Fate of the Lost Moon

Chapter 16

The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm golden glow over the pack house as I paced nervously in the living room. Today was the day I would finally share the news I had been holding close to my heart—the revelation of my wolf, Hera. A mixture of excitement and anxiety churned in my stomach. Would they believe me? Would they accept it?

Fynn was in the kitchen, chatting with our father, Viktor, about the day ahead. The scent of fresh coffee filled the air, and I could hear my younger siblings, Henry and Gwen, laughing as they played together in the corner. They were blissfully unaware of the turmoil swirling within me.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the kitchen, where the familiar warmth and comfort of family enveloped me. “Can I have everyone’s attention?” I called out, my voice slightly wavering.

Fynn turned, a curious expression on his face. “What’s up, Steph?” he asked, wiping his hands on a dish towel. Viktor looked up from his cup of coffee, and Gwen and Henry paused their play, their eyes on me.

I swallowed hard, gathering my thoughts. “I have something important to share.” The room fell silent, the weight of my words hanging in the air. “I’ve found my wolf.”

Henry’s eyes widened, and Gwen clapped her hands together excitedly. “You have? What’s her name?”

“Her name is Hera,” I said, a smile creeping onto my face at the thought of my wolf. The connection I felt with Hera was profound, and I was eager to share that with my family.

Fynn raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Hera? Like the goddess?”

“Exactly!” I replied, my excitement bubbling over. “She embodies the light of the moon, guiding me toward wisdom and healing. I’ve felt her presence, and she has already shown me so much.”

Viktor smiled, though there was a glimmer of skepticism in his eyes. “That’s wonderful, Stephanie. I’m proud of you for finding your wolf. But—”

“But what?” I pressed, not wanting him to dampen my excitement.

“You know it’s not uncommon for wolves to be elusive,” he continued. “You’ve always been unique, and we’ve seen how much you’ve struggled with this. Are you sure it’s real?”

The disappointment threatened to swallow me, but I stood my ground. “I know it is real, Dad. I felt her in my dreams, and I can communicate with her. She’s not just a figment of my imagination.”

Gwen’s eyes sparkled with wonder as she hopped up and down. “Can we meet her? Can we see her?”

“I wish you could,” I said, biting my lip to suppress my nerves. “But it’s complicated. Hera and I need time to bond and understand each other fully.”

Fynn stepped closer, crossing his arms. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you?” His tone was supportive, and I could see the trust in his eyes.

“I am,” I affirmed, feeling a surge of gratitude for my brother's unwavering belief in me.

Viktor nodded slowly, absorbing my words. “If you truly feel this connection, then I believe you, Stephanie. You’re my daughter, and I know you’ve always had a strong spirit.”

Just then, the door swung open, and Cassandra walked in, her expression neutral but guarded. She paused, taking in the scene—everyone focused on me, my news hanging in the air.

“What’s going on?” she asked, her tone cool.

“Stephanie has found her wolf!” Gwen exclaimed, beaming with pride.

Cassandra raised an eyebrow, skepticism written all over her face. “Really? What’s her name?”

“Hera,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite the tension.

“Hera?” Cassandra repeated, her voice dripping with condescension. “You’re sure it’s not just wishful thinking? Just because you say you have a wolf doesn’t mean it’s true.”

Hera’s presence flared within me, and I felt a rush of confidence. “I know it’s true, Cass. I’ve felt her guiding me.”

Cassandra rolled her eyes, clearly unconvinced. “If you have a wolf, then why haven’t you shifted yet? You’re almost eighteen.”

The question hung in the air, and I felt a wave of self-doubt crash over me. I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out.

“It’s not a race, Cass,” Fynn interjected, stepping in to defend me. “Everyone’s journey is different. Stephanie has her own path.”

Cassandra scoffed, clearly uninterested in listening. “Fine, we shall see in a shifter ceremony. As she is so convinced that Hera is real, why not hold it later tonight for both of us? I had to hold back on mine so as not to embarrass her after all.”

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving a tense silence in her wake.

I glanced at my father and brother, who exchanged worried looks. “I’m sorry, Steph,” Fynn said softly. “You deserve to celebrate this.”

“I don’t need her approval,” I said, trying to convince myself more than them. “Hera is real, and that’s what matters.”

Artemis snickered softly in my mind, clearly amused by the interaction. “You handled that well. Just wait until she meets me.”

“Not yet,” I responded firmly, the weight of the decision resting heavily on my shoulders. “I need to prove myself first.”

As the morning continued, the conversation turned to preparations for the upcoming shifting ceremony, where Cassandra and I would officially reveal our wolves to the pack. The anticipation was electric.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that my moment was approaching, and soon everyone would know about Hera. More than that, I learned that Lilith, Cassandra’s wolf, would recognize Hera as one of her sisters. The connection between us would be deeper than just family; it would bind us in a way that was beyond comprehension.

As I envisioned the ceremony, I could picture the moment Lilith caught sight of Hera. Would she feel the bond? Would they acknowledge each other? I felt a thrill of excitement at the thought, and Hera responded with a warm pulse of energy.

“We’ll face this together, Stephanie,” she assured me. “They will see you for who you truly are.”

As I looked around at my family, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of belonging, a sense of purpose. I would prove to Cassandra and the rest of the pack that I was not just Stephanie Lunaris, but also Hera’s chosen.

“And when they see us together,” I thought, “they will understand the strength we possess.”

With renewed determination, I smiled at my family. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I was ready to embrace my fate as I ventured deeper into the world of wolves, ready to discover the true meaning of my identity.

Cassandra's POV

As I walked away from the kitchen, the voices of my family faded into the background, but my mind was racing.

Stephanie had found her wolf.

The words echoed in my head, and I could feel the tension knotting in my stomach.

I pushed through the door to the archives, seeking solace among the musty books and scrolls that detailed our family’s history. I needed to focus, to drown out the doubts creeping in. But the thought of Steph’s so-called “wolf,” Hera, lingered like a shadow.

I had spent years preparing for this moment, knowing that I would one day be Luna. I’d imagined the day would be filled with joy, not this nagging worry about my sister. What if her wolf didn’t manifest? What if Hera was a figment of her imagination? The idea of her being anything but strong and capable felt like a disease spreading through our pack, threatening our future.

The dusty shelves loomed around me, a reminder of the weight of my lineage. How could I carry the mantle of leadership with a sister who couldn’t shift? I clenched my fists, anger and frustration coursing through me. I was supposed to be the one to lead our pack into greatness, not burdened by the doubts of having a wolfless sibling.

I couldn’t shake the vision of the pack ceremony where we would shift and reveal our wolves. Would everyone be watching Stephanie with pity? I couldn't let that happen. If they saw her as weak, they would see me the same way. I would not allow her to tarnish my future.

“She’s my twin, and yet…” The thought stung. I shook my head, trying to clear it. “She can’t be a Lunaris.”

I scanned the archives, searching for answers within the dusty tomes that chronicled our family’s legacy. There had to be something here to support my convictions, something to prove that I was destined to be Luna, that I was the one who belonged in the role.

Just as I reached for a book on ancient pack histories, I heard laughter drifting from the kitchen. Their laughter. I could almost see the way they rallied around her, supporting her newfound identity while mine felt threatened. The warmth of their smiles, the pride in their voices—it made my skin crawl.

“I can’t let this continue,” I whispered to myself, determination hardening my resolve. “I need to confront her. I need to set things straight.”

Before I could lose my nerve, I turned and strode back toward the kitchen, where I would challenge my sister’s claims and assert my position. I wouldn’t let anyone forget who I was. I would remind Stephanie that being wolfless was a burden—a burden I wouldn’t allow to weigh down the pack or my future as Luna.

As I approached, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the confrontation ahead. The tension in the air buzzed, but I felt a sense of purpose. Today, during our ceremony, I would stand my ground. And everyone would see her for the burden she is.