MEETING THERESA

A knock on the door brought River back to Lunar pack with a jolt.

“Who is it?” She asked as she struggled to her feet to open the door.

“It’s me.”

River heard a strange female voice that she had not heard among the few maids she was acquainted with in the pack house. Whoever the mysterious caller was, she knew she was safe. River opened the door.

Her eyes fell on a beautiful she wolf, in her early twenties, with exact red hair like Thane’s. She was a head shorted than River’s five feet and eight inches, her eyes were sparking green unlike Thane’s piercing grey eyes. A smile spread across her face like Alpha Malcolm’s as she bubbled up to River and clamped her in a bear hug.

“You must be River!” The newcomer exclaimed. “Welcome, Sister-in-law.”

That explained it, she must be Thane’s younger sister. River stayed in her warm embrace, a smile emerging on her own tear stained face. After ten seconds, she gently pried herself away from the tight hug.

“May I know the name of my beautiful sister-in-law?” River asked.

“Pardon my manners!” Her visitor said with wide eyes as she quickly covered her mouth with her left hand. She composed herself and stretched her right hand to River.

“I am Theresa, Thane’s sister.”

River shook her hand. “Thank you for the warm welcome.”

“No. Thank you, for taking a chance on my brother.” River lifted one eyebrow.

“May I come in?” Theresa asked and River realized they were still at the entrance of her room. She threw a glance at the room, her eyes landing on the scattered books and satchels and wanted to say no, but she did not want to hurt friendly Theresa. So, she moved away from the door and decided to left her visitor be the judge.

“Oh, you are still … unpacking? Let the maids do that, it is their duty. Wait, did Thane not give you a maid? Let me…” Theresa wanted to rush out, but River held her back.

“I already unpacked, Theresa. I’m just…reading.” River tried to explain.

Theresa looked around the room. “Oh, it’s true. Since you are busy, I will just leave… But,” Theresa hesitated as she noticed dried tears on River’s face, “if Thane does not treat you well, let me know, okay? I will spank him for you.”

River laughed and Theresa joined her.

“My brother used to be very happy and energetic. He was the best warrior in the lycan kingdom, before his attack. He may not be what you expected of a mate presently, River, but I know he will get over this, with you by his side.” She smiled as she patted River on the shoulder.

“Zara, our maid, just told us about a healer from the East, he may be able to help Thane get back on his feet. Thane has sent for him. You need to join us when he comes for the treatment.”

River was happy that Theresa could easily accept her as her brother’s mate and treat her as family. This was better treatment than she had received as a family member in the past twenty-one years of her life. She nodded to Theresa’s request.

“Okay, I will be there. I will just finish up here.”

“Good. I will have the maid bring in some snacks for you. Reading can be tiring. We have a big library in the packhouse. I will give you a tour of the house tomorrow.” Theresa said as she went out, closing the door behind her.

River sighed as she sat back on the floor. She began tidying up the room and packed the one she already read back in their satchels.

The maid brought in a cold jug of juice and snacks. River enjoyed the luxury and continued on her secret unraveling trip. She must finish up before the healer comes, maybe she could be of help too.

As she delved deeper into the diary, River discovered a hidden passage, encrypted within the pages. The passage revealed a shocking truth: River's wolfless-ness was actually a protection.

The diary revealed more, its secrets spilling onto the pages like blood from a wounded heart. Catherine had planned to reveal River's true heritage on her eighteenth birthday, freeing her from Cecilia's manipulation. But Cecilia's jealousy and insatiable desire for power had led to Catherine's tragic demise.

The final pages of the diary guided River through an ancient ceremony, detailing the invocation of the moon's power and the awakening of her inner wolf. The words danced across the page, imbuing River with a sense of purpose.

Under the full moon's light, River would call upon the ancient powers, embracing her wolf and unleashing her healing gifts. The prospect sent shivers down her spine, anticipation building within her.

Tears streamed down River's face as she turned the page, her heart aching with grief. A piece of paper slipped out, folded and worn. River's name was scribbled on the envelope in her mother's handwriting.

With trembling fingers, River opened the letter, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Dear River," the letter began.

"I write this to you in the hope that one day, you will understand the sacrifices I made for you. I chose to leave so that you could live. You are strong, brave, and loved. Never let anyone dim your light."

As River read on, her mother's words wrapped around her like a warm embrace, filling her with determination and courage. She would honor her mother's legacy, uncover the truth, and claim her rightful place in the pack. Cecilia and Raymond would face justice, and River would ensure her mother's love and sacrifices were never forgotten.

River's eyes lingered on the final entry, her mother's words etched in her mind like a solemn promise. "December 15th," the journal read, the date scribbled in faint, shaky script.

"I see the end approaching," Catherine wrote, her words laced with a sense of resignation and urgency. "Cecilia's smile haunts me. Raymond's indifference cripples me. My final wish: River's freedom, her happiness, and her safety."

The journal's final entry ended abruptly, leaving River with more questions than answers. The sudden silence was deafening, a stark reminder of her mother's tragic fate.

River's vision blurred as tears streamed down her face. She felt her mother's despair, her longing for a future River would never share. The weight of Catherine's secrets settled upon her, a mix of grief, determination, and purpose.

With trembling fingers, River closed the journal, the leather cover creaking softly. A newfound resolve burned within her. She would honor Catherine's final wish, no matter the cost. River vowed to uncover the truth behind her mother's death, to expose Cecilia's treachery, and to claim her rightful place in the werewolf world.

The journal's revelations ignited a fire within River. She would rise from the ashes of her family's dark past, forging a brighter future where love, loyalty, and truth triumphed. As she stood, journal clutched to her chest, River felt her mother's legacy stirring within her.

With a deep breath, River wiped away her tears. The time for mourning had passed; the time for action had begun. She would ensure Catherine's memory lived on, and her mother's final wish became her guiding light. River's journey toward justice, freedom, and happiness had just begun.

A small, intricately carved wooden box lay hidden among the books, its delicate patterns and symbols etched into the surface like a secret language. River's heart quickened as she carefully extracted the box from its hiding place.

The box itself was beautiful, adorned with motifs of the moon and wolves. River's fingers trembled as she lifted the lid, revealing a soft, velvet interior. Inside, a folded paper, a small key, and a miniature, golden locket lay nestled.

The paper unfolded to reveal a cryptic message scrawled in Catherine's handwriting:

"For River, when the time comes.”

The golden locket, engraved with the Luminari's crest, seemed to pulsate with a gentle warmth. River's fingers instinctively closed around it, feeling an inexplicable connection.

As River's fingers lifted the lid of the small, intricately carved box, a faint scent of lavender wafted out, carrying with it whispers of the past. The delicate lock's mechanism clicked open, revealing a treasure within.

A diary, bound in soft, moonlit-blue leather, lay nestled in the box's velvet-lined interior. Catherine's name, elegantly scripted on the cover, seemed to shimmer in the faint moonlight filtering through the attic.

River's heart skipped a beat as she gently lifted the diary, cradling it in her palms. The leather felt warm to the touch, as if infused with her mother's essence.

With reverent fingers, River opened the diary, releasing a whisper of pages. Catherine's handwriting, elegant and fluid, danced across the paper, sharing secrets, dreams, and stories.

As River's eyes scanned the pages, memories began to unfold. Catherine's words spoke of love, loss, and legacy. River's vision blurred, tears welling up as she read:

"To my dearest River,

I write these words, hoping you will find them when the time is right. You are the light of our pack, the future of our lineage. Never forget your heritage, or the love that binds us. This Luminari locket confirms you as the last Luminari heir.

Your journey will be fraught with challenges, but know that you are strong, brave, and loved. Akira will guide you, but trust your heart, for it holds the wisdom of our ancestors.

I will always be with you, in spirit and in love.

Yours eternally,

Catherine"

River's breath caught, her heart swelling with emotion. She felt her mother's presence, as if Catherine stood beside her, whispering words of encouragement.

As she delved deeper into the diary, River discovered hidden things about her mother’s side of the family and her own destiny, stories of past Luminari women and men and their exploits. The diary became a bridge between past and present, connecting River to her mother's love and rich legacy.

With each turned page, River's resolve strengthened. She would honor her mother's memory, and claim her rightful place among the Luminari. If only she could find a living Luminari, she would humbly learn from them. But, the books would have to play the roles of a text and master until then.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to River. Could the expected healer be a Luminari? She really hoped so.