The Moonstone Wolf

CHAPTER 6- The Curse Revealed

ALORA

  I dressed in the black skinny jeans, large oversized black sweater, and my black combat boots that Morgana put on the chair for me. I tied my hair up in a messy bun as looked in the mirror, hardly recognizing the girl staring back at me. 

   “Here honey, come sit in front of the fire. Take this blanket and there’s some tea there for you. We need to talk about some things,” and I gladly accepted. A fire would feel really good right now. I feel so cold inside- and that’s saying something for a wolf.

   I took the mug of tea and the blanket, and closed my eyes to steady my racing heart, trying to push down the fresh memories to focus.

   “Okay you two, spill it. And start from the beginning.” I said without any expression on my face, staring at the flames dancing.

   “Now, I know you have questions and you deserve the answers, but you really need to trust me when I say that you will get them in time. But for right now, we need to move on to the next part of our plan,” my mom said seriously, changing into dry clothes as well.

   “But Esmane, Tristan can’t find us. I know he’s not that powerful,” Morgana replied.

   “But the curse is that powerful.  Plus, it’s not just Tristan I’m concerned about, it’s his wolf too.  I think they’re legacies- Kane’s legacies to be exact, and you know what that means.  But I have no clue what powers he really has and how powerful they are- but it’s not black magic,” my mom said in disbelief. 

   “Otherwise the amulet would have worked to protect her.  Oh, well s**t,” Morgana replied, her face growing pale after hearing the news.  

   What the hell are they talking about?  Curse?  What curse?  I couldn’t take not understanding it anymore, and I exploded on them.  “Well I for one have no friggin’ clue as to what just happened, or what HAS been happening for quite a while, apparently! So forgive me if I’m having a hard time believing anything you both are saying!  And someone answer me please what the HELL is wrong with me?! And what curse?  TELL ME NOW!” 

   My mom sighed heavily and sank to the chair opposite me.  I’ve seen her upset before, but never like this.  She seemed helpless and extremely worried.  “Honey, I need to tell you some things, and I just hope that you can understand why I did what I did. But I need to explain quickly, so please don’t interrupt and ask questions, please” my mom explained.  And explained she did.    

   She explained about the curse my kind of wolves have been under since the beginning when the Goddess created us.  How we’re descendants of a rare and powerful lineage on my grandmother’s side, the Moonstone wolves. About how our powers or gifts are usually manifested in their full potential when we turned 18, when our wolves also reveal their true markings which is a different eye color and black and shimmery pearl-white hair. 

   She was afraid that on the night of my birthday I would shift into my mature wolf and expose our family lineage, along with my powers. She suspected that the curse had somehow been triggered, possibly by Tristan, since his family is the one who originally cursed us back in the day.  It was primed to take full effect on my birthday, at midnight when I turned 18.

   “What is the curse, exactly?”, I asked, curious to find out what was so special about us that it happened.

   “From what I could research on my travels sweetheart,” Morgana answered, “your kind of wolf was created to be the protectors of all supernaturals.  When the Goddesses created their creatures, there were weaknesses and shortcomings with all of them, but with the werewolves specifically, they could only shift on the full moons.  They are weaker in their human forms of course, leaving them prey to other creatures and humans, and they were killed or enslaved mercilessly.  Your kind were made to have the ability to shift whenever you want, which is no big deal nowadays.  But, you also have special powers, unlike the rest of them.  Werewolves only have one, unless they’re ranked which in that case they have two.  Lycans usually have around two to three, and one more if they’re ranked as well.  Your mom just has a handful of powers we believe, she has alpha blood on one side of her family from your grandmother.  But you have all of them available to Alora, whenever you want because you come from two strong alpha bloodlines.  But your powers- they are what make you special.  And coveted.  It comes from the stone in your heart- a moonstone, enchanted by Selene herself.”

   “There was an Alpha of a werewolf pack that was especially cruel,” my mom took over explaining.  “He prided himself on killing most of the moonstone men unless they served him in war, and mated most of the moonstone women he captured to breed offspring.  But none of them produced any pups because he needed a Moonstone Luna of strong alpha blood to produce an heir that had all powers.  There is only one of those born every generation, and when he found her, rather than becoming his captive and allowing him to produce a powerful heir, she and her mate killed themselves.  He became enraged, and waged war against all the moonstones and placed a curse on your kind in case anyone escaped his wrath.  It was said he was successful in killing everyone off, but it’s obvious he wasn’t.  Soon, the lycans rose up against the werewolf pack and killed the evil alpha and ended his line, but obviously that was also inaccurate, therefore the curse was still in effect.  This evil werewolf was Kane’s ancestor, and apparently Tristan is related somehow.  And now you are the most powerful Moonstone, the only one aside from your mother, in existence,” she finished, looking at me apologetically.

   Holy. Crap. My mind was racing, trying to absorb all the explanations of my life these past 18 years. I had no idea how to take everything! Who my mother really is, where I come from, why we’re so different from anyone else. The room started spinning and I was thankful I was still sitting down, but also because I knew from now on my life would be in danger.

   Morgana left the room for a moment and came back with a backpack and duffle bag, and handed them to me.

   “What’s this?” I asked, looking at my mom.

   “Now, we have to tell you the hardest part my love- what we had to do to keep you safe,” she said, looking away from me with tears spilling down her cheeks again.  

   Wait. There’s MORE?!

   “The only way that we could think to keep you safe and hidden was to suppress your wolf and your powers. To make you more human with no scent so you can’t be tracked. So we can hide you.”

   I stopped rocking my chair at that point and wished the fire would swallow me whole.  

   So that’s what happened- they took away my abilities. 

   My wolf. 

   The only defense I had against Tristan, and they ‘suppressed’ her… But how?! Is that why she’s so far back in my mind?! Or because we were assaulted?! Or BOTH?!

   “We cast a spell,” Morgana frowned, replying almost as if she could read my thoughts. “It’s not permanent- only you can break it Ali. But if and when you do, you have to know that your powers will be awakened and so will your scent, and the curse will lead them to you. You will be left vulnerable and open to attack, along with those around you. So be very, very careful of when you decide to break it-there will be no hiding after that.”

   “So let me get this straight,” I answered, not making eye contact and rocking the chair faster.  “You guys did a spell… that took away my abilities… and left me completely vulnerable... Is that how I’m understanding this? YOU. LEFT. ME. WEAK. ON. PURPOSE?!” I seethed while the anger inside of me continued to build to the point of explosion for the second time tonight. 

   “AAAAAGGGHHH!!!!!!!!” I just stood up and screamed as loud as I possibly could, sending shockwaves through the small cottage.  POwerful enough to knock things off shelves, send pictures flying off the walls and dishes out of the cupboards.  Mom and Morgana just eyeballed each other and mouthed a silent ‘whoa’ to each other, eyes wide as I regained control of myself.

   “I know this doesn’t make a whole lot of sense right now, but believe me baby, it’s all I could think of to keep you safe,” my mom answered, walking gently toward me.

   “Safe? SAFE?!  Is that what you call the position you put me in?! How in the HELL do you reconcile that as ‘keeping me safe’?!” 

   “We didn’t anticipate anything like that to happen, sweetheart. I would as soon as die than to knowingly put you in that situation. I NEVER wanted that to happen, and I won’t forgive myself for that. I did the best I could and I f-failed you. Can you ever forgive me?” Her voice cracked with the heartache that was showing in her eyes, tears falling yet once again as she grabbed both of my hands in hers, pleading.

   “But,” Morgana interjected slowly, “we need to finish telling you some things kiddo. We’re not leaving you completely vulnerable without your powers. As long as you wear the crystal necklace your mom gave you, you will still have your slightly increased eyesight and hearing. Your other powers you might still be able to tap into somewhat and learn to use them at a very low level, but we’re not sure how strong they will be. You have a lot of learning to do.”

   “But how? If my wolf is gone- then how? Without her I’m just an ordinary human!” I exclaimed, feeling completely helpless and vulnerable.

   “We just suppressed her, Alora, not take her away completely.  She’s still there and you can still access her, she’ll just be more of an ‘inner voice’ so you don’t expose yourself. You may even still be able to let her surface somewhat- I don’t know. But I left you instructions in this journal,” my mom answered, pointing to the bags.  “How do you think I did it all these years? I learned, and everything I learned I wrote down for you. I have a feeling that you will be even more powerful than me, than anyone before us. Use this and grow from it.”

   “Esmane, Alora, it’s time to go,” Morgana said with a little panic to her voice as if she was sensing something. She put out the fire, picked up her bag and another bag to hand to my mom. I stood up and collected my things that they gave me, still trying to wrap my mind around everything.  

   “We have one more stop together before we say goodbye,” she said sadly, grabbing my hand to hold tightly.  

   And with that, Morgana lifted her hands again and we were transported away.

**SECONDS LATER**

   “Okay,” my mom said, turning to me once we landed, “you have a long bus ride to Crescent City. Now there’s several stops in between, so just make sure you get back on and get there. It’s a large human city and you should be able to blend in with no problems,” handing me a packet of papers and what looked like a bunch of money in a wallet.

   “Morgana and I managed to get you some money so you can buy supplies and get shelter. Just make sure you don’t spend it all because that’s all you have- so keep it hidden.” Our group of wolves mostly lived off the land and had very limited resources and money to purchase things in the nearest human town. I’m very thankful at this point for Morgana and my mom doing what they could to teach me everything they knew about the human world. I’m also used to being resourceful so this shouldn’t be too hard.

   “You’re going to look for a woman named Mrs. Linda when you get there- you will be staying with her.  Now she doesn’t know anything except that you need a place to live for your protection,” Morgana explained. 

   “Well Ali, this is where we say goodbye for the time being,” my mom announced in a broken voice and grabbed me to hug me hard. “I have been trying to train you and get you ready for this day- you are smart and determined and capable of handling any situation you’re in. Keep your guard up and your eyes and ears open. You can contact us if it’s an absolute emergency with this phone, but ONLY if it’s life and death emergency. Anything else risks all of us being exposed.” She handed me my phone with all the accessories I’d need.

   “And Alora, honey,” she added, grabbing my hands in her and looking me in my soul. “You will heal- all wounds do. The Moon Goddess understands and will help us, give us ways to work it out. But I promise you… your heart and soul will be whole again one day and these scars will not remain.  You’ll find a man who will love and cherish you has his most priceless treasure.”  All I could do in response was nod silently, hoping her words would come true one day. 

   “Wh- where are you guys going?” I asked, my voice faltering as I was trying to hold back my tears. I honestly didn’t think I still had water left in my body for more tears.  

   “Your mom and I will be around at different places. We have some research to do and some people to talk to, and we need more resources. We have to figure out what exactly is going on and come up with a way to keep us all safe permanently. We deserve to have a happy life- especially you sweetheart. That’s why we need to separate- the risk is too great for all of us to be together,” Morgana answered as she embraced me in a bone crushing hug.

   I pulled back a bit and asked “Keep her safe, okay?”

   “Who? Your mom?” She asked with a smirk and a raised eyebrow. “Honey, it’s more like your mom will take care of me. She’s the most competent and strong woman I know- with you being the second of course. But we’ll look out for each other, and for you too. Regardless of the distance.”

   “M-mom,I love you so much... pl-please st-stay s-safe,” as I grabbed and hugged her again, not wanting to let her go, trying to sob quietly. She just nodded silently- she couldn’t speak even though I knew she wanted to.

   “Okay, time to go’” she finally sighed and released me. “There’s a coat in the duffle if you need it-oh, and snacks and water. And remember my baby, you CAN DO THIS. You can do anything you set your mind to, and you are no one’s victim. Use this time to create the life that YOU want to live, sweetheart. You set your own terms, do what you’ve always wanted to do. There are no limitations you cannot overcome and learn to control your gifts. I love you sweetheart, and we’ll see each other again. I promise, okay?” 

   She and Morgana turned to walk back into the trees while I headed off toward the thing they called a bus.  I could feel them watching in the shadows, knowing that they’d keep their eyes on me until I was safely on board. 

   When I reached the counter, I handed the woman my ticket, then got on the bus.  I decided to sit as far back next to the window so I could see everyone that comes on board, then I settled in my seat and got comfortable.  I tried again to reach my wolf and I could feel she was doing better, so at least I could feel her now.  But hearing her voice would be so much better.

   I started to grow tired and realized this whole ordeal has taken a heavier toll on me than I thought. As my mind drifted into nothingness, the only thing I could think of was “Crescent City, here I come…”