Moon Touched

139 Oh the Agony pov

Bob did his best to ensure all was running smoothly and helped watch over his pack as they went through this evolution. He spent his free time checking on those watching over the wolves in deep sleep. He made sure they ate, took breaks, and slept some. The screaming and crying seemed at their worst, but Bob had thought that a couple of hours ago. He was wrong then and could be wrong again. As he left the alphas and their lunas' room, he wiped the tears of blood from his eyes. He hoped never to have to witness anything like this again. He hoped the witch's spell hiding them away held, and no one could stumble upon them. He prayed to whoever was in charge, so no one heard the agonizing screams. Taking a deep breath, Bob let himself into Sir Demon's room and rushed to the two women watching over him. They were both trying to hold him down while he screamed in agony. Tears were silently running down their cheeks as they whispered to him that all would be over soon. Gaia was fervently swearing that she would ensure he did not remember this.

Demon had quieted and seemed to be sleeping peacefully for now. They knew it would not be long, and the screaming would start again. Rhea shakily asked Gaia, "Mother, did you know it would be like this?"

Gaia continued wiping the sweat and blood from the Demon lying on the bed as she snapped back, "I did not expect this level of suffering. Their bodies are changing to become what is needed to ensure the survival of the werewolf species. This level of change means bones are breaking and reforming as they phase back and forth from wolf to human. It is more painful than I understood, Rhea."

​"Well, Mother, maybe you should think about your little prophecy and what they may entitle before throwing them out there and bringing them to fruition." Rhea snarled at Gaia.

Bob took both women by the hand and proposed, "Why don't you ladies take a break and freshen up? Get something to eat, and I will sit with Sir Demon. Now that the patrols have switched shifts and all sectors have reported, I have some time to spare now."

He led them to the door and continued, "I am sure Demon would appreciate a sponge bath and change of clothes."

Both women agreed they needed a break and went peacefully out the door. He heard them both making plans to check on the others. He opened the door and yelled, "After you take care of yourselves!"

​"Bob, you are getting a little too bossy." They snickered at him.

Bob set about cleaning Demon up and making him as comfortable as possible. He took the glass of water beside the bed and held it to his mouth. He let a little water dribble between his dry lips, mouth, and throat. All the while, he carried on a one-sided conversation with him. "Sir Demon, I cannot believe what my eyes are seeing. It hurts me so much to hear your screams of pain, but I think you will be quite happy when this is finally over. Lady Gaia was truthful in her words to you." Bob wondered what else would change about the Demon before all was completed. He continued speaking with Demon, hoping he could hear him and know that his wishes were coming true. He just needed to get through the rest of this, and he could awaken and see for himself.

Meanwhile, Bob's two banished ladies heeded his words and took care of themselves before checking on the alphas and their lunas. Once they had grabbed a sandwich from the pile, Eurybia, Crius' wife, had made and plated it for anyone who was hungry. Eurybia set a glass of milk in front of each woman and smiled, "It is quiet again for a bit. I am glad you have remembered to nourish yourselves and freshen up. If you need anything else, please send it to me, and I will see you have it. I know this is stressful, and I wish to do my part."

Rhea smiled at her, "Thank you, Eurybia. We will send word. Could you send fresh ice water to all the rooms housing sleeping wolves? I know they will need to keep the sleeping wolves hydrated."

"Sure, I will add some herbs and minerals to help keep their bodies healthy during the change," Eurybia said.

Gaia asked, "How long do we have before we need to be back with Demon?"

Rhea was quiet momentarily while she listened to her surroundings, "About thirty minutes. We need to shower, change, and check on the others."

They heard Eurybia whisper to herself, " I wish I knew who spoke to Rhea when she did that."

"Poor Eurybia," Gaia said. She is so sweet and would rather have everyone else's powers because she thinks the power to control the seas is not excellent."

Rhea agreed and added, "I know, but Crius and she are perfect for each other as he controls time. He measures the year. He lets Eurybia believe she can help him control time, which makes her happy. Besides, she carries the god of war and is excited to see him born."

"How can one so sweet birth a god of war?" Gaia murmured to herself. A little louder, she said, "Let's go, daughter. We are wasting time."

Once refreshed, they wanted to go to the rooms housing the beta families. Cronos and Evelynn looked exhausted but reassured them they had just arrived for the night watch. Gaia and Rhea checked on each of the sleeping wolves. The changes were starting to become slightly noticeable. Each individual lying on the bed was beginning to show slight physical changes. Hair was shinier and had different hues, muscles were a bit toner and less bulky, the mating marks looked more like a tattoo than a scar, and each had the mark of the moon goddess on their forehead. A small crescent moon. Evelynn had been wiping down Dalia and held her left wrist up, saying, "Look."

The rest of them moved closer to see what she was staring at. "What is it?" Cronos asked.

"It looks like words but in the god's language, "Νύχτα ψίθυρος Οικογένεια πακετάρω" " Evelynn read. She stared at Cronos and the two women. She then translated "Night Whispers Family Pack." As she spoke the words a second time, she felt her left wrist burn slightly. She looked and saw she now had the same marking as the Beta wolves.

Gaia grinned, "My granddaughters and their creations are blessed and will have a fighting chance to survive."

Cronos did not know who he was proud of more: his nieces or his little mate. He did not think she was paying attention when he spoke the god's language, but he had been learning it. Cronos felt his left wrist tingle, and he knew the mark had just appeared on him. It was his mother's way of blessing his union with Evelynn. They sent word about the markings to all the other protectors and discovered anyone part of or closely associated with the pack was marked. Members of the pack bore both the forehead and left wrist marks. Those closely associated with the pack bore the wrist marking.

Rhea and Gaia left to check the alpha suite and return to Demon's room in time to be with him during this shift round. Upon entering the alpha suite, they noticed Zeus and Hera sitting quietly, eating a sandwich and drinking a glass of milk. They looked as exhausted as Cronos and Evelynn had. When the couple noticed them, Zeus raised his hand in greeting and gestured for them to join him and Hera.

Gaia instructed them to continue their meal as she and Rhea proceeded to check out the alpha wolves. They were showing the same changes and markings. However, Katia and Selene's scars were not as pronounced as they were before this had started. Some were gone entirely. The wolves in human form showed these types of changes, which made Gaia wonder how the changes manifested in the wolf form. She could not wait to see.

Zeus and Hera had moved back to their seats between the beds, signaling that the time for the next round of shifting was about to begin. Gaia kissed her granddaughters on their cheeks and turned to leave. She stopped and turned back at the door, saying, "Zeus, I know it is hard to watch your son go through this, but I promise it is needed to save this species."

Zeus nodded his head as Katia's first screech came. Hera jumped to put her hand on the girl's head and let her know she was there. Gaia watched as the girl rolled back and forth. She kicked her legs and waved her arms, trying to get away from the pain. She screamed as her nose and mouth stretched into a wolf's muzzle. Her eyes popped open for a moment, and they were a light ice purple. They snapped closed as quickly as they opened, and she screamed again as her torso began to elongate with white fur sprouting on it. Her fur looked to have a black tint to the ends. The rest were starting to do the same, and they heard a scream from Demon's room. Gaia wanted to stay and see what her granddaughter's wolf would look like when the shift finished, but she could not leave Sir Demon to face this alone. She and Rhea hurried to Demon's room and rushed in to see Bob sitting on the bed, holding the Demon on his lap and running a cold cloth over his forehead.

Seeing the two women had returned, Bob stood and gently laid Demon down. As he began to stand, he noticed Demon's hands sprouted fur. Quick as it sprouted, it was gone. Bob thought maybe his eyes were playing tricks on him as he was as tired as everyone else. But then Demon's leg sprouted hair and began to elongate as Demon shrieked in pain. Gaia took the cloth from Bob and pushed him into a chair. Bob continued to hold Demon's hand when he could. Rhea was stroking his head and rubbing his arms and legs. She had said she hoped it would help with the muscles and any pain there may be later. For the next six hours, the screams, shrieks, and cussing from the protectors continued. Sometime during the sixth hour, they quieted and calmed again.

Bob whispered, "Do you think that was the last of it?"

Both women looked at him sadly before answering, "No, unfortunately, they are only about halfway through."

The Demon moaned and quieted again as Bob stood and informed them, "I will ensure that breakfast is served to all on watch duty. Please let me know if anything should be required before breakfast arrives."

The Demon began writhing and screaming once again. Gaia waved Bob off, and Rhea said, "Thank you, Bob."