Theta Ritual

     This ritual marked my initiation into the pack and becoming an official resident of Kappa. Big brother said it to me in advanced through phone a couple of weeks ago. 

     Lucy and Pink reassured me that they had already ordered a dress for the event. I hesitant at first but they insist that it is free. Grateful, I accepted. As everyone is busy for the ritual, Rose and other girls is cooking for dinner while Lucy and Pink is picking up my dress. And leaving me alone in the room, I unpacked my few belongings – a limited wardrobe, important documents like my birth certificate, and school supplies. Finally, I settled onto the bed, feeling weary from the journey, despite it merely involving sitting and waiting.

     At 5 pm, Rose knocked again, and I eagerly opened the door. She informed me that I could transform into a werewolf in the backyard before joining the open stage where the ritual would take place. Panic coursed through me as I confessed, "I forgot to mention, I don't have a wolf." It turned out that I am a werewolf without the ability to shift into a wolf form. While possessing werewolf's ability like great hearing, capable smelling and more strong that a human but I couldn't undergo the transformation. 

     It seemed I had inherited this trait from my human father, in contrast to my werewolf mother and brother, who can transform.

A trace of surprise flickered across Rose's face before she assured, "It's alright, just wait here for a moment." She disappeared outside, leaving me with a sense of unease. Though she tried to comfort me, I knew deep down that things weren't alright. With a resigned sigh, I closed the door, grappling with a feeling of not fitting in either with humans or werewolves. As I lay on the bed, the weight of uncertainty settled upon me, wondering where I truly belonged and recognizing my tendency just to follow orders.

     After some time, Lucy entered with her demeanor stern. She tossed a dress to me, instructing, 

"Hurry and change. We're falling behind schedule." Taken aback by her abruptness, I hastened to the restroom and donned the elegant white dress, its simple design adorned with exquisite waist stitches.

     As I emerged from the restroom, Lucy grabbed my arm, leading me to the backyard.

"I'll transform into a wolf. Jump onto my back, and we'll reach there quickly." With that, she discarded her clothing and contorted her body into a wolf-like stance. Bones cracked as her limbs morphed, her hands became paws, nails turned into claws, her eyes dark brown eyes gleamed into bright yellow, and her entire appearance shifted into to a wolf. I watched in awe as she underwent the transformation before my eyes, a sight I had never witnessed before. Now, in her wolf form, her height matched mine as 5 feet, despite her usual shorter stature of 4'7. I am overwhelmed and amazed at the same time.

     She crouched down, allowing me to mount her back, deftly picking up her dress with her mouth before bounding into the forest. The exhilarating speed was unlike anything I'd experienced before, the rush of wind against my face leaving me awestruck. In mere moments, we reached an open stage surrounded by werewolves, both on the stage and in the audience.

     Lucy's estimation had been accurate; our swift journey had brought us to the stage without delay. As she lowered herself for me to dismount, Rose swiftly joined me. While Pink spread out white sheets to Lucy. And carry Lucy's clothes in her mouth. And Lucy back to human form and not revealing her nakedness to everyone because of the sheet that covers her. Rose's words resonated in my mind. "Wait here. Alpha will call you, and you'll need to kneel at the circle. Some Luna's support will chant then you need to endure the heat in your pulse until the process is finished."

     The weight of the moment pressed upon me as I observed the expectant eyes fixed on me. Suppressing my nervousness, I maintained a composed demeanor. This ritual held deep significance, and I was determined not to falter.

     After a few minutes, a gathering of women in white assembled at the outer circle, their voices blending into a harmonious chant. 

"Buwan na dakila kami ay maghahandog ng bago niyong likha."

     Their rhythmic repetition seemed to infuse the atmosphere with an ethereal energy, culminating in the circle emitting a radiant light. A man with an aura distinct from the others strode to the center of the stage.

"We gather here to witness and welcome our new member of the pack. Infinite, come forward," his voice resounded with authority. 

     I took tentative steps towards him, my palms slick with sweat, anxiety coursing through me. Kneeling within the circle as instructed, I fixated my gaze on the luminous circle's center, unsure where else to look. The women's chants grew louder, the light transitioning from white to a warm yellow glow.

     From my left pulse, a searing heat emanated, and I glimpsed its transformation into a fiery red. As the chanting intensified, the pulse's heat became an intense ache, my discomfort veering toward agony. The circle's light shifted, deepening into red as the pain heightened. Battling the urge to cry out, I clenched my teeth, biting my lower lip to suppress any sobs. Moments stretched into eternity as the red within the circle took on form and substance, the chanters falling silent.

     Amidst the silence, the figure emerged more defined within my pulse, the pain gradually subsiding to a manageable level. The circle's hue transitioned to a calming blue. And the symbol at my pulse become more visible it is the yin and yang symbol. My eyes unintentionally locked with the Alpha's, his smile acknowledging my perseverance before sweeping his gaze over the crowd.

"Everyone, our new member: Infinite." 

     The applause erupted, a wave of acceptance and support cascading over me. Pink enveloped me in a hug from behind, and Lucy, Rose, and the others encircled me, congratulating and welcoming me into the fold. In that moment, surrounded by their warmth and genuine happiness, I couldn't help but wonder if this was where I truly belonged — a part of Kappa, a part of their world.

     We walked home together, and the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement for our dinner tonight. It was a small feast to celebrate me being newbie in the Kappa. Rose, who is always ahead of the curve, had things well in hand. She had prepared an array of dishes, from various pasta types to mouthwatering meatballs, Shanghai rolls, and even a delectable buko pie for dessert. The question of whether it was truly a small feast crossed my mind, considering the abundance of food. I savored each bite until I was content. After dinner, I offered to help with the dishes, but Rose insisted that I take a rest.

    As the clock struck 8 PM, I lay in bed attempting to sleep. Lucy and Pink were still out, leaving me alone in the expansive room. Though I resisted negative thoughts, I couldn't help but wonder if I had been welcomed due to my brother's connection. What value could I truly bring to the Kappa? My abilities is paled in comparison to their abilities. Memories of my best friend from in the human city I grew up. She had been oblivious to my werewolf identity, yet our bond remained strong. Regrettably, I had to leave her, a choice that weighed on both of us. And before I leave, she never talk to me since I announce I am living here. Minutes turned into eternity until Lucy and Pink finally returned, their keen werewolf senses guiding them to my wakeful state.

"Can't sleep?" Pink inquired in concerned.

"No," I replied honestly.

"It's a common affliction among werewolves and I know in humans too, in unfamiliar surroundings," Lucy chimed in, and I nodded in agreement.

Pink's voice softened, "Tomorrow, we're accompanying you to enroll in school and gather your supplies."

I attempted to decline, "I can manage on my own. Just give me directions."

Pink's plea persisted, "No, we want to be there with you, to share the experience."

I sighed, feeling the weight of my financial limitations, "Money is tight for me. And I already have some school supplies from last school year."

"Ask your brother to give you money," Pink urged.

"He said in advance that I provide for myself if I want additional things," I responded.

"Your brother's being unreasonable," Lucy interjected.

"I couldn't agree more," Pink concurred.

"But he's covering my tuition fees," I revealed.

Lucy clarified, "Tuition is free. Only miscellaneous fees are our responsibility."

"I want to support you, Infinite, but we're on a tight budget too. Like you, we're orphans," Lucy empathetically explained.

"Part-time jobs are our main source of income," Pink added.

"Could I find a part-time job even without a wolf?" I inquired.

"Yes, lacking a wolf isn't an obstacle here. Our Luna is also wolfless," Pink reassured.

"It's comforting to know even the Luna doesn't possess a wolf. I sometimes feel out of place," I murmured.

"Don't doubt yourself. Surviving the Theta ritual makes you one of us. Be proud; you bear the Kappa's mark on your pulse," Lucy assured me.

"What do you mean by 'surviving'?" I inquired.

"Some haven't made it through the ritual alive," Pink revealed, though her smile added an eerie touch to her statement, causing me to blink in surprise.

"Are you serious?" I needed confirmation, half expecting it to be some elaborated joke.

"Yes, it's real. If you can't fully accept our Alpha's authority during the Theta ritual, a werewolf can die," Pink stated, her expression serious, and Lucy affirmed it with a nod. 

     Theta ritual is still a dangerous ritual.

"Infinite, you're quite exceptional. The Theta ritual usually takes hours but you only got around 7 minutes. That's the shortest time ever recorded," Lucy added.

"Why? How about both of you?" I inquired.

"I endured it for 3 hours, while Pink went through it for 5 hours and 30 minutes," Lucy explained, while Pink displayed a peace sign and a smile.

"And your amazing Infinite. You never shout or loud sob. When Lucy and I back then we couldn't handle the pain and can't stop being loud," Pink said. 

"Infinite, do you understand the significance of the mark in your pulse?" Lucy asked.

"No, I don't," I admitted.

"Broken mark signify breaking the pack's rules, which can impact the health of our Alpha," Lucy clarified.

     I had been completely unaware of these rules.

"What are these rules?" I questioned.

"Acts betrayal to Kappa is considered rule violations," Pink responded.

     I now understood the rules, and I vowed not to break it.

"I'm getting tired. Can we continue this conversation tomorrow?" Pink yawned.

"Then go to your bed this is our bed," Lucy said.

"Okay then, good night Lucy. Good night Infinite," Pink said as she's walking down the stairs.

"Good night Pink. Good night Lucy," I said to them.

"Mmm," Lucy just said and sleep at my side. 

     This was my first official night as a resident of the Kappa pack, and I was determined not to be a burden.