Page 119 of Moonlit Fate

Their footsteps grew fainter, and I barely made out Corin’s reply. “She’ll bring this pack down to its knees if we don’t watch her every move.”

A deep growl rumbled through my chest. My wolf didn’t like how I’d handled the three old fools. As their alpha, I should have been less deferential. I should have used my authority to enforce the new way of thinking. I understood my wolf, but I didn’t want to govern the pack in that manner unless it was absolutely unavoidable. I wanted my people to come to an understanding and see it from my point of view.

I looked back toward the manor. Change was coming whether they liked it or not. Tradition was important, but we couldn’t allow it to chain us down.

I took off, running through the forest until I reached the junction towards the border of the territories. I deviated from the path, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention from the Crimson Fang sentries. I knew they would find evidence of my presence, but I wasn’t looking to engage. I ran alongside their boundary line, ensuring I stayed carefully in my own territory, but found no evidence of them encroaching on Silver Claw land.

After a while, I approached the intersection where the Crimson Fang pack and the rogue’s territories met. Instinctively, I slowed my pace. My wolf, eager to see Atticus, wanted to press on. Her frustration from yesterday’s missed opportunity fueled her anger. She understood my loyalty to the pack and my father, but my father was no longer here. Atticus was. Yet, I couldn’t be with him, not right now. Not with the mess I’d made of things, and everything I needed to fix.

Not wanting to think about Atticus, the ritual, or anything else, I forced my wolf away from the boundaries and into the ancient forest. With each stride, the undergrowth whipped against my body, and I raced forward, paws pounding on the dirt path, not stopping until exhaustion set in. Only then did I return to Silver Claw territory. When the manor came into view, I shifted back into my human form. Squaring my shoulders, I walked purposefully toward the manor. Each step felt firmer than the last, as if the very earth was lending me strength.

Tired now, but feeling as if I had at least accomplished something by checking the borders, I climbed the stairs to my bedroom. When my father died, I was given the option to claim his spacious master suite as my own. His rooms were closer to the front door, which right now seemed like a good idea because I was too tired to walk far. However I’d chosen to remain in the rooms I grew up in. Not only did I find comfort there, but it also gave me a safer escape option if an enemy approached the manor directly.

As I stepped into my room, a chill came over me. Goosebumps erupted over my skin. The room was cooler than usual. I frowned, searching for an open window, but found none. Moonlight bathed the space in a calm glow, highlighting the ethereal figure drifting in front of the glass. The apparition materialized with an intense glow, pulsing faintly. The sight stopped me in my tracks, and my heart stuttered.

As I watched, the spirit’s form gradually faded, becoming more translucent. It was a woman. She struck an imposing figure in her sleek dress, the tailored lines accentuating her height. Her hair, rich ebony strands, were intricately coiled in a style that defied gravity. This was a woman who commanded attention without needing to raise her voice.

“Mama?” The word, tangled with hope and disbelief, was barely a breath.

“Aria.” Her voice was still the same soothing melody from my past.

Despite her faded appearance, the similarity between us was unmistakable. The shape of her face and jawline so like the one I saw in the mirror. When she smiled, it nearly brought me to my knees.

“My brave girl.”

I blinked, tears welling in my eyes. My head spun. My heart wanted to burst with grief, love, longing. And then peace, like a gentle tide, washed over me.

“Is this real?” I stepped closer, half-expecting her to fade away completely. A soft haze surrounded her, smudging her outline. “How is this possible?”

“Magic, my love,” Mama said, her voice carrying the warmth of life itself. “The same that’s in you.”

I reached for her hand but found only air. She was here, yet untouchable. “I’ve missed you so much.” My voice broke, tears spilling over.

“And I, you.” The love that had never left even in death blazed in her eyes. “I’ve been watching you. You’re becoming the leader you were meant to be. I’m so very proud of you, darling.”

I shook my head. Doubt settled heavily on my shoulders. “Mama, it’s hard. I feel like I’ve let everyone down. The pack, you...”

“Leadership is lonely, my darling girl, but you’re never alone. You have your pack, friends... and me. You are growing. That is your success.”

I wiped the tears from my cheeks, steadying my breath. “The ritual stirred up more than we bargained for. Ghosts, magic... It’s a lot to deal with. And Atticus…” I sighed. “I don’t know how to mend things with him. And whenever I ask for help, all I receive are obscure answers in the form of riddles. Ilaric, the seer…” I trailed off.

Mama’s expression softened. “I’m sorry, Aria, not all answers can be given directly. A prophecy given as a blunt instruction removes choice and turns people into puppets on the stage of fate. Some truths are found in shadows, spoken in the language of the spirit.”

I frowned, grinding my teeth. “You, too? I need something I can use, something concrete.”

“Life doesn’t work that way,” Mama said wistfully. “What’s to come will unfold in its own time. To give you the path would be to rob you of the journey.”

“Then what am I supposed to do?” I asked, feeling lost.

“Trust in the steps you take, not the destination you seek,” she told me. “Look beyond the veil of certainty and embrace the unknown.”

“Embrace the unknown?” While I’d already heard the sentiment from Ilaric and Seren, it carried a different weight coming from my mother, who I knew held unconditional love forme and only wanted the best for me. I took a deep breath, letting things settle. “Okay, Mama. I’ll try.”

I shivered as Mama’s eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made the air around us thrum. “Everything is made up of light and dark. Stop fighting the darkness and embrace it. Light and darkness coexist in a beautiful dance that creates harmony. Balance. I’m afraid that balance is amiss right now, and it’s going to get much worse before it gets better.”

“Worse?” I whispered.

“Darkness will grow,” she said. “But don’t let fear take root. Lean on those who stand by you. You’ll need them.”

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