Chapter 3 The Day It Happened

• < A week ago >
• “Rosaria, have you finished chanting the Holy Lycan?” Father asked as he entered the oratory room.
• I turned around with a bright smile. “Yes, Father Gossep.” I stood up, the bright circle faded the moment I left its spot, and headed eagerly to greet the priest. I gave him a kiss on his palm.
• “I finished the Lycan prayer and the four Holy Moon as usual, Father,” I added, rather proudly as my smile widened from the excitement engulfing my being.
• Father chuckled as he patted my shoulder. “For three weeks? My, you have been the most diligent novitiate here, Rosaria. I am thankful that you grew up to be a fine devotee of the sun god.”
• “Anything for Hati, Father,” I replied eagerly.
• We started roaming around the Hatiism church and reaching the nave.
• The interior was as beautiful as I remembered. The stained glass windows of the sun god and his fellowship are displayed around the walls. Because of our careful maintenance, this 500-year-old church never ended up becoming a run-down at all.
• If it weren’t for the small contributions of our silent worshippers, we wouldn’t have maintained its beauty and charm.
• Or perhaps it was all thanks to the charisma of Father Gossep. He has always been the jack of all trades. He did carpentry, provided food and provisions for the church, and did most of the finance here while dutifully holding the sermons every evening.
• When we stopped by the painting of the image of Sun God, Hati, Father Gossep’s smile faded.
• I raised my brow but waited for him to speak first.
• “Tell me, my child. Is this truly what you wanted?”
• “Of course, Father!” I answered in a heartbeat. “I have been waiting for years to finally reign a veil as a fully-fledged follower of Hati.”
• Father stared at me for a moment. “As you know, the church allowed all orphans receiving their wolf to venture outside the church. We gave them an opportunity to return here as worshippers or to live within the pack.” He walked closer to the portrait of Hati. “But you, my child, didn’t hesitate to stay after your ritual.”
• “Because I already made up my mind to become a nun here, Father.”
• “Besides…” I looked at the image of Hati.
• The only portrait that described his “true” image. A blue-eyed blond young man shone brightly like a sun as he held the golden-pleated balance scale.
• He showed the warmest smile I’ve ever seen and I could see from the look in his eyes that he was truly kind.
• I lifted my hand and pressed softly on his cheek while the painting stared back at me like he was calling for me.
• “Whenever I look at the image of Hati, it reminds me of my reason to continue serving the church.”
• I turned to him and gave a small smile. “This image of him and your kindness to both the Hatiists and non-believers motivated me to help you and to spread the word of Hati around our pack.”
• Father Gossep only shook his head, trying to get out of his embarrassment. “My dear, your words are like a rainbow after the dull heavy rain! I am happy that you are going to be our nun soon!”
• “But…” Oh no, here’s the “but”.
• “I’m still worried that you haven’t thought of looking for your parents.”
• I bit the insides of my mouth. Once he started talking about my parents, it wouldn’t be the end of it.
• Oh Hati, I hoped his speech would end before my ordination.
• “Twenty-six years ago, it was at night during the full moon, we found you at the porch entrance of the church, crying as the roses in the garden bloomed bright red.” He smiled. “That’s why we named you Rosaria, my child.”
• “I know, Father Gossep, it is like a Lycan miracle of sorts,” I said as I chuckled a bit then I held his hand. “But you have to believe me, I had no intention of finding my parents the moment they left me here. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have known the true teachings of Hati.”
• “What if they decided to bring you back, my child?”
• I thought for a moment. “Then, they have to respect my choice to become the nun of Hatiism.”
• “If you don’t mind me asking, Father, what made you ask me such questions on the very day of my ordination?” I asked.
• “Because as much as I wanted to continue serving Hati, I often worry about how our pack treats you each time you visit the marketplace.”
• I smiled. Father worried over the littlest things!
• “Oh, don’t you worry a thing, Father Gossep,” I reassured him. “In fact, you should worry for yourself! We haven’t found a priest to take half of your shift. After all, you’ve done enough to support us, the children, and the worshippers.”
• Which is why I couldn’t leave you alone, I thought. Because I wanted to live the rest of my life, making sure that Father Gossep would live a life with no regrets.
• With that, Father Gossep finally smiled as he patted me on my head like he often did when I was a child.
• “You’re right. I was worried because you were like a daughter to me. I still wanted you to be happy having a normal life. But if you wish to become an official church nun, then I won’t stop you for tonight’s ordination.”
• Finally, I thought as I embraced him. Father worried too much for my future when I could only be by his side until we could gather and convert the non-believers.
• “One more thing, Rosaria.”
• I turned to face him, expecting him to express his worries.
• “No matter what, I am always proud of you, my daughter.”
• It warmed me to hear proud words from Father Gossep, my adopted father, and the one who treated me as if I never felt like an orphan yearning for parental love. He already gave me the love that I desired.
• This is the bliss that I wanted and all I ever wanted was to remain inside the church.
• However...
• “Father! Father! Father!” Anette, the head nun barged inside the church. Sweating and panting as she went in our direction. She caught a glimpse of Hati’s paintings and bowed before catching her breath.
• “W-What is it, Sister Anette?” He asked, worriedly. While he was busy calming a panting and exhausted Sister Anette, I was already rushing to the tray of a pitcher of water and a set of glasses.
• Once I hastily poured a glass of water and returned to them, Sister Anette finally suppressed her weariness and said with a bellowed voice.
• “The Alpha Leader, Father Gossep! He’s here!”
• And at that exact moment, the door slammed open, catching us off-guard as we all turned around. The surprise made me slip the glass and shattered it on the floor.
• But our attention was focused on what was before us. Our eyes widened at the incoming “guest” of the Hatiist Church.
• Varick, the Alpha Leader, stepped inside while he was in his armor. Dried blood stained on his plate armor as he gave us a sardonic look.
• When he caught sight of me, I flinched.
• I have never met the Alpha Leader, so seeing him so suddenly here in the church was the least I expected.
• “Are you Rosaria?” He asked, calmly yet there was a clear hostility in his tone.
• “Y-Yes?”
• He grabbed my hand and held it tight. His gray eyes fixated on mine before he said.
• “The seer received the moon goddess’ answer. You are my fated mate.”
• “W-What?”
• My mind probably stopped at that moment, slowly processing what he just said.
• “It’s a calling. Bear me a child who can rule over the pack.”
• Everything changed when he said those words.
• Had he shown up a day late, I would have lived in the church in peace.