Misha the Beast Tamer.

Zac and I wrote to each other for nearly a year. He told me that he'd be attending my fourteenth Birthday no more than a day away. I was beyond excited.

The night before my Birthday, I had a strange dream. I was a lot older, a woman to be exact, and I was walking along a twisting road that ran through a dense and dark forest. When I first entered the forest I had the feeling that someone or something was watching me. I continuously checked behind me, I squinted my eyes so I could see into the forest and look for any sign of life. All I saw were dark trees, bushes, vines, and leaves.

I continued but felt so uneasy, I was carrying a sword resting in its sheath around my hips. I rested my hand on the very top, something was definitely following me I just couldn't see it. I ran, the feeling did not go away, then as I saw the tiniest glimpse of sunlight at the end of the road and felt a tiny bit relieved. I was knocked to the ground, a large wolf with red eyes had me pinned. It leaned in close, I could feel and smell its breath as it warmed my face.

It growled and showed me its teeth, strings of saliva dripped from the tips of the teeth. I felt an immense pain and screamed as its claws dug into my stomach and tore at the flesh. I woke in a mess, I was struggling to breath and it seemed the pain from my dream manifested into real life. I clutched at my stomach, and cried. I got up and felt something running down my leg. I brushed my hand along the path of the liquid to see what it was. There was a full moon so I went to the window and saw blood on my hand. I screamed for help. The guard rushed in and over to me as I clutched my stomach in pain.

"What's wrong Princess?" The guard asked me in an urgent and concerned tone.

"I'm bleeding, please get Stefan or Dad." I replied.

"Of course, My Lady. Did you want me to get the healer too?."

"No! Just Stefan or Dad. No-one else." I answered.

Not even five minutes after the guard left. Stefan burst through my door, rushed over to me worried.

"What's wrong Princess?"

"I have a pain in my stomach and I'm bleeding. I don't know where from or why. I just woke up feeling this way."

Stefan seemed to calm a small smile crossed his face before he said

"Grab a new night dress, go to the bathing room, clean yourself up. While you do that I will stop by your Dad's bed chambers. Don't worry, I promise I wont be long. I'll even walk you there."

"Will I be okay, Uncle? I wont bleed to death in the bathtub while you're gone?" I questioned him confused and worried.

"If it is what I think it is Princess. You will be absolutely fine. Actually it will be worth celebrating."

After he said this he winked, it seemed he was slightly amused, he left me to go to the bath and wash myself. I sat in the warm bath, my pain seemed to fade, the warmth seeped through my skin. I searched myself for cuts, sores, there was nothing. I noticed blood dilute in the water as it ran down my thigh. I then realised where the blood was coming from. I felt a new rush of panic, which was interrupted by a loud knock on the door. It was stefan.

Through a crack in the door Stefan spoke to me.

"Any cuts, bruises, sores my love?" He asked.

"No, it's coming from my....." Stefan cut me off.

"Stop! No more. Congratulations my beautiful Misha, you're a woman now.

What could be a more of a fitting birthday present. I have something for you, it was saved for this day by your mother, I hope it fits. I'll leave it at the door.

I quickly got out of the warmth of the bath and approached the door, I found a strange contraption, it was made of leather.

There was something that was like a belt a piece of thick material kind of like linen joined the front and back, at each side 2 pieces of strap also made of material hung loose. Stefan handed me a handful of thick but neatly cut rectangles of clean rags.

"Okay Misha. You place the rectangles on the piece of linen, then you use the straps to tie together to keep the rags in place. Pull it up until the rags are against your crotch and tighten the belt. You will need to change the rags a few times a day."

I did as instructed, the belt was soft leather but felt uncomfortable around my waist. I pulled on my fresh nightgown and exited the room. Stefan was waiting for me, smiling from ear to ear as he walked me back to my bed chamber.

"I told your Father he was really excited, he wanted to see you. But as its so late I told him not to worry. I left some tea in your room, drink it up it'll help with the pain."

"So what is it Uncle?" I asked.

"You're a woman now. You my dear have just experienced your first moon bleed. Meaning, you've just started your rite of passage into womanhood. It'll happen for a few days every moon cycle. Isn't that exciting." Stefan said his voice high pitched with excitement.

I was a lot less excited,

"It's not exciting, I'm in pain and I have this stupid uncomfortable belt thing around my waist. Not to mention it happened on my birthday as it's now early morning. I'm supposed to celebrate with a ball, and it will be the first time in twelve months that I see Zac again. How is this exciting or even a good thing?"

Stefan sighed and rested his hand on my shoulder.

"You're growing up, way to fast for my liking.Your Mother will be overjoyed at the news. I suggest after the ball you go home with your mother for a few days. She'll be able to talk to you about it and it's something you can share, as Luca and myself will never experience this. Now go to bed, and get some sleep. The tea will stop the pain and help you sleep. Good night my beautiful young woman." He said before kissing me gently on the head.

As promised by Stefan, the tea did stop my pain and I fell asleep almost as soon as I finished the tea.

Stefan kept everyone away, so I could sleep in. I was grateful for this.