26. The Mysterious Woman II

twenty-six

The Mysterious Woman II

*FLORA*

E lden’s birthday is the day after our finals, which makes it all so much better. More reason to celebrate. It was a tad stressful for me to organize everything on my own, and on such short notice. I didn’t want to bother Vincent, because he is the one with the most stress, concerning the finals. He also has to do some additional tests, because he missed so much of the school year.

Elden and I will go to the state college in town. While Elden easily could have gone to an ivy league school, it’s just not possible with the workload he is going to face. Jace and Janice will do the same, as for Vince, he just wants his high school diploma. He has studied excessively ever since they forced him back to school, so I hope he is going to pass all his exams. He is only doing this for Elden, and I highly respect him for it. It’s such a relief to know that Elden has someone in his corner.

You know we need someone like that, too, Celeste points out. A gamma.

I think of how our former gamma, Tobias, tried to have Luna Carolina’s back. He was always at her side. She clearly mattered more to him than the alpha did. I don’t want to know how much sooner her life would have crumbled if it weren’t for him constantly trying to save her.

You are right; we need to pick wisely, I say. Elden has his two betas now, so we don’t need to stress.

It will come to us naturally, Celeste says. We need someone loyal and trustworthy. They don’t need to be the strongest of all. But we need someone to put us first, as the luna.

Sounds like a tough job, I mutter.

It is, but it’s also a great honor, Celeste sits up proudly. We will know when we meet the right person. It will click, like it did between our hot mate and his beta.

I hope you are right, I reply. Say… don’t you find it weird that we haven’t visited that woman in our dreams anymore?

She visited me once, Celeste admits.

What? You never mentioned anything!

Sorry, I didn’t know what to say. But she sat with me for an hour and patted my head. She told me to be patient, and that she can feel my powers growing. I don’t know what that means, Flora.

Seems like she wanted a moment with you alone, I muse. There must be a reason for that.

I wonder why she never visited me again. I used to see her once a month in my dreams, but during the recent weeks she didn’t come to me anymore. I feel a twinge of pain in my chest. Before I can act on it in any way, I can feel strong arms being wrapped around me, and a sudden sense of calm settling around me.

“Elden,” I sigh dreamily, before turning around, jumping him and wrapping my legs around his middle and my arms around his neck.

“That’s how I love being greeted,” he grins. “Just by you, though. Just imagine if Vince or Jace greeted me that way.”

“If they did, I’d kick their asses,” I say. “I won’t let anyone snuggle up to you unless it’s me, or our future children.”

His smile grows. “When did you start family planning?”

“Well, I figured with such a hot mate, I’ll want to have lots of sex,” I tell him bluntly. “And I also want lots of children and a big family. My own one is so small.”

“I kind of feel the same,” he says.

“About the sex part or the children?”

He chuckles. “Both.”

He lets go of me, and I jump back to the ground, taking his hand. “I was thinking about the woman in my dreams,” I explain to him.

“Did she visit you again?”

“No, and that’s what’s pissing me off,” I admit.

“So, that’s why you felt sad.” Elden tilts his head, a thoughtful frown gracing his perfect face. “Why don’t you visit her instead?” he asks.

For a split second, I think he is joking, but his expression is too serious. “You mean it.”

“Yes, of course. If she can reach out to you, then there must be a connection between you.”

“You are right,” I mutter. “And if there is a connection, it goes both ways.”

“Grandma Hazel and Aunt Geneva did instruct you in meditation as well, didn’t they?” he asks. “Geneva worked a lot with me, so that I learn how to keep Regis in check.”

“Yes, they worked with me.” I beam. “I am going to try it tonight. You are staying over, aren’t you? Tomorrow is your birthday, and we have a lot of plans.”

“Do we?” he asks curiously. “I kept the day off like you said. Apparently, both Samuel and Dad were too scared of you to put anything in my schedule.”

I grin. “They know I will stop at nothing when it’s your birthday.”

“And you won’t tell me what you’ve planned?” he asks.

“No, it’s a surprise. Don’t worry, nothing crazy. I know you don’t like that.”

Elden squeezes me in his arms, and I laugh. I get a tighter grip of his hand and tug him home. “Come, Trixie came back from one of her travels and wants to hang out. It’s going to be fun.”

“I didn’t even know she was gone,” he admits.

“Don’t let her hear that,” I giggle. “She is often going off somewhere for days or weeks, but says she feels at home here.”

Indeed, when we arrive home Trixie is already fluttering around Grandma, curiously eyeing her while she makes apple pie. Grandma is completely in tune with her it seems, and it’s kind of cute. In a sudden burst of love for her, I hug her. Grandma chuckles and kisses the top of my head. “My little miracle,” she says with a smile.

“Hello, Hazel,” Elden greets her politely.

“Of course, you are here too,” she chuckles. “I am happy to see you, Elden. You were so busy recently.”

“Well, you know, the pack…”

“Yes, but don’t forget yourself in the process,” she tells him warmly. She has always liked him a lot and treated him like he was her grandson. It makes me so happy to see their interaction – my two most important people in the world getting along so well. “Sit down, the both of you and have some fresh cookies. The apple pie is for tomorrow.”

With Trixie fluttering around it’s not a particularly peaceful afternoon, but a fun one. I suggest playing a board game with her and Grandma. Elden agrees, although he isn’t big on gaming in any way. Grandma’s face lights up with joy to be able to spend the afternoon with us.

Once we retire to bed, I snuggle up against Elden. “I am going to try it,” I say.

“Do you need help?”

I shake my head. “No, I need to do this on my own.”

“Remember, you can do it. Be convinced you can.”

“I can do it,” I repeat. “Easy!”

You sound oddly confident for someone who never practiced this type of meditation, Celeste points out.

I know I can do it.

But how?

Watch me, I say. I snuggle deeper into Elden’s arms, noticing how much stronger his shoulders and chest have become. Wow! I can’t wait to dig my nails and teeth into him. Alright, focus, Flora. You have a task at hand. Devouring your mate comes when you are eighteen! For now, you have a mysterious woman to meet.

I can’t quite explain it.

The moment Elden reminded me that there was a connection, I realized it’s true. It’s so simple. Why did I never think of it myself? There is a bond I can feel to this unknown woman, like a bond I feel to Grandma and to Elden.

When I open my eyes, I am standing in the middle of a meadow. Celeste is right next to me, her fur sparkling under the moonlight. She is truly magical.

“I can’t believe it,” she says.

“I told you, easy-peasy.”

“But how? How were you so sure?”

“I knew I could do it, and the moment I realized I could do it, it just happened on its own.”

“That doesn’t make sense at all,” she mutters.

“It does to me,” I chuckle. “Come, Celeste, let’s find her!”

Celeste and I dash through the meadow, enjoying the way the flowers tickle our feet. Everything here is soft and warm, and safe. When we arrive at the small house, the woman steps outside, surprise all over her face. “You came here by yourself,” she says.

“Are you surprised?” I ask.

“I am,” she admits. “You are getting stronger. I didn’t expect you to make progress so fast.”

“Well, you met with Celeste, but neglected me,” I point out. “So, I came to see you.”

“Oh, my heart,” she smiles. “I came to Celeste because I felt her gifts getting stronger, and wanted to make sure she understood certain things. Not to hide anything from you. But there is a certain part in us that our human side can’t reach. And this part belongs to our wolf spirits only. It’s their conclave, the place they can retreat to.”

“I am not sure if I understand,” I admit.

“You have such a place, too,” she tells me. “A place Celeste can’t always follow you to. I wanted to guide her a little.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I am not jealous,” I say. “I just missed you.” I pause. “And I don’t understand why. You are real, aren’t you?”

“I am as real as you are,” she chuckles before taking my hand. “You have become so strong, my child.”

“I don’t feel any different, though,” I point out.

“But you are. You have become so confident and strong. Once your gifts awaken, I am sure you will master them. Never will there be a more powerful luna than you.”

“My ominous gifts,” I muse. “Elden mastered his.”

“I saw that he did,” she tells me. “I am very content with the progress he is making. He is going to be a worthy king one day. Probably the worthiest your world ever had.”

I stare at her curiously. “Just who are you?” I ask. “You are certainly not a shifter, but at the same time it feels like you are part of us. And I feel this connection to you.”

“On your birthday I will tell you everything,” she reassures me.

“Hm, haven’t heard that before,” I say, stretching slightly.

The woman looks amused and a tad bit guilty. “I know, I’ve been testing your patience for many years.” She tilts her head while she looks at me. Her eyes are deep, like I could actually get lost when looking into them. They are like the night sky and expand into eternity. Her facial features are soft and kind, beautiful to perfection, but there is also a certain strength to them. “You have come here all by yourself, by the sheer strength and will of your mind,” she mutters quietly. “Maybe it’s time to give you something in return.”

“What do you want to give me?” I ask curiously.

The woman takes my hand and pulls me closer, bending forward to whisper into my ear. “How about a name?”

“A name?”

“My name,” she clarifies.

My eyes widen. She has never answered any personal questions to me, but now finally she is telling me something of her own will. “Please,” I whisper.

She gently pats my head, before I can feel a well-known tug at me that is sending me back into the real world, back into Elden’s arms. She smiles warmly at me. “Ersa,” she says. “My name is Ersa.”