“The most important thing is to revive the reed. It’s not a flower yet.” Thomas said.
“We could use the gem, maybe it will reflect the half moon like it did with the full moon.” Margaret said.
“Give it to me, I’ll try it.”
The gem was passed to Silver and she lifted it above the reed but nothing happened.
“I expected something dramatic to happen.” Lynn sighed.
“Maybe I’m not the one that’s supposed to do it. Lynn, you’ve been glowing since the moon came out. Come give it a try.” Silver said.
Lynn shuffled up the line they made with their bodies till she was at the front with Silver behind her. As Lynn touched the gem, it began to glow. When she raised it above her head, the light from the gem shone on the reed. Suddenly, it shook, and the stem turned green, but that was all that happened, the bud at the top of the reed remained closed.
“Is that it? I still don’t see a flower.” Lynn said.
“We’re still missing something.” Margaret said.
“Okay, let’s look at this logically. It’s a withered flower. It has light now, what else would it need to bloom?” Thomas asked.
“Water.” Silver said.
“Yes. Not just any water, water from the lake. It must be glowing for a reason too.” Thomas replied to her.
“But, there’s just one problem. The underwater entrance is a bit of a distance behind us. If one of us leaves to get water, that person will get stung by the silver because they’re no longer connected to Silver. If Silver leaves to get the water, we all get stung by the silver. The last option is for all of us to go back the way we came and get water which will take more time and we don’t know how much time we have left.”
“We also don’t have anything to get water with.”
“I have an idea.” Carson said and everyone of them turned to face him with sceptical looks on their faces.
“What? I can have ideas too, you know.” Carson smirked.
“No one said you couldn’t. But having ideas means you have to think, and thinking is not your modus operandi.” Keith said.
“Ouch!” Carson said with a hand on his chest.
“Just say what it is you think will work, we don’t have all night. The moon won’t be out forever.” Thomas said.
Carson took off his jacket and squeezed the sleeves so water would drop off it.
“We went into the lake with our clothes and we’re all still wet. Just squeeze the water from the clothes on the flower, it’s water from the lake after all.” He said.
“That’s… actually a great idea.” Jerald said.
“I volunteer my jacket. I don’t know how much water will be needed though but it should do. You’re welcome.” Carson said smugly.
Carson was right behind Silver so he moved closer. Lynn held the gem up while he squeezed the jacket above her hands. Water dropped from his hands to the reed and it began to shake again. But nothing else happened.
“Keep going. Silver, according to the story your mother told you, the Silvora bloomed when you touched it, try that now.” Thomas said.
Silver bent and touched the tiny bud at the top of the reed. The bud turned white and suddenly, it opened. The white petals of the Silvora flower opened up and filled the space with an iridescent sheen.
“It’s beautiful.” Lynn gasped.
They all stood back and watched it till stopped glowing so brightly and only gleamed faintly. Silver then gently pulled the flower out of the ground.
“Won’t it die?”
“No, it’s a magical flower. We were led to it for a reason, so we need it.” Silver said and they made their way out of the cave and back to the lake shore.
“So what next? We’ve solved one part of the quest, but it must continue. What’s the next clue? The next location?”
“The next clue is the next mated pair. One of you unmated males are is about to lose his single status.” Thomas said.
Keith frowned immediately.
“You don’t have to look so pissed off about it, Keith. No matter how much you hate it, it will happen and you have to be prepared for it.” Hayden said.
“I may prepare for it, but it doesn’t mean I have to like the idea.” Keith replied.
They all left the lake and returned to the pack house.
~
Later that night, he had the urge to return to the cave where the Silvora was found. He went back and swam to the underwater entrance but there was nothing out of the ordinary so he swam out. While he was swimming to the lake shore, his breath hitched as he saw her. She hadn’t noticed him yet, so she took off her clothes and jumped into the water.
He knew that he should just swim away from her and leave, but he was drawn to her. Her scent filled his nostrils the closer he got to her and he followed like she was a siren luring him to his doom.
She felt a presence behind her and gasped as she turned to face him.
“Mate.” He growled and he wrapped his hands around her waist and put his face in the crook of her neck.
“W. what? You can’t be my mate.” She said, but tingles were spreading through her, and her wolf purred within her trying to get closer to him.
“You are mine.” He nuzzled her neck and she shivered.
“Mate.” Her wolf said in her head and she gasped.
She pushed him away, swam out of the lake, grabbed her clothes and ran off.