The Luna’s Legacy

Chapter Four: Meeting The Elder’s

***Lisa's POV***

I found myself alone in a dream, which was odd, there are usually so many voices in my head when I sleep.

I stood beside a broken log fence, looking out over lush green grass that stretched toward a serene body of water. The sky was perfectly clear, until a sudden crack of thunder rolled overhead. Thick gray clouds swallowed the sunlight, casting everything into gloom. The once-clear water turned muddy brown, waves churning wildly. Dark clouds sank lower as the water twisted into a massive whirlpool.

I stepped closer to the fence, squinting against the gathering storm. The air smelled of damp earth, but no rain fell. Above the swirling vortex, a glowing ring of light spun faster as its opening widened. I couldn’t make sense of it, then I heard them: hundreds of children’s voices, crying out in anguish. My heart pounded so fiercely I felt certain it would burst.

Just as suddenly as it began, I jolted awake, clutching my sheets and soaked in sweat.

“You okay?” Raven asked.

“Yeah,” I gasped, rubbing my face. “Just a really strange dream. You weren’t there, and you’re always with me.”

“I tried to reach you, but I could only observe,” Raven replied.

How strange.

A few moments later, I heard Mariposa’s playful voice.

“Yes, you’re a very handsome Alpha. This is your suit for today.”

Noah’s voice followed, “It’s beautiful, but don’t you think it would look better on me?”

I sat up and saw Mariposa fawning over Noah, who stood clutching a towel around his waist, looking nervous. She backed him toward the wall.

“Need help?” she offered.

“No, thanks. I’ve got it,” he mumbled, but his eyes flicked to me, pleading.

I bit my lip to keep from smiling.

“I can’t even sleep without you getting into trouble?” I teased him.

Mariposa turned to me, beaming.

“Good morning, Luna Lisa! Your Alpha is so handsome, he makes an old lady feel young again.”

She clapped her hands to her cheeks, giggling.

“He does,” I agreed, swinging my legs over the bed as the sheet fell away.

Mariposa pointed behind us.

“Your suits are here. I’ll help you get ready.”

Both ensembles were white and gold, echoing the style of Hotep. Noah’s was a crisp white dress suit with interlocking gold and pearl-tinged armor plates, finished by a long cloak shot through with golden shimmer. Dark-gold vine motifs crept across the armor, converging on a moon emblem at the center. I suspected Elven artisans had crafted them.

My dress was equally breathtaking. A fitted gold slip layered with sheer white and gold fabrics. The shoulder guards and bracers were sculpted like winding vines in radiant gold, and a matching chest piece bore the same lunar motif. A soft gold-and-white cape draped low from the shoulders, the sunlight setting every fold aglow.

“Wow,” I breathed, stepping forward to touch the silk-soft fabric. The craftsmanship was astonishing.

“They were made just for you two,” Mariposa said, gently stroking my hair. “I’ll do your hair now.”

“Oh, thank you,” I whispered, still dazzled.

“I’m going to change behind the bathroom curtain,” Noah announced, grabbing his suit and disappearing.

“You sure you don’t need help?” I called after him with a laugh.

“Nope! I’m good, thanks!” he called back.

Mariposa and I shared a quiet laugh. She seated me by the wide window overlooking the beach and began brushing my hair.

“I’m only teasing him,” she murmured. “He really is beautiful.”

“He is,” I agreed, gazing out at the sunlit beach.

My strange dream weighed on me, but another perfect day in Hotep stretched ahead—and soon I would stand before our community’s most powerful figures.

***

The kids and my in-laws had already gone on to the Elder’s Chambers.

I stood before the mirror in our room, drinking in the sight of my dress, the slightest shift of fabric sending a ripple of shimmer through it. Mariposa had fashioned my hair into a French braid, tucked the tail away, then wove tiny white flowers through it and clipped two gold filigree pins on each side. She finished with gold-and-white makeup in soft neutrals, just a hint of sparkle. I barely recognized myself.

Noah’s boots sounded on the stone floor, armor rattling softly as he approached. My very own Prince Charming, pale skin, jet-black hair, steel-blue eyes, dressed in Elven armor looking every bit of perfection.

“Your jaw is on the floor, my sweet,” he teased, slipping a finger under my chin to lift my gaze.

“She’s speechless,” Raven giggled in the background.

“You look… I can’t find the words,” I stammered, heart pounding.

Noah’s smile was radiant as he leaned in and kissed me.

Warm sparks surged through my lips; my knees went weak. Pulling back, he whispered, “You are breathtaking.”

If anyone was breathless, it was me.

Mariposa burst back into the room.

“They’re ready for you now! You both look spectacular. Let me take a photo.”

She held out her hand for Noah’s phone. He handed it over, then drew me close. My hands rested on his cool chest plate; his eyes shone like sapphire gems.

“That’s so sweet how she looks at you. Okay, done—you’ll love this,” Mariposa said, returning the phone.

The picture was perfect, like a romance-novel cover.

“Please follow me,” Mariposa instructed, leading us out.

My dress whispered across the floor; Noah’s armor chimed behind. She guided us down a short trail to a large archway set in a vine-clad stone wall. The white doors were peeling, but as we paused, they swung open on their own. My heart hammered.

Noah squeezed my hand. I offered him a comforted smile.

“Follow me,” Mariposa said, stepping into gloom.

Tiny white flames soon flickered along the stone floor, lighting our path. We descended into a vast cave where a narrow glass bridge spanned crystal water below, home to white and gold koi. Giant white crystals hung from the ceiling, scattering light like diamonds.

“This is incredible,” I whispered as we crossed. Noah nodded, watching the koi flick upward in curiosity.

“Sushi, anyone?” Raven quipped.

We both stifled laughter.

“This is as far as I go. Congratulations, my friends! I’ll see you after for the celebration.”

Mariposa gave Noah a playful wink; he waved shyly.

We paused at a doorway washed in dim blue light.

“Please come in, Luna, Alpha,” a commanding female voice beckoned.

I inhaled and stepped forward, Noah at my side. Inside, seated on a hand-carved stone throne, was an older woman with long white wavy hair, pale blue eyes, and sharp features. She wore a gown like mine beneath robes of heavy gold and white.

The circular chamber’s walls glimmered like wet geode. Elders of every race in white and gold sat in a ring around us—Rosemary, Alexander, Barbara, and John among them, offering cheerful waves.

“Welcome, Luna Lisa and Alpha Noah. I am Moraine Clearwater. It is an honor to meet you,” she said, and voices all around echoed the greeting.

“Please step into the moon water so we may begin,” Moraine instructed, nodding toward a shallow pool at our feet.

Noah guided me into the moon water, which enveloped my feet with unexpected warmth and serenity.

"Now our circle is complete," Moraine announced, her gaze shifting beyond us. "Welcome to those who have joined us."

I frowned. We were already here, who else could she mean?

Something brushed against my fingers, then interlaced with them. Looking down, I gasped at the translucent fingers now intertwined with mine. My eyes followed upward to meet pink irises set in a face of ethereal beauty.

She stood slightly taller than me, her flowing purple-to-pink hair crowned with delicate furry ears and a silver circlet. Her diaphanous Grecian gown rippled though no breeze touched us.

"Raven?" I whispered, recognizing my wolf in human form.

I turned toward Noah, finding him equally stunned. Beside him stood a regal Japanese man in a formal black kimono, his waist-length ebony hair framing sharp features and piercing blue eyes. Black wolf ears twitched atop his head as he rested one ghostly hand on Noah's shoulder.

"We've been waiting for this moment," they said in perfect unison, their voices like wind chimes.