The First Chimera.

The full moon hung high in the clear sky, silver stars embroidering the silk navy blue that shimmered with the aurora borealis and its dazzling indigo blues, sea greens, violets and pinks. Three figures walked through the thick forest, a peaceful, awe filled silence decending over the trees as Artemis led the small group. Her brilliant forest green eyes scanned for threats, her bow in hand, ready to draw an arrow to protect her sisters, her sun-kissed skin dappled by the trees shadows. Selena smiled at her sister, her night sky hair plaited down to her waist, thick strands of white contrasting the black, her pale skin glowling softly as her eyes reflected the nights wonders above, filled with hope as she turned to look at her second sister, Hakate, who carried a small bundle in her arms. Hekate smiled at her, her olive skin shimmered in the shadows, her amber eyes glowing in the dark while her red gold hair moved like living flames against her face. Magic hummed in the air around the three women, plant life florished at their touch, animals bowed their heads in respect as the three passed. Their last gift to their children cooed and a tiny hand reached for Hekate, trapping a lock of her hair in a tiny fist. Hekate gave the babe in her arms a watery smile before looking up at her sisters. "Must we really part with her?" She said, her voice soft with concern. "If we don't our children will continue to make war among themselves, they will continue to forget the old ways, and slowly drive themselves to extinction. We did not create them to watch them suffer so," Artemis said, her eyes glistening with tears the goddess of the hunt refused to shed. "She's their last chance sister, our last gift to them," Selena pulled Hekate in for a gentle embrace, and smiled down at the little girl who stared back at her with eyes that mirrored the sky, sun-kissed skin and red, gold hair. Their children had forgotten that Selena had sisters, that she was not the sole creator of their people. She gave life to the Sirens, Dragons, Phoenixes, and Fae. She helped Hekate give life to the Witches and Vampires, and she helped Artemis create the Were races and Kitsune's but she was not their sole goddess. Their children were going against their most basic instinct. The mate bonds the three goddesses weaved were rejected in favour of keeping the species "pure". If they continued down this destructive path magic would die, and the races she and her sisters had lovingly created would vanish. Selena did not wish to see that happen, neither did her sisters. "Come, they'll be waiting for us," Selena said softly, brushing her finger across the child's cheek. "Besides, we'll still see her. We'll visit her for her birthdays," Artemis smiled, even as it failed to reach her eyes. They'd all grown so fond of this child. "Promise we're giving her to people who'll love her unconditionally," Hekate suddenly asked, the silent fear they all harboured now hung in the air around them. "The Royal Beta couple to the Were-Wolf Alpha King and his Luna Queen have given their word sister. She'll be loved just as they love their son," Selena reasurred her, even as her own heart felt heavy. Hekate nodded, and they carried onward despite their heavy hearts. The boarder of the Sakura Lake pack was empty as they stepped onto packlands, the gentle hum of energy the subtle tell that they'd arrived at their destination. Four figures stood at the lake's edge, two men, and two women. It was only when the three goddesses got closer that they noticed the two toddlers sleeping, curled up in their mother's arms. "Goddesses of the moon, we welcome you," the taller of the men said, the four adults bending the knee, kneeling before them, their heads bowed in respect, their right fist pressed against their hearts. The Alpha King of the Were-wolves, and his Luna Queen, both so young to carry the burden of ruling bowed with referance and the up most respect "Rise Alpha Zavior, and Luna Annabelle," Artemis glanced at the Beta couple, who remained kneeling, not even glancing at the three sisters. The Beta female's hands shaking slightly with nervous excitement. "You honour us," Zavior Osborn pulled himself up to his full height at 6"4, his black hair a mess of curls and his blue eyes honest, a rare trait in Alpha's. The Luna gave a tentitive smile, her violet eyes full of wisdom, and compassion. She turned to the Beta couple, shifting her son in her arms, the future Alpha King sleeping peacefully. "This is Beta Chase Rivers, his mate, Beta Esmay Rivers, and their son Zane," she didn't mention her own son who stirred in her arms, restless in the presence of the goddesses, a small whimper escaping the sleeping child. "We thank you Luna Queen Annabelle," Hekate near choked on the words, tears filling her eyes as the Beta couple stood and looked at them for the first time. Chase was only slightly shorter than his Alpha, but just as well muscled. He stood straight, his brown hair pulled back in a short ponytail, his hazel gaze intelligent and warm. His mate shifted from one foot to the next, nerves raditating from her. Her honey hair plaited down her back as her grey eyes sparkled with unconditional love. Selena could see Esmay loved the babe already, while Chase would need some time but would soon be wrapped around the infant's finger. He was a good father to his son, he would be a good father to their daughter too. Selena watched as Hekate kissed the babe's forehead and whispered words of love and protection upon the child, bestowing a blessing before letting Artemis take her. Artemis smiled, and placed a kiss on the infants little hand as she reached out for the goddess. She didn't speak her blessing, no, it was in the way she stroked the child's cheek, and kissed her tiny hand. Only once her sister's had said their goodbyes, did Selena take the baby from Artemis arms and hold her. The child was a perfect combination of the three of them, something that would only cause hardship for this tiny life they were placing so much hope on. "You walk a difficult path sweet child." Selena whispered, watching as the baby's eyes swirled with the different colours of her beasts. "You are a most precious child, and you are so loved," she placed a kiss on the childs brow, a tear sliding down her pale cheek to drip onto the babe's cheek, a silent wish absorbed into the infant's skin. "These are your parents now," with that Selena, one of the goddesses of the moon, waited as Alpha Zavior took the sleeping toddler from Beta Esmay's arms, before she passed the baby to her new mother. Artemis unsheathed a small dagger and stepped forward, slicing the palms of the Alpha, Luna, and Beta couple, the wounds remaining open dispite a were-wolf's fast healing. "Do you, Beta Chase Rivers, and Beta Esmay Rivers, promise to love this child as your own, to teach her and protect her, and lead her down a path of light and truth?" Selena asked, her voice enchanting, magic vibrating in the air. "We promise," the Beta couple said together, love already shining in their gazes as they glanced down at the now sleeping child. "Do you Alpha King Zavior Osborn and Luna Queen Annabelle Osborn promise to protect this child, to treat her as one of the pack, to respect her," the Alpha grinned, while his Luna smiled and without hesitation they stated. "We promise." A surge of power erupted around the small gathering, the open slashes on their hands healed, leaving only a faint silver scar in it's place. The earth vibrated, power pouring out into the land. The Alpha stared at the goddesses then looked at the babe before turning his gaze back to the three women. "What is she?" He asked, his voice hoarse, the power that hummed through the bond he now had with the babe overwhelming. A bond he'd never felt before. She was a member of his pack, but not a member. An Alpha, but so much more than an Alpha. He'd never felt such power before, especially not from a month old baby. "She is our last gift to our children. The first to ever live. A Chimera." "Does she have a name?" The Beta female suddenly asked, not at all concerned about the magic that pulsed from her new daughter's body. "We believed you should have that honour, as her mother," Hekate stated, taking the sleeping toddler out of the Alpha's arms and rocking him. Chase c****d his head at the goddess, unsure how to feel at his son being cradled by a being so powerful, but upon hearing her softly singing a lullabye to the boy he understood that in some way, the goddess who'd created witches and vampires, wished to somewhat adopt his family as her own. That they all did. Artemis took the sleeping Alpha Prince from the Luna Queen, a small knowing smile pulling at the corner of her lips. "This one is going to be a handful," she chuckled, and brushed his black hair away from his forehead, before holding his tiny hand. "Kimaria, I think Kimaria suits her. Kind of sounds like Chimera," Esmay beamed at the goddesses, moving to stand between Hekate and Artemis as though it was normal to walk beside goddesses. Chase and Zavior eyed each other, the power that eminated from the baby pulsed through the pack land, even through the mountains and lakes that surrounded them. The balance of power had shifted subtly, but enough to make the Alpha King warry of the future. **** The goddesses left after blessing the baby girl's name, allowing Chase and Zavior to guide their tired mates and sleeping pups back into the pack house. "Life is about to get interesting," Zavior mind-linked Chase just as he settled Zane into his bed. Brushing his son's hair off his forehead he noticed a small silver mark fading on the back of his son's neck, a blessing for the new older brother. "Indeed," And while he knew he should be worried about what the future now held for his family, for his pack, Chase couldn't keep the smile off his face as he left his son and walked into his bedroom to find his beautiful mate rocking their new daughter in her arms. Esmay looked up at him with a radiant smile. "And this is your daddy, his name is Chase, and his wolf's name is Espen," Esmay said gently before Chase saw her wolf push forwards and purr in contentment. "My name sweet pup is Freya, and your mine," Espen pushed forwards at hearing his mate claim the infant as hers, and purred, the noise vibrating and causing Freya to chortal in happiness. "She's my pup too mate," his wolf said, controling his human counterpart's body to walk over and look upon the child. His purr bringing a toothless smile to the baby's face, her eyes forever swirling with different colours as she reach out with chubby hands for him. Both Chase and Espen held a finger out for her, and her tiny hand gripped his finger so tight. That same warmth that flooded his chest when he held his son for the first time spilled through his chest, lighting him up from within. Yes, life was about to get very interesting, and he welcomed it.