Destiny Series: Unlawful Mates

The Prophecy

The air was heavy with incense as Ayla and Kaida traveled the winding paths of No Pack territory. Their destination: the humble home of their venerated priestess, nestled deep in the forest. The weight of their decision regarding Howl's bonfire feast rested on them, forcing them to seek advice from the wisest of their people.

As they approached the priestess's house, a feeling of reverence came over them. The small thatched hut seemed to vibrate with unearthly energy, its walls adorned with ancient symbols and its dry grass swaying gently in the breeze.

Kaida raised her hand to knock, but before her knuckles could make contact with the worn wood, the door opened. There stood the priestess, her silver hair falling over her shoulders and her eyes shining with an inner light that spoke of centuries of wisdom.

“I have been waiting for you, my children,” said the priestess, her voice like the wind in the autumn leaves. “Come in, come in. There’s a lot to discuss.”

Ayla and Kaida exchanged a look before entering the dimly lit interior. The scent of sage and lavender enveloped them as they sat on cushions at a coffee table. The priestess took her place before them, her gnarled hands folded neatly in her lap.

“You are seeking answers regarding the invitation you received,” the priestess said, looking between the two young women. “But the questions you ask are nothing more than ripples on the surface of a much deeper puddle.”

Kaida leaned forward, her voice barely above a whisper. "What do you mean? We came to ask you if we should participate in this... Howler ceremony."

The priestess's lips stretched into a knowing smile. "Your presence at this event is not a matter of whether you should do it or not, my dear. It is a matter of destiny."

Ayla's brow furrowed, and her natural skepticism rose to the surface. "Destiny? But how is that possible? We are not pack wolves. We have no place among the Howling."

“Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong,” replied the priestess, her eyes shining. “Have you heard of the Order 100 prophecy?

Both girls shook their heads, curiosity piqued.

The priestess closed her eyes as if tapping into an ancient source of knowledge. When she spoke again, her voice took on a rhythmic, almost hypnotic tone.

“In the hundredth year of division, when the moon shines brightest on election night, there will be communion between those who are considered and those who are rejected. From this union a child will be born, touched by the Moon goddesses themselves. The child will rewrite the very fabric of our history, uniting the two types of wolves into one.

Ayla and Kaida stood in stunned silence as the weight of the priestess's words fell on them like a heavy blanket.

“But… what does that have to do with us?” Kaida finally managed to ask, her voice shaking slightly.

The priestess opened her eyes and looked at them with an intense gaze. "Everything, my daughter. The bonfire ceremony to which you have been invited... is election night. And your presence will trigger events that will change not only your life but that of every wolf in both packs."

Ayla shook her head, struggling to process the information. "How can you be sure? It's just... us. Nothing special."

A soft laugh escaped the priestess's lips. "What's special is a matter of perspective, young Ayla. The Moon Goddesses see what we cannot see. They have chosen the wolves who will fulfill this prophecy long before they take their first breath."

Kaida's eyes widened as a thought struck her. "Is...is he one of us? Are we the chosen ones?"

The priestess raised her hand, her expression gentle but firm. "The identity of the Chosen has never been revealed to any mortal, not even me. Only the Moon Goddesses know, and they will reveal it when the time comes."

A heavy silence fell over the room as Ayla and Kaida faced the enormity of what they had learned. The simple decision of whether to attend a party suddenly becomes tied to the fate of one's entire world.

After a long moment, Ayla spoke in an unusually calm voice. "You said our presence would change things. Does that mean we should go?"

The priestess nodded solemnly. "Yes, you have to go. And you have to take Arach with you."

Ayla's head jerked up at the mention of her sister's name. "Arach? But why?"

“Every piece has its place on the great table of destiny,” the priestess replied enigmatically. "Arach's presence is as necessary as yours, although the reasons may not be clear to you at the moment."

Ayla and Kaida exchanged worried glances, both thinking about Arach's playful personality and her tendency to cause drama.

As if sensing their concerns, the priestess leaned forward, her voice taking on an urgent note. "Listen carefully, my children. The path ahead will not be easy. You will face challenges and choices that will test the very essence of who you are. But remember this: the Goddesses of The Moon Makes No Mistake is neither a coincidence nor a whim. It is the culmination of centuries of waiting, hopes, and dreams carried in the hearts of those considered rejected.

The priestess reached out and took each girl's hand in hers. "Go to this ceremony. Wear the clothing provided for you. Dance in the moonlight and open your heart to the possibilities that await you. For on this night, the threads of fate will begin to weave a new tapestry, one that will unite our divided world.

When Ayla and Kaida left the priestess's dwelling, their minds were spinning with everything they had learned. The simple invitation to a bonfire had become a pivotal moment in the history of their people. The weight of fate rested on their shoulders, filling them with equal parts excitement and fear.

“What do we say to Arach?” Kaida wondered aloud as they walked back through the forest.

Ayla shook her head and a wry smile appeared on her lips. "The truth, I suppose. Although I doubt she'll believe it. She'll probably just be excited about putting on a fancy dress and meeting the boys from the Howls."

Kaida couldn't help but laugh, the sound cutting through the tension that had built up during her visit with the priestess. "You're probably right. But who knows? Maybe Arach has a bigger role to play in all of this than we think."

As they walked, the surrounding forest seemed to vibrate with new energy, as if the trees and stones themselves were aware of the important events that were about to occur. The prophecy of Order 100 hung in the air between them, a promise of change, of unity, of a future where the artificial boundaries between Howls and No Pack could finally collapse.

With every step, Ayla and Kaida drew closer to a destiny greater than themselves, their hearts beating to the ancient rhythms of the forest and the eternal dance of the Moon goddesses above.