From The Ashes

Chapter Nine

After dinner with the the royal family, I retreated to my room with a lot on my mind and I decided to soak my sore muscles in my luxurious bathtub. 

As I was pouring some Epsom salts in, I noticed the small purple bag Aunt Maddie had given me before I left. I remembered that she had told me only to pull something out when I needed guidance. I pondered for a moment, before deciding I could really use some of it right now.

 I turned off the water to the bath and stripped down before grabbing the bag. I lowered myself into the water, being careful not to get it wet. Once my bottom half was submerged, I pulled it open. I held my breath for a second as I reached my hand in and grasped what felt like a small paper and I pulled it out to examine it. It was a small, yellowing envelope sealed with a dark maroon wax. I carefully opened it and pulled out a note. My eyes began to water as I read it.

My Dearest Indigo,

If you are reading this, it means that I am no longer with you. I have instructed my sister to give you this pack of my belongings when she believes you are ready. It may not be much, but I hope it can offer you some comfort as you navigate through your life.
I want you to know that from the moment I knew of your existence, I have loved you. I will always love you and it brings me great pain to know that I won't be there to see you grow. You are my shining star in the black night and I hope you are always made to feel worthy.
Anyway, enough with the sad stuff. I've decided to write this letter for you to tell you that there are things about yourself that you may not know yet. I cannot divulge all of your secrets here, in case this should ever fall into the wrong hands, but I can tell you that if something feels right, it is. You don't have to question your intuition. On your twentieth birthday you will understand what I mean. You are meant for great things, Indigo. The Moon Goddess has made it so. Please, do not pull away from her guidance. Accept her messages with care, for they will come to you. You and your mate are fated to help re-align the light and dark of this Earth and bring balance once again.
In this envelope, I have left you a small family heirloom. It will help you to control what is to come.
Remember, I am always with you.

Love always,

Mom

I wiped the tears from my eyes and reached back into the envelope to find a small ring in it. It was a simple band of silver with a small gleaming opal in the middle, and two smaller amethysts on either side of it. I looked at the band a little closer and noticed a crescent moon engraved on the inside.

 I slipped it on my right ring finger and it was a perfect fit. The moment I did, I felt a surge of power rush through me. I couldn't describe it, but suddenly it seemed like I wasn't so lost anymore. Any worries I had about myself and about being here just faded away. I felt confident, powerful, and sure.
A smile broke out on my face as I tucked the note carefully back into the bag and lowered myself further into the water.

***

The next morning, I was already dressed and waiting at the bottom of the stairs when Valen arrived to collect me for training. He gave me an approving smile before we headed to the same gym from the day before. Today though, instead of being empty, there were about fifteen other wolves. My eyes widened in surprise. This seemed like a lot for just one class. I heard Valen chuckle next to me and I glanced at him.

"They're all trying to size you up. They're debating which one should challenge you first, but since I'm the one leading the class, I get to decide that," he said. I just shrugged and followed him over to the group. Valen clapped his hands twice and everyone quieted down. 

"Alright everyone, as you can see we have some fresh meat today. This is Indigo Murray, formerly of the Moonlight pack. She graduated top of her training class just before she came here, but I think we can show her that titles don't matter." My face flushed as he continued.