Chapter 47 – Welcome home!

Book:Tango with the Alpha's Heart Published:2024-6-4

Alexander’s POV
“Did you announce our arrival?” I linked Luke.
“I have,” he replied. “The priestesses are excited about seeing you.”
“Good,” I replied. “We are here.”
“You know what to do!” he said.
I could almost feel Luke’s excitement over the link; he had gone to warn the priestess of our arrival.
I left Emily’s side and stood aside, letting Ghost take over to do the shift.
Ghost understood, and seconds later I was standing in my Lycan form, throwing my head back, and howling.
The huge doors of the temple opened, and Luke made his way out, stopping a few feet from the exit.
“Luna,” he said. “The only way you will be able to enter the temple is to shift into your Lycan beast.”
Emily’s gaze moved to me.
“There isn’t anyone close by,” I said. “These woods are protected. So is the temple. Only pure blood can enter.”
“But why can’t I enter in human form?” She asked. “I am full-blooded.”
Luke smiled, and his gaze met mine.
“Because the protection spell wouldn’t let a human enter,” he said, shrugging.
I cleared my throat.
“It’s just to enter,” I said. “You can shift back as soon as we pass the doors.”
Emily shook her head.
“I don’t need to shift,” she said, going closer and past the entrance.
Nothing happened to my amazement.
Was everything I knew wrong?
“I think it is something else,” Ghost whispered.
“Like what?” I asked curiously.
“Emily seems to know this place,” he said.
“That’s impossible,” I argued. “When could she have possibly been here?”
I followed Emily, shifted back as soon as I was inside, went to her side, and watched her look at the walls.
There was old carving on the walls with pictures of Lycans.
Why haven’t I seen them before?
Emily’s fingers moved over the wall, and she closed her eyes as if she could feel the emotions of the temple.
“Come,” Luke said, and our gazes moved to him. “The priestess is waiting.”
“Priestess?” Emily asked, bewildered.
“Yes,” he said. “She is the keeper of the temple. She is also responsible for holding up the magical boundary around the temple.”
It was the first time I saw Emily let go of what she was doing to follow Luke.
The hallway opened into a wide room, where a huge 30-foot statue of the goddess was centered with two Lycans at her side.
“It is beautiful,” I heard Emily gasp, looking at the marble statue.
“She’s spectacular,” a female’s voice echoed through the quiet temple.
Emily froze next to me; her face turned white as if she were seeing a ghost.
Was she about to get sick?
Was she okay?
“This is the high priestess, Basilia,” Luke introduced.
Emily just stared at the woman, unable to move; her lips parted.
Was she in shock? Does she know her?
“Em-?”
“Grandmother?” She whispered, and a single tear trickled down her face.
“Yes, my child,” Basilia said, opening her arms, and Emily rushed into her embrace. “Welcome home!”
“Grandmother?” I muttered in surprise, finding Luke’s bewildered gaze. “Did you know that?” I linked.
“No,” he replied.
My heart pinched at the raw emotions of the two women. Who would have thought that Basilia was Emily’s grandmother?
I went closer, and the two women noticed me, letting go of one another.
“I see you brought your mate,” Basilia said to Emily. “It took you long enough.”
“Actually, Gran,” Emily said, finding my gaze. “Alpha Alex brought me here.”
“Ah, I see,” the old woman said, gesturing for us to follow her.
“Is Grandmother alone here?” Emily asked as we went deeper into the temple.
“I have many wolves visiting,” she said, smiling.
“Many wolves?” I asked.
Luke and I visited only once, when my father showed me the archives and told me of the temple’s existence.
I needed to see the place for myself. Basilia let us in, but she asked uncomfortable questions.
“Alpha Black,” the woman with the clearest blue eyes and pure white hair, addressed me before I introduced myself. I assumed she was notified of our arrival, but now I am not so sure. “I am glad you have come. We have a lot to discuss before you find your mate.”
“What do you know about my mate?” I asked, and the she-wolf gave me a smile that kept secrets hidden.
“Your mate is pure of heart,” she said. “A warrior, and the strongest of her kind.”
“So you have met her?” I asked. “Do you know where I could find her?”
“I have met many wolves in my life,” she said. “And your mate will soon return to you.”
Emily will come to me!
That thought made me happy and excited. Finally, I could feel whole again. We could be a family!
“But Alpha Black,” Basilia continued. “I must ask you, are you ready for her return?”
Something crossed Basilia’s eyes, and her face turned hard, raising an unnerving feeling inside my stomach.
“I am,” I said. “I have waited long enough for her return.”
“I must warn you,” she said, getting serious. “As soon as your mate accepts you, things will take a drastic turn. It will not be easy.”
“I am willing to take that chance,” I said seriously. “I never stopped loving my mate. I will fight for her until my last breath.”
“Hmm,” Basilia said, pleased. “Then leave. Only return when she is ready.”
“Wolf spirits visit me often,” Basilia said, bringing me back to my presence. “I help them cross.”
“Why hasn’t Grandmother told me about this place?” Emily asked.
Basilia suddenly stopped, shifted her head to the side, and turned to face Emily, her expression hard and serious.
“Em,” she said, taking her hands in hers. “You were born in this sacred temple. You have known about this place your whole life. You have visited me every chance you have had. You have grown up here.”
Emily flinched.
“Then why did I stop coming here?” Emily asked.
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