The Luna's Gift

Chapter Five: The First

                                                                                            Stella

    I awoke much earlier than anticipated. The sun had not yet risen but peeked over the mountain top in the distance. Elias was sound asleep in his crib beside me, which was a rarity. Vivid dreams came to me last night, ones that spoke of my future and what I was meant to do. This gift that I have accepted was even bigger than I could have imagined. By now, the gift that the Moon Goddess bestowed on me had traveled around to every known pack in the world, letting enemies know just the same.

    The Moon Goddess also came to me in a dream, shortly after bearing the vivid dreams of what lies ahead. I had my first mission as the anchor. It wasn’t exactly like I thought it would be, though I don’t really know what I expected. All I can see is the faces of those I am to mate. It is my job to mark them as mates only after seeing if they have the potential to be together. I know where to find them, what to look for, and am rewarded with what they think of each other, though they have never met before.

    My first match to mate was two vampires. Their stories come to me in spurts, but over time it is easier it make out. The guy was Athan, a dark, self-centered vampire who has wasted away his existence the moment he was turned. From the vision of him, I could see his dark shoulder-length hair flowing around his face, a face that was hard to forget. He had an oval-shaped face, deep set eyes, chiseled jaw, dimpled cheeks to die for, and a short scruffy beard that gave off a high warning alert when you took one glance at him. The woman’s name was Dawn. Dawn was the exact opposite of Athan. She was proud to be a vampire, happy about it from the moment she was turned. The only thing that Dawn despised about being a vampire was the fact of drinking blood. Otherwise, she loved her fast speed, her ability to tell what others thought and intimidate those like she was once intimidated so easily. She had a heart-shaped face with a blonde pixie haircut. I personally wasn’t a huge fan of short hair on women, but Dawn sure as hell made it look easy. Her eyes were an almond shape, her nose was distinctive, she had a strong jawline, and her thin lips were pressed together as if deep in thought. Dawn wore no makeup. I see why too, because she was a natural beauty, even as a vampire. Her skin might have been pale, but she seemed not to let that stop her in the looks department.

    I was up and out of bed, taking a quick shower and dressing before even Jake woke, which was another rarity. Somehow, I couldn’t wait to start this day. I already knew what my potentials looked like. Now, the question would be how I got them together. Because I was centered on Earth, unlike the Moon Goddess, I had to rely on my feet to bring them together, not my mind or pull. I had to do this the hard way, but I graciously accepted the challenge that awaited me. One good thing about being an anchor so far was that I had enough to go off on to do a locator spell. Who needs mind manipulation or pull when you have magic? My magic has come a long way from what it used to be, thanks to the help of Savannah. I used to only be able to do locator spells using an item that directly belonged to the person I was trying to find. I physically had to be able to hold it in my hand, but Savannah helped me to imagine it rather than touch it. Thanks to her, finding my potentials would be a hell of a lot easier.

    After tracking Athan first, I found him a few hours away in a small town, drinking his dull life away, and I don’t mean drinking alcohol. Dawn was closer, just an hour from our packhouse by foot, secluded in the woods by herself. I didn’t want to wake Jake because I knew he would be too worried about me leaving on my own. After speaking with Isabel, she agreed to take Elias for a few days while I traveled. After jotting down a quick letter to Jake, I laid it on his desk, ensuring it would be the first thing he saw. He would still be able to reach me through our mind link if he needed to, but I knew he would send some of his Hunters with me if I woke him now. This was my mission and something I had to do alone. I wouldn’t jeopardize the safety of anyone in our pack until I knew what I was up against.

    Vampires and werewolves have been natural enemies for centuries. I knew this would be tricky and hard to pull off without them attacking the moment they smelt me. At least I would have some time to think about it. I gathered my things, placed them in a backpack, and made my way outside.

    The second I reached the pack gate, I noticed two familiar faces I hadn’t seen in months. Savannah and Dorian were standing by the gate, smiling at me like I was their favorite person in the world.

    “What are you doing here?” I said, running to Savannah for a hug. She opened her arms up to me instantly, our bodies crashing against one another. Savannah was amazing, and I could feel her love the instant her arms wrapped around me.

    She pulled away from me, keeping me at arm’s length to give me a quick look over. “My, my Stella. You look fantastic. I see being a mother hasn’t slowed you down one bit.”

    Dorian joined us, admiring his mate even now. “Hello, Stella,” he welcomed me, pulling me in for a hug too. “It has been too long.”

    “Yes, it has. What are you guys doing here?”

    “Well,” Savannah started, nudging Dorian. “The strangest thing happened. I got this feeling that you needed our help, and well, here we are. So, tell me what is so important that it has you sneaking out of the packhouse before anyone else wakes up.”

    I was caught. Great. “The Moon Goddess has officially given me the gift as of yesterday. My first potentials came to me in a dream I had. I’m on my way to see if I can work some mating magic.”

    She smirked at me, seeing what I was hiding without even saying a word. “And you thought if you snuck out of the house, you wouldn’t have to answer to your mate? You know that he only sends those goons with you because he wants to keep you safe.”

    “Yeah, that’s what he says too, but I don’t like it. I am a big girl. I can handle myself, but I will never be able to prove that to him so long as he keeps trying to protect me. I love him for it, I really do, but this was something the Moon Goddess gave to me because only I could do it. Sending those Hunters with me will only cause problems, and they will only slow me down. They are needed more so here than with me.”

    “What about me then?” Dorian asked, stepping side by side with Savannah. “Is your first potentials vampires?” I nodded my head. “Then, I’m sure I can be of some assistance. The vampires will want to attack you the second they catch your scent. Maybe if I come along, I can tell them the story from my perspective, seeing as Savannah and I are together because of you. Come on, Stella. What do you say?”

    Honestly, it wasn’t a bad idea. Dorian could be like a mediator of some kind. I wasn’t entirely thrilled about getting help on this one, but being as it is my first, I should get some assistance. “Sure, but I am leading this trip.”

    Dorian shrugged. “You are the boss, Luna,” he said, brushing past me and walking back around to his mate. “I’ll see you when I get back. Keep the light on for me.”

    “Oh, stop it!” Savannah giggled as he picked her up in his arms and spun her around before giving her a quick but sweet kiss. “You two be careful and call out to either Jake or me if you need anything. Don’t worry, Stella, I will calm him down once he wakes. Is Elias still asleep?”

    “Yes. Isabel is supposed to take him once he wakes, but if you would rather….”

    “It’s a done deal, Stella. That little pup is mine until you get back.”

    We said our goodbyes and were out the gate by the time the sun completely rose in the clear blue sky. We weren’t just twenty minutes outside the pack borders before Jake was mind linking me, demanding that I come back home. Instead of answering like any good mate would do, I put a block up. Jake still didn’t understand the basis of what it was that I had to do, but I would show him that I didn’t need babysitters with me. I wanted him to see what his mate was capable of doing and trust me always to do what I feel is right.

    Dorian was silent most of the way. I liked that he didn’t ask questions or wasn’t pestering me about my decision to do this alone. As far as I knew, Dorian cared for me a lot, like a little sister. As promised, he let me lead the way and followed my directions without remarks. It wasn’t long before we were stalking up to a lonely cabin in the woods, fresh blood surrounding all around us.

    “It is your call, but I think it’s probably best if I approach first, Stella. This vampire is either enjoying a meal or has recently enjoyed a meal. Either way, she will be more predatory than ever. If another vampire seeks her out, she will not be as likely to strike.”

    “Agreed.”

    I watched as Dorian nodded his head and took off toward the cabin doors slowly. He knocked and waited, being slow and calculated on purpose. We wanted this vampire to know that he was not a threat of any kind.

    When the door swung open, there Dawn stood, fresh blood oozing out the corners of her mouth. I recognized her instantly from my dream. Wow, she was even more gorgeous in person. It was surreal seeing her standing there, knowing that this strange dream I had was not a dream at all but more like a vision.

    “Who are you, and what do you want?”

    Dorian used his charm, placing both hands on the side of the door, and leaned into her. “To talk, of course.”

    Dawn smirked as if she were falling into the trap as other countless vampires probably had until he met his mate. She leaned in, wiping the blood from her mouth. “Do you think that I am stupid, traitor? I can smell that f*****g wolf with you a mile away.” In a blur, she grabbed Dorian quickly, tossing him around, so she had her arms squeezed around his throat and his back to her. “Show yourself, little wolf, or else he dies.”

    Well, I would say this wasn’t how I expected this to go. Without giving it a thought, I emerged from my place behind a tree and stepped closer. I guess we would get to see what this anchor business was all about because Dawn did not look happy to see me.