Hera

Selen was quiet today. Her mind seems troubled by something. She has been staring intensely at the children or at the woods all day.


'Hey" I called.

Selen didn't reply, her eyes were still focused on the forest. Over time, the garden had grown bigger because the mouths to feed had increased. We were harvesting.

'Selen…"


No reply. I was getting worried, was she ill? Her body seems alright to me…I ignored the possibility that it could be a mental illness, I had no cure for things like that.

I walked to her, 'Selen…" I called touching her cheek gently.


She blinked and turned to stare at me with a smile.

'Hera."

'What's wrong? Do you feel sick?" I touched her forehead and listened to the beating of her heart. They were okay.

'No. I'm fine."

'Selen, you know you can tell me what's on your mind. I will make it better if I can."

I won't let anything happen to you. You're my family now, my pack.

'I know. I'm sorry for making you worry but I'm fine. Really." She replied with a smile.

Sighing, I dropped the issue, 'alright, but promise me you'll stop staring into nothing. It worries me."

*I promise. I was just thinking about how far I have come. I was alone here a few years ago, now, I have a family, children…it's all thanks to you Hera."

'No…" I shook my head.

'It really is. If you hadn't approached that day, I won't have lasted this long. So, thank you Hera for coming over that day and for staying" she finished with a smile and hugged me.

I chuckled, 'it's not really my fault Selen. Whether I was here or not, you're the one that chose to survive. To live regardless of the pain in your heart."

'Shut up and hug me back."

'I can't do that without getting you dirty…" I replied with a laugh, '...I was harvesting turnips."

She replied by squeezing me. I laughed and hugged her. The back door opened and I heard a pair of feet running towards us before feeling small arms go around my neck from behind me.

'I love mummy and Hera too" Liam's sleepy voice said in my ear.

Selen leaned back, releasing me from the hug, 'of course you do baby."

Liam walked to his mother and sat in front of her rubbing his eyes adorably.

'Is Leila still asleep?"

'Mhmm" he replied with a nod.

'My adorable son" Selen squealed, gently squeezing his cheeks. She had bouts of cuteness overload like this when the children behave adorably.

'Hera!!" Liam whined.

I laughed, 'let your mom squeeze your cheeks Liam."

'But…"

'Hera's right, you should let me squeeze your cheeks."

'No…"

'Hera, I want to make blueberry pie this evening. Can you and Liam go pick some? I'll need a lot."

'Yay!! Mummy, I can eat a lot since you're making a lot right?"

'Yes Liam."

Wiggling free of his mother's grip, he came to my side, 'come on Hera. Let's go now so mummy can start early."

'You just want to eat the pie soon" I accused getting up.

'Yes. Come on."

'I need to wash my hands first Liam."

He sighed, 'okay."

Selen and I laughed.

****

'I'm tired Hera…" Liam complained, staggering a little before correcting his steps.

'You want more blueberries?"

'No, if I finished them, mummy won't have any blueberries for the pie and I won't have space in my tummy to eat the pie."

Smiling, I carried him up. 'I'll carry you till we reach the house okay?"

He nodded, 'thank you Hera." He rested his head on my shoulder, snuggling close to me.

It was dark already. We had gone deeper into the forest because the blueberries at my house weren't ripe yet. I hope Selen wasn't worrying too much, we did leave the house late. She should have mentioned the pie earlier.

I still don't know what was troubling her mind but at least she seemed better when we left.

Still, I wondered what had put her in such a mood. I have never experienced Selen in heat, so I wasn't so sure that was the problem. That was the only thing I could think of that could put her in such a mood. Sighing, I looked down at the dozing Liam. I have not teleported with him before so I couldn't do so now. Besides, appearing like that in the night will give Leila nightmares if she saw us.

Well, we weren't that far, I thought looking at the house in my view.

'Are we almost home Hera?"

'Yes. Soon, the pie would be made and you'll be feasting on it."

I felt him nod, 'you're going to be with us forever, right Hera?

'Of course baby. You're my family."

'Good…" he said dozing off again.

My smile disappeared at my wolf's discomfort.

‘Something is wrong' she said, moving restlessly.

Selen…

Ensuring that Liam was asleep, I teleported to the house only to be stopped at the edge of the forest. Something was preventing me from going forward.

Selen…

I tried again, imagining her face vividly. Something I hadn't done since I was learning how to teleport.

Nothing happened. I was still in that spot.

Selen!!

I finally saw her. She was fighting someone. A man. I tried to sense Leila's presence but got nothing. This fucking ward was stopping me. Our eyes met and her's were wide with fear.

Selen!!

I dropped the basket that I was still clutching and used my free side to try to break the ward. Liam slept undisturbed in my arm.

Selen shook her head at me, her eyes were filled with tears as she fought the man.

‘Run' she mouthed.

I shook my head, banging my body harder on the ward.

‘Run!!"

I looked down at Liam, I have to get him to safety. Looking back at Selen, I mouthed, 'I will be back."

She smiled, her eyes full of sorrow.

I teleported to the house of a couple that owed me a favour.

'Hera?" The man called in surprised as he opened the door.

'There's no time for me to explain. Help me take care of him Alias" I said, handing the sleeping Liam to him.

'Hera?! It's been so long" his wife said coming to hug me.

I shifted, 'Please, I need to go save his mother and sister."

Alias nodded in understanding.

'Wait, what do we call him? What do we say when he wakes up?" his wife asked, taking Liam from his hand.

'Liam. Alias, if I don't come back he'll forget. Keep it that way."

They nodded.

'Be safe Hera" Alias said. I nodded and teleported.

I was too late.