Chapter 3: True Friends

As life stirred within her once more, a panicked voice cried out in relief, "Thank the Moon! You are awake!"

Alinta opened her eyes and nearly jumped when she saw a familiar face filling her vision. "Helen? What happened?" she groaned.

"You scared the life out of me, that's what happened! When you didn’t show up at the café, Lilly tried to contact Ange to find out if you were still on your way. When she couldn’t reach her, I headed straight to your place only to find a huge red wolf passed out on your doorstep! How are you feeling? Can you get up? I'm taking you to the doc!"

Alinta took a moment to assess her surroundings and mentally evaluate herself. "Ange you okay?" she quickly asked, before looking at her friend with a puzzled expression.

"Yeah, I feel fine now, but that was rough!" Angela grunted somewhat feral.

"We're good now, thank you, Helen. I don't know what happened, but on our way home, we started feeling off, and as Ange reached the porch, it was lights out. You mentioned you saw us in wolf form?"

"Yeah, but sometime after I got you into your room, you slowly shifted back to your human self. But wait, hold on, the two of you felt sick? Like both bodies?" Helen asked, shocked and unable to believe what she was hearing.

"Yeah, but I feel fine now as if I had a good sleep."

"That's not normal! Come on, let me take you to the doctor, please," Helen begged, giving her the biggest puppy-dog eyes. Unfortunately for her, Alinta had grown somewhat immune to her persuasive powers.

"I am fine, Helen really. If something happens again, I'll let you know and go to the doctor, promise."

"You better!" Helen huffed and pulled her friend into a deep hug.

"I will," Alinta reassured her, enjoying the embrace.

"Good!" Helen replied warningly, then checked her watch. She pressed a button and began typing on her phone while glancing at the watch.

"What are you doing?" Alinta asked intrigued.

"I, little madam, am making notes for how long you have been passed out since I found you here. I'm going to forward everything to you to give to the doctor!" Helen declared, absorbed in her phone.

"You worry too much!," Alinta laughed.

"Negative! You are like a sister to me, so of course I will never worry enough!" Helen said earnestly, thinking about what might have happened if she hadn't gone to check on Alinta. She then playfully pinched her cheek with a smirk. "Now, is there anything I can get for you?" Helen asked, concern evident in her voice.

Alinta shook her head and was about to get out of bed when she realized Helen had dressed her and braided her hair. "You are just the best! How about I make you a cup of coffee as a thank you for everything you have done for me today?" Alinta asked, batting her long eyelashes.

"Oh no, no, no! You sit your bootylicious arse in bed, and I will make us some coffee!" Helen commanded. Alinta laughed, raising her hands in surrender, knowing she had already lost even before the war started.

Helen made coffee and returned to the room with a box of biscuits she had bought at the café while waiting for Alinta. The two women chatted until it started to get dark. Alinta felt concerned for her friend's safety and meticulously tried to convince her to go home. Helen only agreed once she was certain Alinta was okay.

The following morning, Alinta woke up early, feeling refreshed. She decided to contact Jenny, her employer and friend, to ask if she could work only half a day. Jenny was elated by Alinta's request, especially since Alinta rarely took time off. Although Jenny knew Alinta loved working at the library, she had often wished Alinta would take some time for herself to enjoy the things a typical person in her twenties would do. During this time of the year, Mondays were usually quiet at the library, with very few visitors apart from some schoolchildren looking for books to help with their end-of-year projects.

As lunchtime approached, Alinta made her way to Aunt Deanna's home. Deanna was a beloved figure in the community; everyone affectionately referred to her as their aunt. She was Umber Valley's national treasure, a dignified historian of werewolves. Aunt Deanna was the second-dearest person to Alinta, and she cherished hearing the old woman's stories about the past. Alinta arrived at Deanna's small house, which was only a five-minute walk from the library. As she drew near, Alinta quickly straightened her dress and knocked on the door.

From inside, she could hear the careful and graceful footsteps hurrying to the entrance. When the doorknob turned and the door opened, Alinta eagerly greeted her, saying, "Hi, Aunt Deanna!"

"Oh, Alinta, what a pleasant surprise! Come in, dear child, make yourself at home!" Deanna welcomed her with open arms. She hugged Alinta and gestured for her to sit down. Deanna was a tall, elegant woman with aquamarine-coloured eyes that seemed to see into the very essence of a person’s soul. The warmth she radiated made anyone who approached her instantly fond of her.

"Now tell me, what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Deanna asked excitedly, her voice brimming with warmth.

"I was reading some human literature yesterday and now, well..." Alinta began.

Deanna shook her head playfully, her long silver hair sparkling as each strand caught the sunlight. "I see, though I don't blame you, those stories are quite trendy," she said in a serious tone, whilst trying to hold back a chuckle.

"But yours are the best, Aunt Deanna," Alinta interrupted.

"And they are not based on fiction!" Deanna said proudly. "Though there aren't any new ones I can tell you, my child." She lifted her hand to her chin and tapped her red lips as she delved deeply into her ancient mental archives.

"But on our last visit, you said you had a new myth you wanted to share with us," Alinta pouted.

"Oh yes, of course! How could I forget!" Deanna dramatically pinched the bridge of her nose. "Have you heard the legend of the Rogue Deity?"