DotW: The Revelation

Wet eyes and shuddering shoulders emerged from a darkened den, hidden secretly among the foliage. Aethelynda found herself near this den quite often in the last few days. No one knew about it and that’s the way she liked it. Buried in flora on Chandra Isle was the mossy bed that she liked to use as a second den. The area was now covered in a white powder, the season’s winter still in full force. However, as she looked up toward the auburn sky, she could feel the warmer winds on their way. The weather was not on Lyn’s mind though. She had spent the good part of the day in this den, crying and in just an overall depressed bubble. Not only did one of her close friends leave only a month ago but her adopted daughter had decided to venture out on her own as well.

To say the least, Lyn was not faring well. She had asked herself many times why she was bothered so much, why she couldn’t just get up and do what she needed to do. She didn’t understand the stress of the pressure she was facing and she didn’t know how to cope with it but to get away and be alone. When on alpha duty, she had begun to put up the stoic nature she had so well nurtured in her youth instead of that caring, motherly alpha that she should be. If anyone had stopped to look, they could see the redness in her eyes and the strained, tired muscles in her face. Glancing away often and making quick of orders was how she kept them from seeing. Eventually though, someone would notice.

Lyn sat at the entrance, her sides heaving with a heavy sigh as she watched the passing clouds. Being a lone alpha, it was hard work; she was beginning to feel the burden that her father was bearing at this very moment as well. She only wished he was here to guide her. Nevertheless, Gregor was not in Chandor, which meant that she really had no one to take over for her if she was having a bad day. She had to get up and make sure everything was fine, even if she wasn’t. There was no one to confide in her troubles or woes. Yet…was there? As she thought about that, a name floated into the front of her mind. Rowan. Did she not ask him to join Chandor for that very purpose? With that sudden thought Lyn decided that she should seek him out. She wiped her eyes and stood, shaking a bit to seem livelier, before heading toward the river.

Her trudge was slow and yet purposeful all at the same time. She was thankful that someone was there that she could still lean on- she was thankful that Rowan was there. The thought came to her in a funny manner, though. She was thankful for Rowan, she cared for him, as if he too were a part of her close family like Delu or Tamarack. The realization made Lyn stop suddenly. She furrowed her brows. She cared for Rowan?  Yes, it was there, in a simpler form now. Why had she not seen it before? Indeed, she did care for Rowan like Delu or Tamarack, but at the same time, it was completely different. It seemed so foreign to Lyn, but now as the final pieces of the puzzle fell into place in her mind, a light came on and she understood. This was not familial affection; this was love.

It was as if Lyn had been awakened somehow; she gasped and her eyes widened. She loved Rowan? How could that be possible? She hardly knew anything about him. And yet, there it was, plain as day; the utter and complete infatuation with him. Suddenly, she understood why she couldn’t reciprocate Delu’s feelings for her- it was because her heart was already enraptured with someone else. It made complete sense. Why else would she turn down Delu? He was smart, sweet, and utterly devoted; you would have to be stupid or already in love to not want that. Lyn swallowed hard and took a step back. Could she go see Rowan now after this sudden epiphany?

No; she had to see him. She had to make sure it was true and her mind wasn’t tricking her. If she saw him and the same feelings remained, then she would know. But what would she say? Would they even talk? Lyn tried to think of some excuse; maybe ask for advice. That’s what she usually did anyway, what would make this meeting any different? Oh, I don’t know; maybe just the fact that I’ve realized I love him. She thought to herself. It would be in the midst of all of this chaos that she found one road that was clear of fog. She couldn’t risk it being lost, not at a time like this. No matter the outcome, she needed to pursue this.

Without another thought to dissuade herself, Lyn took off at a run toward the river. Her body was on fire, but not from overexertion. Adrenaline was building up inside of her and she could feel her face grow hot like the summer sun. She splashed across the shallow river that separated Chandra Isle from the rest of territory and followed her nose to the scent of Rowan. She was on a mission and she wouldn’t stop until it was done.