Destiny's Web

Chapter 13

(Lilith’s P.O.V)

It’s been an interesting twenty-four hours for my eighteenth birthday. I am outside and away from the party, I told Alistair I needed air and he let me be. Arthur found his mate, my brothers, and now Cassandra is actually carrying twin Alpha Warlocks… I am happy for my family, but I have this feeling of dread hovering over me. I look back to make sure no one is following me. I head toward the maze and begin to make my way through it. I go to my favorite spot where I store a tin can, it has books, nonperishables, and… what is that scent?...

I turn and notice it is the women with fire for eyes, “Dear Lady Blackhart, you should not wonder far from the party.” She flashes a devilish smile. My apologies Elder, I just needed a moment of privacy, the party was becoming too much for me. She tilts her head to the side and giggles. “You are exactly like the first Lady, overwhelmed with too much attention, loves her library and gardens, just a little shorter.” I scoff at her remark and laugh.

She is an incredibly old friend. She who walks through fire with a forbidden name.

Gaia tells me we are old friends, please sit with me Elder.

“You must stop calling me that, please, call me Ishtar.”

Beg your pardon, Gaia said your name is forbidden? I see her smile, at Gaia’s name.

“I have many names child, the first Lady called me Ishtar and I wish you to call me by that name.”

A-a-are all the Elders Gods and Goddesses then? I see her look up and turn her head to me.

“What if we are child? What will you do then?”

I want you to lift this curse from my family, I want a normal life. I did not ask for any of this, to be reborn and solving the problems of the world you all created! I say with tears in my eyes.

“Rise child, kneeling does not suit you. It never has.”

As I stand, I see a blinding white light and another woman, and I immediately kneeled again. She is wearing a white cloak with a hood over her head. She had the most beautiful gray eyes; her hair was white and in a long braid draping over her shoulder. Please forgive my rudeness Mother. I feel a hand lift my chin; “you do not need to kneel before me daughter.” I look up and see the Moon Goddess herself. I feel my tears streaming down my face and she tells me not to cry. This was the softest voice I ever heard in my life; she was the most beautiful woman I ever saw.

You were only stories parents told us when they tucked us in at night.

“Daughter, tell me what you has conflicted?”

Mother I, I do not know if I can do what it is that you ask of me. I cannot restore balance to our world, I look into her eyes, pleading.

“You are younger than your previous lives, and all of them felt the same way child. I will ask you the same question I asked them… Do wish to see your world burn?”

Her voice was no longer soft but harsh, W-what? NO! I look at her in shock, and I see Isthar smiling, “Apologies, Déjà vu”.

“Then you must fight for it! We gave you free will and we gave you champions to rise up and defend your world. We chose the strongest bloodlines for this, with that said each of the higher powers has summoned a champion of their own to keep the balance.”

Are you saying there are more champions out there then just Vincent, Bella and myself? I looked at her confused. What is this threat, that I must summon others for, I have the right to know! Isthar stood and grabbed my chin to look me in the eyes. Her eyes really were fire, a goddess of war… “You have no right to speak to your goddess that way. Do you have any idea what she had to sacrifice, what we all had to do?!”

“Please settle down.” Her voice was soft again and she had a small smile with tears in her eyes. I’m sorry, this is all happening so fast… I felt her grip loosen as she wiped my tear away. She sat back down and and held the moon goddess’ hands. Alexanders pups, was that your doing?

“It was mine child”. I turn and behind me and there is a woman with a helmet that had three faces, she was holding torches in her hand. Why, do you have any idea what you have done? If the council finds out… “The council will do nothing; they have been slain; this has caused the twins warlock side to awaken.” I cover my hands with my mouth.

“It has already started, Lilith. What is your decision now child?” I will take up arms, I will find out who was behind the attack on the council, and I will bring order back to our world. In the meantime, with your permission, mother. The Elders will replace the council until we have selected new members. I see her smile with approval, she stands and kisses me on my forehead. “Gaia will take care of you, Hekate will guide you, Isthar will train you. Go back to your party before your mate comes looking for you.

I nod, and turn, I pick up my dress and begin to power walk back to the party. On my way back I run into Alistair. “I have been looking for you everywhere, I was so scared I lost you!” He embraces me and holds me tightly; I am sorry to have worried you. Come, let us go back and finish the night. He takes my hand in his and we start heading back. As we make it back to the party and everyone cheers as I walk in, suddenly it was cut short. *Alarms blaring* ROGUE ATTACK! Everyone begins to panic as the security guards and warriors begin to head out for battle.

I take off my heels and break away from Alistair and I lose him in the crowd, and I hear him calling my name. I run through the doors as quickly as I can before they close. “Lilith, no!” I turn and see my Alexander eyes filled with horror as I am running straight into battle. Gaia we need to pick up the pace! The air, so much bloodshed already…

Almost there, Lilith. We need to shift!

No not yet, we need to reason with them Gaia.

Once we approach the c*****e I scream as loudly as I can. STOP, and my voice echoed through our pack’s territory. Everyone stood motionless and stared at me. I am Lady Blackhart, I am your champion chosen by the Moon Goddess. Why are you here?

A mangled man comes forward, we want nothing from you! He spat at me. Is there no one who will answer my question as my voice echoes causing the rogues to kneel in pain. I see a woman who steps forward, my Lady we only follow him to survive. I see, then I challenge you for your pack of rogues! Everyone gasped, and he laughed. What happens if I win, princess? You get me, and I flash a smile at him.

Lilith, NO! I hear everyone telling me it is a death wish. The mangled man begins shifting and I look up at the moon and say out loud; Gaia it is time. I take a deep breath in and hold it. My bones begin to crack, and everyone just watches or covers their eyes. I scream in pain as my body begins to twist, repositioning muscles. The rogue leader is watching in horror as my skin begins to shed and I tear it off of me. I am no ordinary wolf. Then I heard Alistairs voice, LILITH, PLEASE DON’T DO THIS!

ITS TOO LATE, THIS ROGUE HAS SEALED HIS FATE.

I stand on my hind legs as my face finally morphs into Gaias, and howls, making all wolves in my territory howl. Alitsair tries to run to me but Alexander is holding him back, screaming everyone to get back. The aura that is emanating from me is raw power, I am the first Lycan to be seen since the wars. I rush at the rogue leader so fast he cannot dodge; I pick him up by his throat and he whimpers begging to be spared.

WHY SHOULD I, YOU WANTED NOTHING FROM US. SHIFT BACK NOW!

The man shifts back defeated and I look at his small pack of rogues who are on their knees. I turn around and see my packs face, they are all afraid of me. Even my own family… I look at Alistair and his eyes are black from rage. He pushes Alex to the side and begins to shift violently, he is twice my size as a Lycan… He slowly approaches and tried to take the man from my hand, but I pulled away.

RELEASE HIM GAIA

YOU MAY BE MY MATE BUT YOU DO NOT COMMAND ME! I COME FROM THE BLOODLINE OF THE MOON GODDESS HERSELF!

You are right. If this is the path you choose, you must walk it alone Lilith.

Alistairs voice was so soft, and disappointed at the same time. I do not understand, I am trying to save lives…  I look back at the rogues and release the man from grip.

YOUR LEADER HAS LOST. YOU WILL COME TO ME AND TELL ME WHY YOU ARE A ROGUE; I WILL DETERMINE YOUR FATE.

I see everyone’s eyes widen in fear; the man kneels before us. Alexander keeps everyone away from us, we both shifted back and stared at each other. Our eyes black from lust and rage. I look down at the man and at everyone, Bella and her coven come rushing over to heal the wounded.

Get me the doctors and nurses out here as well! Thank you, Bella, Alexander said.