As far as Vione could remember, it had been too long since the day when the pack had gathered and looked at her with the same awe as they did now. All the tragedies that had happened had once changed the way the pack looked at her-from a look of respect to one of pity. They felt sorry for all the terrible things that had happened to her and the Munest family. Ironically, she didn’t like it at all.
Vione had experienced years of limitation and weakness. So, she had gotten used to all the pity and never wanted to be seen as powerless. She might be weak, but she didn’t need their pity. Besides, she had proven that she could fight, even if it meant risking her life.
Now Vione’s wish had come true. No one in the pack looked at her with pity. On the contrary, they looked at her with awe. There was a spark of wonder and admiration in their eyes, accompanied by a sense of calm and peace as they realized that the most important woman in the pack had returned.
“Luna!”
Vione’s arrival was greeted with great enthusiasm, but it wasn’t just about the healing ritual the pack would perform. It was much more than that, for deep in their hearts were a multitude of emotions that could not be expressed in words. Their wolf spirits howled, celebrating the return of the one they had longed for.
Vione felt a familiar vibration. She had felt this connection before and now again. With every heartbeat and breath she could feel the emotions of the pack. She had returned to where she belonged-among them.
Vione’s chest swelled. Her blood flowed faster. She turned and saw Rowena nodding at her.
Vione shifted her gaze to Usher. They didn’t need to speak; she could feel the moral support Usher gave her.
There wasn’t a hint of doubt. The only thing Vione felt was a burning spirit to protect the pack.
Vione stepped forward, toward the Mystoria Falls, which were roaring louder than usual. It was as if Mystoria Falls recognized her, knew her purpose.
Vione’s steps stopped. She turned her body away from Mystoria Falls, and across from her, Rowena was already standing in her position.
“Are you ready, Luna?”
Vione took a deep breath. She looked around at the pack surrounding her. Their faces showed both hope and worry. They wanted to be healed, but they also feared that the ritual might hurt her.
But there was no room for doubt. Vione steeled herself and said, “I am ready.”
Rowena began the ritual by raising both hands to the sky. She traced the air with her fingers in fluid movements, as if weaving an invisible web. Then a magical circle formed above their heads.
Ancient symbols, glowing in a blue-golden hue, slowly turned inside the magic circle. They rotated under the full moonlight, absorbing all the energy of the universe.
Rowena closed her eyes. Her lips moved faintly and she began to chant a spell to which nature immediately responded.
The wind blew harder as Rowena’s chanting accelerated. Leaves rustled and trees swayed gently. Wild animals emerged from their hiding places, as if awakened from a long slumber and drawn by the stirring power.
The blue-golden light on the ancient symbols grew brighter, pulsing as they called the heavens to unite. The energy gathered from nature grew heavier, and Vione could feel the power of the forest approaching.
Vione’s body trembled. The immense magical vibration touched her skin, penetrated her flesh, and seeped into her bones. She became one with it, and now, with every breath she took, Vione was a part of nature.
“Rise,” Rowena whispered, her voice soft as the wind, yet filled with wisdom. “Answer your master’s call!”
Rowena lifted her hands higher. With slow but deliberate movements, her fingers curled as if grasping something. Then she drew in the power that had long resided in Amerotha Forest-its earth, air, and water.
At the same time, Vione’s body arched, her muscles shifting and her human form transformed into that of a wolf. She stood tall, full of power.
Vione’s blue eyes glowed brightly in the darkness, surrounded by a golden hue. She growled, and the magic circle in the sky glowed even more intensely, blindingly bright.
Nature answered the call. From beneath the ground, tree roots emerged, spiraling around Vione in a tighter and tighter pattern. The forest came alive with a cacophony of sounds. Everything roared and the wind whipped around them in a powerful vortex.
Vione’s body shook. She let out a long howl, her head raised toward the full moon. The power of the Amerotha Forest had completely taken over her body.
Vione gasped as the power of the Amerotha Forest coursed through her veins, merging with every heartbeat. She was shaken and worked quickly to regain control. Then, as the power settled within her, she saw her wolf pelt-shimmering silver-white under the light of the full moon.
Rowena’s eyes opened. She took a moment to catch her breath as she watched Vione. It was clear to her that Vione was fine, but the healing ritual had not yet begun.
Rowena had only awakened Vione’s dormant power, which had lain dormant in the Amerotha Forest. Now, after confirming that Vione and the power had become one, she resumed her incantation.
The pack responded. Everyone present was instantly transformed into wolves. Their natural instincts answered Vione’s spiritual call.
Rowena lowered her hands slightly, and the magic circle in the sky descended. The chanting quickened; ancient words spoken with a power that reverberated throughout the forest. Then, with a graceful but decisive movement, Rowena swept both hands to the side.
The magic circle shattered. The power of Amerotha Forest spread everywhere, enveloping the entire pack. Usher, Garth, Cora, Ayla, Jemma and all the others groaned as the power seeped into their bodies.
The wounds began to close. Weariness and despair vanished instantly. Their spirits revived.
The healing ritual was complete. The power of Amerotha Forest had restored the wolves’ spirits.
Vione could feel it. Through the spiritual bond, she could clearly sense the condition and emotions of the pack. They were healed. They were well.
Relief and joy blossomed in Vione’s heart. All her worries and fears were gone. Now she could smile.
*