The Goddess's Warrior

Chapter 9

Bellona POV 

 *During Council Meeting* 

The past 3 times I have woken up I have still been in this wonderful place, but this time was different instead I have woken up in the field in front of the pack house. 

What am I doing out here and how the hell did I get here? 

As I look around, I hear lots of growling. Not wasting another second, I jump to my feet and start heading towards the sound to see if I can help. As I get closer, I hear voices of people arguing. Not wanting to give up the element of surprise, I hide in the shadows of the forest's edge as I make my way closer. 

“You're not taking her anywhere!” that sounded like the alpha. 

“Alpha Brandon, we do not need your permission to take Bellona. We are the council, and we are of a higher rank, therefore you have no say in this.” This time it was an older woman's voice 

Why is the council here and what do they want with me?

“This is still my pack and Bell is my pack member. She will not be a guinea pig for you!” I heard the alpha growl.  

“Good luck with that because no matter what you say or do, she's still coming with us. She's a threat and needs to be dealt with.” I heard a younger man reply even from my hiding place, I could tell by the sound of his voice he was wearing a smirk on his face. 

Having heard enough, I headed back towards the pack house to try to make sense of what I just heard. Suddenly I am pulled away into the woods by someone, I tried to scream but they put their hand over my mouth. I was about to fight back when they turned me around and I gasped. There right in front of me stood my grandfather. I felt tears forming into my eyes as I jumped into his arms, hugging him like my life depended on it. After a few moments, he pulled away and looked at me. 

“Bellona, I need you to listen to me. We have little time, and this is important, okay?” I could see the worry and sadness in his eyes when he spoke. 

“Okay, pawpaw, what's going on?”  

“Bell, you have to run. I know you are not a runner, but you must. What you just saw with the council has not happened, yet this is all in your head. What you have seen was the future and what is going to happen. When you wake up, I need to you run and keep running do not look back. Bellona, my little warrior, I never wanted this for you... I brought you here hoping to keep you safe and hoping you never had to learn what you really are... but I failed you,” I gave him a confused look. What does he mean, what I really am?

“Bell, I know you have questions, but we are short on time. You are not a regular werewolf, Bell. It's why I always kept you in with your age group in training and told no one about your healing abilities or your extreme speed. Bell the wolf you see now when you shift isn't your wolf's true color, I had a witch mask it before you ever shifted, that will be undone on your 18th birthday and you will see the true color of your wolf.” He sighed and I could see the wariness in his eyes, what else is there?! 

“Bell, your parents are alive. You are also a descendant of the first original wolves of the Goddess. I know this is a lot to take in, but Bell this last bit is the most important. 

When you wake up, I will not be there anymore Bell and I know you will not want to leave but for my sake please just run. Run until you can find somewhere far enough away to rest and then keep running. You must head west; you will know where to go once you get close enough.  

Bellona, my little warrior, I love you so much don’t you ever forget that, and I will always watch over you.” Both of us had tears sliding down our faces when he finished. I could not imagine a life without him, he is my best friend, my number one person, the only father I ever had, and to think of a world without him was excruciating. I wrapped my arms around him, hugging him for what would be the last time, sobbing into his shoulder, never wanting to let go. After a few moments, he spoke again. 

“Bell, its time baby girl, please remember what I told you and remain strong Bell. You are so much stronger than you think. I love you.” 

“I love you too, Pawpaw, and I will, I promise.” We were both still holding each other, crying when I felt myself slowly slip back into the darkness. Not fully prepared for what awaited me when I woke up again. 

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‘Bell, wake up’ Hera’s voice echoes through my mind as I try to bring myself to wake up. It feels as if there is a wall between me and the world.

‘Wake up NOW!’ I am shoved into the forefront of my mind at her demand. Opening my eyes, I quickly scan the room, relaxing until my eyes land on the man slumped over my bed. Grandpa... Tears form in my eyes as I look at him, his body pale, and his once bright green eyes so lifeless. If you look at them too long, they will haunt you. I knew they always would haunt me. He used the last of his energy to warn me, to protect me. As the tears poured down my flushed cheeks, I remembered the promise I had made to him. Getting out of bed, I lean down, planting a kiss on his forehead, saying a prayer to the Moon Goddess to take care of him as I was never able to.

Rolling my shoulders back and wiping the tears off my face, I rush to the window of the room and open it, without sparing a glance back, I jump and take off running to the forest headed West, never looking back, knowing if I did, I could not continue forward.