Chapter 25
I stood before the gathered Clearwater Pack, acutely aware of every pair of eyes fixed upon me. The nervous energy that had been bubbling in my stomach since our arrival now transformed into a steady resolve. I felt Xander’s comforting presence next to me, his quiet encouragement making me feel stronger.
I inhaled deeply, letting the fresh power I discovered move within me. A gentle silver glow flickered around me, sparking hushed murmurs among the onlookers. This was the time to reveal the person I had grown into.
“Clearwater Pack,” I began, my voice carrying across the clearing with an authority I never possessed before. “I stand before you today not as the girl you once knew, but as Luna Aurora of the Blackstone Pack. We’ve come to offer our aid in your time of need.”
I stopped for a moment, giving my words time to be understood. The expressions in front of me showed various feelings-surprise, admiration, and in some cases, a remaining dislike. I noticed Asher standing at the side of the group, his face showing signs of remorse and something else… desire? I set that thought aside and concentrated on the job ahead.
“I understand that a lot of you question my capability to assist,” I went on. “So allow me to demonstrate what I’m capable of now.”
I scanned the crowd, my enhanced senses picking up on a wolf nursing a nasty gash on his arm. Without hesitation, I stepped forward, gently pushing through the crowd until I reached him.
“May I?” I asked, gesturing to his wound.
The wolf, a young male I vaguely remembered from my time here, nodded hesitantly. I placed my hands over his injury, channeling my healing energy. A soft silver glow emanated from my palms, enveloping the wound. In just a few moments, the cut healed, leaving smooth skin behind.
People gasped in amazement, and the sound spread through the group. The young wolf looked at his fixed arm, shocked, then at me with a mix of thankfulness and respect.
“This is but one of the gifts the Moon Goddess has bestowed upon me,” I said, turning back to address the entire pack. “And I intend to use these gifts to protect not just my pack, but all werewolves from the threat we face.”
I began outlining our plan to defend against the rogue attacks, drawing on the strategic mind I’d developed during my time with the Blackstone Pack. I could see the impressed looks on the faces of even those who once tormented me, including Beta Marcus, who gave me a reluctant nod of respect.
As I spoke, I allowed my inner wolf to surface slightly. My eyes began to glow, showing the strength I had inside. This sight made anyone who still doubted me go quiet, and their faces changed from being doubtful to being amazed.
“We need to be together,” I said. “The danger from these troublemakers affects all of us, and only by working together do we have a chance to beat it.”
When I stopped talking, I saw someone moving out of the corner of my eye. It was Asher, making his way through the people. His face showed a mix of feelings as he came closer to me. Before he could get too close, however, Xander swiftly intercepted him. A low, warning growl rumbled from my mate’s chest, causing Asher to halt in his tracks.
“Aurora, I–” Asher began, his voice thick with regret.
“That’s close enough,” Xander said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You’ve lost the right to approach her freely.”
I placed a calming hand on Xander’s arm, appreciating his protectiveness but wanting to avoid any escalation. “It’s okay,” I murmured to him, before addressing Asher. “Whatever you have to say can wait. We have more pressing matters to attend to.”
Asher’s face fell, but he nodded, stepping back. As he retreated, I noticed his parents, Dominic and Sarah, watching the interaction with narrowed eyes. Their disapproval was palpable, but I refused to let it affect me. I was no longer the weak girl desperate for their approval.
Facing the group again, I spoke to the younger wolves, some of them had bullied me before. “For those who used to see me as weak,” I told them, my tone strong but gentle, “I give you an opportunity to make things right, join us in the defense efforts. Show that you’ve grown beyond petty cruelty and are ready to protect your pack.”
Several of the young wolves stepped forward, their heads bowed in a mix of shame and determination. I nodded at them, accepting their silent pledge.
As the crowd started to leave, I felt Asher’s eyes on me. When I looked at him, the strong look in his eyes surprised me. He seemed very sure of himself, and it made me feel uncomfortable.
Xander, who always knows how I feel, saw that I was uneasy. He pulled me closer, his arm around my waist a clear statement of possession. I leaned into him gratefully, drawing strength from his presence.
“We should head back to our quarters,” I suggested, sensing the rising tension. “We need to finalize our strategies.”
Xander nodded, and we turned to leave. As we left, I could still feel Asher staring intensely at my back. The mix of feelings inside me-leftover pain, a bit of sympathy, and a strong decision to keep going-was almost too much to handle.
Right when we got to the entrance of our temporary home, a scary howl sounded far away. All the wolves nearby stopped, knowing what it meant-a rogue was calling for an attack.
Before we could do anything, a scout covered in blood rushed in, almost falling right in front of us. “They’ve arrived!” he shouted, his eyes full of terror. The rogues have broken through our outer defenses!”
Instantly, the relative calm of the past hour shattered. Xander immediately began barking orders, his Alpha authority taking over. I knelt beside the injured scout, my hands already glowing as I worked to heal his wounds.
“How many?” I asked urgently, even as I poured healing energy into him.
“Dozens,” the scout panted. “Maybe more. They appeared suddenly, like dark figures in the night.”
Once the scout’s injuries were healed, Xander assisted him in standing up. “Sound the alarm,” he ordered. “Get every able-bodied wolf ready for battle.”
The scout nodded and took off, his renewed strength carrying him swiftly through the pack house. Xander turned to me, his eyes blazing with protective fury.
“Aurora,” he started, but I interrupted him.
“Don’t even consider asking me to stay back,” I stated firmly. “My place is out there, fighting beside you and protecting these wolves.”
For a moment, I thought he might disagree, but then his face showed pride. “I wouldn’t think of it,” he said. “Just… be careful. We don’t know what we’re dealing with.”
I nodded, feeling love for this man who supported me so fully. “You too,” I replied. “We face this together.”
As we hurried out of the pack house, the scene we saw was one of confusion. Wolves were running everywhere, some changing into their wolf forms while others collected weapons. The air was heavy with the smell of fear and expectation.
I spotted Asher coordinating a group of defenders near the main gate. He glanced my way, and I caught a glimpse of something in his eyes. It might have been desperation. But I don’t have time to think about it.
“Aurora!” Selene’s voice called out to me. I turned to see her and Zara pushing through the crowd towards us. “What do you want us to do?”
“Selene, I need you to gather any healers in the pack. Set up a triage area in the pack house. Zara, organize a group to evacuate the pups and elders to the safe rooms.”
They nodded and quickly started working on their task. While I was observing them, someone gently tapped me on the shoulder. I turned to find one of the young Clearwater wolves who had apologized earlier.
“Luna Aurora,” he said, his voice trembling slightly but his eyes determined. “We want to help. Tell us what to do.”
I glanced at the young wolves, each one staring at me with a mix of fear and determination. These were the same wolves that had previously caused me a lot of trouble, and now they were relying on me for direction. The situation felt quite ironic to me.
“Okay,” I responded, thinking quickly. “I want you to create an additional protective barrier behind the fighters.” Your job is to watch for any rogues that break through and to protect the healers and evacuees. “Can you do that?”
They eagerly agreed, thankful for the opportunity to show their worth. As they rushed to their assigned spots, I felt a surge of pride. This is what being a leader is all about-providing people with the chance to shine, even those who have hurt you before.
A disturbance at the main entrance caught my eye. The first wave of rogues had arrived, their snarling faces visible in the moonlight as they threw themselves against the defenses. I could see Asher and his warriors engaging them, tooth and claw flashing in the night.
“It’s time,” Xander said beside me, his body already beginning to shift.
I nodded, feeling my wolf rising to the surface. As my body changed, I welcomed the strength that surged within me. My white fur shone brightly in the moonlight, a sign of hope in the dark.
Xander and I raced toward the gate, prepared to face the danger directly. As we sprinted, I noticed the amazed expressions on the faces of the Clearwater wolves. To them, I probably seemed like a spirit of justice, arriving to defend them when they needed it most.
But I knew the truth. I wasn’t some untouchable deity. I was Aurora, a girl who had suffered and grown, who had found love and purpose. And I was ready to fight for all I held dear.
As we approached the front lines, I spotted a familiar face among the rogues. My blood turned icy when I realized who it was – the wolf from my vision, the one with the red eyes that had tormented my dreams.
He noticed me as well, his lips twisting into a mean grin. “At last,” he growled, his voice carrying over the sounds of battle. “The little goddess comes to play.”
Xander snarled beside me, ready to lunge at this new threat. But I placed a restraining paw on his flank. This was my battle to face.
“I’m here,” I replied firmly, my voice calm even though I was scared. “And I’m prepared to finish this.”
The wolf with red eyes chuckled, a frightening noise that made me shudder. “Oh, young goddess,” he taunted, his tone full of spite. “This is just the beginning.”
With that, he leaped towards me, his teeth showing and claws out. As I prepared for the collision, time appeared to slow down. In that instant, I realized that all my experiences, everything I had grown to be, had brought me to this moment.
As the red-eyed wolf’s assault hit me, I felt my strength surge. A blinding white light erupted from my body, surrounding us both. The last sound I heard before the light took over was Xander’s frantic call of my name.
And then, silence.