Awaken

Chapter 10

She held little Nicalette as Rosalie nursed Rosco. The baby's small breaths coming out in small wisps as Nova cooed her to sleep. She lifted her head, smiling at the sight of Rosalie with a baby at her breast, the peace on her friend's face apparent as the sun beamed in through a window over Mother and Son. Nova felt a small tug at her own abdomen, the slightest desire for another child of her own. She chuckled softly at the thought, now was nowhere near the time for her to be creating new life. But perhaps some day in the near future. That's when it hit her.

" Rosalie" she said softly, " I don't want you to come tonight. Rosco and Nicalette are too new, too little. If anything happened to you, I would never be able to forgive myself."

Rosalie smiled at her as she lifted her small son to her shoulder. " Don't be daft, Nova, I am coming with you. Joan has healed me from delivery, and Felix knows I need to do this. These two will be okay. I love Alaric as though he were my own, and I know you wouldn't hear of it if I tried to make you stay behind if our roles were reversed" she murmured, placing the baby next to his sister.

Rosalie let out a small sigh as she sat back down, stretching her arms over her head. Nova grinned, a suckling babe is a lot of work, let alone to handle two at the same time. She thought about how far her friend had come since being an Omega within the Onyx Lake Pack. So little was known about Rosalie, but she was a powerful woman and wolf and Nova was grateful to have her in her life.

She lifted her eyebrow at her friend. " I think you forget that I'm your Beta and Dia is older than Joan" Nova quipped.

Rosalie chuckled at her, shaking her head. " Be that as it may, Beta , Cora is older than both of us, and stronger. She knew you would try to persuade both of us to stay behind and handle this on your own."

Nova rolled her eyes and shook her head. " Great. Just tell me she doesn't have some lecture all prepared for me. I just don't want to see any more harm come to those I love. It's scary enough that we have to perform some ancient wolf ritual on my son. I have to think of my sister's unborn child and the one's you have here earthside!" she stated, her tone exasperated.

Rosalie raised her eyes at Nova. Normally soft spoken, this aggressive, anxious side was against the norm for her reserved friend.

" Take her for a run , Rosalie. Let myself and Dia out. She's struggling to embrace her inner Alpha. Fear that she is making the wrong choice is beginning to consume her most deepest thoughts, Dia told me. She doesn't want to say anything to Nova, we need to get through this ritual with Alaric first. But in order for her to be successful, we need to keep Nova calm and believing in herself and her abilities. They are much more powerful than she's seen yet." Joan's voice came through her mind and Rosalie nodded at her wolf's words.

She extended a hand as she stood, gesturing for Nova to join her. " Come on Beta, we are going for a run, let the girl's free, it'll feel amazing, and I think it's just what you need."

Nova peered at her, her teeth chewing her lower lip. Finally, she stood, taking the hand Rosalie held in her direction.

" Our sister is right, Nova. You need to let go, find your faith in self, Goddess and in me. A run will feel good, and you need to be reminded who you are. Who we are." Dia encouraged.

Nova nodded her head, linking her hand to Rosalie's. " Alright, Dia is pushing me as well. A run does sound nice anyway."

Rosalie smiled at her as they walked together from the nursery. " Perfect, glad you agree because you didn't have much choice anyway" she snickered.

Nova shook her head in response, standing by as Rosalie stopped to tell Felix what they were up to. She quickly mind linked with Maverick, telling him her plan and smiled as he told her to have fun and not to worry about a thing.

They walked out of the pack house and Nova lifted her head in the direction of the sun, feeling it's warmth on her face. To her surprise, Rosalie and Joan shifted in the middle of the road, instead of waiting until they were at the edge of town. Tattered clothing fell gently to the ground as Nova shook her head, smiling, Joan was such a glorious wolf, her fur glaring red in the high light of the sun. She was small but certainly authoritative and nudged Nova's leg with her muzzle, encouraging her to follow the lead. Nova grinned, and felt Dia push at her. She let go, and instantly saw the world through her wolves vision. Joan let out a satisfied grunt and the two wolves began trotting their way through the village.

Nova watched as Dia took large strides with her hefty white tipped paws. It was mid-day and the streets were bustling with people. Some stopped in their tracks to nod their heads in the direction of the two she-wolves. She felt a tinge of pride with each small bow. Dia bristled with satisfaction and Nova smiled to herself.

" We truly are a sight for them to see aren't we? A true black wolf strolling lazily through our humble streets" Nova said in wonder.

Dia huffed. " You forget that it has been decades now since anyone has lay eyes on a real Alpha, and we are female at that. We are what the people need, their rightful and true ruler, Novalynn. Not just me, you as well. You are the daughter of Darvis, and you are majestic in your own form. I know you are scared for our pup, but you saw yourself he is meant to be Alpha someday".

Nova nodded her head within the mind space. The experience Alaric and she had , it had been terrifying. But the beast within him was beautiful, even bigger than Dia and she owed it to her son to take back what was truly theirs. She just wished it would be easier than the path that lie ahead to do so. Up ahead, Joan began to break into a light run, and she felt Dia follow suit as they head toward the outer gate in the direction of the Forrest.

She allowed herself to sit back, watching the world through her wolf's vivid vision. They saw colors much more vibrant than a human ever could. All around her she could hear the slightest rustle of the brush, small animals scurrying by as Dia and Joan began to pick up speed. The scent of leaves and dirt grew grew heavier as they neared the edge of the wood.

Dia took the lead as the wolves broke into full speed run. Nova could feel every time massive paws touched ground and she giggled as Dia bumped lightly into the much smaller wolf, Joan growling in reply. They raced around, circling each other , Joan trying to pounce on her sister's big back while Dia played keep away.

" You are right, Dia. Alaric does deserve to fulfill his own destiny as King some day. But I fear I will fail him, I will fail all of you. I don't doubt that we can unseat Jagson. But whatever or whoever has their grip on my son, it's that which scares me most. What if the ritual doesn't work? What if something happens to my sister or Rosalie? What if the dark force blocks you out from me again?"

She felt the wolf slow down, and watched as Joan did the same. It always amazed her the two could communicate, much like they used to when they themselves were human.

Dia grunted and Nova watched as Joan strolled away further up the path. " I understand your fears, sweet one. But they are just that, fears. We were created for this exact time. You, me, Joan, Rosalie, Cora. It is all part of a greater plan. Joan and I are the only two humans I know of, who were given wolf essence. Selene saw us and chose us. We must trust in our Goddess, that for all that has happened and all that will come, there is a greater purpose. She has a plan." Dia said firmly.

Nova sighed. " I do believe in Selene and have faith in her decisions, but if anyone had told me that my family was part of some great prophecy or plan or legend, I would've never believed them. Sometimes it was much simpler being an Omega, a simple stable girl."

Dia stopped short, snarling at Nova's words. " WHAT IS THIS? IS THIS SELF PITY FOR BEING AN ALPHA?! YOU WOULD MUCH RATHER BE UNDER THAT MAN'S HAND THAN YOUR OWN?! YOU SHAME ME!"

Nova winced as Dia's words bellowed through their shared space. Though they came out in force, she could hear the pain and sadness behind them, and Nova instantly regretted her own choice of words.

" No, Dia, please, I'm sorry! It's just so much to take on, so many lives of the people I love are effected by this one choice I am making! I don't want to lose anyone !" she heard her self sob.

The wolf was quiet as she paced in a circle, and Nova could feel the internal tug of war her counter part was having. She watched as Joan came galloping in their direction, having heard the snarls. The two wolves touched heads and all was quiet for a moment.

She sat in the mind space, tears streaming down her cheeks as she held her head between her hands. The very last thing she had meant to do was upset her inner most part of herself, her wolf. Dia was right, not just Selene had chosen them all, but Amphitrite as well, and to doubt their intentions was a lack of faith in the higher being who had chosen this life for her. But still, her fears were there. If only she had some promise, some guarantee from the Goddess herself that all would be well, perhaps then she would be more confident in the choices she was making.

Lifting her head, she wiped her tears, and saw that Joan and Dia were sitting on their haunches, still talking between themselves. Though Rosalie was not her sister by blood, they were still connected and more than ever Nova wished they too could communicate in the mind space. She wished Cora were sitting right next to her. Maybe they should've brought her on this little run of theirs. Her twin knew her better than anyone else.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, the two wolves stood. Dia broke out into a wolf speed run and Nova wondered what was going on.

" Dia? I am sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm just afraid" she whispered to her wolf.

" Hush, sweet. I know you are. I am sorry for shouting at you so harshly, and I appreciate the words of apology. Joan and I have decided we need to tell Rosalie and you more of our own time as humans. Please, rest, enjoy the sights, it will be some time before we get to our destination" Dia replied softly.

Nova nodded her head, trusting her wolf fully. " Okay, thank you for this Dia. Thank you for guiding me and for forgiving me. "

Dia gave her a short huff in answer. " I am honored to be with you Novalynn. Just as Cora needed to know her own power, and Rosalie as well, I have failed you in telling you yours. We will send for Cora once we reach our stopping place. This is a conversation for all of you. Link Maverick, let him know you will be gone just a little while longer than expected." Dia instructed gently.

Nova did as she said, adjusting herself more comfortably within the mind space. They ran in silence. She watched as they went further and further into the thick woods. Birds chirping over as the sun peaked in through the leaves overhead. Her heart pattered as she ran her thoughts over what Dia had said, curious to know what more ability they could possibly have.