Chapter 5. Mom's Wisdom.

POV Isabella Di'Giotanno-

Eric droves straight home. We barely spoke the entire way. The truth is that I was totally absorbed in my thoughts and the pain of the fall caused by Juliette's psychotic state. I took some painkillers that Eric bought before driving home, but they didn’t really have much effect on me. So here I am, silently dying in pain.

In order to forget about the pain, I turn my thoughts to the idea of finally having a wolf, since I feel more excited than I'm really willing to admit.

Upon arriving at the pack house, Eric parks my Beetle while turning off the engine. I bit my lower lip as I asked Eric unsurely, "what is it like to have a wolf?"

He looks at me strangely while he tells me, "What are you talking about?"

I breathe slowly, while I try to organize my thoughts, then I ask him again, "I mean, how does it feel to have to share your brain and your body with another being?"

He seems to think for a moment and then answers, "Oh! That! Well, the truth is great. I've had Anouk since long before I was ten, so it's more than half of my life with him. Having him means... Big headaches, honestly."

He answers, giving me a big smile, the one I love to see. Then, he adds,  "But seriously, Isa, it means having a best friend and brother. One who advises you and laughs at you when you screw up."

I respond nervously, "I believe you."

He asks, intrigued, "Why do you ask?" I replied, “curiosity.”

And then, he added, "Isabella, I have known you all my life, and this is the first time you have asked me that. In fact, I don't think I've ever heard you talk or ask about our wolves. Not even when you were little."

I bite my lower lip and move my hands nervously until I say, "I think my wolf is talking to me."

His face lights up as he answers me happily, "What? That's great, Isa!"

I, doubtful, answer him, "It is?"

He answers me reassuringly, "Of course! Why wouldn't it be?"

I sigh as I say, "I don't know, Eric; I know absolutely nothing about how to have a wolf."

He laughs amused at my doubt, while he answers, "Don't worry, Isa, is pure intuition. But when you are talking to her, try not to actually talk to her or else, they will think you are crazy. No, scratch that. They will think you are CRAZIER than you already are."

"Oh, my goddess, thanks for the recommendation!" I tell him by whitening my eyes.

"That's what friends are for." He tells me with a wink. 

We got off and entered the pack house. 

"Mom? Where are you?" I shouted from the stairs. I tried to contact mom from the mental link, but the connection was cut off.

"She's in Alpha’s office,"  Sarah, the pack house cook, tells me. That explains why the connection was cut.

"Thank you, Sarah." I said to her. Then I ask,  "Are you coming with me, Eric?"

He sighs, smiles, and replies, "Nope, you must go alone. This is a conversation you want to have alone with your mom. But I appreciate you telling me first. It means a lot to me. Is special."

Looking at his perfect gray eyes, his beautiful, profiled nose, his luscious lips, and his gorgeous curly brown hair, I can see that everything he tells me is true. 

I sigh. Then I approached, standing in front of him, looking into his eyes. I said, "Eric, you know how important you are to me, right?"

He asks amused "I am?" 

"Shut up!" I replied with a smile.

And so, while smiling, he kisses me on the forehead, which seemed strange to me and more like a mate thing than a friend. I shake it off the idea while he sent me to his father's office.

I walk up the stairs and knock twice before I hear a deep voice say, "Come in." I open it and see the Alpha sitting in his chair and my mother sitting in front. 

"Is something wrong, sweetie?" says my mom.

"Good afternoon, Alpha." I said nervously.

"Hello Isabella." Says the Alpha.

"Mom, do you think we can talk alone for a moment?" I asked hesitantly

"Alpha? Asks mom.

"Yes, of course, go Claire. Don't worry. We will continue with the preparations for the Assessment later."

"Thanks, Alpha." says mom. "C'mon darling."

We continued walking down the hallway to the right towards my room. 

"What's wrong, child? Why so much mystery?" asks mom.

"Mom, I have something super important to tell you."

Mom responds intrigued, "Isabella please don't scare me."

We sit on my bed. I take a deep breath to calm my crazy heart as I tell her "Mom, I listen to my wolf."

"What? Are you sure?" she asked, surprised.

I respond with a nervous smile, "Well, either it's my wolf or I'm going crazy because I'm hearing another voice in my head that is not mine. And by the goddess! What a big mouth she has!"

Mom's face lights up as she answers me happily, "Aww, my baby! I'm so happy for you, darling. Did she give you any indication?"

"Yes, she told me to prepare for the full moon. That now it was too early, and she could not remove the veil."

"That makes sense." Mom frowned as she nodded.

"Has it?" I asked, confused.

She seems to think for a moment and then answers, "Well, yes. She must not be an ordinary wolf. She must have gifts. It makes a lot of sense that she waits for the full moon to come to you since it is at its highest point that it recharges our energies the most."

"Well, when you say it like that, I think it does." I replied smiling.

"I'm so happy for you, sweety.” Now her voice changes to one of concern, “But we must be careful. Now you are safe in the pack, but once you have your wolf, you will have to appear at the Assessment. The panel will notice that your wolf is different. And that's where problems can come."

I frown as I ask worriedly, "What do you mean, mom?"

She breathes deeply as she answers, "The other packs will know the type of wolf you are and will want to possess you, claim you as their Luna. It is very likely that we will have a parade of alphas, leaders, and every single wolf who wants to claim you. Isabella, the Moon Goddess always gives us a choice. You can choose your mate. And believe me, darling, the chosen mates have a stronger and deeper bond than the destined ones."

I open my eyes wide as I ask worriedly, "But mom, how could I defy the destiny that the Moon Goddess has prepared for me?"

She smiles tenderly, as she answers me, "Because, just as she gives us destined mates, she gives us the option to choose. Free will, Isabella. Always remember that, darling."

Before heading to work on the Assessment preparations, my mother hugged, kissed me, and assured me that everything would be okay, leaving me deep in thought and worried about the upcoming week, when the full moon will finally arrive.