Black Moon Rising

Chapter 6

Jasmine POV

I feel like I am floating in a space full of nothing. I can't feel or see. I don’t know how long I have been suspended in this nothingness, but I could finally feel myself coming out of it. Voices were starting to pierce the darkness, a dull ache in my left arm. I could feel the weight of something lying across my lap, the smell of freshly brewed coffee invading my senses.

I opened my eyes, coughing from the dryness in my throat. “Water,” I croaked. “Please.”

The weight quickly left my lap, taking the coffee scent with it. I watched as Carter grabbed a water bottle from the table and quickly brought it to me, twisting the cap off.

“How are you feeling?” he asked apprehensively.

I drank the water greedily, the cool liquid soothing my parched throat. I took a moment to take inventory of my body. “I feel fine. Just tired. What happened?”

“You don’t remember what happened? Maybe we should bring a doctor and get your head checked,” he replied in a worried voice.

“No, she’s fine,” a voice like the wind said. I turned to look at the source, my eyes widening in surprise. She was a breathtakingly beautiful woman with ebony skin, and solid white eyes. I had never seen anyone like her before, certainly no one that seemed to physically hum with power.

“Hello, Jasmine. I am Selene. I’m so glad to see that you are finally awake. How is your arm feeling? I healed it myself, but I must admit that it’s been a while since I have physically used my power this way.”

I looked down at my arm, noticing the thin scar that spiraled from my elbow to the inside of my wrist. “How long have I been sleeping?” I asked, not taking my eyes off of my arm.

“You’ve been out for 3 days,” Selene said. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the scar. This should have taken months to heal. How is this possible?

Carter seemed to be able to sense my growing distress, rushing to my bedside and taking my hand in his. “What do you remember?”

I thought back to the last memory I had before I blacked out and it all came rushing back to me. Wolves. Witches. Blood. My mom is still missing. I felt Carter's hand tighten in mine, the act helping to calm me. I gently took my hand and placed it in mine.

“I need someone to explain to me exactly how any of this is possible before I have a mental breakdown.”

Carter and Selene spent the next two hours telling me all about werewolves and witches. A blush spread across my cheeks when Selene talked about destined mates, mentioning that Carter is mine. I’ve never even had a boyfriend and here I am being gifted my soul mate on a silver platter.

I sat in silence, absorbing everything I had been told. A pain in my chest deepened at the news that my mom was dead. Part of me knew this already, but it was hard to hear nonetheless. All of those calls and texts I sent her will never be returned. She was my everything and she gave me just that until her last breath. A strangled sob escaped my lips, hot tears rolling down my cheeks as the realization set in. Carter held my hand, only moving to wipe my tears before they left my face.

Once my eyes ran dry, I stared at him with swollen eyes, really seeing him for the first time. If I take off this necklace, he would be mine and I would be his. There is no fighting this mate bond and there is no way in hell I would snub Selene this way. Not when she is literally standing next to me.

“I am confused about one thing though. If our moms were best friends, how do I not remember you? Surely we would have grown up together or at least met each other before now.”

“I’ve been thinking a lot about that,” Selene interjected thoughtfully. “The necklace that Jasmine has is meant to hide her from witches. Being that you, Carter, are half witch, I believe it erased the memories you both have of each other, as a way to keep her safe. I believe it was a side effect of the spell that your mother didn’t anticipate. If your mother had not left you the letter about where and how to find her, explaining the background of it all, I don’t think you would have found her.”

“That would make sense, “ Carter replied. “I think the last unknown we have to face is if and when the spell will break. I cannot think of a good reason why our memories would not have returned already unless the spell is somehow tied to the necklace.”

My hand came up to my throat, rolling the pendant between my fingers. I knew that everything rested on my mother’s necklace, but I had so many conflicted emotions at the thought of breaking the last promise I ever made her. Not only that, am I ready to accept what taking it off meant for me? This is a lot of responsibility. What if I take it off and I still don’t remember anything? I cannot wrap my mind around just jumping into this as a mere human. But then again, what if I take if off and I remember it all?

I started to hyperventilate, feeling overwhelmed by the choice I was facing. Carter jumped to his feet, sitting on the edge of the bed, grabbing my face between his hands.

“Hey, hey, hey. Nothing needs to be decided now. I know that this is a lot to throw at you in one day, but we want you to be able to make an informed decision. Whatever you decide, I will support you regardless. You’re not in this alone,” he assured me.

At that moment, the flap to the tent opened and two people entered holding hands.

Carter stood up, looking at them. “Jasmine, this is Brennan and his mate, Petra. They were friends of mine growing up.”

Petra came over to me and held my hand. “You’re looking a lot better than you were the last time I saw you,” she said with an apprehensive smile.

“I take it you were the one that carried me here?” I questioned with a smile. She nodded her head. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her in for a hug. “Thank you for that. Who knows how much worse it would have been if you hadn’t done that for me.”

She gave me a quick squeeze before standing up, quickly being replaced by Brennan. He awkwardly tried to balance his enormous frame on what little part of my bed wasn’t taken. After a few seconds he gave up, standing awkwardly next to me. He gave me an equally awkward punch on my shoulder before saying “Glad you’re better, champ.”

“Champ? This is your future Luna, and you call her ‘Champ’?!” Petra covered her face with her hands.

“What?! I don’t know how to act around a powerful she-wolf with magical powers! I didn’t prepare for this,” he said indignantly.

I laughed out loud. “Please, I am just a regular girl. I don’t want anyone to feel nervous around me. I promise I’m not going to turn you into a bat or anything while you sleep.”

The tent erupted in laughter, easing the tension that was mounting. Brennan, Petra, and Carter joked around, teasing Brennan relentlessly. Selene excused herself, promising to return after I have a while to make my decision. I laid back against my pillows, my heart feeling full for the first time in a long time as I took in the light, easygoing atmosphere around me. Maybe, just maybe, this wouldn’t be such a bad life to have. Again.