The Forgotten Luna

A LUNA IS BORN

CHAPTER TWO

We don’t even know that her wolf is still alive," snapped Victor.

She lives but she is in a deep slumber and chides his wolf. If she were truly dead, I would not be able to feel her presence.

Victor slammed his hand on the table, causing Jade to give a start.

Jade, I’m going to show you something and you must not be afraid. I will not hurt you, but you must stay in your chair and not

scream. Can you do that? Victor asked.

Seeing the serious look on his face, she shook her head and watched as he stood. He came to stand in front of her and undress. Jade

felt fear beginning to rise as a million things began to go through her mind. This is it, she thought to herself. He’s waited long

enough and now he is going to attack me.

Victor made no move to come closer to Jade. He just continued to undress, looking deep into her eyes. Before she realized it, he was

standing in front of her completely naked. She had no time to react before Victor dropped to his knees and she heard the breaking of

bones and tearing of muscles. His skin began to split open, and his handsome face began to transform. His nose became a snout and

the skin began to fall from his body and hair took its place.

His feet and hands became paws. Jade closed her eyes, not wanting to see

any more of the hideous scene unfolding in front of her. Almost as soon as it began, it was over, and she felt soft fur rubbing against

her leg. Opening one eye, Jade looked down to see a large black wolf looking back at her. To her surprise, instead of feeling afraid,

Jade reached out and stroked his fur. Deep inside her, a voice whispered, Mate. It took a moment for Victor to register the scream

splitting the air that came from Jade. Quickly he moved back and looked at her. She let loose with another scream of pain, and he

began to shift back into his human form. No sooner had he completed his shift than he heard her bone break. Screaming in agony

again, he caught her as she slipped from the chair. Panic began to rise within him, and he raised his head to give the alarm cry.

Hearing his Alpha cry for help, Jermaine shifted into his wolf form and began to run at full speed for the Alpha’s mansion. Along the

way, he saw others of the pack doing the same and he ran faster. When he reached the front of the mansion, he once again heard the

cry and noticed it came from the garden.

Leaping the fence with ease, he found a naked Victor on the ground cradling a fragile woman writhing in pain. Again,

Jade let go of a scream that shook the whole pack’s ground. Victor looked up and saw Jermaine. Don’t just stand there, he snapped.

Shift back and help me get her into the house. I’ve already sent for Dr. Gaines, he’s on his way. Jermaine shifted and ran to where his

Alpha was holding the woman. When he looked at her, he could tell that even in this amount of pain she was strong and fighting.

Lifting her gently, Victor and Jermaine moved quickly toward the manor. Placing her on the sofa in the sitting room just as

Dr. Gaines arrived, and they stepped out the door to let him examine her. Victor took the drink Jermaine offered him and drank it in

one gulp. He began to pace again and in an agitated voice, he growled, what’s taking that damn doctor so long and why is she still

screaming?

Victor calmed down soothed Jermaine. I’m sure he’s doing everything he can for her. Don’t you remember your first shift and how

painful it was for you? Well, imagine being eighteen and just doing it for the first time.

Victor shot Jermaine a go-to-hell look and headed for the door. With his hand on the doorknob, he heard Jade let out another scream

of pain. Not bothering to knock, he burst through the door as Jade screamed again. The sight before him in bed made him sick. He

crossed the room in a few angry strides and grabbed Dr. Gaines by the throat. Slamming him against the wall, Victor said in a low

menacing voice," Do something to help her, because if she dies, so do you. Am I clear?

Dr. Gaines tried to speak but, Victor's hold on to his throat prevented him from doing so.

He isn’t going to be able to help her if you kill him first, said Jermaine as he came through the door.

Victor snapped out of his rage and dropped the doc.

Rubbing his throat, Dr. Gaines began to explain to Victor that he was powerless to do anything for Jade.

She should have made this shift when she was twelve or thirteen. I don’t know how or why she didn’t, but she must complete the

shift now or both she and her wolf will die. I can help, said Victor's wolf Jake.

Not now, growled Victor and tried to shut him out.

But Victor, you must listen to me, persisted his wolf. I know how to help her, but you must do exactly as I told you or we are going

to lose both of our mates.

Fine, tell me what I need to do and do it fast, said Victor.

Shift, said his wolf.

Are you crazy? Yelled Victor. Shifting is what started this in the first place. I should never have shown her she wasn’t ready.

Please Victor, pleaded his wolf just shift.

Not wanting to scare her more but not knowing how to help her, Victor did as his wolf asked and shifted.

Jade's pain began to intensify and panic set in. Victor knew that if she died during a shift, she would be neither human nor wolf. He

had to help her and quickly.

Without waiting for him to ask for further instructions, Jake jumped on the bed. With him in full control, Victor would just have to

trust him.

Nudging her with his muzzle, his mind linked to her wolf and spoke in a soothing voice. Listen to me, I know this is painful. He

began, but if you do as I tell you, it can be made easier. Jade screamed again. When would this torment end? Why was her body

turning on her like this?

No sooner had the last thought left her mind than another wave of pain washed over her. Feeling the warm fur next to her, she heard

a soft voice reached through the ocean of pain and called her name.

Jade, you must listen to me or both of you will die. Jade, can you hear me?

I hear you whimper Jade.

Jade shut her eyes against the next wave of pain and concentrated on what the large black wolf told her. Call for your wolf, he

instructed her. As soon as she began to follow his instructions and call for her wolf, a small, timid voice broke through the darkness.

I’m here Jade. I’ve been here the whole time just waiting for you to call me. My name is Saphira, and I am your wolf. Please, Jade,

let me make the shift and this pain will end. Only silence greeted Saphira.

Tell me what to do,” said a scared voice, and Jake knew it was her wolf trying to help.

You can take some of her pain and it will make the transition easier for her. Jake said. First, you must establish a mental link with her

the way I just did with you. Call her name and be persistent, she will try to block you at first. Be calm and call her. She will answer

eventually.

“Okay I’ll try,” said. Saphria.

In a soft and soothing voice, she began to call Jade. At first, Jade couldn’t hear her past the pain. She did as Jake had told her and

keep calling, I hear you, Jade said. Can you help me? I don’t know what is happening to me, but it hurts so badly! I feel like my

whole body is splitting open and all my bones are breaking at once.

You must listen to me Jade, and I will help you make it through the shift. Said Saphria.

Okay, 'Saphria said to Jake, I have her." Now, what do I do?

“Good girl, said Jake. Now tell her to concentrate on you and relieve the pain. She won’t know how, but it should come naturally if

she doesn’t fight it.

“Okay, said Saphria and linked again with Jade.

Jade, she said, look for me and concentrate on shifting the pain to me.

I don’t know who you are or who I’m looking for, said Jade.

I’m your wolf and you will know me, she replied. Follow the link and just let go. I’ll do the rest. Jade screamed again with the pain

and the link was broken.

I’ve lost the link and she has shut me out because of the pain. I’m not strong enough to reach her.

Wasting no time, Jake again called Jade through the mind link.

Jade, this is Jake. Can you hear me?

“Yes, answered Jade.

Good now, listen to me. I’m Jake. I’m Victor’s Wolf and I need to talk to your wolf. You must let her come forward and take the

lead. She is the only one that can lessen your pain and bring you through this. Jade, do you understand what I’m saying to you?

I understand, said Jade, but I don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t have a wolf.

Yes, you do, and you must stop holding her back for both of your sakes.

Are you sure this is going to work, Victor asked Jake.

It will if Jade doesn’t fight her wolf, Jake answered.

Almost as on cue, Saphira broke through and took control of Jade, beginning the transformation from human to wolf.

The next few minutes were the most amazing Victor had ever witnessed. Never had he seen a first shift. He saw Jade's body go slack

and the terror and pain slowly faded from her face. She closed her eyes, and her breathing became even. Without another sound, she

changed into the most beautiful silver wolf he had ever seen.

Standing before Jade was a silver wolf. She wasn’t as big as Victor’s black one, but she was just as beautiful. Jade reached out a

shaking hand and stroked the wolf's fur. Saphira stepped forward and nuzzled her hand.

Who are you asked, Jade. I’m your wolf" came the answer. You were trying to shift into me. You should have been allowed to do

this long ago but your parents were afraid you would not be safe, so they gave you wolfsbane and kept you from shifting. Just let this

happen and I promise it won’t hurt the

next time. The first shift is always the most painful. Now close your eyes and sleep while I say hello to our mate. Then, without

another word, she turned and was gone. The men noticed Jades' screams subsided and her body began to relax. Jake nudged Victor’s

hand and, for the first time since the whole ordeal had begun, Victor felt a glimmer of hope. Lay with her and I will greet our mate

said, Jake.

Jade wanted to ask more questions but suddenly her body was overcome with fatigue and her mind couldn’t think of a single thing

but sleep. Closing her eyes, she let her wolf take over and she fell into a peaceful rest.

He looked at her sleeping form and knew that he would not take another mate should something happen to her. In less than twenty-

four hours, she had become his whole world. Mate smiled at his wolf and he curled up next to her on the bed.

Dr. Gaines looked at Jermaine. I don’t believe we can do any more here, so let’s go and let them get some rest.

Jermaine shook his head. He looked at the pair of wolves on the bed and said a silent prayer that his Alpha had truly found his mate.

It was morning outside when Jade began to stir. Victor had gotten up and shifted back into his human form, before she woke. He

looked at her and his heart skipped a beat. No one had ever scared him so much in his whole life. He didn’t know what he would

have done if Jade hadn’t survived the shift. He knew that with other wolves, once a mate died, they, also, die, but it was different

for an Alpha. They would live on to find another mate. It was important for the Alpha to pass on the bloodline for the pack to

survive.

It was turning dawn turned on when Jade opened her eyes and, for a moment, she thought herself back in her old room at her old

house. It didn’t take long for the memories of the day before to come flooding back. She felt the warm fur lying next to her but

Instead, she felt a sharp sudden stab of pain, of finding only an empty bed.

Welcome back," said Victor.

He had arrived at the bedroom door with a tray of mixed fruit, pastries, and hot coffee. He wasn’t sure how hungry Jade would be

after the first shift, so he loaded a tray with things he thought she would like. He thought back to his first time and remembered

how his mother had complained she wouldn’t be able to get him full before the next shift.

Jade looked up when he came through the door.

Good Morning. What time is it? She asked.

It’s 6 a.m. on Thursday morning. Smiled Victor.

Thursday (?), how can that be I just fell asleep, said Jade.

Don’t you remember anything that happened in the last 48 hours? asked Victor as he set the tray on the bedside table.

I remember I had the strangest dream, said Jade. We were having breakfast and then I saw the most beautiful beast standing in front

of me. He touched me and I felt something begin to happen. It felt as if my whole body was breaking, and I couldn’t control it.

Victor sat down on the edge of the bed and took her small hand in his much larger one.

That was no dream, my love. The beast you saw was my wolf, Jake, and he saved you and your wolf, Saphria.

Seeing the look of confusion on her face, Victor continued. You were triggered into your first shift when you saw Jake. It won’t hurt

so badly next time, I promise, and you will learn to control when you shift. But all of this

will take time and you are years behind where you should be. His violet eyes flashed a deep amethyst with his last words.

Jade gave him a questioning look. We still have a lot to discuss, but you will need to rest and regain your strength today. I have pack

business and will be gone for much of the day, but if you need anything, just call the house phone and Mrs. Stoddard will see to it.

Turning to leave, he stopped at the door and said," One more thing, you are free to go anywhere you wish within the confines of the

pack land, but I warn you do not go beyond the boundaries. It’s not safe. Without another word, he left, shutting the door behind

him.

Jade sat up and stretched. She reached over and popped a strawberry into her mouth.

Good morning said a soft voice.

Jade jumped. Who said that?

Me silly came to the reply.

Where are you? Come out and show yourself!

Jade calm down, it’s me, Saphira your wolf. I'm talking to you through our mind link.

“I thought you were just a dream, said Jade.

Nope, I’m as real as it gets and I’m so glad you finally know about me. It feels so good to be awake after a long sleep. Said Saphira.

She stretched and shook her fur.

I want to ask you about some things if you don’t mind, said Jade.

Sure, said Saphira, but remember I am you, so you know what I know and vice versa.

OK, but if that’s the case, how did you know about me? I didn’t know you questioned Jade.

You knew about me, you just forgot, answered Saphira. You see when a pup is born, they are connected to the wolf inside. As the

pup grows, and the wolf goes into a deep sleep. We'll stay there until the time of the shift. For most, it is the age of puberty around

the age

of thirteen or fourteen for girls and fourteen to fifteen for boys. You were given drugs to prevent your shift. It

was necessary for your own protection, but it seemed like such a long time. I began to think I would never be called to wake up.

Much longer and I would not have been able to.

Why not ask Jade with a mouth full of fruit?

It is possible for your wolf to die if you do not make the shift within a certain time frame. Most find their mate at seventeen years

old, but a few will take longer. You must have made the shift before you find your mate, or your wolf will die.

Then why did you not die? I had no idea I even had a wolf, and I certainly didn’t know about shifting.

The Goddess chose our mate and therefore she chose the time of our demise. She knew that we would need extra time because of

how dire our situation had become.

What situation is that asked Jade.

I keep hearing Victor talking about doing things for my safety, but I don’t understand.

Close your eyes and walk with me into the past, said Saphira.

Laying back on the pillows, Jade closed her eyes, and finding Saphira, she slipped her hand into the wolf’s soft fur.

once the landscape began to change. They were no longer in the present day.

Where are we asked, Jade?

We are in the time before you were born, answered Saphira.

Look around, you will see the people who came before you. These are the ancestors of all werewolves. Someday, we will also be

among them, and the young will visit us on their self-journey.

All wolves have knowledge of our beginning. This is the time of the Great Happening when man and wolf merged to become one.

It was a time of great trials for both, but the Goddess saw the wisdom of

converging the two. She knew that the man could think and build. She also knew the wolf had the strength and cunning to protect the

man. She went against her mate’s command that no animal should ever combine with a human.

So great was his anger that he punished the wolf by causing him to be at the command of the human. He punished humans by putting

upon him the great pain of the first shift. The Goddess was punished her by allowing her to

watch her creation but never be allowed to intervene in the affairs of either humans or wolves.

Again, the scenery began to change and this time they were in a mansion much like this one, and a woman was lying on the bed

screaming in pain.

Where are we now, whispered Jade.

Look, said Saphira, and directed Jade’s gaze at the bed.

A handsome man with a worried expression on his face leaned over the woman in pain and encouraged her.

You are so brave, and it is almost done. If you can push just one more time it will all be over, I promise. He cooed.

The woman looked at her lover with pain and love in her eyes as she mustered up all her strength and gave one final push. It was

with this last bit of her strength that the baby slid onto the bed.

The nurse cut the cord and handed her to her mother, who held her close to her breast. The handsome man looked at both his mate

and baby with love and pride as he sat on the edge of the bed and watched the two interact.

He reached out a shaking hand and stroked the baby’s hair. We will call her Jade because she is our crowing jewel.

Jade felt like an intruder even though they couldn’t see her. She was just about to suggest they leave this new family in peace when

the door burst open, and a man rushed in.

Forgive me for the intrusion, Alpha, but they have taken the mansion and he’s coming this way.

Jade saw the fear in the woman’s eyes as she handed the child to her mate. Run her from here, run, and don’t stop until you have

reached the lands of the Prairie Pack, said the man as he wrapped the baby in her mother’s shawl.

The man shifted and the Alpha lashed the baby onto the wolf's back. The wolf turned and slipped from the room. Once outside the

mansion, he changed into his wolf form and ran as if his life depended on it. He knew the baby’s life did.

No sooner had the man left than the door flew open and a large grey wolf with a scar across his muzzle walked into the room.