The Rising Moon Pack

Chapter 28

Jake POV

The chair was surprisingly comfortable, and Dr Jenkins stuck to his word, a nurse popping in to pass me a blanket and a pillow. The pillow felt fluffy and soft, cradling my head and neck. Before I knew it, I was asleep.

I dreamed wildly, of sapphire blue moons, rising over the mountains. Maria was by my side, bearing my mark. A beautiful silver wolf resided in my own mark, howling up at the moon. In my dream, I walked along the lake, looking up at the moon. It grew bigger, and bigger, and whiter and whiter, until the light was almost blinding. A figure stepped out, and I gasped.

Her hair was a flowing silver, and reflected the moonlight. Her skin was milky white, and she had grey freckles splashed across her cheeks. She opened her eyes, and they shone reflectively, like an opal. From every different angle, they changed colour. The more I looked, the harder choosing my favourite colour became.

“Jacob Asher Blue.” She stated, warmly.

I nodded, unable to speak.

“My name is Selene. I am coming to you because I sense you need guidance. Am I right?”

I nodded again.

“How can I help?” She asked, softly. She guided me to a log, and together we sat down.

“My mate, Maria. Is she meant to be mine?” I asked.

“Of course. I admit, Maria was a tricky wolf to decide, but you’re meant for her.” She answered me.

“What makes Maria different to everyone else?” I asked.

“Well, as you know Maria is a direct descendent of the Emerald wolf Goddesses. Which means that Maria isn’t actually my child, like you.”

I was confused. I thought all wolves were children of the moon goddess, but if that’s not the case, how can Maria exist?

“The Emerald Wolves have existed for as long as I have. “ she answered, reading my mind. “There are 8 all together, and they make up the Emerald Goddesses. The first Goddess, Emeera, is my sister.” She smiled to me.

“You have a sister?” Was all I could say.

“Yeah, I do. She lives with me in the Kingdom above, and watches over Maria and all other Emerald Goddesses. We had to work together to create Maria, as she was destined to replace Kate from the beginning of time. Kate knew this, but believed that Bella would be the chosen one.” She told me.

“So how did Maria end up with Bella?” I asked, confused.

“I’ll admit, that was a hard decision. You see, Bella had her own destiny to fulfil, but that was ripped away from her when she died. At that time, we hadn’t chosen a wolf spirit for Maria, which was highly unusual. Most wolf spirits are decided at birth, but because of Maria’s unusual heritage, Emeera and I just could not agree on a suitable spirit. Of course, we now agree that there is no one better for Maria than Bella, and Maria will help heal Bella’s soul, and vice versa. They were made for each other, more than any other wolves that could be mated together. They are sisters, both by blood and by spirit. Bella was also an emerald wolf.”

I stood up from the log in shock.

“Bella was an emerald wolf? Bella?” I shouted, shocked.

“Yes.” Selene answered, quietly.

“But… how?” I asked, sinking to my knees.

“Bella is Kate’s daughter.”

My eyes widened in shock, and Selene laughed.

“You didn’t see this coming?” She asked, chuckling. “Jake, you knew Maria had her doubts.”

“Yeah, but they were just doubts! There was no proof!” I shouted at her, my palms sweating and chest feeling tighter.

“Maria knew, Jake. She didn’t realise how she knew, but when Maria flipped through Bella’s memories and Bella projected the day of her death into Maria’s mind, Maria knew then that Bella was of alpha blood. She knew that meant either Bella was her sister because of Ben, or because of Kate. It wouldn’t have taken long to discover which.” She reasoned, and she was right. I placed my head in my hands, ruffling them through my hair.

“Wait, Maria can dig through memories?” I asked Selene, suddenly.

“Yes. It’s one of many talents she is yet to discover about herself. Is there anything else you would like me to explain?”

“Yes, a few things. Firstly, where can we find the emerald Goddesses? Maria is going to need help training her powers. Which leads me to our next question; what do we do with Kate?” I said.

Selene frowned, and her serene face looked perplexed.

“Kate… she is a tough one. I can’t intervene with that one I’m afraid. I can’t tamper with anyone’s destiny. As for Maria, once Kate bestows her gifts upon her, she will be able to find her own way to the other Emerald wolves. She will be well taken care of, Emeera assures me of it. But what about you, Jake? I can feel there’s something you want to ask.” She smiled at me encouragingly, and I swallowed heavily.

“Um… Wyatt. Is he happy?” I asked, not meeting her gaze.

She reached out her hand, and without hesitation I took it. Almost immediately, I was transported to a place that was so bright, and warm. The scent of fresh grass filled the air, and I sniffed appreciatively. I looked around me, and saw I was stood in a garden. Selene led me a short walk away from what looked like a white marble palace, with golden gates outside. My jaw dropped, and Selene laughed lightly as she took in my expression. She snapped her fingers, and the gates opened, swinging gently in the breeze.

“This is the Kingdom Above.” She told me. “When you die, this is where you soul comes to. Wyatt lives here.”

I nodded, speechless.

“Where can I find him?” I asked her.

“Oh, he’ll probably be in the common room with his mate, Shelly.” She replied, smiling.

“He has a mate?” I asked her, surprised. “But he was only 15 when he died. How did he find her?”

“In the Kingdom Above, you don’t have to wait to come of age to find your forever mate.” She responded, guiding me down a cool hallway. There were beautiful paintings adorning each wall and I looked at each in awe as we walked. “ When you arrive, if your mate is already here, they’re waiting at the gate for you. If they aren’t here yet, or you died before you found them, we rematch you. No one misses out on the mate bond, even after you die.” She smiled to me.

She opened a door, and I was met by the sound of laughter.

“This is the young people’s common room.” She told me, gesturing inside. “You will likely find Wyatt playing pool, or possibly watching a movie. You can’t stay for too long, so I will wait here for you.”

I nodded again, and swallowed. My mouth felt dry and I shook from nerves. Selene gave me a firm but gentle push towards the door, so I stepped inside. I looked around the common room and saw that it was filled wall to wall with books, except for one wall filled by a large screen. A film was playing, and a few teenagers gathered on a couch together, laughing. A small, ash-blonde haired girl was sitting on the arm of the chair, her arm wrapped around a broad shouldered, dark haired boy.

I cleared my throat nervously, and the girl turned to face me. Her jaw dropped, and she nudged the boy next to her.

“What, Shell?” He asked her.

She pointed at me silently, and he turned to face me.

“Jake?” He shot off of the sofa in shock.

“Hey, Wyatt.” I answered him, shaking.

“What are you doing here? You’re not dead are you? Oh god, no!” He wailed.

I chuckled to myself. “I see you’re still dramatic!”

He rushed straight over the sofa, stepping on the cushions and knocking his friends to the side.

“Hey!” One protested, loudly.

“Sorry, Stace!” Wyatt apologised. He ran towards me and enveloped me in a hug. I squeezed him back, his familiar scent of fresh cut grass and juniper filling my nostrils. Before I knew it, tears splashed down my cheeks and landed on his head. I felt Wyatt’s shoulders shake, and knew that he too was crying.

“Are you happy?” I asked him. I was desperate to know that he was ok, that being dead wasn’t so bad and that he was safe.

“Yes and no.” He answered, snuffling into my shirt. “It’s hard being away from you, and mom, and everyone. I’m happy that I’ve found Shelly, but I still feel like something is missing.”

“I’m sorry, bro. I wanted to save you, I really did. I’ll never forgive myself for not getting there in time.” I told him, bowing my head.

“Hey, don’t do that.” He told me. “It was my choice to go out that day. It was my decision to get too close to the edge of the territory. I made that choice, don’t blame yourself. None of this is your fault.”

“Maybe if I had increased patrols, you would have been safe.” I mumbled, tears spilling again.

“No, stop. Not even patrols would have been able to stop him.”

My blood ran cold.

“Him?” I asked, suddenly.

“Yeah, him. The creepy old dude with red eyes and claws. He just poofed out of thin air and bam. Took me out. At least it was fast, I guess.” He answered, nonchalantly.

“Did it hurt?” I asked quietly.

“No, not really.” He replied. “It happened faster than falling asleep. One minute I was here, the next I was gone. I watched the moon, I felt like it was calling to me.”

I bowed my head sorrowfully.

“I never wanted to lose you, Wyatt. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever been through.”

“I know. But I’m happy here, really. And I check in on you and mom and dad, you know. Congrats on the mate! She’s amazing.” He told me, grinning.

“You watch us?” I asked, shocked.

“Of course! We each get our own book. We can use it to see to the other side.” He answered.

“Can I see?” I asked, quickly.

“Sure.” He reached up onto a shelf and pulled down a large, leather bound book. He flipped the pages, and I gasped as I took it in.

There I was, asleep in the hospital chair. My hair was a mess, my eyes were flickering rapidly. I had a frown resting on my forehead, and I’d long ago dropped my blanket. Wyatt flicked a page, and there was my mom. She was collecting strawberries from the plants out in her cottage garden, her big summer hat shielding the morning sun from her eyes. My younger sister joined her, her wellies reaching up above her knees. Wyatt turned the page again, and this time I saw Mae, and Lottie. Lottie was speaking to the omegas whilst stood in my bedroom. She was waving a tape measure around vigorously, clearly having a dramatic conversation. Mae rolled her eyes and blew a bubble with her gum, popping it with her finger before sucking it back in and blowing another.

Wyatt closed the book, and I smiled up at him.

“Thank you.” I said.

“It’s cool.” He answered, shrugging.

Selene stepped in the door, signalling it was time to go. I nodded to her slightly and turned back to Wyatt. He saw her too, and he turned sadly to me.

“I wish you could stay.” He told me, his eyes filling with tears.

“ I wish I could too.” I told him. “I’ll see you again though, one day.”

“Maybe Selene could give you your book now?” He suggested, hopefully.

“Maybe, I’ll have to ask. “ I pulled him into a tight hug, and took in his scent one last time.

“I love you, so so much.” I told him, looking him in the eye.

“I love you too.” He responded,stepping back.

“Take care of each other, alright?” I addressed Shelly and Wyatt,firmly.

They nodded to me before reaching out to hold each others hand as I turned and walked back to Selene.

I waved to him, and watched as he returned to the sofa with his friends, wiping his face free of the tears we’d shed. I was proud of him, but my heart still hurt for the man he never got to become.

“Are you ready?” Selene asked me, and I nodded. She reached out to me again,and I took her hand. The common room faded and was replaced by harsh moonlight next to a cold lake. I looked down,and noticed Selene was holding a book.

“I heard Wyatt.” She told me,smiling kindly. “ This is your book.”

“What?” I asked her.

“This is your book. I am granting you access to Wyatt, through this book. Since you’re asleep, I am going to place this somewhere safe you will find it. I have a feeling you are going to need it, some day.”

I pulled Selene into a hug, and was surprised to feel that despite her icy cold appearance,she was actually incredibly warm.

She laughed, and stepped back.

“Before I go,” she told me, “ I must warn you. Mathew will not be healed until Maria gains her full powers. You need Kate to hand them down willingly, or the transfer of power won’t work. Whatever you do, do not cause harm to Kate. Her weakness will only transfer to Maria once her powers do.”

“How do we get her to willingly transfer them?” I asked her.

“Use the information I have given you, to come to a reasonable conclusion.” She said as she slowly faded from view.

“Wait, come back!” I shouted, as the light left completely and I was alone.

I woke with a jump, and found Maria stood by Matt’s bedside, crying quietly.

“Baby?” I said, quietly.

She didn’t answer me,her heart shattering at the sight of him, laying in the bed. I got up and walked over to them both, then gasped in horror.

The whole side of Matt’s face was horrifically bruised, his eye swollen closed. I panicked and pushed the buzzer summoning the doctor, and soon the room was buzzing with activity.