orion!” I felt like taking my hands and ripping them into my scalp. I didn’t believe in animal cruelty until now.

Those grey wolf eyes close in silent defiance.

“You,” I bend down, wrapping my arms around his torso frame. A startled yelp leaves him as I lift him from the ground, “just don’t want to meet my parents.”

His body goes limp, making me sag against the extra weight.

“I’m not some weak-ass!” I’m yelling at myself now as I struggle to hold him, “I’m a strong, independ-,”

“Soraya?”

We both look up at the sound of the voice.

Neither one of us had noticed the approaching figure- we had been too consumed in the other.

I freeze and feel my whole body stiffen as I take in the sight of a confused patrol guard.

“Greg...”

His face goes hard as he looks at Orion.

“Is that a rouge?”

“What? No, he’s-”

Before I can finish Greg is running towards us, a look of savage fury on his face.

I fall with Orion in my arms, his weight crushing into me. He’s thrown off as Greg tries to get to me.

“Have you been fighting him by yourself? Is he alone?” Greg looks around wildly, but his next words are cut off as a flying force collides with his side.

“Orion no!”

Two wolves were now wrestling the other, a mass of saliva and clashing teeth crashing together. Snarls rose in the air as the fight escalated.

I don’t watch for long, but I can tell Orion is winning. He overpowers Greg to the point that it is almost laughable to watch.

But that was a pack member he was attacking.

Both wolves are thrown back as I grab the scruff of each neck, not feeling sorry at all when I hear the whimper from them and sound of shaking trees they had impacted.

They are instantly up, growling with raised hackles and exposed canines.

“Enough.”

The one word stills them.

Greg shifts back and stands at my side, a look of deep hatred on his face as he glares at Orion.

Orion stares at me, a guilty expression showing within those grey eyes.

“Shift Orion.”

I don’t leave room for argument. I feel Greg shudder beside me at the power I’ve let flow into the words.

Orion does as I ask. Greg gasps beside me, no doubt confused as he watched Orion’s odd transformation. I didn’t care though. My whole focus was on the male before me.

There is a dangerous air to him as those grey eyes glare at Greg. Some satisfaction is felt deep within me when I see Greg’s face pale.

“Get your clothes on-,” I’m aware then that I also have no clothes.

Greg is able to see my back. His eyes dart towards the mutilated image, but unlike Orion, there is a deep and sad understanding that follows the look. A mixture of pity held within the gaze.

“Greg,” I snap at him, unable to hold back my temper. Orion was now seeing this side of me. The side that was easy to burst and attack the first thing that threatened it.

“This is Orion. He is my mate.”

Greg’s eyes widen in surprise, “I’m sorry...”

“I should have known better,” I answer. I should have. Shifting so close to the border was a risk, but I knew Orion would want to stay within fur for as long as he could. I just never anticipated the stubborn rebellion of not wanting to shift.

“Should I let the Alpha...”

“No need,” I catch the clothes that Orion throws at me, quickly putting them on. A small part of me is disappointed that Orion is not reacting at the sight of another male seeing me. Those grey eyes remain calm and emotionless as he stares down at the forest floor, waiting for me to finish.

I sigh and shake my head before smiling at Greg. He returns the grin.

“Welcome back Soraya. We missed having you.”

“Thanks, Greg,” I lean back, taking in the familiar scent of Alba Rosa. The familiar sight of the trees and surrounding forest.

“It’s good to be back.”