53. Awakened

I woke late into that night the time almost midnight. My eyes fell on Zeld his light breathing making his chest rise and fall as his lungs filled with air. Carefully I crept out of bed so as not to wake him silently getting dressed and left the room. 

As I made my way through the silent house I found myself stepping outside the cold night air breeze making my hair sway. Almost as if in a trance I continued across the grounds silently passing the many tents that held my pack.

'They are a strong breed.'

'Yes I only hope they are strong enough for what is coming.'

'You doubt them?'

I sighed as I passed the last of the tents. my destination lay beyond the trees as I took one more look around the remnants of my birth pack.

'No I don't doubt them..... I doubt....myself.'

I continued on into the trees the smell of pine hitting my nose like I welcome home kiss. The call of nature getting stronger inside me as the chill night breeze blew past me. 

'Small one after everything that you have been through how can you still doubt your own strength?'

'It's not my strength I doubt.'

Caryi's voice was calm the sound relaxing as I walked through the trees.

'What is it that you doubt then?'

'My resolve.'

If we do this there is no turning back we will have broken the cycle. She is our flesh and blood she shares our bloodline. If we succeed we will be free yes but the others... my thoughts trailed off.

Knowing my thoughts even without saying them out loud Caryi answered.

'As a leader and alpha of the pack and of the other packs it is up to you to return peace. If it is a choice between that peace and your sister which would you choose?'

'It's not that simple Caryi.'

'It is that simple we are wolves the pack must always come first.'

'I know that.'

I stopped before the largest tree in the forest a massive oak that seemed out of place in amongst the forest of pines. As my eyes took in the shear size of it I smiled.

'What is this really about small one you have not had a problem with killing your flesh and blood before?'

Reaching out my hand I touched the bark of the tree the rough feel of it seeming to create warmth beneath my fingers. 

Closing my eyes I opened my mind to the tree, the essence within it pulsed. I followed that essence to its root as I followed it to the next tree. The roots from the oak intertwined with all the trees around it. 

'We're all connected.'

'Yes small one.'

My eyes snapped open as I snatched my hand back breaking the bond with the oak. I put my hands to my head shaking my head from side to side. 

"Rav?"

I spun around facing Zeld, the trance like state still shrouding me. Zeld eyes widen as he stared at me, I knew my eyes were glowing with power as was the crescent moon upon my brow. My voice when I spoke held an ominous air.

"We are all connected, fire, sky, earth and sea. When the four elements come together the power of a goddess shall be complete."

Turning I put my hand back on the tree summoning some of my own life essence I sent it into the tree to travel the trees connection with the others. 

"Rav?"

Zelds voice had me facing him once more.

"The seed is planted my fate is set prepare yourself Zeldius of the forest lakes wolves for tomorrow they come."

Zeld rushed forward his hands cupped my cheeks as he stared into my eyes.

"What do you mean your fate is set? Do you mean Shiya and the rest are attacking here tomorrow?"

I smiled may actions fueled by the strange trance that had taken over me. Slowly I touched my forehead where the crescent moon shined then touched his own. He could not see it but the same moon shined on his brow for just a second then disappeared. 

"What did you do?"

His voice was barely a whisper as the trance I was under slowly started to disappear I answered.

"Insurence."

He eyebrows were creased in confusion. my eyes lost all the foggyness as zelds face came into focus. I knew what I had done and I knew what I must do.

'This time we will not fail.'

I shook my head my mind a frenzy as everything became clear.

"Rav?"

I smile at him hiding my feelings.

"I'm alright Zeld."

Sighing he pulled me into his arms holding me so tight it was as if he feared I would disappear from his grasp.

"Zeld calm down I'm sorry I scared you."

Pulling back he again cupped my face worried etch in his features.

"Scared me? Rav what was that? What's happing to you?"

"It was something I had to do."

"Do what Rav? This isn't making any sense what did you do?"

I shook my head. What could I tell him? Knowing what I had planned would not help nor would it change what had to be done. Turning I looked at the large oak towering over us. One thing was for sure My very being was screaming at me that Luna planned to attack tomorrow night and that this tree was the key to saving us all. Regaining my composure I faced Zeld once again.

"Come on we must tell the others a battle is coming and we must be prepared."

I started to walk back when Zelds hand on my arm stopped me.

"Rav-"

"Zeld I can't tell you though there is something I can tell you but it must wait til we have met with the other alphas."

He held my arm refusing to let go as he glanced at the oak behind me.

"Rav I know you think that the fate of all werewolves is your burden to bare but you are not the moon goddess. The powers bequeathed to you are not your own just because Luna gave them to you does not mean that you must bare them alone. You have three packs worth of wolves ready to lay down their lives for this war why not let us help you."

He did not yet know that Luna was not the moon goddess and in fact that I was the reborn version of her but soon he will. It was time I told him the truth, told all of them the truth. If Luna was attacking tomorrow then that meant she was aware I knew exactly who she was the element of surprise was no longer possible. 

Stepping closer I brought my lips to his grateful for his words but I knew no matter what he said this was my burden to bare.

"Thank you Zeld for always being there for me your love has made me strong. Your belief in me is what keeps me going and I will always love you for that but yours words do not change the fact that this has been my burden to bare since the birth of all werewolves. I'm only sorry that I could not save any of you from this all those years ago."

Zelds eyes searched mine for understanding my words not making sense but they would soon enough. 

"Come you will understand soon."

Silently Zeld followed me back to the red paw packs grounds where our pack still lay asleep in their tents. 

"Wake the elders and the other alphas tell them to meet me in the mansions office. There is a story I must tell before we face Luna."

"Luna?! But-"

"Zeld please just trust me if you wish to know what I've been hiding from you then do as I ask."

Sighing he nodded.

"Very well."

I don't wait for him as I made my way back inside the mansion. Opening Damiens office I entered going to the window I stared out into the sky as I waited for the others to join me. 

'You have awakened?'

It was a rhetorical question but I answered anyway.

'Yes, I remember everything. What Ki told us was the truth. Luna is the reason I am cursed to live life after life. Never knowing happiness, never knowing the joy of returning to the force of nature. Each time I am reincarnated it ends with a battle between myself and her.'

'Our burden has been a long one.'

'You Caryi my partner my confidante my friend. The fact that you must share my curse is my biggest regret.'

'Don't small one I would have it no other way, we are one what you endure I will endure with you.'

'I thank you old friend I prey that this time we may both find the peace we have wanted for so many years.'

'A peace that has been far overdue small one we must not fail again.'

I gritted my teeth my resolve rebuilding itself along with my memories of each past life I had lived. 

'This time she dies.'