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❝ Angels deliver fate to our doorstep and anywhere else it is needed .❞
- Jessi Adams
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Chapter 22
Avalynn Johnson

Gathering, mate, move, rejection, packs, threats, fire, kidnapping, kiss, battle, bite.

I woke up in deep water.

Confused by my surroundings, I swam up in the surface, gasping for air. I realized that I was in the water for quite sometime. Holding my throat, my neck still hurts from Benjamin's bite. Then, I checked my the place around me. It was all dark. The conditions around was unlike I have seen before. Plus, the aura felt different. It was like some surge of electricity went through me.

It was then I noticed that I was not in Nolan's territory. Or in mine whatsoever.

Eyes widening, I scrambled to my feet and got up. I couldn't see my parents, Mason, or Aiden. I was stuck in a different place and no one is here present with me.

Where the hell was I?

'Hey, are you there? Where are you?' I asked my wolf inside of me, yet, I didn't get a reply of some sort. It's odd how I'm all alone at this place.

'Speak to me, I am lost!' Where is she, goddamn it! I need her right now. I feel confused and scared at the same time.

As I perceived my surroundings, I noticed first of all, that the sky was unlike I have ever seen; it was completely different and distinct.

It was dawn and dark yet several colours were seen in the sky. It was like the heavens were painted like a galaxy. Dark yet, nebulas, indistinct bright stars glimmered with luminous force.

It was the most glorious night sky I have ever seen

Most of all, the moon was very close and stood out the most.

It was like I could touch it already. From a distance, I was amazed; greatly astonished, looking at the incandescent object. It shined bright, lighting up the dark sky across the crystal blue sea.

This place is wonderful; I couldn't help but admire the space.

It was like I was teleported to a different realm.

Yet, even if I was in such a beautiful paradise, I still felt lonely without my family. I also don't know how I got here in the first place.

Suddenly, I heard the galloping horses. It was loud, fast, and prominent. It terrifies me for I barely knew this place. Nothing came into my mind, instead, I stood up, and ran from where I stood, to the forest. I was running, hoping that I lose the person who is following me. Is it peculiar to say that I felt like they're coming for me?

I then heard the galloping of horses come closer.

Fearful of them advancing, I ran deeper, faster, and further into the forest. I thought that I got lucky enough to lose who or whatever has been chasing me, but, my luck soon ran out when I tripped on a large root.

Falling down, the impact clouded my mind, hazy. I did not realize that the fast movement of the horses were near me till they eventually ceased in front of me.

Someone jumped out from the two-wheeled, horse-drawn vehicle and sauntered over to me slowly. My eyes fell on the ground beneath me, I refuse to look up to the person that was after me.

I felt myself shake from fear with every step they took towards me. What do they want from me? Are they here to kill me? Closing my eyes completely, I thought, Oh goddess, please don't hurt me.

I then heard a voice.

"I won't hurt you my child."

What?

Opening my eyes, I looked up to see the most beautiful woman, besides my mother, that I had the pleasure to encounter. She was absolutely a magnificent creature, with long, white gown, and a luminous golden moon diadem. Her skin and mane, as pale as the moon, stood out gloriously.

She extended her hand to me, saying, "Rise my child. Stand like the risen moon."

I couldn't take my eyes off of her, and her soft, yet commanding voice had me obeying her demands. I took her hand and she pulled me up. I was confused and I needed answers. It was my turn to ask now.

"Who are you and what do you want from me?" I said, barely a whisper.

"I am known many things; the mother of wolves, queen of the night, goddess of dawn, and the very first Luna of the werewolf race."

When she said that, even a stupid mutt can figure it all out. She was indeed the moon goddess.

I knelt down by her feet, bowing my head, and said, "Queen Luna, it is such great honor to be in your presence."

She laughs. That gentle laugh that had the back of my hair standing. "Again, stand up my child, I am sure you are confused right now. And please, call me Selene."

I stood up and looked at her. "Yes, I am confused and a little overwhelmed. I just wanted to know how I got here, or if I had passed on from this world."

She placed her hand on me saying, "You are not dead, Avalynn. You still have a mission to carry out."

A mission?

"What mission?" I asked yet she just turned her back and ignored my question, saying, "Come along, dear. I have something to show you." My curiosity got the best of so I followed her. I stood beside her in the silver chariot whilst she smiles encouragingly. She then commands her white horses to move forward, controlling the rope to guide us. I watch as the chariot glided through the heavens and into the forest.

My face was probably filled with amazement. I never knew chariots can fly! The moon goddess was truly a powerful being.

It took me a few minutes to snap out of my bewildered state and realized that we were landing down. As the chariot's wheel lands gracefully on the clouds, I was surprised to see rocky ruins and an old, magnificent castle upfront.

I stepped down from the silver chariot and embraced myself for the cool wind of the clouds kissed my skin. The queen offered me an arm, so I held onto it while we walked. This place was magnificent for the moon was upclose. Closer than I have ever seen it before. And the place, it was filled with fog and air clouds.

As we walked in, she told me a lot about her and her realm. How she created everything. It was surprisimg how she told me these things.

Then, I saw a giant beast's silhouette not far from us. The moon reflected it's shadow, making it look intimidating. I don't know if I should be frightened or overawed because the creature made me feel safe inside.

I looked at the Luna, confused to what was happening. Yet, she just gave me a soft, comforting smile.

Then I looked back at the existing being, I didn't know when or how but it stepped out of the dark shadows, coming at me in full speed. I shake the moon goddess' arm in warning but she just goaded the creature to come forth.

Oh my goodness gracious, is she crazy or what?

Once it stepped out the darkness, my eyes widened. The creature looks familiar. It circled me, observing silently.

I let go of the queen's arm to scrutinize the creature. It was crouched in a defensive manner.

I then heard Selene's voice behind me saying,

"She's been waiting for you since you woke up in this realm. Don't you recognize her?" I could feel her smile behind my back and I could feel my heart pounding loudly at her words.

It took me a moment to process who it was, who this creature really is.

Then it hit me like a fucking truck. The creature jumped on me as well, licking my face.

It was my wolf.

I laughed lightheartedly as I fell to the ground. Her weight was quite heavy but she pounced on me in a playful way.

I never thought I'd see her like this, much less be separated with her. Still, I felt safe, happy, and carefree in her presence.

"Where have you been, my friend?" I said, patting her head. I just earned another another lick on the face from the action.

'I was waiting for you, my human.' She gave a wolfy grin, which by the way looked very weird in wolf form. It is bizarre how we are not joined together, physically. I have never heard or seen anything like this before.

"Well, she's stating the truth. She had been here since you woke up." Selene stated. It shocked me that she knew everything that's going on with my wolf and I. We can't hide anything from her for she'll just find out. I guess, she's too powerful that she controls everything in her domain. Especially, now that I am here.

Anyway, back to the topic, how did my wolf and I get separated? This is so confusing and perplexed for me to handle.

"I can read your mind, child. I know you are puzzled right now but you'll get the answers soon enough. Anyway, to answer your question, I decide who to bring in my realm, and when I choose who, their wolves separate from each other once they enter my domain." I looked at her.

"Yes, my sanctuary has magic surrounding the place because usually, wolves come here to my sanctuary as their home so they separate from their humans when they live in the after life or the spiritual realm."

It still doesn't answer why I am here. She told me that I have not passed on from my world.

"Okay, so let me get this straight." I pointed out, "I am not dead yet I am still here. Why?"

Selene just held her hands up and clouds started to form a circle. Inside, an image seemed to appear. An image of me sleeping to be specific. "Back on your world, you are in a comatose state." She pointed at the picture displayed, "Your body has not healed properly so you can't go back yet." The she whispered, "Plus, it will not go with my plans to put people through the test."

"What plans?" I asked. Plans to put people on the test?

She smiled, "You'll find out soon, dear." This is the second time she dodged my question. Sighing, I nodded. How is my mother and father coping up with me in that unresponsive state? I hope they don't stress themselves out for me.

I looked at my wolf saying, 'So, how are you? Did you listen to Selene? We are going to be here for quite sometime.'

'Yes, I know. It is not the right time for us to wake up because we need to heal first; body, mind, and soul.' She tells me.

We need to make us better and healthy again. So, I guess staying here, away from war, pain, and anxiety is the cure.

'But, I miss everyone. Surprisingly, I miss Nolan as well.' I said honestly, even though it was a little odd for me to say.

'I feel the same way. It is complicated but we'll work things out.' I think there's something my wolf hasn't said to me about Nolan.

'Do you think if we wake up, things will be fine again? Or will we be able to finally get our freedom and answers?' I asked her, wondering what's happening right now in both packs, and what will happen when I wake up.

'I'm not so sure but I hope so, Avalynn. I hope so.' She places her head on both paws.

+ + +

A few days have passed, I was enjoying this place. The moon goddess treated me with the utmost respect, which I did to her in return. Currently, we are outside her palace drinking tea, while my wolf rested beside me. We were just talking, chatting until Selene broke the ice and asked, "Avalynn, do you miss Nolan?"

I just sat there frozen.

Do I miss him? I didn't know but my heart is racing right now. I guess that's a fucking sign.

Oh god I do.

I have been thinking about him for the last few days. My heart beating loudly as I was dumbstrucked by her question. Why would she ask me that? I then heard my wolf howl beside me. I decided to lie, "Not at all, my queen."

She chuckled at me, "Now, don't you lie to me, my child. Remember, I know everything."

I sighed irritatedly. "If you do then why ask?"

She just continues to smile at me politely, not seeming to be offended in anyway.

"Fine, I do miss him. But to me, it's not going to workout between us. We aren't mated anymore and plus, I have a mark right here." I pointed to my neck.

She laughs again, saying, "What mark, child? Where?"

What do you mean, what mark? Everyone can see it since I have a giant mark displayed on my damn neck.

"Selene, it's here, look closer." I spoke, encouraging her to see it. Hell, I am pretty sure she knows what happened to me before I went here.

"Look again." She slyly smiles. You know what, her polite, cunning smiles are starting to creep me out.

I stood up from the chair and ran to the pond beside us. What is she talking about? I checked my reflection on the crystal water and noticed that the mark on my neck was missing.

Touching the skin of my neck, I spun around to face her. "What had happened to the mark?" I asked her with wide eyes.

"Don't tell me you don't want clean state." She spoke.

I immediately shook my head, "No, I do, it's just that, I was wondering how his mark was erased." Seeing as Nolan never marked me, I was curious of how the symbol of Benjamin's claim disappeared when no one even dared to replaced it!

"Simple. I erased it." She shrugs like it wasn't important.

"Why?" Why would she do that? Not that I mind though.

"His mark was never rightful to be placed on your neck. Plus, it violates everything I have planned." Huh? I was confused by her words.

"Well then, who is?"

"Nolan." She said, not looking at me.

What? I watched as my wolf stirred beside me.

"It can't be! We broke the bond." I said in disbelief.

"You never broke the bond with him. Just temporarily." Selene spoke fiercely. "You ask your bond breaker, he knows that you both are still mated." What? Why should I ask Rohan about this? Does he truly know about this?

"No! I refuse! He is not my mate." I could feel tears start to form around my eyes. "Why did you make him my mate? All he ever did was hurt me! Was it all part of your plan to put me in such an agonizing state?" I shouted. He made me suffer. Yes, even though he was still mean to me, I hate that I still love him.

It means, I hate everything that he did to me, yet, I still care for him. And now, it all makes sense now. The moon goddess is telling me that we are still mated and the fact that she erased my mark, says everything.

She is still pushing me towards Nolan.

"My child, it was never my intention to hurt you but it was all part of destiny. You both are made for each other." Selene spoke honestly. "You are correct about that idea. I did erase that mark on your neck so you can have your mate back. It was all part of my plan." Oh damn, I forgot she can read my mind.

'This is why I still care for him even when our bond was broken.' My wolf whispered.

'Perhaps you didn't hear that our bond was never broken after all. It was just a facade.' I told her angrily. So after all this time, I suffered all that pain for a fake bond breakage.

I refuse to this!

Even if I still have feelings for him, I have had enough. I am tired of the pain. I just want everything to be back to normal. Back to when I haven't met Nolan, back to when there was no war or threats.

"I am sorry, Selene. But I will have to disagree with you. I will not go back to Nolan. I have had enough pain." I spoke to her in an angry manner.

"It is fate, Avalynn! It is fate! You cannot run from your destiny." Her voice echoed on my mind.

I sure as hell can try. I thought.

I ran away from her until I reached the edge of the castle. I needed to get away from this place. When I looked down, I saw that there was crystal water below me. I forgot that the castle was above the clouds, across the heavens.

Basically, the castle was on top of the clouds. How will I escape now?

I took a deep breath and looked back at Selene. She was starring at me with such disappointment and sadness.

But I needed to get out of here. If there was one thing that could break me, it was probably Nolan.

But I create my own destiny.

Closing my eyes, I jumped from the clouded castle and I was falling. Falling away from the castle, away from my wolf, and away from Selene herself.

I was scared and everything seemed to be a slow motion moment for me. I watch as the moon goddess neared the edge of the clouds.

Then, before my very eyes, she started to fade. The puffy clouds beside me started to surround me like a whirlpool blanket.

Even though her figure was fading through thin air, I heard her voice in my head, and somehow, it left me confused and saddened.

~*~
I am sorry, my child, for the way that this is. The way I put you through these situations. Just know that this was part of my plan. Part of your destiny.

It was never my intention to put you through that kind of pain however, I knew that through that agony, you will be strong and reformed.

That in the end, everything will be okay and happy for you. Because you deserve it nonetheless.

I know you are confused right now but one day, you will look up to the sky and thank me for everything. Especially, for how things turned out. You will finally understand that everything I did, was for you. Keep that in mind, my child.
Farewell, Avalynn.

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L.E. 3.24.17 • 11:06 pm