CHAPTER 10

I couldn't stop thinking about my dream and the words I heard. “Prepare yourself, Aurora. Your destiny awaits.” What did it mean? And how did it connect to the strange abilities I'd discovered yesterday?

Before I had time to think more about it, a gentle knock on my door broke my concentration. Selene peeked inside, her friendly smile a nice break from my troubling thoughts.

“Good morning, Aurora,” she said cheerfully. “I hope I'm not disturbing you?”

I shook my head and returned a small smile. What's up?

Selene's eyes sparkled with excitement. “Well, Zara and I were thinking… How would you like to join us for a girls' night tonight? Just the three of us, some wine, good food, and lots of girl talk.”

I hesitated. The offer was really appealing, but I still felt a bit cautious about fully trusting them. Selene seemed to pick up on my hesitation and said, “It would be really important to us if you joined. We'd enjoy the opportunity to become better friends with you.”

Before I could say anything, another person chimed in. “I think that's a fantastic idea,” Xander said, appearing behind Selene. His eyes met mine, filled with encouragement. “Building relationships within the pack is important, Aurora.”

Seeing their eager expressions, I nodded. “Okay” I said, “I will join you.”

That night, I found myself in Selene's living room. Zara was already there, filling the glasses with wine. As I sat down on a pillow, I felt a blend of anxiety and excitement.

“To us,” Selene toasted, raising her glass. Zara and I echoed the sentiment, the rich wine warming me from the inside out.

As the night went on, I felt more at ease than I had in a long time. We exchanged tales, laughed over pack gossip, and gradually, I started to talk about my history. To my surprise, instead of pity or disgust, I found understanding and support in their eyes.

“You know,” Selene said, refilling our glasses, “I struggled when I first came to the pack too. Being Beta Jaxon's mate, everyone had such high expectations. I felt like I was constantly falling short.”

I looked at her in surprise. Selene always seemed so confident, so at ease in her role. “How did you overcome it?” I asked.

She smiled softly. “Time, mostly. And realizing that I didn't have to be perfect. I just had to be myself.”

Zara nodded in agreement. “When I first became the pack healer, I made tons of mistakes. But as you grow, you learn, and you find your place.”

Their words really touched me, I felt more confident and ended up telling them about my dream.

As I spoke, I noticed Selene and Zara exchange a meaningful glance. Their eyes showed a mix of excitement and worry, which made me stop.

“What's going on?” I inquired. “Do you know anything about what's happening to me?”

Before they could answer, a loud group of howls came from the woods. The full moon run was beginning.

“We should join the pack,” Zara said, a bit too quickly. 

While we hurried to catch up with the rest, I couldn't help but think they were keeping something from me. Yet, the excitement of the upcoming run distracted me from those worries.

Shifting was easier this time, my body effortlessly transformed into my wolf. When we assembled at the forest's border, I sensed the pack watching me. My white fur appeared to shine under the moonlight, standing out.

Xander's black wolf appeared beside me, his presence reassuring. “Ready?” his voice echoed in my mind.

We all let out a loud howl and ran into the woods. The excitement of the race was amazing. My feet hardly hit the ground as I moved quickly between trees, jumped over small rivers, and climbed steep slopes without any trouble. I was surprised to find that I was running faster than even the strongest members of our group, keeping up with Xander, who was leading the way.

As we went back towards the pack grounds, I overheard some wolves saying…

“Did you see how fast she is?”

“Just like the stories…”

“The white wolf of legend…”

“It must be her,” one was saying. “The prophecy speaks of a white wolf with unprecedented abilities.”

“But if it's true,” another replied, “then dark times are ahead. The prophecy warns of great challenges…”

I'd heard enough. Spotting Selene and Zara nearby, I marched over to them, my patience worn thin.

“What aren't you telling me?” I demanded. “What's this prophecy everyone keeps whispering about?”

Selene and Zara exchanged another of those meaningful looks before Selene sighed. “Maybe we should tell you now,” she whispered gently. “Among werewolves, There's an ancient legend about a white wolf who is destined to change our world.”

Zara nodded, adding, “The legend speaks of a wolf with extraordinary powers, faster than the wind, stronger than the mountains. But it also warns of the great challenges this wolf will face.”

“And you think… you think I'm this legendary wolf?”

“We don't know for certain,” Selene said gently. “But the signs are hard to ignore.”

My mind was reeling. How could I, Aurora, the rejected wolf from a small, cruel pack, be some legendary figure of prophecy? It didn't make sense.

“There's more,” Zara said hesitantly. “Word of your existence is spreading. Other packs are beginning to talk.”

As if to confirm her words, we were interrupted by Beta Jaxon, his face grave. “Alpha Xander needs to see you immediately, Luna Aurora,” he said. “He's received a message from the High Alpha Council. They're requesting a meeting… about you.”

The High Alpha Council? The governing body of all werewolves, shrouded in mystery and power? Why would they be interested in me?

As I followed Jaxon to Xander's office, my mind was filled with everything I had just learned, and then a sudden, intense pain shot through my head. The surroundings around me disappeared, and I saw a quick succession of images:

A gloomy forest with trees that were dying. Wolves battling each other, with blood on the ground. A mysterious figure with bright red eyes, laughing while everything fell apart. And throughout it all, a feeling of terrible things about to happen, a threat that wasn't just to my pack, but to all werewolves.

The vision ended as fast as it started, leaving me breathless and confused. One thing was obvious—whatever future was waiting for me, whatever part this prophecy said I was supposed to play, it was more significant and risky than I could have ever thought.

When I stepped into Xander's office and saw the worry in his eyes, I braced myself.