Luna Chiana POV
“The twins are coming, Luna Chiana. I fear that we do not have the equipment or means to ensure a safe delivery.” The midwife said as she examined me.
“Please, don’t tell the Alpha.” I pleaded. Sweat covered my face as another contraction wracked my body. “I need to go, there is a witch who can help.”
The midwife looked at me, fear and understanding warring in her eyes. “Go but tell no one precisely where you have gone. I will tell the Alpha only if he asks.”
I smiled as the contraction ended. “Thank you, Kesia.” I climbed from the bed and quickly grabbed a bag of clothing. Tristan, I sent a mindlink to my trusted friend. It’s time.
I’m already outside, Luna. Tristan replied.
I thanked Kesia once more and left the room. I had to pause twice on my way out of the packhouse due to contractions. I was grateful that the Alpha was away tonight. If he was here, I would never be able to leave. I reached Tristan’s car and clambered inside the passenger side, allowing him to close the door he had held for me.
“Where to, Luna?” He asked.
“Drive to the east.” I said, trying to be vague as Kesia suggested. “Leave me at the junction where the highway forks.”
“Are you sure that is wise Luna?” Tristan was a good friend and pack member, showing his concern for me.
“Yes, I have someone meeting me there.” I replied, gritting my teeth as another contraction hit. I wasn’t due for another month, but these children had decided tonight was the night. I stared at the blood moon as it hung over the trees. Such an ominous night to give birth. I reached into my bag and squeezed the stone the witch had given me. She had told me that she would know where I was as long as I held the stone in a tight grip, which was easy to achieve as each contraction wracked my body with pain.
We arrived quickly at the spot where I told Tristan to leave me. I watched as he reluctantly drove back to the pack. As soon as he was out of sight a car appeared beside me with the door open and waiting for me. I climbed in and grimaced as a new contraction pulsed through my body.
A gnarled hand covered my stomach as the car began to move. The pain subsided and I smiled at the old woman sitting in the driver’s seat. I was not surprised to see the vehicle was actually driving itself. “Thank you.” I said, quietly.
“Of course, dear.” Her voice was raspy with age. “That should keep them, and you, comfortable until we get to the cabin.”
I nodded and relaxed against the seat. The drive seemed to take only a few minutes, even though I knew the distance was quite far. The witch helped me from the car and guided me toward the cabin that stood in the middle of a clearing surrounded by pine trees. It was a single-story log cabin covered in a variety of plant life. We entered the cabin and I saw it was a single room building. There was a bed in one corner, the witch led me to it.
“I can’t take your bed. It will get so messy.” I exclaimed.
The witch gave a cackling laugh. “Dear, my magic can clean everything in moments. It will be fine.” She reassured me.
I sighed and lay on the bed as she directed. An hour later I had two small children tucked to my chest. They were sound asleep. I cried as I handed them to the witch. They could not come home with me, and the witch assured me they would be well cared for. I returned to my pack and prayed to the Moon Goddess that someday I would meet them again.
Rika POV
I looked at the forest around me. The wind whistled through the great pines and the sound of rushing water filled the air. I placed my hand upon the nearest tree and smiled as I felt the life force within the bark. A howl echoed around me, closer than ever. However, I felt no fear in these woods. I slowly walked between the trees toward the sound of the river.
I had made this walk nearly every day for the last month, and many times before. This was my dreamscape. For as far back as I can remember, I always wound up here when big things were happening in my life. Each birthday, each time I lost a tooth, and when my parents told Niko and I that we were adopted. This forest, and the serene beauty it held, was always there to calm me. I felt safe here as things were always the same. So, I was immensely surprised to find a wolf as white as snow sitting on the riverbank.
I looked closely at the wolf and took note of different features. The coat looked lush and soft, it was very white and seemed to glow under the moonlight. The wolf sat calmly as any dog would sit and was slightly taller than me. I am 6’ even in height, so for the wolf to be as tall as me, meant the animal was immense. I noticed a spot on the far side of the river that seemed darker than the rest of the bank. I saw a small twitch of motion that made me aware that there was another wolf on the far bank.
Niko POV
The wolf’s howl echoed around me as I gazed upward. Small slivers of star filled sky were visible through the branches of the pine trees. I sighed, sat up, and looked around at my surroundings. Once more I was in my dream forest. I could feel the wind course between the trees and hear the rush of a nearby river. I slowly stood and made my way toward the river. In all the times I had dreamt of this place, I had never felt the need to go to the river. But now, now I was drawn to the sound.
I stepped from between the trees and was met with a curious sight. A wolf as black as night sat upon the riverbank, staring straight at me. That was not as shocking as what I saw across the river, though. Across the river was my twin, and a white wolf that mirrored the black one before me.
I examined the wolf before me from head to tail. Sitting the beast was as tall as I was, which is impressive as I stand at 6’ 3” in height. The eyes that watched me were of the brightest blue, much like my own, and the wolf’s coat was solid black, allowing it to blend into the shadows on the river bank. I stood still and watched, wondering what it was going to do.
Rika POV
I saw my twin step from the forest across the river, his large frame illuminated by the moonlight above. I watched as he stood still, and the wolf began to approach him. At the same time, the wolf before me began to walk towards me. I felt no fear as the majestic creature came closer. The movements it made were fluid and graceful, especially for an animal of such size. My heart beat rapidly as the distance between us disappeared. I was in awe of the animal’s beauty and excitement was filling my veins.
Well, a voice as smooth as silk sounded in my mind, aren’t you excitable.
My heart leapt into my throat and my breath hitched. “Did… did you… did you just…” I couldn’t get the words out. I was in disbelief.
Yes, the voice returned, I did talk to you.
My jaw dropped as I stared at the wolf. “How?!” I exclaimed.
The voice chuckled, I am your wolf, my name is Taji. I am a blessing from the Moon Goddess. Wolf spirits are given to each werewolf child at birth and awakened when the child reaches maturity in her eyes. From what I understand that is around 16 human years of age.
I stared at the wolf, flabbergasted by her words and the matter-of-fact way she said them. “Wait, but I’m a human.” I replied.
Taji’s face turned into what looked like a grin, as close as a wolf could get to grinning that is. You are the human half of our shared body and soul. I am the wolf half. When needed, I can come forward and we will shift into a wolf, the one you see before you now.
I blinked and promptly fell on my ass. “Okay, but, if I’m a werewolf, then that means…” I let the thought trail off as I stared across the river to see my twin brother with the black wolf.
Niko POV
When the wolf stepped toward me, I stared into its eyes. I kept my heart calm and my breath steady, just as I would in sparring. The wolf stopped so close to me that his muzzle was inches from my face. “Why, hello.” I said nonchalantly.
Nice and firm I see. A deep baritone voice resounded in my mind. Strong and unbending.
“I’m not surprised you can talk; this is a dream after all.” I replied calmly.
The wolf revealed his teeth in what might be termed a grin on a human. This is not a dream, well not exactly. I raised an eyebrow at his statement. He huffed and continued. I am your wolf spirit, Motole. Gifted to you at birth by the Moon Goddess. I awakened tonight, on the day you reached maturity in the eyes of the Goddess.
I contemplated his words carefully. “So, you’re telling me that I am, what, a werewolf? Not a human.”
You are the human half of our shared soul and body. When you are in full control we are in your human form. When I am in full control, we are in my wolf form. His response was firm and commanding.
“Okay, but that means my twin over there,” I pointed to the other side of the river where my sister was on her butt and up close with the white wolf, “is also a werewolf.”
Indeed. As you are twins, we are as well. She is Taji, pure of spirit and serene of heart. I am Motole, brave of spirit and strong of heart. Our strengths are meant to complement your own. His voice held such strong conviction. It was hard to not believe him.
I nodded in understanding. “Well, then what comes next?”
When you wake you will find that you are much stronger than before. You will need to be mindful of how you use your strength. Humans do not know we exist, so we must be cautious of how we act around them.
I took a moment to think on his words. “That shouldn’t be too difficult. As a fighter I have always had to be careful of my strength.” I crossed my arms and just stared at Motole for a bit. “So, you’ll be in my head from now on?”
Yes, I will always be here to support you. He replied and laid down on the riverbank. I sat beside him and stared out over the water. I could see my twin was currently laying on her wolf. I smiled to myself. She was probably asking a million questions.
Rika POV
“Okay, so my twin and I are werewolves, that means at least one of our parents was a werewolf too, right?” I asked excitedly. Taji had given me the rundown of what it meant to be a werewolf.
Taji nodded her head as I looked at her. Correct.
“And as a werewolf I can shapeshift into your wolf form.” I stated, going back over our conversation.
Yes.
“What are we supposed to tell our parents? Can we even tell them we are werewolves? Would they still want us?” I was beginning to worry now. Our parents were amazing, they couldn‘t have kids of their own, so they adopted my brother and me. I didn’t want to keep secrets from them, but come on, who would believe we were werewolves?
Maybe you should come to terms with it first. Taji stated.
I sighed and laid my head back on her flank, staring up at the stars in the sky. “There is so much to learn!”
This night had been so full of new things that I wasn’t sure what to focus on. I began to relax my body and just let my mind drift as the events that transpired replayed in my head. It wasn’t too long before I felt my eyes growing heavy.
Rest now, my human. I’ll watch over us. The sound of Taji’s voice was the last thing I heard as true sleep claimed me.