Chapter 18

Standing at the base of Moira's tower my cloak tightly wrapped around my body to keep me warm, I question if coming here is a good idea. The moon stone necklace hanging around my neck feels warm, the magic inside it pulsating in time to the magic coming from the tower. The wind blows gently across the bare tree tops, the sun warm and bright making the white snow blinding to look at. I know I should head inside, to seek Moira out and ask for her help but I am hesitant to do so.

"You'll freeze if you keep standing there like that." I jump in fright and whirl around to see none other than Moira standing behind me, a fluffy winter coat covering the top half of her body with a matching black knitted toque making her appear like a burned marshmallow. A basket in her arms with the scent of herbs tells me she has just retuned from the forest, her piercing violet eyes holding slight amusement in them.

"Sorry, I was actually here looking for you." I stutter out, stepping to the side to allow the Witch to pass by. She chuckles, waving her hand as the wooden door opens, the warm scent of cinnamon and fire tempting me to go inside.

"I had a feeling you would soon come find me Isabella. Come in for some tea and a cinnamon roll and we can talk." Moira suggests, motioning me inside. I smile, the idea of a cinnamon roll tempting me further as I step into the tower, the Witch following behind me.

I have never been inside the tower before, always afraid of Moira as Witches do have a bad name in the supernatural world. They blend in with humans, using their charm to gain an income from reading fortunes to selling potions of all kinds. Many people know them as Gypsies, their ancestors traveled around selling their wares and stories for centuries while gathering materials for their spells until colonization brought them to the Americas. From there, they soon found a new niche in life becoming apothecaries and creating remedies until dark witches soon come into light, their distain for the fact humans controlled the world and causing the Salem Witch hunt. Many people lost their lives during this time, not just Witches but Humans, Vampires, Wolves and Fae as well.

Stepping into the tower, the first thing I notice is the small kitchen to the right, the fresh cinnamon rolls mentioned sitting on the counter with steam still coming off of them. They are covered by what looks like cream cheese frosting and I can feel my mouth salivating. I love cinnamon rolls. To the left is a large fireplace, flames roaring inside it with logs of pine wood crackling as they burn. In front of the fireplace is a love seat with an armchair on either side. It feels so homey inside, so welcoming and inviting as I take a few more steps into the room, noticing the small dining table under a large bay window I never noticed that looks into a green house.

"Your father had the wolves build me a green house when the snow started falling to help maintain my herbs." Moira explains chuckling, playfully bumping her shoulder into mine. Feeling guilty, I look away from the green house view to find a pair of stairs that leads up the tower, wondering just what the other three floors are used for, but I know better than to pry into an Ancient Witch's business.

"Take a seat Isabella, I will bring you a cinnamon roll and a cup of tea before we get to chatting." Moira chuckles out, walking towards the kitchen while I hesitate before taking my cloak off and hanging it on the coat wrack before settling myself into the comfortable armchair. The fire warms me, the scent of pine relaxing me as I wonder if Moira is lonely.

"Here you go hun." Her voice calls out beside me as she settles a tray into the coffee table before us, handing me a plate with a cinnamon roll covered in the frosting.

"Thank you." I sheepishly say, using the fork provided to cut a small piece off and taste her treat. My eyes widen in shock as the explosion of cinnamon, sugar and the sweet tangy cream cheese frosting melt in my tongue. To say this is the best damn cinnamon roll I have ever had would be an understatement.

"I think I need to visit more with how amazing this taste!" I exclaim, getting another chuckle from the Witch.

"Well, if you continue to visit me then I will continue to make these for you." She offers, her smile lighting up her face. What ever unease I felt is now gone as I find myself fully relaxed in Moira's presence.

"So what brought you to my tower?" After a moment of comfortable silence with the two of us enjoying our treat, Moira breaks is by asking me this question. I sigh, placing my nearly empty cup of tea on the table before turning to look at the fire and collect my thoughts.

"Two things actually brought me here." I answer, fidgeting with the hem of my shirt as I turn to face the Witch.

"I want to gain full control over my powers and I want to permanently mark someone that isn't my soul mate." A look of understanding crosses her face as I state my intentions, her own gaze turning to look outside the small window over the kitchen sink.

"The fist part will be a little tricky." She begins to explain, capturing my attention.

"Because of how powerful your powers are, you are feared which in turns make you fear your own self." Moira continues, returning her purple gaze to me. I want to refute her, to say that she is wrong and that I do not fear my powers at all, but I know she is right.

Growing up there would be storms of all kinds because of my mood, my parents always telling me to control my emotions and prevent anymore harm coming to our pack. I remember feeling so isolated and alone because of the looks I would receive from those who were injured during a storm I caused. Even now there are a few that whisper about the never ending snow fall I caused and how they plan to leave if it doesn't end. There are only a handful of pack mates that treat me normally and not like some monster in the pack.

"How do I control them then?" I ask, wanting to change and no longer fear myself.

"This is where it will be easier said then done. You need to accept and love yourself." Moira answers, reaching out to take my hand. I can feel the sincerity of her words, feel the care she has for me and wonder why I ever feared her. I can tell that Moira accepts me for who I am, see the love in her eyes. She is right again. Ever since the death of my brother I have always blamed myself, always accepted that I was never good enough. I could have saved him had I not been so scared of my powers, could have defeated the Shadow that killed him with a silver bullet. Tears stream down my face as I realize I have held on to so much pain that weighed me down, that had me doubting myself with every move. Add on the pain of being rejected by a man who should have accepted me for who I am and it is no wonder why I cannot control my powers.

"Don't cry little one. I have faith in you as the last six years I have watched you grow confident, watched you fall in love without you realizing it. You can and will control your powers because the perfect person who accepts you whole heartedly is by your side already." Moira reassure, her fingers wiping away my tears. Her touch is soft and gentle, bringing a sense of warmth to me. I know that without a doubt I will be coming to see her more often, to gain guidance and maybe even her help in working through the pain.

"How can you be sure I can control my powers?" I ask through a sob, Moira standing from the love seat to wrap me in her arms.

"Because you already are Isabella. Look outside, the weather hasn't changed one bit even though you are crying and feeling pain." She coos, her words having me to look towards the window and see that the weather is indeed still sunny, that water seems to drip from the icicles handing from the small eves over the windows. Shocked, I turn to see Moira looking at me with pride, her violet eyes twinkling as I realize what if happening.

"Will you be okay if I come to visit you? I have only been able to talk this freely with Ryder and then Liam." I sheepishly ask getting a bright smile from the Witch that holds me.

"Of course little one. I have a feeling that with each visit you will find more confidence in yourself and spring will come once more. You are Moon Blessed after all." Moira agrees instantly. I feel my tears slowly stop as I smile at her. It feels like I have gained a Grandmother with the woman, one who will be there if I need her. But her last words confuse me as I clutch the moonstone around my neck.

"What do you mean by Moon Blessed?" Confused, I ask the question and watch as she smirks, walking towards the book shelf positioned under the stairs and takes out a large leather bound book. She walks towards me, placing the book in my hands before returning to her seat.

"Moon Blessed means the Goddess has blessed you. She sees a potential in you and the way you will bring greatness to the wolves." She explains, pointing to the book I clasp tightly.

"The book explains more but there is one up side to being Moon Blessed. You can choose a mate and they will become your true Soulmate once you do." Shocked by this revelation, I look down to the book as happiness explodes inside me. If this is true, then that means I can choose Liam as my mate. That we can be rid of the pain cause by those that rejected us and be loved by someone who accepts us for who we are.

"I will do my best to accept myself. Thank you Moira for talking with me today." I smile, looking down at the book and lightly running my fingers over the cover. I stay for another hour after our chat, talking to Moira about the Shadows and any suggestions she might have in defending against them before deciding to take my leave. With a book in one hand and the remaining cinnamon rolls in another, I step out of the tower to find the weather warmer than when I entered. I can see that the snow has melted slightly and happiness fills me. Moira is right, in due time I can melt the snow and bring back our normal weather here in Nightlock Thorns. It will take some time and some work to love myself for who I am, but I feel like I am on the right path.