Celestial Wulf Chronicles Book# 5 Sacrifice's

BITTER PEACE

Curled at her empty shrine, resting my head on my paws, I face the lake. "Mother," Soft whines rise into the morning air. "Mother loved these morning moments, Alejandro." Reminiscing  "Sometimes, we would hunt at this time of dawning. Reminded of Mother's elegant form running in the meadow. Her pelt, flowing in ripples along her body. Her muscles were so synced. We would sit right here at other times, and she would speak to me of leadership and our role. My Mother."

Alejandro speaks weakly, His tone sullen, melancholy "Toti. Why Toti? Why did you not tell us." Barely does Alejandro's astral human speak penetrate. "My brother. Our Mother is gone. How do we push forward?"

When a pull, the scent of French vanilla wafting on the breeze, enters my nostrils, focusing my attention towards it. Opening my eyes frantically, they shift, darting out across the river; at first. "Toti?" Alejandro whispers from the astral plane. Hurriedly I approach the ridges' edge. Looking towards the heavens. "Mother!" her scent was just here. We know it was her. "Sabe?!" "Yes, Alejandro. It was her. That was her perfume."

"Is she?" hoping, daring not to ask. Then, a sunbeam, brighter than the sun itself, envelopes me. The warmth from its rays penetrates my wulf form. "Can it be?" Softly, it is then I see her and yelp... "MOTHER!"

"Hello, mijo." her tone weakens me. I am her cub again. Emotions in my wulf speak barely come forth. "Mother." Multiple whines escape my tight chest. An ache develops in it. "Mother. Are you returning?"

"No, Sabalius. I am here because you need me. Olofi has granted me these few moments to help you."

"Come back, Mother. Please? Please ask him to send you back. Tell him, in exchange, I will give my own longevity as you had for Be." Her tone turns rigid. Reprimanding "NO SABALIUS...NO..."

"It hurts, Mother. I am lost. So too is Alejandro."

"As it should hurt when you love. But in time, you find your way."

"Toti... I am sorry. Mommy, I am sorry." Talking over Sable

"Alejandro. What is there for me to forgive you for? You and your brothers were the best part of my life. I regret nothing. Because I gave you both everything."

"Toti, I caused your death."

"You did no such thing. You and your brothers were always what made my life worth living."

"But.. But...I have the essence of...."

"YOU ARE BOTH MY CHILDREN. NOT IKU'S or Anubis's. Never EVER forget that. My blood runs in your veins. YOU FOUR... YOU AND YOUR BROTHERS... ARE MY LIFE."

"MA. It hurts. Sable & I don't want to be without you."

"And what of your oath? Our pack? Your brothers? Our family? What of my son-in-law? and.... My grandson... Benny?"

"BEN. Reuben." "Will you leave them?" "My family. MY FAMILY.... I....I cannot go." Sable repeats their name. "Necromio. Kodiak." Then says nothing. I lower my head, answering her. My astral human voice whispers, "No. toti."

Mother continues. "There is much you will come to understand. It is the role of a leader to endure and experiences much.

Sabalius, Alejandro. I know my death hurts. But YOU & your BROTHER were destined, celestial beast guardians. You serve a purpose and an Oath to protect all life, as I had before you. You four honor me with having been your Mother. Even from death, I will protect you all. I love you, Alejandro, With all my heart. It was the very reason things have happened as they did. There was no other way."

"Mother? Did you know? Did you see this happening? Why did you not tell us? They foretold it to you in a premonition, mother."

"You are asking questions you already know answers to. Answer me this, Alejandro. Would you do no less if it were Reuben & Benny?"

"Of course not, Ma. But..." Before I can say another word edge-wise, Mother stops me.

"You are BOTH Prime Alphas. Your brothers, BOTH Betas. Your oath is to protect as I did before you, as did your grandparents before me, Alejandro. My time is short, and I must also help your brother. I love you, my Bébé." her next words cause more pain and tears. " But know this and NEVER FORGET. From the time you came into my life until when I left yours. I have been proud to be your Mother. Believe these words, my sons. My oath took second place to a more unconditional commitment. My vow of a mother. I know it hurts. So, for now, do one thing for me.

"Mother?"

"Sabalius, Be...... PRIME ALPHA."

The power of how she used that word radiates through me. I'm going to say something more. But her stiff arched head gaze halts me. One she has used so often. One forever ingrained in my memories. With that, as she departs. Her last words repeated. "BE PRIME ALPHA. My cubs. BE PRIME ALPHA." One. I understood.

With a sole blink of my eyelids, Alejandro is gone. I am returned to the material plane. A brief wild search, and I follow her moving sunbeam. Bodily turning, I watch it roll to my brother. My eyes become drawn to A pulsating radiance across the opposite bank.

Inspecting, I see a senior gentleman wearing a white turban wrapped delicately. A snow-white beard extends down to his naval. Dressed in white robes opening behind him onto the bed of dried foliage along the ground. His dark caramel is in sharp contrast to the elegant white robe dressing him. He held an equally regal white ivory knob curving staff within his right hand, equal to his height. His gaze glistens with a light of their own. Enrapturing me within them. A single nod of ease to me. Acknowledges my presence.

Accompanying him stood an equally regal woman. A small crown of platinum beauty dressed her head. On its crown points were water-clear pearl droplets. With movement within the droplets, I barely see what they are; small luminescent fish pulsate with shades of neon blue & aqua greens within them. Gracefully, they swim within their spheres. The strands of pearls, ending just before her lips veil her beauty with sinew intrigue. Her African attire, unlike the senior gentleman's, is mesmerizing. Shades of sea aqua blue blend with powder blue, outlining its aquamarine tone, her pearl-adorned dress curves with sinew grace form-fitting. Like the gentleman, her mocha complexion enraptures my sight further enhanced beneath the sun's rays. They wish to counsel.

Both stood quietly, serene, gazing at me. Aware of who they are, The African Mother and father of the lucumi Patheon, Yemaya, and Obatala. I bow my head.

Leaving the ridge, I progressed to them: I barely land on the center boulder with a soft leap. With my second, I land on the opposite bank. When I approach and stand before them, I meet their gaze. In my eyes, They see a yearning for my mother. They capture my body twitches at what occurred. Both extend a compassionate smile to me. They rest their hands on my head, caressing it. Their touch, granting me the serenity I have not felt in months.

The female Goddess speaks but once to me, "Come Sabalius." Silently, with unspoken words, We three turn, disappearing into the dense vegetation.

Save the sound of crunching gravel and breaking kindle, created solely from my paws. The remainder of our walk, in silence. Reaching a high spot at one of the mountains in our territory, we stop. Here, for a moment, we remain silent, admiring the view of a green canopy swaying softly to the wind. At its distant canopy edge, bordering it, the lake's blue hues reflect in profound contrast.

Looking out onto the horizon, Yemaya begins. Before our eyes, she gazes at the natural landscape before us, capturing the expanding vastness of the ascending and descending mountains and hills. "My heart weeps for both. Estrella was a friend of all celestials, Alejandro. So too was her wulf sister Estrella."

Yemaya' s tone expressed a profound sadness. In the distance, the sound of waterfalls grows forcefully louder in their cascading power. Rushing with building intensity. Directly connected to her element and emotions. I know she is doing this. This is how Celestials mourn through their elements. From Gia's beauty, my sight moves to her. Hers to me. Her mocha-complexioned cheek, moistened by tears.