Rowena strove to fulfill her new role as a mother. Not only was she fulfilling her promise to Ivan to take care of her baby as best she could, but her natural instincts, beyond reason, compelled her to do so because she truly wanted to. She wanted the best for her daughter.
A new phase in Rowena’s life had begun. The love that grew naturally guided and taught her many things. Every day offered lessons she had never encountered before, and every second spent with her daughter offered new, amazing experiences. All the tiredness, worries and doubts that had once plagued her slowly faded away until they disappeared altogether.
Rowena felt happier and happier as time went on. Now there was no pallor on her lips, no dullness in her eyes, and no heaviness in her steps. She was full of energy, and flowers bloomed in her heart as she realized that the baby felt the same way.
The baby couldn’t speak yet, but Rowena could feel it clearly. Every laugh, every wiggle, every look from the baby conveyed happiness. And there was something else that made her equally happy: the realization that the baby was growing up healthy and well. In fact, she seemed exceptionally healthy and well.
Rowena’s brow furrowed with a strange feeling she couldn’t easily dismiss. There was something unusual about her baby. She was taken aback when she saw the baby playing alone on the bed.
The baby was laughing as she looked at her own hands. She seemed delighted while Rowena’s focus was on her gums. There Rowena saw rows of tiny teeth beginning to emerge. She was confused because it seemed too early for the baby to be showing signs of teething.
Rowena’s confusion didn’t stop there. This time her attention shifted to the baby’s blonde hair, which had already reached her neck. The baby’s hair was growing so fast that Rowena felt it might need to be cut soon.
Another unusual thing Rowena overlooked was the baby’s remarkably advanced motor skills. Her tiny hands could already grasp Rowena’s fingers with a grip that felt very strong. Her cute little feet had begun to kick the blanket, tossing it aside with ease.
All of these anomalies were almost overlooked by Rowena. Like any mother, she was pleased with her baby’s growth and development. However, things began to feel strange when she saw the baby roll over, crawl, and all of this before she was a month old.
Rowena exhaled and approached the baby. She tried to calm herself. She pushed her worries away and when the baby smiled at her, her memory was drawn back.
“Do you know? Uh, Ayla had a vision about us.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. I met her in the palace a few days ago. We were chatting and suddenly she had this vision.”
“And what did she see? Tell me. What did she see?”
“She said that we are going to have a daughter soon.”
“A-a daughter? Oh, God.”
“She also told me that our daughter is a beautiful and strong girl. We will be proud because she will be the next warrior leader.”
“Oh, God. She is going to be the next warrior leader?”
“I know. Doesn’t that mean that she is incredibly strong? She will defeat the other wolves and become the warrior leader.”
“She’s just like you, Ivan.”
“Apparently. Because Ayla also said that her hair will be as blond as mine, her smile as sweet as mine, and when she transforms, she will become a silver-white wolf with eyes as blue as mine.”
“She will surely be a wonderful wolf woman.”
“Of course. She will be a wonderful princess because she is born from you. She is strong and will be loved by many.”
Ivan’s happy face filled Rowena’s mind. His smile and laughter had indicated pride even before their daughter was born. Now she understood the meaning of Ayla’s vision.
Rowena took the baby and held her close. “You are truly amazing, darling,” she praised, kissing the baby’s cheek lovingly. “I shouldn’t feel strange. You are the daughter of a witch and a werewolf. You are a hybrid. So, it’s only right that you’re different from other babies.”
Rowena’s worries eased. Now she felt more at peace. She welcomed all of the baby’s growth and development with joy. However, things weren’t going as smoothly as she had hoped.
Rowena realized that the rapid pace of the baby’s growth and development was not the only thing she had to deal with. There was something more important and crucial, something concerning the baby’s future.
Ayla had already had a vision about the baby. In the future, she would become a warrior leader, and at that point, Rowena was not sure if she could do the right things to help fulfill that destiny.
Rowena could be a great witch. Her magical powers were unmatched by any other witch. She could even pass through time portals, moving between eras while pregnant. But raising a werewolf was another matter. She knew nothing about the instincts of werewolves. She had no foundation or preparation.
Rowena had two choices. The indecision made her heart heavy. She didn’t want to choose, couldn’t choose. She wanted to stay with the baby. She wanted them to live together, but she didn’t want to jeopardize the future the baby could have; she didn’t want to ruin that destiny.
Rowena hugged the baby tightly. Tears began to well up at the corners of her eyes as she forced herself to make the difficult decision.
Her heart would hurt again. Sadness would greet her again. But she was confident in her decision.
“Everything will be fine,” Rowena repeated to herself. Then she kissed the baby, tears streaming down her face. “I have to do this for you. You have to live with other werewolves. I’m sorry I can’t teach you many things.” She took a deep breath and looked at the baby. “But I promise. We’ll never really be apart. Whenever and wherever, I will always watch over you. Don’t worry. We are always together.”
Rowena moved quickly. She prepared the baby’s things. She gave no room for doubt to come and shake her decision. She hurried and didn’t think twice as she took the baby to the edge of the Amerotha Forest.
Rowena had considered everything. As someone who lived in the Amerotha Forest, she knew well who often came there. One of them was the Forest Rangers.
Rowena knew them and would make sure the baby ended up in the right hands. She had to be sure that the baby’s life would be safe. The people she chose would have to love the baby as if she were their own daughter.
Rowena had chosen two names, a harmonious couple who had been together a long time and had no children. They were kind and well-liked by many. In their hands, she was confident that the child would grow up to be the shewolf she was meant to be.
Rowena took a deep breath and looked at the baby for the last time. She steeled her heart and at that moment Ivan’s voice echoed in her mind again.
“So that’s why I often think about names for her later.”
“Tell me, Ivan. What is her name?”
“Uh. Ayla said she was a pure soul. She is so beautiful, Rowena. So, I thought her name should be Vione.”
Rowena smiled. So did the baby.
“I love you, Vione,” Rowena whispered from the bottom of her heart. She kissed Vione’s forehead and tears fell. “I promise we will meet again.”
*