THE WHITE WOLF HE REJECTED

Chapter 6: The Wolf Within

Lyra's POV

The silver light burst around me swallowing the shrine until I could no longer see the ancient altar or the towering Moon Tree above it, warmth rushed through my body, I staggered backward holding my chest as my heartbeat became faster, louder and stronger. I felt pain all over my limbs, it wasn't the sharp pain of a wound, it was deeper as though something buried inside me for years was finally breaking free.

A haunting howl echoed through the light, it wasn't coming from the forest or the mountains, it came from somewhere inside me, I fell to my knees gasping for air

“What…. What's happening to me?”

No one answered, the Silver light continued to dance around me wrapping itself around my wrists before disappearing beneath my skin, my breathing slowed then everything became still. The silence lasted only a heartbeat before the world around me dissolved.

Images flashed before my eyes, rain poured from a sky torn apart by lightning, a baby cried wrapped tightly in a faded white blanket, strong hands carried the child through the storm before gently laying her at the gates of Silver Crest. The figure wore a dark hood, hiding every feature from view for a brief moment, moonlight caught a small crescent shaped pendant hanging around the baby's neck. The hooded figures trembling fingers brushed the child's cheek. Then the vision began to fade, I reached toward it

“Who is that?”

The images vanished, the Silver light gathered once more until it formed the outline of a woman cloaked in flowing white, I couldn't make out her face, every time I tried, it simmered like moonlight on water even without seeing her clearly, I knew.

The Moon Goddess, My heart skipped a beat,

“You….”

Her voice was gentle enough to calm the storm inside me,

“The time to know the truth has not yet come

I became confused, “Then why show me?”

“So you will never again believe you were abandoned because you were Unloved”

Tears filled my eyes, “You were never abandoned because you were unwanted Lyra, you were left behind because someone was trying to save your life”

“From what?”

The Moon Goddess was silent,

“There are truths” and she finally said, “that reveal themselves only when the moon decides the time is right”

I lowered Mt gaze, for twenty-two years I had believed no one wanted me that I had simply been left behind now I wasn't sure what to believe anymore.

The Moon Goddess stepped closer although her feet never touched the ground I felt her warmth surround me.

“You have endured ridicule without bitterness, you have served with all your heart without expecting praise, you loved without exoe8to be loved in return”

Every word settled heavily in my heart “I am not special” I whispered, “I couldn't even awaken a wolf” a soft breeze stirred the silver leaves overhead

“You judged yourself by the world's timing but destiny follows no clock made by men”

The warmth inside my chest pulsed again but this time it was stronger so strong that I had to place my hand over my chest. Something or someone was there not speaking not yet but waiting.

The Moon Goddess smiled knowingly, “The longest night has ended and the first step toward your destiny has begun”

I stared at her searching for answers she wasn't ready to give, “So….. What happens now?”

Her voice remained calm, “You return to Silver Crest”

I wasn't happy with that response, “That's all?”

“For now” The words surprised me,

“I thought… I thought I everything would change”

“It already has” She lifted one graceful hand and the silver light surrounding us rippled like water beneath the moon

“You have awakened, the destiny sleeping within your soul has answered the call but even the brightest moon does not rise to its fullest in a single night”

I lowered my eyes trying to understand, “So I still don't have a wolf?”

The Moon Goddess smiled, “You always had one, you simply were not ready to hear her”

My hand drifted back to my chest not frightened again, it felt alive. I closed my eyes and for a while I thought I heard a soft heartbeat that wasn't my own then it disappeared, I opened my eyes again.

“Who is she?”

The Moon Goddess didn't answer, instead she looked toward the towering Moon tree,

“When the time is right you will know”

I have so many questions infact a thousand questions, Why me? Who left me at Silver Crest? Why had my wolf slept for twenty-two years? Why did my awakening happen only after Kael rejected me? But before could speak the Silver light surrounding the shrine began to fade.

“The night grows late” the Moon Goddess said softly, “You must leave”

My heart skipped, “Will I see you again?”

“When your path becomes clouded, when your heart remembers it's strength and when the moon calls your name”

Her figure slowly dissolved into countless silver lights that floated upward into the branches above, within seconds she was gone, the shrine became very silent again and I was the only one standing, the cool breeze brushed against my face or perhaps I was not entirely alone, the warmth I kept feeling inside my chest was gentle, patient and was still there.

I took a slow breath before turning toward the path leading back to the village, the forest felt different, every scent seemed stronger, the damp earth, the wildflowers growing between the roots even the distant smoke from Silver Crest reached me with Suprised clarity.

I stopped walking had the forest always sounded like this? Somewhere high above me an owl spread it's wings, farther away water tickled over smooth stones, leaves rustled as a rabbit Ed went through the undergrowth, I had walked these woods since I was a child yet tonight it felt as though I was seeing them for the very first time, a small smile touched my lips maybe I wasn't imagining it after all.

As I reached the edge of the forest, I caught my reflection in the surface of a shallow stream, I froze and for a brief moment my eyes dhimmeref with a faint silver glow then returned to normal.

My breath caught, “No”

I leaned closer, it's nothing just my usual dark eyes staring back at me or had I imagined it? The crescent shaped, I slipped the pendant beneath my cloak and continued walking, the lights of Silver Crest appeared between the trees, music was still on, no one knew what had happened at the Moon Shrine and for now, that was exactly how it had to be.

Hidden among the trees overlooking the vilahr another pair of eyes watched me, the figure remained concealed beneath a dark hood. A slow smile curved beneath the shadow.

“So” the voice said barekg louder than the wind,

“the White Wolf has finally answered was Moon Goddess”

The figure turned toward the darkness beyond the forest, “Tell the others, we begin our search tonight”

A cold breeze swept through the trees without understanding why, I suddenly stopped walking, it felt as though someone was watching me, I slowly look over my shoulder.

The forest was empty or so I believed.