Flora’s P.O.V
“Is everything ready?” Ezra asked as she peeked her head through the door to the ceremonial hall.
The giant overhead chandelier scattered its golden light on her hair, making it glow and I wasn’t the only one who thought she looked beautiful as several giggles went around the room.
“Flower garlands are ready; the incent sticks are burning and the celebratory dinner is being prepared in the kitchen.” I listed off my completed duties to her as I went to greet her at the door. “Daphne finished cleaning everything this afternoon and Rosa is taking care of arranging the rooms for the soldiers.”
“She isn’t back yet?” Ezra looked a little concerned. “The soldiers are supposed to arrive in half an hour.”
“I’ll go ch-”
“I’m back!” Rosa called out before I could finish my sentence, as she came to stand next to Ezra. “Sorry I’m a little late.”
“You finished right on time. I’ll send word to Alpha Malachi that the preparations are complete.” Ezra gave her a smile and a pat on her head before heading off.
Rosa gave me a smile and a sigh of relief and then came to join me at the garland counter. “These look lovely!” She picked up a garland made of white and pink roses and carnations. “Did you make them?”
“I had help.” I smiled as I remembered the enthusiastic faces of my tiny helpers. Those little devil-angels usually flocked around Ezra, but they seemed to want to help me today. It might be the excitement of tonight’s feast that was making them jittery but I wasn’t complaining. Once I showed the children how to make a garland, everyone had followed the instruction to the T.
“That’s great,” Rosa gave me a bright smile, her big blue eyes sparkling in delight. She was shorter than me in stature but older in age by five years. Her strawberry blonde hair was cut short to her shoulders and they cascaded around her head in loose ringlets. She was a sweet girl but we didn’t interact as often for some reason.
“Well, I have to catch up on the dessert preparations,” she said to me now. “See you at the ceremony?”
“Yes, sure.” I gave her a welcoming smile and waved her goodbye as she headed out the door.
I was about to go off on my own when a call from behind halted me.
“Healer?”
I looked back at the familiar face of the soldier who had come to escort me to the wounded soldier yesterday.
“Yes?” I stepped closer to the door so I could talk to him. Men weren’t allowed inside the temple unless there was a special occasion, like the initiation ceremony tonight, but even then, only a select few men could enter. This temple was completely dedicated to the Goddess Selene and her devoted followers.
“The soldier from yesterday, whom you helped treat,” he said a bit hesitantly, as if I would have trouble remembering him.
“Yes, of course.” I told him encouragingly. “You came to get me yesterday, I remember. Is something the matter?”
He nodded his head urgently, making dark brown hair fall on top of sea blue eyes. “I’m his friend. I just went to visit him and he…seemed restless.”
“Restless?” I frowned. That didn’t sound good. I had healed up his would carefully, but was it possible I had overlooked any kind of internal bleeding? “Let’s go check on your friend.”
I told one of the other Lunar Maidens that I was heading to the infirmary before following the soldier to his friend. When I reached the ward, I found it empty of any caretakers. There was a soldier stationed a few feet away but there was no healer or nurse present, so I entered to check on the patient.
Just as his friend, Joshua, had described, the soldier was tossing and turning on his bed as if he was having a nightmare. He was also sweating profoundly, to the point where his shirt was soaked through. I told Joshua to help me change him into a new shirt while I opened up a few windows to let the cool air inside.
“I think he has a fever.” Joshua told me as he stepped back from his friend’s bed after having changed him.
“Oh?” I put a hand on his forehead to check and immediately removed it. “He’s burning up.”
And I didn’t even use it as a phrase. Joshua’s friend was literally burning up. His temperature was so high that it seemed impossible even in wolf standards. Also, werewolves rarely got sick. They would get sprains and wounds all the time but never have I seen a wolf with a fever. What was going on? Was his injury not healed properly?
Telling Joshua to get some ice, I took out the salves I had for the few humans that resided in Lindersay. I had a particular salve with mint and clove oil that helped reduce fevers for humans and I wanted to apply it on the soldier to work temporarily while I healed him. So, I applied the salve on his forehead and neck and then I used my powers to help reduce the fever by placing my hand on top of his chest.
Joshua came back about five minutes later and his fever still hadn’t gone down while I was losing energy. I was connected to Alpha Malachi via the Alpha-Healer bond, but I tried to use as little of his powers as possible. When it wasn’t working after ten whole minutes, I gave up.
“Can’t you use fever medicine on him?” Joshua asked hopefully.
“Wolves don’t get such high fevers, so I don’t have any on hand and the ones I use for humans is out.” I told him sadly. “I’ll need to get some from the forest outside after the ceremony.”
“But what if it’s too late after the ceremony?” Joshua urged, looking at his friend with longing in his eyes as he took his limp hand in both of his. “I’m scared for him.”
He loved him; I came to the sudden realization. The way he was looking at the injured soldier and they way he was getting worried about him told me that they were more than friends. Joshua loved him, but I couldn’t tell yet if the feeling was mutual.
I felt sorry for the soldier. He wasn’t the only one suffering, Joshua was too and I didn’t know how to help them. The herbs needed to treat him were found in a dangerous part of the jungle where rogues often frequented. Usually, at least ten highly trained soldiers escorted us to collect herbs from that area and they would use smoke bombs beforehand to ward off the rogue. But this soldier needed the herbs now and I couldn’t get any of those soldiers to come with me since everyone was busy preparing for the feast.
“I’ll come with you.” Joshua said suddenly, snapping my attention to him.
“Pardon?”
“I’ll escort you to the forest and get us back safely.” He looked at me with determination. “I’m training to be a special soldier. I’ll protect you.”
“Joshua, it’s very dangerous to go-” I tried to reason with him but he cut me off.
“Please! He needs help.”
I looked at the face of the fallen soldier and saw that Joshua was indeed right. His sweating was only getting worse, his shirt was once again soaked through and he was trembling like a leaf. He needed medication and he needed it fast. I couldn’t risk his health any longer.
“Alright.” I sighed. “Let’s go.”
The only thing I could hope for now was that we didn’t run into any kind of danger.
Flora’s P.O.VGetting past security was surprisingly easy.I don’t know if it’s because they were excited for the feast or something else was the matter, but security was low and even though the entire palace was buzzing with activity, we seemed to go unnoticed.Joshua looked thankful as we made it past the gates without any complaints. Although we were stopped by the guards, I explained to them that I needed herbs for the injured soldier and we were immediately allowed through, but with an extra guard. I felt relieved that now I had two escorts instead of one and both had guns to defend us in case any rogues were lingering in the woods.It was a ten minute walk to the destination where most herbs were found. It’s not that herbs didn’t grow near the castle, but with constant picking, the herbs had stopped growing as much near the castle and now, we had to walk further into the woods to get the necessary
Flora’s P.O.VEverything around me seemed to disappear, as if we were the only two people in the world. My heart was beating wildly inside my chest, but I didn’t understand why. I felt a pain in my chest, a strange kind of longing.The red took a step forward and I instinctively flinched back, making it halt with its paw mid-step. My eyes once again connected with the red rimmed gold of its iris and I saw confusion swirl in them.The wolf wasn’t just a rogue, but a powerful one. I could feel its strength by the way he held his body, even in wolf form. And the shove of power I got from him was very similar to Malachi’s…the power of an Alpha. But how could that be? How could an Alpha become a rogue?Suddenly, I saw flashes of images dance in front of my eyes.A red wolf chasing me across the forest. I was running away from it, as fast as I could. The sun was setting in the horizon but there was no s
“Ricky’s body was found near the patrol parameter half an hour ago.” Malachi looked down at the woods as he spoke; the world covered in a veil of darkness. “He’s dead. It looks like the Alpha got rid of the newbie.”“A Rogue Alpha?” Ezra looked puzzled and worried as she stood behind Malachi.It was unheard of, just as unheard of as the fact that rogues could now turn other wolves with a bite. Rogue killing rogues however, wasn’t a new phenomenon.But how did these rogues turn it into a disease? Or was the soldier already on the verge of becoming a rogue? There were too many questions and very little answers.“I had heard legends of them as a child.” Malachi said now as he turned to Ezra. “They were a myth no one wanted to believe in, especially the Moon Goddess. She always thought turning her back on the wolves who worshipped her would be the ultimate punishment, leading them to beco
Flora’s P.O.VA necklace? The heaviness felt like a pendant but I didn’t open my eyes until he whispered in my ears to open them. My hands instantly went to my throat as I felt the chain and then the pendant…It was a heart. The pendant was attached to a silver chain and the heart was a beautiful emerald green, with a touch of blue at the centre…the exact colour of my eyes. It looked impossibly beautiful…it was a symbol…Pendant…Emerald green…eyes…his eyes…Flora…“Thank you… I’ll cherish it forever.”Flora…“Flora?”Gasping, I sat up in bed, only to clutch my head as the world began to spin.“Easy, easy…” Soothing voice, calming hand on my shoulders.“Mercy?” I looked at the aged wolf in
Flora’s P.O.VI held the pendant in my hands two hours after I had found it and I couldn’t find it in me to let it go.I had taken a long, hot shower and was now dressed in a night gown in white as I sat on top of my soft, comfortable bed and looked at the pendant with unbroken focus, as if it could simply start talking and give me all the answers I was hoping for.The dream I had when I was unconscious…was it even a dream or was it a memory? If it was a memory…then why didn’t I remember more? Why didn’t I remember the face of the person who gave me this necklace?A heart shaped pendant symbolized love, right?I had a lover in my past? Was it someone I truly loved? Was it someone I couldn’t live without? Was it my mate?Were the speculations really true? Daphne and Emma had told me after I had woken up that there were a lot of speculations about my past. That a lot of rumors were g
Flora’s P.O.V“Mate.”Shocked gasps and whispers sounded from all around me but it felt like everything was so very far away.Did I hear him right? Are my ears ringing?But when I looked up into topaz eyes, I could see the shock and realization there as well. Andre was looking at me with his eyes wide, pupils’ dilated as the others in the room looked at us in wonder.Mate?Mate…The word, the concept…it all felt foreign…like I was hearing them for the first time. I had found my mate, right? Andre Saltzman…the general of the new recruit army…was my mate…But didn’t I feel anything?“What is your name, My Lady?” Andre came forward, almost invading my personal space before I hastily took a step back.The action made him and quite a few others frown but he didn’t comment. Instead he waited patiently for
Flora’s P.O.VEach gunshot felt like a bullet to my heart. Each wail of pain a knell.I turned away from the scene and briskly walked back to my room even as several of the maidens still stood at the tower balcony, almost like they were enjoying the killing.Yes, they were rogue wolves and yes, the troops were brought in for our protection…but this seemed like a slaughter.These rogues were once normal wolves. Friends and family of the people who had lived in Lindersay for centuries. How could Malachi allow this? Andre was supposed to scare them, not slaughter them!Malachi’s acceptance to this entire proposal by Andre seemed like a betrayal to me even though I had no reason to feel so. Everything about it felt morally wrong! The soldiers had been brought in to protect us! They weren’t supposed to go on a killing rampage! If they wanted to be violent like this…what difference did we have left with th
Flora’s P.O.VThe forest was dark and gloomier than I had ever seen it. The stench of blood and dust heavy in the air along with another, heavier note…gunpowder probably?I kept my pace slow and walked in a straight line, my bag clutched to my chest. There was nothing on me that I could defend myself with…no protection, no weapons. The only thing I had was faith.Rogues were supposed to have lost all humanity, but not common sense. They were skilled at fighting and sneak attacks, so wouldn’t it mean they could sense that I was a healer? Wouldn’t they understand that I wanted to help? But it was too late to question my decision now. I was already here…although I had no idea where I was going.Thunder roared at the horizon, followed by a blinding flash of lightning across the sky. I halted mid-step, covering my ears with my hands and pressing my lips together to stop myself from screaming. I didn&rsquo
Bonus Chapter 3:The Beginning of a Legend:Ezra’s P.O.V400 years ago…“Beta, we are ready for battle.”I looked at the soldiers who had lined up outside my tent; all muscular men who wore the stripes of blue paint on their cheeks to show loyalty to their pack. Their wolves were young, not even close to the age where they have to find their mate and yet, they looked at me unsurely.A beta? A woman? Their thoughts were so clear it felt like I could hear them as if they had spoken out loud. But that didn’t deter me from my path. It wasn’t the first time I had seen suspicion and doubt in their eyes and it certainly would not be the last time either.“Listen clearly and listen well.” I announced to the young wolves. “We go into battle with the Lindersay battle today and do not make the mistake of thi
Dorothy’s P.O.V3 years ago:“Fucking, Trevor!” I looked at my phone for the thousandth time. He was supposed to pick me up after class at 4PM, but it was past 4.30 and I had been calling and texting him for the last half hour to no avail.“What’s gonna be his excuse this time? Abducted by aliens or fell into a crater and ended up on the other end of the earth?” I hugged, flipping my dark hair behind my back.I could’ve asked Flora to pick me up, but she was busy frolicking with the future Alpha, out in the woods somewhere.Ever since the rogue attack, Flora and Clay have been inseparable and even though I didn’t admit it to Flora…I have been feeling a bit left out. And now, even my boyfriend was ghosting me.“Looks like I’ll be walking home after all.” I rolled my eyes and switched off my phone. If Trevor wasn’t going to answer m
Clay’s P.O.V“You have to calm down.” Riley told me as he placed a hand on my shoulders. “If you keep pacing like this, you’ll create a crater.”I gave him a nervous smile, not in the mood for jokes or laughter.Flora’s water had broken this morning at the crack of dawn and she had been in pain ever since. Mercy had told me that since she was birthing twins, the birth might be a difficult process. But now that I could hear Flora’s screams from outside the room, I wanted to break down the doors and reach for my mate, to erase the cause of her pain.Only, this time…the cause of her pain was our children.Twin births were very rare in wolves and the fact that we had only found out after six months of her pregnancy, it was a risk in itself.“Yeah…” I took a seat outside the birthing room, just so Riley and Dorothy wouldn’t
Flora’s P.O.VI held Clay’s hand tightly in mine as he brought the car to a stop on the road right outside our pack unit in the forest.Three years.Three years that felt like three whole lifetimes.Clay and I had been through so much together…been separated for two years and had to endure test after tests from the gods, just so we could be together.And now…we were finally back to where it all started, but not permanently.“What are we going to say to them?” I asked past the knot in my throat.“The truth.” Clay answered simply, giving my hand a light squeeze. “They deserve it after everything we put them through.”Clay was right; I realized suddenly.For us, the last three years had been filled with tests and tribulations, but for our family…our old pack…I was the one who ran away suddenly after my best friend turned out to be C
Flora’s P.O.V“This is excessive.” I told both Emma and Daphne as I looked at myself in the mirror.“No!” They both protested at the same time. “This is just perfect!”“But…but…it’s supposed to be a wedding dress,” I pointed out. “This looks like someone robbed a Queen!”“Today, you are no less than royalty,” Emma came forward to adjust the veil of my dress. “You deserve it, after everything you have been through. Besides, it’s pretty much your coronation to the position of the Shrine Maiden. So enjoy the spotlight girl and stop complaining!”I gave Emma a wide eyed look. “Since when are you so forward?”“This one’s been rubbing off on me.” Emma shrugged, pointing over her shoulder to a smirking Daphne.I sighed and looked back at my reflection in the full-sized mirror. The
Flora’s P.O.V“W-wh-at?” I stuttered.“You are our blood, Flora.” Malachi smiled at me like a loving father, his eyes glossed with unshed tears. “It was a knowing deep in my bones the instant I set eyes on you. We have been waiting centuries to find you.”I shook my head, trying to make sense of it all. “If you are my ancestor…that means…the Goddess…”“Yes,” they nodded. “You are the descendent of the Goddess as well. You are our grandchild’s child.”I shook my head in denial…but how could I deny the connection? I had always felt comfortable around Malachi and Ezra. I had always felt like they were my guardians, my blood. Now that they were saying that I was actually their blood…it did make sense, but at the same time, it seemed like a farfetched fairytale.“How is that even possible? My parents&hellip
Flora’s P.O.VCheers went all around the castle as we entered through the main doors.Mercy came rushing towards us along with four guards carrying a stretcher. Malachi was immediately escorted to the infirmary and Ezra went along with him.I saw almost all of the maidens rush toward the wolves that belonged to Clay’s pack. They turned to their human form to embrace their lost lovers and everyone started rejoicing all at once. I had never seen my friends, my sisters so happy. The entire castle felt vibrant, alive.“Come,” I took Clay’s hand in mine. “Let’s get out of here.”I brought him upstairs to the maiden’s quarters where my room was located and shut the door behind us. Clay’s wounds were healing faster now, but they might leave scars.I went to use my healing on him but Clay caught my hand. “Aren’t you going to see your packmates first?”
Flora’s P.O.V“We wish for Endymion to wake up.” I told her, shocking almost everyone around us.Goddess Artemis tilted her head to the side, studying me. “You wish for Endymion to wake up? Why?”“Because every time the Goddess Selene curses one of us wolves for rejecting the mating bond, it’s the pain that she herself has been suffering for centuries.” I explained. “Yes, she sees her lover every day, but he rests in an eternal slumber. She can never hear his voice again; never hear him tell her how much he loves her. We are vocal creatures and no matter how much a person shows us they love us…those three words can do so much more than just give us reassurance. Words. That’s why I want Endymion to wake up, so he can hold the Goddess in her arms and tell her from his own lips how much she means to him.”The Moon Goddesses looked at me in stunned silence. They hadn't e
Flora’s P.O.VThe figure of a woman appeared from the center of the column of light that stretched up straight to the sky.Clay was by my side in an instant, holding my hand in his as the winds swirled around us wildly. Thunder rumbled, lightning struck the land around the column of light and we moved back further to shield Malachi and Ezra from the flying debris.The war among the wolves had also come to a sudden halt and everyone was now looking at the column of light in fear and anticipation.And then the light disappeared, leaving behind a Goddess.Just like the Moon Goddess, Goddess Artemis stood taller than us by a few feet. Her skin was the color of ivory and it held a glow to it, like the blood inside her veins were illuminated. She had long dark brown hair that reached her mid-back and her eyes were a dark brown.She wore a white tunic with a short skirt that reached her knees and on her hand was a golden bow.