Chapter 59
As the first light of morning entered our room, I woke up. The recent events – the unity ceremony and the joining of our packs – had made me tired but happy. I realized that Xander lay beside me, his warm heat sinking into my skin. He breathed steadily, the quiet comforting weight of his arm over my hip.
I carefully turned to look at him without waking him up. His face was younger, smoother, without the perennial furrows across his brow that seemed etched there from dealing with stress of one sort or another. I lay there in a kind of wonder, watching the first dawn light dance across his features, feeling an intense rush of love and a powerful urge to protect him.
I lay there and thought about how much things had changed for us since we first met, our bond had grown through difficult times and shared successes. Now, as leaders of our newly united pack, that bond would be more important than ever.
As if sensing my gaze, Xander’s eyes fluttered open. A slow, sleepy smile spread across his face as he focused on me. “Good morning, gorgeous,” he whispered, his voice still a bit rough from sleep.
“Good morning,” I answered quietly, moving closer to give him a soft kiss on the lips.
Xander’s arm wrapped tighter around me, pulling me nearer. The kiss grew deeper, full of care and a hidden spark of excitement that always seemed to be there between us. When we finally paused, both of us a bit winded, I couldn’t help but smile.
“What a fantastic way to start the day,” Xander said with a chuckle, his eyes filled with affection and a hint of fun.
I laughed softly, snuggling into his embrace. “Indeed. Though we should probably get up soon. I’m sure the pack is eager to start planning our next steps.”
Xander nodded, though he made no move to release me. “True. But let’s just enjoy this moment a little longer. It’s not often we get this kind of peace.”
“What do you think is ahead, Aurora?” Xander asked after a while, his voice thoughtful. “For our pack?”
I considered his question carefully. “Growth,” I said finally. “Challenges, certainly, but also great potential. We’re stronger together, Xander. I truly believe that with our united pack, we can face anything that comes our way.”
Xander’s hand found mine, our fingers intertwining. “As long as we’re together, I know we can,” he agreed.
Just as I was about to respond, a sudden, brilliant glow filled our room. Xander and I both sat up quickly, surprised by the sudden light. The light seemed to gather, forming a shape that was both familiar and amazing.
The Moon Goddess appeared in front of us, her otherworldly presence filling the area with strength and beauty. Her form was hard to look at directly, shimmering and changing like moonlight on water. But her eyes, ancient and wise, fixed upon me with an intensity that took my breath away.
Beside me, Xander bowed his head respectfully. I got up, pulled to my feet by a feeling I couldn’t explain, and felt the goddess’s energy flow over me like a gentle, warm wind.
“Aurora,” the Moon Goddess said, and her voice echoed not only in my ears but deep inside me. “Your leadership through recent trials has proven your worth beyond a doubt.”
I swallowed hard, overwhelmed by her praise. “Thank you, Mom. I have done my best to help our people.”
The goddess smiled, her glowing figure showing a gentle expression. “And you have done well. But greater challenges lie ahead for the werewolf race. It is time for you to take on a greater role.”
My heart raced at her words. What greater role could there be than leading our pack?
“The werewolves are in danger from both inside and outside,” the Moon Goddess said. “They need someone to protect and lead them through tough times. Aurora, I choose you to be the Protector of the Werewolf Race.”
When She said that, I felt a surge of energy, and I looked at my wrist, and I saw this little, glowy mark, shaped like a half-moon. It was pretty faint, but it had this nice warm light to it.
“This mark is a symbol of your new status,” the Moon Goddess explained. “With this comes not just power, but a big duty. You need to be the one who keeps our people safe, the connection that unites them, and the guiding light that helps them through hard times.”
I nodded seriously, feeling the heavy responsibility of this new role on my shoulders. It was frightening, but deep inside, I knew this was my purpose, and all the difficulties I faced had been preparing me for it.
“I accept this honor and responsibility, Moon Goddess,” I said, my voice more confident than I felt. “I will do my best to protect and guide our people.”
The goddess’s approval radiated through the den. “Your heart is true, Aurora. Trust in your instincts and the powers I have granted you. They will serve you well in the times to come.”
She then turned her gaze to Xander, who straightened under her attention. “And you, Xander. Your role as Aurora’s mate is no less important. Your strength, your wisdom, and your unwavering support will be crucial in the journey ahead.”
Xander bowed his head. “I will always stand by Aurora’s side, Moon Goddess. You have my word.”
The goddess nodded, seeming pleased. As her form began to shimmer, becoming less distinct, I found my voice again.
“Mom, wait,” I called out. “The prophecy Clara spoke of, the challenges you mentioned… Can you tell us more? How can we prepare?”
The Moon Goddess’s form solidified slightly, her expression turning grave. “The future is ever in motion, Aurora. Here’s what I can tell you: strong and risky things are happening, both in the normal world and in the magical world. Old foes might come back, and new friendships will be tested. Stay alert, keep your pack together, and rely on the strength you’ve built as a team.”
Her words made me feel uneasy, but I nodded, understanding the mysterious warning.
“Remember, Aurora,” the Moon Goddess said, her voice starting to fade, “you are never truly alone. In your darkest hour, call upon me, and I will hear you.”
With these final words, the Moon Goddess’s form dissolved into motes of light that slowly faded away, leaving Xander and me standing in the now-dim room, the weight of what had just occurred settling over us like a heavy blanket.
For a while, we didn’t say anything. I looked at the crescent moon mark on my wrist, feeling the energy under my skin. When I finally looked at Xander, I saw a mix of amazement and pride in his eyes.
“Aurora,” he breathed, reaching out to take my marked wrist gently in his hand. “This is… incredible. How do you feel?”
I took a deep breath, trying to grasp the intense feelings and sensations I was going through. “Overwhelmed,” I admitted. “Honored. Terrified. Excited. All at once.”
Xander pulled me into a tight embrace, his strong arms grounding me. “You can do this, Aurora. I trust you.”
I leaned into his hug, feeling stronger thanks to his unwavering support. “Thank you, Xander. I wouldn’t be able to do this without you.”
While we stood there, holding each other, I noticed small changes in myself. My senses, already strong from my earlier meeting with the Moon Goddess, felt even more powerful now. I could hear the heartbeats of the pack members in nearby homes and smell the morning dew on the leaves outside. Even though my vision seems clearer, my colors were more vibrant.
But it wasn’t just physical changes. I felt a new wellspring of power within me, raw and potent. And with it came a strong feeling of responsibility. I wasn’t just the leader of our pack anymore; I was now the guardian of all werewolves. The size of that job was overwhelming.
Xander must have noticed my inner struggle because he moved back a little, holding my face with his hands. “Hey,” he said gently, “I recognize that expression. You’re already worrying about everything, aren’t you?”
I couldn’t help but smile ruefully. He knew me too well. “Can you blame me? This is… it’s huge, Xander. How can I possibly live up to this responsibility?”
“The same way you’ve faced every challenge so far,” Xander replied firmly. “With courage, compassion, and the strength of our pack behind you. The Moon Goddess chose you for a reason, Aurora. Trust in that.”
His words made me feel more confident. “You’re right,” I said, standing up straight. “We’ve come this far together. And we’ll keep going that way.”
Xander smiled, “That’s my girl. Now, what do you say we go share this news with the pack?”
I nodded, taking a deep breath to calm myself. As we walked toward the entrance of the room, I stopped and looked back at the place where the Moon Goddess had shown up. The air still shimmered faintly with residual energy.
“Xander,” I whispered, “Do you think we’re ready for what’s coming?”
He squeezed my hand tight, comforting. “Whether we are or not, we’ll face it together.”
Those words gave me strength, and we left the room.
As Xander and I walked toward the clearing of the pack house, some pack members looked our way. I could see their curiosity, probably noticing something different about me. The mark on my wrist was throbbing, almost like it wanted to be noticed.
We arrived at the clearing where we usually meet, and I paused to collect my thoughts. This news would affect our whole pack. But when I saw the looks on my pack member’s faces-looks that showed they believed in me, respected me, and were ready to listen to me-I felt a strong boost of confidence.
“Hey, everyone,” I shouted, my voice reaching everyone in the clearing. “I have news to share. News that will shape the future of not just our pack, but all werewolves.”
As the pack gathered around, their eager faces looking at me, I felt a mix of excitement and worry. We were about to start a new era, full of both great hope and great risk. But with Xander by my side and the support of our united pack, I know we can handle any challenge.
Taking a deep breath, I started to tell them about my meeting with the Moon Goddess, ready to guide our people into this new part of our story. Whatever the future brought, we would face it together, as one.