Origins: Silver Mountain

Chapter Thirteen

Augustus

Judeah was alive. And my mate was right. He had been here this entire time. What a miracle he survived.

He chuckled, setting down the mug he was holding and leaning forward, scratching his chin.

"What happened after you left? Did you come here? Have you always known about this place?" Renée was firing off questions. Her eyebrows were furrowed and she looked pale, like she was speaking to a ghost. I could see her searching his face for some kind of answers.

"Give him time to answer, my love." I chuckled too. Renée sat back and pulled Apple closer to her. Apple squirmed, reaching up to grab her mom's nose. Renée loosened her grip on our daughter and she relaxed too.

"Yes, I have always known about this place. I had been developing the land for quite some time after I came to Silver Mountain. It was already abundant in natural resources. In fact, we never had to deal with many imported goods. I got everything from here."

"But how?" I assumed the mountain terrain and where it was situated wouldn't give us much, but hearing this ...

"This part of the mountain is special. The Moon Goddess herself said so."

"You've talked to her?" Renée held her breath.

"Yes. Many times."

"How often?"

"She hasn't appeared in years, but when I first stumbled upon Silver Mountain, she made me promise to take care of those who came to this mountain in search of refuge. She would appear from time to time while I was building the village that would become home to so many creatures in need. She is the one who told me to flee." He looked downward when he said the last part and spoke sadly, as if reliving the day Lukas had taken over.

"You did what was best." Renée attempted to be reassuring. He glanced up at her and gave her a sad smile.

"I guess. But now there is a chance to make right."

"What do you mean?" I frowned.

"Certainly you aren't planning to go to war with Lukas. People are terrified of him. His connections to the supernatural realm are well known." Renée looked at me with concern.

"Not at all. But your son--" he gestured toward Amitayus -- "... is a warrior. He has a fighting spirit. And he is a descendant of the Goddess." He saluted Amitayus, who held his chin up, almost in a knowing way. Renée raised her eyebrows at his response to Judeah.

"How ..."

"The Moon Goddess told me. It's set in stone. Your son is the key to gaining back our territory. In due time."

"Wait. She didn't say anything about that to us." Renée tried to whisper, but it came out louder than it needed to.

"Oh? She has visited you?"

"Yes, she has. She told us our twins were her children."

"Well, you should know you are raising a powerful pair. I do have just one suggestion."

"What is it?"

"That spring ... They should be baptized in it."

"Why?" I didn't question Judeah's judgement, but I was curious.

He inhaled deeply and a hush fell over the room. Suddenly, a tea kettle was floating in midair. I was more confused than anything. Renée watched as if she understood what was going on.

"You--"

"Yes, Renée. The spring holds special properties. It has awaken some sort of magic in my being. The Moon Goddess led me here and she makes no mistakes. For their safety, I think they should be baptized in the spring."

"Will it really be safe? We are aware that they possess some power, but is it safe for them if others find out? They're still so young--" I was hesitant.

"They know what to do. If you trust the Moon Goddess, baptize them."

"Right now?" Renée glanced at Amitayus, who was chewing my thumb. Apple giggled, grabbing everyone's attention.

"And what about our daughter?"

"Right now, tomorrow ... whenever you are ready. Just don't wait too long. As for your daughter, I'm afraid I don't have intel. She didn't mention her other than informing me of her power."

I could feel the disappointment from my mate through our bond.

"Let's do it." Renée stood. Judeah looked surprised, but stood as well.

I was still hesitant, but we followed Judeah back to the spring. The sun was beginning to set and casted a beautiful color onto the land. Renée and I stood side by side, holding the twins. Judeah said a few words in ancient werewolf speak. I only recognized some of it because of a class I had taken in grade school many years back.

Both of our pups were wide awake, observing their surroundings. Judeah reached for Amitayus first, holding him up and saying a prayer to the Moon Goddess before dipping him into the spring. Amitayus was surprisingly calm as he was held under the water for a split second. Judeah pulled him up and passed him back to Renée, who held him close, placing a kiss on his left temple. Apple was next. She whimpered as Judeah peeled her from my arms.

He did the same thing. Apple's little feet kicked as he held her in the air and prayed. But then Judeah bought her down to mert his gaze. She cooed. He said a single word in the ancient language that only she seemed to understand. Her smile faded and she let out a little sigh. Renée and I glanced at one another. He lifted her again, then dipped her in the spring. When he bought her up, she held her eyes closed and wiped her face with her tiny hands. Her eyes opened and landed on me. She smiled. Judeah handed her to me and said another prayer over the twins.

"We should be heading back." Renée began walking back toward the cottage. I nodded, walking alongside Judeah.

"We will visit again soon." I grabbed our stuff from Judeah's living room. He walked us out.

"See you soon, my friends." He smiled and waved.

The sun was now set, so it would be easier to sneak back into town.

"I'll shift first and squeeze through. You can pass the twins to me." I shifted and my wolf made it out of the small opening. I quickly shifted back, grabbing my clothes up and putting them on. Renée handed over Amitayus and then Apple. The twins were falling asleep and I gently rocked them while I waited for Renée. She placed her clothes out and then her wolf wriggled through, shaking her tail. She shifted back and I respectfully admired her frame. She hurriedly dressed herself, looking up at me.

"What?" She raised a brow. I shook my head and gave her a playful grin. She rolled her eyes.

We each wrapped one of our twins up against our chests and began our walk back.

The shock of Judeah being alive hadn't worn off yet. This could be the start of great change.