Chapter Twenty One

Aria’s POV

“Get up, quickly,” A calm and melodic voice fills  my ears. 

My eyes flutter open and I look around. Vast grassland surrounds me like an endless sea, the cool breeze makes the grass dance lazily. I pull myself into a sitting position, and peer behind me only to see an extremely beautiful woman. 

Her white orbs pull me in instantly, the dress she is clad in is thin and ancient, swirling around her bare feet. Her thick long silver hair flowed graciously behind her, skin smooth and glowing. 

“Who are you?” Something tells me that she is far from being human, an ancient being.

A glowing smile plays on her lips, “I have been called by many names throughout the centuries, you know me as the moon goddess.”

A cold feeling creeps up my neck, “ Am I dead?” I whisper slightly with dry lips. 

She bellows with laughter as if I said something very funny. My eyes widen in bewilderment.

“No, you’re not dead yet at least.” 

“Then what am I doing here? The last thing I remember was that I was in a fight for my place as Luna.” My shoulders slump forward, I feel so unworthy. Jessica obviously won.

Her face turns serious at the mention of this. “I placed you there for a reason, stop doubting yourself. Don’t let those thoughts mess with your head.”

“Just when I thought I would prove to the pack that I deserved the position, now I’m nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

“They were always right, I’m nothing but a worthless omega, a r…..”

“ENOUGH!!! Her powerful voice stops me.

“You are the white wolf, the first in hundreds of years, in fact the second to ever exist. Only a powerful and pure soul can have a white wolf so you’re anything but pathetic.”

“How did I get here?” I ask to swerve away from the topic. I don’t believe her. If I was so powerful why had my wolf gone silent when I needed her.

“You have  been poisoned with wolfsbane for weeks now.” My eyes widened in shock, “But, how did I even survive it?”

“Willow, she took the effects and the pain, so you would live.” 

“What? and here I was thinking she had abandoned me.” My chest hurt with disappointment, I have been here sulking and being a brat when my wolf took all the pain. I have been so selfish, thinking about no one but myself, not even my wolf.

“You and those nonsensical thoughts of yours, Willow loves you and will do it again if possible.”

Hot tears trickled down my cheeks. “Have this,” she pushes an elixir in my hands. “Drink, it will clear the poison in your bloodstreams, then we will talk.”

I collect it, take a deep breath and swallow the entire thing, it is tasteless like water. My skin feels so hot, like fire. After some seconds, nothing, the pain is gone.

She sits on the grassy floor, gesturing to me to follow suit. “White wolves only make appearances during periods of turbulence. There was a need for one when the dragons struck because my creation would have been annihilated. Now there is a storm brewing, the task is left to you.”

“I can’t even hold my position, how can I manage a storm brewing against my race.”

“You are much more than you give yourself credit for, Aria. You are powerful, always remember that.”

“I don’t even know who I am, I can’t do this.”

“You will discover in time and it will help you figure out how to calm the storm.”

Lightning flickered and thunder bolts struck round us suddenly. She then rises with urgency.

“You're not supposed to be here, You need to leave now or else you won't be able to.”

“Why so soon, I barely know what to do or even who poisoned me.”

She then takes a hold of my arms. “Don’t trust anyone, be vigilant. War is coming and you are the key to it all. Lastly, your mate is crucial to your success, keep him close.”

A staff materializes from nowhere and she points it in front of us, a portal opens.

“Go, remember I’m always with you.” She pushes me through the portal  and I hear vague distant voices. Pain shoots through my entire body.

“Finally, I’m back.” Willow says at the back of my mind. I begin to  feel better, the wounds all over my body seal shut and the pain is gone. Finally, I’m back at the training grounds lying on my side. I can make out the voices better now.

“....the winner is Je….”

I shoot up instantly upright, startling the entire pack. Sharp intakes of breath can be heard round the pack grounds. I push myself up to stand, dried blood cake on my face.

Jessica spins around to face me, her eyes widen in bewilderment. “How is this possible?” 

Before she could process anything, I let Willow out. My feet zip at her, eyes blazing. I wrap my hands around her neck, holding her up. She let her wolf out partially, scraping at my arms with futility.

“I have had enough of your incessant insult and disrespect.” My voice booms with authority.

I throw her hard on the ground. I got a hold of her ankle and hit her repeatedly against the cold floor. I climb atop her, “Submit”. 

Thinking she would submit, she bares her teeth at me in defiance. 

I kick her good then say, “Get up, Jessica.” 

She shakes her head to regain herself. Slowly, picking her bloodied self off the floor.  

A look of disdain is on her face and she taunts, “I will never submit to a weakling, little Luna. What more can you do?”

Anger seeps through me, for too long have I allowed myself to be disrespected and looked down upon. It ends today. I have had enough.

I saunter towards her, she gives me a perplexed look. I am pretty sure she wanted me to react to her insult and allow my rage to control me, which will be disastrous. She is in for a treat, I am mad but not stupid and uncontrolled.

My arm shoots at her landing a very hard blow to her jaw,  this disorients her shortly. She tries to retaliate with a surprise kick, I caught her leg and twisted her ankle in the wrong direction. A strangled cry escapes her lips.

I climb atop her, giving a harsh slap, “For disrespecting me.”

Another blow, “For spreading false rumors about me.”

Another blow, “For attempting to kill me.”

A final hit that is followed by a loud crack, “For my best friend.”

I lift myself off her limp body, Everyone’s faces are in complete shock. I sure started sloppy, and Jessica was one of the top female warriors in the pack. My mate is staring at me in worry and awe, so much love in his eyes. Aldin, O’Brien and Gad are still holding onto his arm.

Gad clears his throat and steps forward, “Our Luna, Aria wins this round of the tournament.” He turns towards the two contestants. “Come forward Misty.”

The bulky woman steps forward, to my surprise. She bends on one knee in my direction, “I, Misty Wardwick, a warrior of the Cantara Pack, renounce my challenge for the position as Luna. I accept Aria as my Luna.” She bows slightly in respect and walks into the crowd.

The last contestant follows suit. She also bends on one knee and says, “I, Anita Miller, a warrior of the Cantara Pack, renounce my challenge for the position as Luna. I accept you, Aria as my Luna.” She bows and takes her leave.

A resounding silence fills the training ground.