Realm of the Rogues

Chapter VII

- - {POV: Kai} - -

I watch in worry as I see Athena's body twist and turn, wondering if she really would be able to shift without some problematic outcome. However, all my worries disappear in the blink of an eye, as I start to see the beautiful and vibrant red fur burst out of her skin. I already know, even before her shift is complete, that she is the absolutely most mesmerizing and gorgeous wolf, I will ever lay my eyes upon.

I move closer to hold her head, which is now about the size of my entire underarm, in case she would faint. I don't know why, but I have this incredible urge to protect her no matter what, which is weird because I haven't felt that before. Sure, I wanted to help her earlier, but not like that. However, as I am seeing her stunning wolf take shape in front of me, I am at a total loss for words.

She is now fully transformed, and with her big orange eyes, she looks up at me. My breath completely disappears. I want to hold her close and never let her go. I take a step back, surprised by my feelings. This doesn't sound like me. I usually keep my distance and live by myself, especially since I turned rogue. I just don't know, but something about her drives me closer. I must figure out what this is that makes me want to let my barriers down.

She looks at me, blinks her eyes slowly, and begins to pant softly, a sign of comfort and happiness. This makes my heart beat fast, which I don't really know how to feel about. I take a closer look at her and realize that she does not have the gaping wound in her stomach anymore, nor any bite marks on her shoulder. She couldn't possibly have healed that fast. However, she is missing the top two-thirds of her left ear, which I am sure she didn't before. This drives me even more insane with unanswered questions roaming about in my head. I know I will get no resolve by just sitting here, and I can't quite communicate with her as long as we are in different shapes. It would be much easier if we were in the same pack, in that instance we could just mind-link, but that isn't an option here.

I decide to shift. It's an easy process that I'm quite used to at this point. I feel my eyes sharpen, as though I had just stepped out from a fog. My hearing is tuned in, and I am overwhelmed with smells that were nonexistent to me before. I quickly realize to my further confusion, that the wolf in front of me, does not smell like Athena. The questions just keep on coming.

Now fully shifted, I sit down in front of Athena, or could this possibly be Hera? She did mention something about a Hera, but I let it go, as I didn't really understand. She gets up and approaches me. I sit still, and let her do what she wants, with the feelings of love and joy overwhelming me as I am in her presence. She licks the side of my muzzle and then bows down deep, signs of submission and gratitude. I get up and circle her while feeling her eyes never leaving me. She looks adorable as she sits there looking at me with her big eyes. I can sense a feeling of admiration in them, which makes me lift my head in pride.

I sit back down in front of her, wondering how I will get my questions answered. Then I remember the place of the Wolf in the Moon. I have heard stories of how he grants one wish to every person who dares to ask him for one, on the night of the super blood moon, and luckily for us, this is that night. I wanted to bring Athena there in the first place so that she could wish for unproblematic healing, but that has to wait. Right now, I need answers.

I signal to who I assume must be Hera to follow me. She does and we run off in the direction of the moon. It throws a subtle red light over the entire forest. In the stories I've heard, they say that the place is on top of a mountain, right underneath the moon, so that is where we are heading.

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After running for about 20 minutes, we reach the bottom of a mountain or a very tall hill - depending on how you look at it. The moon is almost directly above us, so we begin to climb the steep side. We reach the top with little hassle and look around. The glow is magnificent up here. It is almost as bright as day, but everything is lit up with that red hue from the moon.

Hera walks past me, her eyes fixated on a thing further ahead. I follow her and spot it too. In front of us stands a tall rock. I take a closer inspection and see that embedded into the rock are 8 small gemstones of various colors, which are placed in a circle. From the circle is carved an intriguing pattern, that reaches all the way to the top and bottom of the stone. In the middle of the circle is a large dark stone with red spots, which I realize must be a bloodstone. I know we are in the right place now.

I look over at Hera, who looks back at me in wonder and excitement. My heart begins to pound a little faster at the eye contact. I quickly look away and shake my head, trying to get this weird feeling out of me.

I shift back to my human form, to carry out the ritual so that I can finally get my questions answered.