Alison’s Point of View
The weight of Simone’s revelation still hung heavy in the air as we walked through the Pack’s central grounds, the towering trees casting flickering shadows under the soft glow of the moon. Xander’s hand rested lightly on the small of my back, grounding me as my thoughts swirled with the vision I had seen and the strange, ancient mark on Simone’s shoulder.
I couldn’t help but glance over at her. She walked beside me, her face pale but determined, her eyes darting around as though she were still marveling at the simple gift of sight. The Simone I knew had always been brave, but tonight, there was an unmistakable tremor in her steps, a hesitation that I had never seen before.
“Do you think he will believe us?” Simone’s voice was soft, almost drowned out by the crunch of leaves underfoot.
I turned to her and smiled reassuringly, though inside, I wasn’t so sure myself. “If anyone will, it’s my father. Alpha Gaius has always been open to the mysteries of the world, even if the rest of the pack isn’t. He’ll listen, Simone. You’ve got me and Xander to back you up. He already knows you have magic and he didn’t do anything to you”
Xander gave a firm nod, his usual stoic expression softening slightly as he looked at Simone. “She’s right. He’s the Alpha and I believe he is obligated to hear us out, but you need to tell him everything, no holding back. This mark, the vision, your sight… I believe it’s all connected. We need answers, and he might be the only one who can give them to us.”
Simone inhaled deeply, her shoulders rising and falling. “I’ll try. It’s just… a lot to take in.”
That, I could understand. My mind was still reeling from the vision, the raw power I had felt radiating from Simone in that otherworldly clearing. Whatever was happening to her definitely wasn’t ordinary… it was something ancient, something tied to the very roots of our pack.
We reached my father’s study, a grand stone structure that loomed against the backdrop of the forest. The flicker of torches illuminated the carved wolf emblems on the door, symbols of the pack’s strength and unity. Xander pushed the heavy doors open, and we stepped inside.
The room smelled of woodsmoke and pine, the warmth of the fire casting a golden glow on the polished wooden floors. My father, The Alpha, sat in his high-backed chair, his piercing gaze lifting to meet mine as we entered. His presence was as commanding as ever, a reminder of the unyielding leader he had always been.
“My dear girl,” he said, rising to his feet with a rare smile that softened the hard lines of his face. “Xander? It’s good to see you both, you haven’t left yet?.”
Xander smiled “Soon”
His eyes shifted from Xander and fell on Simone, and his expression shifted to one of pure astonishment. “Simone… your cane… your sight!”
Simone stepped forward, her hands clasped tightly together. “Yes, Alpha. It’s… it’s a miracle, really. I don’t know how or why it chose to return now , but…” She faltered, looking to me for support.
“She can see now,” I said, my voice steady. “But that’s not the only reason we’re here.”
My father motioned for us to sit, his gaze never leaving Simone. “Tell me what’s going on? You all look worried.”
Simone hesitated for a moment, then began recounting the events of the evening, the mark on her shoulder, my vision, the inexplicable feeling of power that seemed to pulse through her. Her words tumbled out in a rush, her voice trembling but earnest.
When she finished, the room fell into a heavy silence. My father leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. His eyes were distant, as though he were searching the recesses of his memory for an answer.
Finally, he spoke. “There’s a legend,” he began, his voice low and deliberate. “An old Crimson tale, passed down through generations. It speaks of a chosen one… a guardian who would rise during a time of great transition. This guardian would possess a mark, a gift from the Moon Goddess herself, and wield a power that would secure the pack’s future.”
Simone’s eyes widened. “And you think… you think that’s me?”
My father studied her carefully. “The signs seems to be there. Your sight being restored, the mark, my daughter’s vision… it aligns too closely with the legend to be dismissed.”
“But the Crimson Pack hasn’t had a sorcerer or witch ever,” Xander interjected, his tone skeptical.
My father’s expression darkened. “Yes, we actually had a sorcerer years ago, but as my father told me, he began plotting to overthrow the Alpha and head the pack hence using dark magic to attempt to kill the alpha, the betrayal nearly destroyed our pack. Since then, the pack has turned its back on magic, relying solely on strength and strategy. But perhaps the Moon Goddess has decided it’s time for a new beginning.”
He rose from his chair and moved to a chest at the far end of the room. Unlocking it, he retrieved something wrapped in dark purple cloth. When he turned back to us, there was a solemnity in his movements that made my heart pound.
“This,” he said, unwrapping the object, “is the ceremonial staff tied to the legend. It is said that only the chosen one can wield it. If Simone is truly the guardian spoken of in the tales, she will be able to hold it.”
Then it hit me, this was the staff she had in my vision, in reality the staff was breathtaking. Its surface was carved with intricate runes that seemed to shimmer in the firelight, and a crystal at its tip pulsed faintly with a soft, golden light. The air around it felt charged, as though the artifact itself were alive.
Simone stared at it, her hands trembling. “I… I don’t know if I can…”
“You’ve already proven yourself worthy,” my father said gently. “You’ve shown courage, resilience, and an unyielding spirit. If the Moon Goddess has chosen you, this staff will respond to you. But the choice to try is yours.”
Simone hesitated, her eyes darting to me and Xander. I nodded encouragingly, and Xander gave her a firm look of support.
Taking a deep breath, Simone stepped forward. Her hands hovered over the staff for a moment before she finally grasped it.
The room seemed to hold its breath.
As her fingers closed around the staff, a radiant glow burst forth, enveloping Simone in a soft golden light. The runes along the staff’s surface flared to life, and the crystal at its tip blazed with a brilliance that lit up the entire room. A gentle breeze swept through, carrying a sense of peace and renewal.
I gasped, unable to tear my eyes away from the sight. Simone stood tall, her expression one of awe and determination. The staff seemed to hum in harmony with her, as though it had been waiting for her all along.
My father smiled, his eyes glistening with pride. “It is done. The chosen one has emerged.”
He turned to one of the guards stationed near the door. “Spread the word. Let the pack know that their guardian has been found.”
The guard nodded and hurried out, leaving the rest of us in stunned silence.
As the news began to ripple through the Crimson Pack, I couldn’t help but notice the change in the atmosphere. Where there had been uncertainty and fear, there was now hope… a palpable sense of unity and renewal that seemed to radiate from Simone herself.
For the first time in years, I felt a glimmer of true peace. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I knew we were ready to face them together.