Hidden Power

chapter2;The secret letter

Slowly, the dawn broke, and a red light appeared on the land. Then, receding the pack, they started their business in the small village.

Selene was awake too early in her simple house. He was sitting down by the window. She had slept restlessly, tossing on her bed, filled with the episodes of the previous evening. The rogues attacked her, Damien rescued her, and the strange, protective way he had spoken to her replayed in her thoughts.

Selene breathed out, running her fingers through her long, dark hair. She needed to concentrate. She had different herbs to prepare, some wounds to tend to, and an active day ahead. She was a little uncomfortable because the previous day's actions distracted her, and she could not focus well.

She had started setting herself to start the day when a knock was heard on the door. Surprised, she quickly opened the door, wondering who could visit her then. It was Elara, one of the older healers in the pack and the closest thing Selene had to a mentor.

Elara smiled warmly, her weathered face kind. "I wanted to check on you, my dear. I heard about the rogues last night. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, thanks to Alpha Damien. He arrived just in time." Selena replied.

Elara's eyes sparkled with something unreadable as she looked at Selene. "Yes, he always does, doesn't he?" she said, her tone slightly mysterious. "But that's not the only reason I came. There's something I've been meaning to give you."

Selene frowned in confusion as Elara reached into the folds of her cloak and pulled out a small, worn envelope. The paper was old and yellowed as if hidden for a long time.

"This," Elara said, handing the envelope to Selene, "was left with me many years ago, by your mother. She asked me to give it to you at the appropriate time."

Selene looked at the envelope doubtfully. She was young when she lost her mother, so she was left under the care of the pack. She believed there were no more mysteries in this world to be untold to her. But now, as she held the envelope, she felt anxious and curious.

"Elara, what is this?" she whispered.

Elara smiled and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "She was a wise woman, Selene. She knew there were things you wouldn't discover on your time; thus, she wrote this letter as guidance in your journey. No one has read it; you will have to read it yourself."

With that, Elara gave Selene a reassuring nod and turned to leave. "Take your time, my dear. And remember, whatever you find in that letter, you are not alone."

Selene observed as Elara walked away, feeling nervous. She closed the door and stared at the envelope. Slightly wobbling, she hesitantly ripped the end of the seal, taking off just one sheet of paper. Even though the lettering was so thin and delicate that she had trouble making out individual words, she thought the writing was her mother's.

Selene breathed deeply and began to read.

"My dearest Selene,

It is the right time to know the truth if you read this. You have yet to learn different things about your family and yourself. I have kept these secrets from you because I wanted to protect you until you were ready.

You are not just a healer. You are more, Selene. You possess great power and responsibility. Our family has always been exceptional and blessed with abilities that others do not have. But with that power comes danger. Some would seek to control you, to use your abilities for their gain.

That is why I had to keep this from you. But now, as you grow old, you must know the truth. You are a wolf shaman and the last of our kind. Your powers will begin to awaken soon; when they do, you must be ready.

I know this is a great responsibility for you, but you are stronger than you think, Selene. Believe in yourself and trust in those who care for you. You will find friends who are on your side and willing to support you. With their help, you will find your path.

With all my love,

Your mother"

Selene started shaking as she finished reading the letter. She felt confused, finding it difficult to absorb what she had discovered. A wolf shaman? Powers? It didn't seem real. Yet those words evoked an appealing feeling of familiarity. She had always told herself that she was odd and did not belong, although she was unsure why.

Slowly, it started to sink in. Selene realized that her life was about to change rapidly. The path ahead was unpredictable, but she knew one thing: she could no longer hide in the shadows of the pack. Something inside her, something great and ancient, was waiting to be aroused.

As she took her time to process the new information, she heard another knock on the door. Hurriedly, Selene quickly folded the letter, hid it in her pocket, and opened the door. Surprisingly, Lucas, her supposed mate, stood on the other side.

Lucas was tall, with sandy brown hair and a confident smile that Selene had once found charming. But now, after the public rejection, the sight of him only brought a mix of anger and sadness.

"What do you want, Lucas?" Selene asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Lucas's smile faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered. "I came to check on you. I heard about the attack last night. I wanted to make sure you were okay."

Selene narrowed her eyes, expressing some reservations. "I'm fine, thanks to Alpha Damien," she replied dryly.

Lucas shifted uncomfortably, running a hand through his hair. "Look, Selene, I know things have not been smooth between us. But I genuinely care about you.."

Selene suddenly felt a rush of anger. "You rejected me in front of the entire pack, and it never closed your mind how humiliating that would be to me," she said, her voice loud. You embarrassed me, and now you pretend to care, Lucas!"

Lucas looked genuinely hurt by her words, but Selene couldn't feel sorry for or forgive him after everything he had put her through.

"I did make a mistake," Lucas admitted, his voice soft. I was scared, Selene. I was scared of what it would mean to be with someone the pack sees as weak. But I was wrong. I see that now."

Selene felt angry and sad. She once dreamed of a life with Lucas and being by his side. But that dream was long gone on the day Lucas rejected her in front of the whole pack, and there was no going back.

"It's too late, Lucas," Selene said quietly, her voice filled with sadness. You made your choice, and I am making mine. I am not that child-like girl you were expecting to manipulate or deal with quickly. I am more powerful than you could even begin to imagine."

I am not that child-like girl you were expecting to manipulate or deal with quickly. I am more powerful than you could even begin to imagine."

The thought terrified and thrilled her. She wondered what it meant to be a wolf shaman, her powers, and how she would learn to control them.

Selene understood she couldn't face this alone. She needed help, guidance, and someone who understood her situation. Thus, there remained only one man, in whose head all the answers to all sorts of questions she sought could be, Alpha Damien. Finally, getting a new purpose within her, Selene started moving towards the Alpha's den with the sound of the heartbeat that included both fear and joy. She could not fathom how she would tell him all this, let alone how he would react when he learned she was not just any girl. But she knew one thing for sure: It would turn her life around, and she began to feel that there was a reason for her to be alive. And she was ready to face whatever came next.