Two days later Rowena was ready. With her was Cora, whom Usher had specially assigned to accompany her on her journey.
Rowena cupped Vione’s cheeks. “Don’t worry, Vione. We’ll see each other often. Besides, it’s the only way I can make up for leaving you as a baby.”
“No, Mama.” Vione held Rowena’s hands. “You did it so I could live with other werewolves. I understand that.”
Still, Rowena’s guilt remained. So, she promised to make up for it with happiness and togetherness in the future.
“I hope you take good care of yourself, Mama,” Vione said, calming her heart. Then she took off the moon necklace she was wearing. She put the moon necklace into Rowena’s hand. “Let me know if anything happens.”
Rowena nodded. “Of course.”
Vione and Usher watched Rowena leave, certain that this wasn’t goodbye. In truth, they were just living apart. They would keep in touch. They would still meet and visit. So, everything would be fine. There was nothing to worry about.
That was what Rowena believed too. This time it was different from what she had done before. She didn’t separate from Vione; they just chose their own ways.
Vione was a Luna. Her place was in the palace. Rowena was different. She was a witch and her place was in the Amerotha forest. Besides, there was a personal reason why she could never leave Amerotha Forest, ever.
There, in Amerotha Forest, lay many memories of Rowena and Ivan. Every corner of the forest bore silent witness to their happiness. Every tree, every stream and every gust of wind carried a piece of Ivan, reminding her of the beautiful moments they had once shared.
They had once run through the trees, laughing and sharing secrets, dreaming of a hopeful future. The Amerotha forest wasn’t just her home or a legacy she was entrusted to protect; it had become part of her soul, the place where love blossomed so beautifully.
“Rowena.”
Rowena’s footsteps stopped as Ayla approached her. “Ayla.”
Ayla came closer and seeing the interaction, Cora stepped back a little. It seemed they needed some privacy to talk.
“So…” Ayla caught her breath, relieved that she wasn’t too late to meet Rowena. “… you’re really going back to Amerotha Forest?”
Rowena stroked Ayla’s upper arm gently, trying to calm her. She gave a short nod. “Yes. It’s where I belong. You know that, don’t you? I’m a witch. I am the guardian of Amerotha Forest.”
“I know that, but I didn’t think you would make such an extreme decision,” Ayla said cautiously, looking at Rowena with sympathy. “You’ve only just been reunited with Vione.”
Rowena exhaled deeply. “Honestly, this is hard for me.” She tried to fight the natural maternal instinct that wanted to stay by her daughter’s side. “But we promised to see each other often. So, I hope this is the best decision for us.”
Ayla nodded slowly and repeatedly, reassuring herself by seeing things from both Rowena’s and Vione’s perspectives. “Honestly, I just wanted to see you two together. You deserve to be happy together, but I also understand that you have responsibilities that you can’t just leave behind. You have to protect the Amerotha Forest. You…”
Ayla’s words hung in the air. Her body froze, and her eyes slowly went blank.
Rowena frowned in confusion. “Ay-Ayla?” She touched Ayla’s cheek gently. “What is happening to you? Why are you-”
Suddenly, Ayla spoke again. “The Amerotha forest has chosen its next guardian.”
“What did you say?” Rowena’s expression changed. Her concern for Ayla’s condition was mixed with confusion. “The next Guardian?”
“She is a girl full of love. She is a gift from nature. Her smile is as warm as the morning sun, her laughter as melodious as the birdsong, and her touch as soothing as the forest breeze. Ayla gasped and her eyes closed for a moment. When they opened again, she looked at Rowena with a broad smile. “I’m sure we’ll hear some good news soon.”
Rowena’s eyes widened. She quickly covered her mouth, her heart overflowing with joy. “Oh, God.” She tried to keep her voice down, but it was difficult. “Do you mean Vione is going to…?”
Ayla smiled. “We’ll see, Rowena.” She took Rowena’s hand and squeezed her fingers gently. “She will be a lively companion for you. So lively, in fact, that you’ll have to lift your dress to chase after her.”
Tears welled in Rowena’s eyes. She couldn’t speak now. “O-oh, Ayla.”
“She will be your comfort. She will make up for those difficult days when you were separated from Vione and…” Ayla paused for a moment, her grip on Rowena’s hand loosening as her gaze went free again. “She’s not coming alone.” Her brow furrowed. “She comes with a force that will protect the Frostholm Pack. He will be a guardian and a leader, carrying on the legacy of Alpha Usher.”
One joy was already overwhelming for Rowena, and now Ayla revealed two joys at once. It seemed too good to be true, but Rowena knew that Ayla’s visions had never been wrong. She couldn’t hold back the tears of joy that flowed more freely now.
“O-oh, God.” Rowena struggled to breathe amidst the waves of happiness. “My Vione. She’s going to…”
Ayla quickly hugged Rowena with a big smile, almost laughing. She stopped Rowena from finishing her sentence. “Let this be our little secret for now. We just have to wait.”
Over Ayla’s shoulder, Rowena nodded several times. Her joy was overflowing, and this time she was determined to keep her promise to Vione, no matter what. She would visit Vione often at the palace.
For if Ayla’s vision came true in the near future, Rowena would make sure she stayed by Vione’s side. She would protect Vione. She would take care of her as best she could, even though she knew the palace would do the same. Rowena would make sure that Vione was always healthy, always safe, and for that she had one wish: that nothing would change her happy destiny.
Rowena closed her eyes and prayed silently with deep sincerity. Please, God. Let Vione live happily. She has suffered so much, sacrificed so much, now let her have everything.
*