A Ripple in the forest

Chapter eighteen

😏😏😏
—————
18th December, 2017
The High Temple of the Moon
Alpha Gabriel's Territory, Nivadia

*
I can hear the temple before I can see it. First the angelic hum of female voices as they sing in a language I do not know, then as we veer closer, the gentle vibration of the land caresses my skin. Something I've felt on multiple occasions since coming to Nivadia. The land communicates with its occupants, like a living breathing entity.

Gab slows into a steady pace and the others follow, never breaking their formation. Everyone seems to be on edge since this morning. Although I know my powers are not seen as bad in any way, quite the opposite in fact, I can't help but feel they are waiting for me to break again. Unlike the trip to the cave where everyone was relaxed, travelling for the few hours this morning there was a serious air about. For the first hour I laid on Gab's back and slept, but when I woke nothing had changed. Everyone was still running, there was no playful yapping or nipping between the men.

The thinning of trees catches my attention and the humming of singing rises to a flowing vine of vibrations. I squint as I see the white temple ahead. It quickly comes to focus and the sight before me takes my breath away. A hug white marble temple that I connect with something from Ancient Greece is structured in a clearing. Great green vines with soft pink and white flowers cocoon the building, wrapping high up into the pointed poles. The building is open with only roofs made of marble and wood supported by the legs of the structure. Spread out in a wide circle around the building with at least ten meters between each are eight figures of a woman I immediately recognise as the Moon Goddess. Each statue the Goddess is in a different position. At the front of the temple the Goddess is pregnant, her stomach swollen and her hand protectively resting on it. Then, ten meters away is another statue, she is still pregnant but her hands now hold a bow and arrow that is drawn, the arrow facing the temple. I look at each statue, seeing the different positions, how the statue directly across from the first the Goddess is no longer pregnant but holding a baby wolf high above her head, then I notice her crown and how each crown represents a different phase of the moon. The one where she's pregnant is a full moon and the one where she's holding the baby wolf there is no moon at all. I look at the statues one more time before realising that each represents a stage of the moon cycle. As we cross over the threshold between the statues I feel tingles rush over my body and a slight tug, almost like its holding me back. The tingling settles before vanishing entirely as soon as we pass into the circle. In front of the Temple eight women are waiting, I recognise one of them as the High Priestess that came to the Place all those months ago, Ayla, I remember.

"Welcome, Alpha Gabriel and Welcome Seraphina of the Moon," Ayla speaks in a soft and welcoming voice but I do not miss the power behind it. The women bow low to the ground.

Gab stops before the women and lets out a huff in answer.

"Yes, Alpha, your rooms are ready for stay," Ayla says before rising, the others follow. My face must have looked confused because Ayla smiles softly up at me before saying, "the Goddess grants us special abilities to communicate through the mind and with time, so shall you."

My mouth opens into an O shape before I give her a nod.     What doesn't this world have?

Gab lowers to the ground and I slip off his back. The sound of shifting momentarily overlaps the sound of singing before the feminine hum is one once more. Ayla waves one of her hands in a long swiping motion. I don't understand what she did until I look back to Gab and see all of the men wearing traditional Pack attire. Amazement washes over me. How did she do that?

"My Goddess given power is most strong at her temples, allowing her priestesses to divulge in a small part of her powers, but even if it's small to her it is more than most. There is only one other alive that possesses the same power of the Goddess... You, Seraphina, and I look forward to understanding the depth of it," Ayla speaks to me making my head snap to her.