Chapter 9: A Shaman's Answers

I couldn't believe that this was happening. That I was letting it happen. Leo Mortenson was about to kiss me and I wasn't stopping it. Was I delusional? Crazy? Most likely. And yet, I didn't care.

He was getting dangerously close. Whatever hatred we held was no match for a mate pull, and by Goddess, was it pulling.

"Leo–" I started, my eyes not breaking from his lips. His beautiful, plump—

Quickly, a snapping noise came from the forest, jerking both of our heads toward it. Leo stood and stared into the woods, waiting for someone to approach. Then another sound resounded, and he leaned forward, as if on guard.

"What is it?" I whispered, my senses on high alert.

No one ever came this far into the woods, and we both knew it.

Leo listened, and then sniffed the air. "I'm not getting anything. I'm going to check it out. Stay here," he instructed.

"What? No. No way. I'm not waiting around for someone to attack," I stated, standing and wiping the grass off my jeans. "I'm coming with you."

Leo stared. I knew his wolf was demanding I remain put, and probably feeling possessive over keeping me 'safe', but he knew it was best not to argue. I wouldn't stay put regardless.

He defeatedly nodded, but kept in front of me as we made our way back into the forest. The sounds grew louder—it almost sounded like someone growling. Then another snap. Leo stopped, causing me to almost walk directly into his back, and instinctively put an arm out behind him.

We listened, and the sounds of footsteps grew closer and closer. Leo lifted his nose and right after, his eyes shot open. He'd caught something just as the figure appeared between the trees right across from us.

"Leo! Holy sh*t, finally! Why'd you have to come out so fricken far?"

The younger of the men who had arrived at Nature Eclipse with Leo appeared, and put his hands on his knees to catch his breath; his strawberry blonde side swept hair bouncing as he bent over.

Leo's shoulders loosened and he removed his guard arm. When the man stood up straight again, he looked to Leo and then me.

"Nia," he breathed out, still rather heavily. "I haven't had a chance to come say hello, but it's great to see you again."

I furrowed my brows. "Sorry…" I began. "Do I know you?"

The man looked down at himself, and then back to me. "Have I changed that much?"

I squinted my eyes. Something seemed familiar about him. The way he carried himself…his gentle, yet wise demeanor…

No way. It couldn't be.

"Erylis?!" I beamed.

"In the flesh," he smiled, holding out his arms.

I rushed to him and wrapped my arms tightly around him, squeezing hard. Then I pulled back.

"I haven't seen you since…"

"...The last time we were out here together. The four of us," he continued for me. "I know, it's wild. Speaking of, how is Malissa?"

"As straightforward as ever," I smirked.

Erylis chuckled. "Of course she is."

Leo cleared his throat, bringing Erylis' attention back to him, and Erylis quickly switched back into professional mode.

"Oh, right!" Erylis started. "Sorry, I came here for a reason. Your father actually sent me. I guess the Moon Goddess works fast, but Tybalt works faster because the Shaman is ready. And he's waiting for you at his house."

***

Once we hit pack grounds again, we quickly went to the Shaman's house. It was a small cabin located on the east side of the Nature Eclipse territory, aside from the other bundle of homes.

Standing outside waiting were my father and the Shaman, who cut their conversation the moment they spotted us.

"Thank you, Erylis," my father said, bowing to him. He then turned his attention to me and Leo. "Come in."

The Shaman opened the door to his house, letting Leo and Erylis enter first. I started behind them, waiting for my father to stop me, but he didn't. I was surprised. I didn't expect to waltz in so easily, even if it was just to satiate my own budding curiosity.

The smell of incense and burning candles filled the minimal space, rushing instantly to my head. His walls were decorated with various tapestries, all in the colours of the Nature Eclipse pack: burgundy, brown and white. It was far more rustic than the homes most of the pack lived in, which were more modern than you'd think, but it looked exactly how I envisioned it.

"Come, please, sit," the Shaman stated, motioning to four chairs around a rectangular wooden table.

Erylis took a seat without hesitation while the Shaman sat at the head. I hesitantly took the third seat while my father gestured for Leo to take the spot beside me so he could keep a watchful eye over the proceedings.

The Shaman brought out Leo's journal and put it on the table, open to a specific page.

"Where did you find these markings?" the Shaman asked, jumping into it without hesitation.

He pointed to the hieroglyphics that Leo had mentioned previously to my father, but now that I was seeing it for the first time with my own eyes, it was absolutely stunning.

Both pages were filled with markings, each with their own special swirls and signatures that I could only imagine depicted the intonations and influxes of the native language. It amazed me that something so old could still exist somewhere out there.

"My father…he found them on a cave wall, under the Azure Mountains," Leo started. "Why? What does it say?"

"It's not what it says, young Alpha, that matters," the Shaman continued. "But what it evokes."

I turned to look at my father who stood propped against the wall behind us. His face was unreadable, sewn into straight lines and tense meanings. I had a feeling he already knew what the Shaman was talking about.

"I was worried about this," the Shaman said, clicking his tongue as he shook his head.

"Worried? About what?" Leo pressed.

The Shaman sighed and picked up the journal, and began reading the markings aloud: "Shadowed glory and treacherous knives destroy all who seek it. What is wronged will be made right. Her voice will shine again when the gem is in hand."

He closed the book and set it down on the table, looking expectantly at the three pairs of eyes who stared back at him.

"This cave your father found," the Shaman began. "It wasn't just any random cave. It was the tomb of the Ancient Alpha."