Celestial Wulf Chronicles Book# 5 Sacrifice's

ATONEMENT

Once more, my pack rallies protectively before mother as I face the ancient elder, standing in unison before mother. "So too, shall we." Two elements appear, ravaging the bare earth surrounding the ancient seer. Signifying those seeking to destroy life; are fucked.

Estrella approaches with head and tail towards the ground. "She does not see my eyes glowing white as my grandson, but she will. Nor did she see a single beam of light congealing from the heavens bathing me, replicating a dual-energy of our Prime alpha. Estrella does not look up In her walk towards me." Zolar answers me, "But she will, Esteban. She is our cub." Not until she hears the voice of one she admires does Estrella begin a frantic search.

The Goddess's words speak through my seer form. "Estrella, you and Cary both have protected the next generation of guardians. Both, at a great personal sacrifice, have maintained the safety of my children. I will not allow your pain to endure any longer. Know, you were forgiven long ago, my lovely ESTRELLA. I have waited for you to ask me to heal your broken soul, yet you never did. Instead, you found your own way to heal. You were never wrong, my lovely guardian companions. Your strength as devoted mothers. Rivaled the very mate bond with the blessing of our Olofi himself. I forever remove the anguish your mate bond has caused you. Forgive me for not releasing you then. SISTER."

Stunned at my uttered words. I observe Estrella lifting her last lowered head look towards the sky. Ever devoted, Estrella's voice, soft-spoken, says, "Goddess Oya. Thank you."

Meeting her voice. A warmth enters, spreading through me, the pain I have buried deep within me, my secret anguish, which had slowly been consuming me, chipping my sanity, diminishes, fades, and is no more. I no longer feel the broken mate bond. I no longer feel weighed guilt for my acts. Instead, there is only peace. I turn, hearing their whine, my back to the ancient seer. My cubs. They sprint towards me, phasing to my human form, they whine "Mother./ Mama Alpha." hugging me.

I pull gently back, looking into their faces.

"Thank you. I was ashamed to tell you, and still, even after knowing all this, you both love me." Sable speaks words with strength and pride from himself and Alejandro and Cocoa and Randall. As one. "You're our brightest star mother. Our love is yours, for you taught it to us. It will always remain this way; it will never end. Not even in death. You feared for naught, mother. For WE love you." Renewing our embrace, then I see my Alpha and pack approaching.

Walking to my mother-in-law, brother-in-law, and mate. The pair part to one side, leaving Cary to face me. I rise, placing my forelegs on her shoulders, and lick her face once, "WE, my teacher, WE will never stop loving you." Then both Amarok and Crimson place their heads on my shoulders.

Drawn by his wulf speak, I look past Cary towards the ancient Seer in the distance. His words illustrate his wisdom. Its changing tone calls Cary's attention. "No paternal wulf should ever be forced to choose between their mate and cub." A thin mist releases from the earth around him, shrouding him. His voice changes, and at that moment, before our eyes, so too does his form. With a growling tone, Alejandro says, "What now?" Again, my guardian pack comes before Estrella to face the changing shape of the ancient elder. Hackles raised, ears firmly pressed, Fangs bared. They crouch. Prepared to battle.

"Estrella." With a whimper & timid uncertainty, Estrella releases herself from the embrace of her cubs. Together with Carmen. She faces towards the voice. Witnessing this act, I have never been prouder to be a wulf. Where moments ago, they both shared profound anguish and shame now, both stand in human form, holding one another. A growing enthusiastic gaze spread in their eyes. Beneath my form speaking, "There was never a contest. A true parent, mother, OR father will ALWAYS protect their children. It is their right.