Third Person POV

Millicent went into the Royal morgue and tried everything that came to mind, including transfusing the mate bond into Christopher's body but nothing seemed to be working, that was the end of the first day.

On the second day, she became desperate. She cut herself and allowed her blood to drop into his mouth, but still nothing happened.

She had heard that the tears of a fated mate could do wonders, she shed it in drums but Christopher was as stiff as before.

As the second day drew to an end, she became inconsolable and started praying to the moon goddess.

'Moon Goddess, I had promised not to believe in you ever again if anything should happen to Christopher but now, I have come to you for assistance. I implore you, bring Christopher back to me. I am nothing without him. He is my everything. You mated me to him after all. You gave us this incredible Mate Bond and now I can bear to be with no other, not even his brother!'

She sobbed harder when she remembered that in a few hours, she'd be made Sylvester's Luna if Christopher did not awake. So she started talking with Christopher the way she had been doing for the past two days.

'Christopher, my love, the great Alpha of the Moon Ville Pack, you always put others feelings before yours. Now you have left me all alone. Why did you show me so much love if you were going to leave me? I am so alone and so very lonely', she cried. 'Oh Christopher, why did you have to love me and leave? Is this not betrayal of the highest order?' she asked, sobbing, her sob raking her body.

'You asked me to become your brother's Luna and I shall have to obey your wishes if you do not come back to me, but how can I make him happy if I think of you while with him? Because you see, though you look alike, you are still very different from where I stand. Would you really want that for your brother - perpetual marital unhappiness? And will you want that for me? Because you see, I'd be doing it against my will and I won't be happy with any, other than with you, my dearest'.

She looked earnestly at him, he looked so peaceful, like he was sleeping, like nothing had happened to him and she felt a stab of regret. If only she could turn back the hands of time, she would do everything differently.

'Come back to me Christopher and I promise you will not regret it!'

By the end of the second day, Christopher had still not woken and Millicent's eyes were red and puffy from shedding so much tears and there were cuts on her body, where she had used a sharp object on herself, trying to see if she could bring Christopher back through witchcraft or any wolf craft means she could muster.

She was led out of the Royal morgue by the Omegas to be prepared for her marriage to Sylvester and she walked with them, her face devoid of all emotion. So, Christopher had really left her for good? So he was going to be buried in a matter of hours? And she would be made the mate of another? How swiftly the tide changes, she thought in her head.

While Millicent had been trying to bring Christopher back to life, Alpha Sylvester had not had rest. He kept pacing, feeling every pain that Millicent was passing through.

On several occasion, he would pass by the morgue and hear her crying or screaming Christopher's name and he would feel very sad for her - empathizing with her. He wished there was something he could do to alleviate her suffering but he could think of nothing. He also knew that part of her pain was getting married to him, who had caused her so much pain in the past. But he also knew that she would resign herself to her fate, first to honour Christopher and secondly as a calm acceptance of her punishment for bringing such fate on Christopher and the pack.

It was not tradition to see the Luna before the rites was performed but he still went to see Millicent and that was when she was about to have her bath.

'Millicent', he called, 'Are you okay?' he asked. It was a double edged question.

'Do you mean, okay as in being alright or okay with going through the rites of bring your Luna?' she asked very perceptively

'Both', he answered honestly.

'I am as okay as I can ever be', she shrugged, glad that he had been honest about it. 'Do not worry, I'll not run off again nor murder you in your sleep when I become your Luna!'

'Very funny!' Sylvester said, and the both of them smiled sadly at each other and his heart went out to her.

'I'd better get started, so that Christopher can be laid to rest', she said, looking away.

Sylvester wanted to say more but thought better of it and nodded but Millicent was already on her way to the bathroom. She went in and shut the door.

Sylvester blew out air from his mouth, put both hands in his pocket and looked at the shut bathroom door. It was going to be alright, he thought, trying to convince himself. He turned and walked back into his chambers to be assisted by his Beta to get ready for the the task ahead.

He was waiting at the reception for Millicent, feeling for her and knowing that this transition from one mate to the other was not going to be an easy one, when Millicent was led in.

She was looking so beautiful. She had been made over so beautifully that her natural beauty was greatly enhanced. Her gown was a simple lace gown but it looked elegant on her. Her raven dark hair was bound up high on her head and a lock was aloud to fall on both sides of her face. Her puffy eyes had been concealed expertly, and the little swelling that could not be concealed made her eyes look very sexy, like someone who had just finished mating. The thought caused a bulge in Sylvester's pants. 'I should not be having such thoughts', he told himself.

'Not today, in any case!'

He smiled appreciatively at Millicent who was looking everywhere but at him.

As she got to the him, he was about to link her arms in his and turn to face the priest when a commotion was heard and everyone turned towards the door.

'What the fuck?' Alpha Sylvester said, when he saw a woman come into to the hall. She was not one of the pack he could tell and she was not a wolf. So, who was she and what was she doing coming to disrupt the Luna making ceremony?

'I am Wendy. And I have come to see Alpha Christopher!' she said.

Everyone looked at the stranger as she walked up to Alpha Sylvester.

'You look so much like him but you are not he. Take me to see him, immediately. Time is of the essence!'

Daniel, Alpha Sylvester's Beta came between Sylvester and the stranger, barring her way. 'Watch your speech. He is the Alpha!'

Sylvester raised his hands to stop Daniel and flipped his hand to the side as a sign for Daniel to step away.

'Why are you here?' Sylvester asked, then answered his own question. 'Right! To see Christopher, but why? How did you know him?'

'All these questions can come later. I have already been delayed as I crossed the border and I need to get to him immediately before it becomes too late to do anything!.

'Christopher is already dead, I must tell you. What reason could you possibly have to see him?' Millicent asked, her curiosity aroused.

Wendy looked at her and smiled. 'I knew he was dead even before his men at the borders revealed it to me. I would have been here sooner had I not travelled. Take me to him before it becomes too hard to bring him back to life!' she said emphatically.

'What the hell are you talking about?', Sylvester asked, thinking that the whole female flock was going crazy trying to raise someone from the dead. 'What are you and how do you suppose you can achieve this? He's been dead for about six days now!'

'Thank goodness then, because if it were already the seventh day, I would have been unable to do anything. And by the way, I am a witch. That's what I am!'

A hush descended on the gathering.

'Let me take you to him, so you can do what you can for him!' Millicent said eagerly.

'How can you trust her? Do you know what she wants to do to his body?' Sylvester asked. 'I don't trust witches!'

'What could possibly be worse than death?' Millicent countered and looking at Wendy, extended her hand. 'I am Millicent. Come let me take you to where he is lying in state !'

'Wait!' Alpha Sylvester growled. 'If this is just a waste of time, or you do anything funny like destroying my brother's body, you shall not live to tell the tale!'

Wendy nodded and smiling at Millicent, took the hand she offered and followed her into the Royal morgue.

The others followed to see what was going to happen. There was curiosity and speculation. But not everyone was allowed in. Just a selected few. Others were asked to wait at the reception hall.

'This has never happened before', Chief said. 'Hope the body of dear Alpha Christopher will not be desecrated!'

'Alpha Sylvester has given the witch permission to see the body and Millicent was only too willing to take her to where Christopher's corpse is. Let's watch and see what happens next!' an elder said.

In the morgue, the sheet covering Christopher's body was pulled down by Millicent exposing him from the head to the chest to Wendy.

She started making incantations. 'Balabasheka... Omni sorobanda... alakirisololo.. anifa ti.... Bob a', Wendy went on and on.

Then, she fell into a trance, 'Blood! We need blood to aid in his transition back to life', she said. 'It must be the blood of someone he cherishes the most!'

Alpha Sylvester came forward, 'You'd better be sure of what you are doing!' he said but hoping that the bullshit this woman was conjuring would bring his brother back to life. He normally didn't believe in such jargons but for his brother, he was willing to try anything. 'Take my blood and make this fast!' he said to Wendy.

Wendy still in a trace took hold of his hand but dropped it. 'No! Not you. Your blood was rejected!', she said frowning. 'Is there any other person whom he cherishes alot?'

Sylvester looked at Millicent. She had been through alot and he didn't know how much blood would be required nor if she was up to it. But before he could voice his thoughts, Millicent went to Wendy with her arm out. 'Try mine!' she said and then looking at Sylvester, she said, 'I am willing to sacrifice any quantity of blood he needs to come back to us. Don't worry on my account'.

Alpha Sylvester nodded, he was not surprised Millicent read his thoughts. Christopher had mentioned it to him previously.

Wendy took Millicent's hand and smiled.

'Accepted!' she said and in one swift movement, slashed her wrist.

The action took Millicent by surprise and she jerked when the sharp blade sliced through her skin and Sylvester started, ready to stop the operation if it proved detrimental to Millicent, but Millicent calmed down after the initial shock, and allowed her blood to drip as Wendy kept moving her dripping hand all over Christopher, all the while chanting incantations. Then she poured some potions in a bowl, mixed with some of Millicent blood, forced Christopher's stiff mouth open and started dropping the mixture into it. Then she proceeded to light seven candles round the corners of his body and entered into a deeper incantation.

Soon, the ice from Christopher's body started melting and they felt it was as a result of the candle lights placed in strategic corners of his body.

'Oh, bullshit! Can we get on with the rites we were engaged in before this witch's arrival, this is just a waste of time!' an elder said hissing with impatience. They had been watching the witch perform this ritual for about two hours now.

Sylvester himself was anxious because, the quantity of blood from Millicent's body had been much and she had not really been feeding well these past few days. The ritual was taking too long and he feared Millicent would collapse from fatigue but she seemed strong, watching the witches every move.

The witch ignored all of them and if she heard their comments, she gave no indication. She continued moving her hands in the air above Christopher's body while chanting more, her voice riding and she started swaying as though drunk or possessed by some force.

All of a sudden, Christopher heaved and coughed, gasping for breath.

Millicent ran to him, holding him, squeezing warmth into his hand. The others in the room were shocked and stared in fascination at the event unfolding before their eyes. The witch's incantations started coming faster and faster until Christopher regained his breath and sat up looking around him.

The witch collapsed then.

'Where am I?' Christopher asked.

'Where am I?' Christopher asked, looking around at the faces gathered round him. 'And who am I?'

This second question was what threw everyone. Did he just ask the question they heard him ask?

They looked at the witch who was just getting up to her feet from her faint.

'What have you done?' Alpha Sylvester asked. 'He does not know who he is!'

'I forgot to warn you that the side effect was amnesia', Wendy said. 'It is going to be for a short while though and then he will recover his memory fully'.

'How long is this 'amnesia', supposed to last?' Sylvester asked.

'It depends on each individual. For some people it takes a fortnight, some a month, others a year, you will just have to be patient and see how long he takes to recover his memory fully'.

'Is there an antidote for this 'amnesia'? Chief asked. 'You know, like a potion?'

'No. But if he has a reason for living. If there's something he desired so much before dying, then his subconscious will drive him to recover his memory faster for that!' Wendy said, looking at Millicent who was holding on to Christopher like a trophy.

'Your blood really worked wonders. There's something about you that you are yet to find out!' she said, though she sounded as though not very happy about it.

'Christopher, you remember me at least?' Millicent asked.

'Who are you?' Christopher asked, furrowing his eyelids at Millicent, frowning in thought, trying to recall the face.

Millicent bit her lip in disappointment.

'It will take a while and everything will return to normal', Wendy said flashing a brilliant smile at them. But you have to be patient and not force him to remember because it could be detrimental', she paused to let it sink. 'And it will be impossible bringing him back again if anything should happen!' she said, gathering the things she had brought with her back into the backpack she carried.

'I need to be around to monitor his progress because it is risky leaving him like this for now!' Wendy said. 'I repeat, do not be in a hurry to get his memory back for him by asking him any questions or any such thing. His memory will return gradually of their own Accord and his health will flourish!'

'Since you will be staying back to take care of Christopher, I'll ask the maid to prepare a room for you', Millicent said, smiling gratefully at the Wendy.

Since people had come for a celebration, the Luna making , though it will no longer take place for now, there was still a reason to celebrate - Christopher's life!

Millicent tried to stay with Christopher after his Beta finished bathing him but he looked at her curiously and said simply, 'Do you mind?'

Millicent was flustered and shook her head vigorously. 'No, I shall let you rest and be back later', and she hurried out of the room.

Christopher was not acting like his normal self. What could be the matter? Millicent thought. She was so deep in thought that she nearly collided with Alpha Sylvester and his Beta.

'How is he doing?' Sylvester asked and Millicent knew at once who he was asking. 'Very well. He said he needed a little time to rest!'

'Of course, considering everything that has happened, we all need rest', he said, touching my cheek tenderly. 'You should also take time to have some rest. Now that he is back, he won't be leaving us anytime soon!'

Millicent nodded and moved on to her room.

'Samantha, you're here', she said as she saw Samantha sitting in her room.

'Yes', she said, frowning thoughtfully.

'What is it now?' Millicent asked. 'You should be happy for me, I am finally back to myself and Christopher has been restored back to life!'

'Don't you find it odd?' Samantha asked, still bothered.

'Odd? Millicent was perplexed. 'Find what odd?'

'That someone who was dead was raised back to life?' she whispered fearfully. 'It is scary, you know. It is not natural!'

'No matter what it is, I am happy Christopher is back with us!' Millicent said, dismissively.

'What if it is not Christopher who is in there?' Samantha asked, still in a whisper.

'You are spoking me. How can it not be him? Didn't you recognize him when he woke?'

'I do not mean his appearance. I mean the thing inside, the spirit. What if some force has possessed his body and we think he is Christopher when he's not?' she asked, looking around.

'Stop this Samantha!' Millicent cried. 'Is this what you came into my room to tell me?'

'No! But...'

'Good! So, let's change the subject!' Millicent said with finality.

But what Samantha said lingered in her mind and she felt bad that she was doubting her own love.

Over the next couple of days, she rarely saw Christopher except when she forced herself into his room. At first he was irritated but later, he started accepting her presence with calm resignation. But Millicent,could not understand why he could not recognize her. She was getting impatient. The witch Wendy was the one always with Christopher and she did not think she would say this but she started resenting Wendy's closeness to Christopher.

She was on her way to Christopher's room one day, when she heard laughter.

Was that Christopher laughing? she thought happily. He had not laughed since coming back from the dead. She wanted to go in but decided to eavesdrop and find out what was responsible for Christopher's happy laughter.

'You should do this more often you know!' Wendy was saying.

'You make me laugh, so yes, I'll do it more often!' Christopher promised.' And you are beautiful, yourself. Are you married?' he asked and Millicent could not decipher if he asked in jest or not.

'Do you want to marry me?' Wendy countered.

'Answer the question first!' he said and Millicent could hear the smile in his voice.

'I was waiting for you!' Wendy said.

What was that? Millicent thought wildly. Even if they were just jesting, it was a dangerous thing to jest about.

'You barely know me, so how could you be waiting for me?' Christopher asked and though Millicent could still hear the smile in his voice, there was an underlining seriousness in his question.

'Oh, but I do know you. This is the second time I am saving your life and you owe me!' she said.

Millicent could not hold still any longer but rushed into the room, visualizing one on the lap of the other but she felt foolish when she saw Wendy propping Christopher's head on his pillow.

They both looked towards the door as Millicent burst into the room, panting.

'Did you want something Miss O'Hara?' Christopher asked, smiling tolerably at Millicent and she felt stupid. 'Miss O'Hara?' she thought in dismay.

'Christopher, I wanted to come find out how you were faring' Millicent said, for want of something else to say.

'As you can see, Alpha Christopher is doing very well, thank you', Wendy said, smiling smugly at Millicent. 'If you do not mind, leave the room so that he can rest!'

It was a slap on Millicent's face but she could not start a fight with Wendy over someone who could barely recognize her and Wendy was helping with Christopher's recovery. Millicent didn't want to jeopardize that. So, nodding, she left the room.