Page 46 of The Hidden Guardian

“Why tonight?”

“It’s a full moon.”

“Full moon, werewolves—oh Gods, he’s going to wolf out on me?” My hands drop from my stomach to grip the couch.

“Not necessarily …”

“Come on, don’t clam up now.” I lean forward to slap her knee. “I need to know what I’m in for.”

“I guess it can’t hurt to warn you.”

“Warn me? Gods, this doesn’t sound good.” I stand to pace and let out some of this tension.

“There’s just certainexpectationssurrounding the full moon.” She shrugs, looking slightly uncomfortable.

“Expectations?” Great, just when I think I’m getting things around here, a new problem arises. A full moon. Is there nowhere safe anymore?

“Well, you know the full moon is when the Goddess is closest to us, so since the wolves were created to worship her, their power is greatest on the days of the full moon.”

“Wait … wolves were created to worship the Moon Goddess?” That’s not how Mother put it. Or maybe I just wasn’t paying attention.

“Wow, I guess we need to start at the pup level. From the dawn of creation, there was the Moon Goddess Luna, the Sun God Sol, Gale the Air Goddess, Ember and Ashes, the twin Fire Gods, and the Mother of all nature Queen Ophelia. They all lived in harmony on the Earth until Sol fell in love with Luna. Queen Ophelia was jealous because she had always loved Sol. They retreated to the sky leaving the harmony on Earth to be together. In her jealousy, the Queen banished them from the Earth to their own separate star, entirely cursing them to always be apart except for one day a year when their stars would cross paths.”

“An eclipse.” I gasp.

“Indeed …” Onai smiles before continuing. “Now, being on separate stars never diminished their love for each other, it only strengthened it. Sol created the wolves to keep Luna company and to worship her when he could not. That is why the wolves howl at the moon and their strength is drawn from it. Queen Ophelia created the Guardians as a way of preserving her Earth and reaching where she could not. Ophelia gifted them powers and gifts from the stars and Earth, including the Tree of Life. But Luna had the last laugh. She created an ancient bond, linking the Guardians and the wolves that Sol had created for her to always be linked and never lonely like she is.”

“That’s actually a sweet story.” I’ve definitely never heard it that way before. There’s only one reason Mother would keep this from me, I don’t think she ever wanted me to know because maybe I would’ve realized there’s more to this life than the cabin.

“That’s why wolves love the moon, they were created to worship her. It also fuels their power. When men or wolf get drunk on power, they will always look for ways to release it. Guardians bonded to their wolf will feel its effects as well. I’ve never felt it before, but it’s said to be like riding the highest high.”

“So these expectations …”

“Let’s just say, if you don’t want to mate tonight you should probably lock your door and barricade yourself in. It makes wolves wild, and not just yours, the single ones will be crazed with no outlet as well. The wolves usually head out to the cliff to watch the full moon unfold. Renall will probably be among them. If you don’t want to engage in thefestivities,I wouldn’t leave your room.”

I sigh, making a silent note that most of the wolves are going to be out tonight. “I feel like I never leave this room.”

“If you want to leave the cave, you know what you have to do … or should I say,whoyou have to do.” She winks.

“And I know that if I do that, I will be tethered to this cave forever.” I sigh.

She pauses before asking, “Is that really so bad?”

I try to meet her eyes, but they are downcast. “That came out wrong, I just meant it’s not my home …”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Onai looks down at her feet as well. “I hope one day you feel differently. I kind of like having you around.”

A smile graces my face as I glance at her. “I like having you around as well. For the first time in a long time, I feel like you understand.”

“Same.” She sighs.

“I don’t think I could mate tonight even if I wanted to. I meant to ask you if you have more tampons.”

“I have a few more. They were on the list for the supply run, but they haven’t returned yet.”

“Well, I hope they come back soon. The energy in the cave is a little on edge, and I don’t think it’s from the trial.”

“Indeed. Speaking of, should we check to see what is going on today?”

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