Split Spirit

Chapter twenty one

Bell

Waking to my brother's nagging voice telling us we have an emergency meeting isn't the way I wanted to wake up. I try snuggling into Nora to prolong our stay in bed but she slaps me thigh.

"Come on babe we have to go, this is important," she says sliding out of my arms.

I immediately miss her warmth.. so I begrudgingly, while grumbling about being too cold without her, get out of bed.

"Artemis just linked me that they have a full pitcher of coffee just for you," Nora winks at me and I laugh. They know me so well.

Walking over to her as she looks for clothes in the closet I wrap my arms around her. You're way better than caffeine," I kiss her neck and she shivers.

"Ok come on focus, let's go." She says kissing my cheek, while heading to the bathroom I swear she wiggles her ass at me.

"You did that on purpose," I call out as she locks the door not letting me in. Frustrated I grab the clothes I wore for all of five minutes the other day. When I'm dressed I turn to see her watching me already to go. The look she's giving me though, says she really wishes we could stay.

"Like what you see?" I say in a flirty voice while flexing and she giggles at me.

"Always but we better get going," she smiles and I feel like I can do anything.

We leave our house and head over to the packhouse hand in hand. On the way we see some of the students walking passed.

"Hi Mr. Bell! Hi Miss Nora!"

"Good morning kids," Nora says waving and I wave as well.

Am I bummed I wont get the chance to experience Nora round with pups? Considering that the only alternative is not having her with me. The answer is no, I would much rather have her with me than anything else. I've always wanted her to be my mate, now that she is I feel like my heart is whole. I never ever want to be parted from her.

"Ok where did you go, you got this sappy look on your face," Nora's voice brings me to the here and now.

Looking at her, she's smiling at me, so I lean over and I plant a quick kiss her lips.

"Not that I'm complaining but what was that for?" She asks slightly dazed.

"Because I love you," I say making her blush.

"Ok lover boy let's get going," she says still blushing but picking up her pace.

I feel like I float into the conference room following Nora, like nothing could bring my day down. Then I took a look at my brother. I have never seen him so stressed out in my life. I start to feel like a heavy metal is being poured into my gut.

"Is it really that bad?" I blurt before I can stop myself.

"I'm afraid it's worse than we thought, I- I don't know how we're going to get through this one Bell," my brother says honestly to me.

He has never sugarcoated shit with me and has always spoke his mind plainly. Its something that I've appreciated and valued, even though this is definitely not something I wanted to hear. It keeps me grounded in the now, and reminds me to focus.

"We will think of something, we always do, not to mention we have Artemis here with us now," I say and Z nods. "So what are we looking at?"

"Let's wait for the others I don't want to have to keep repeating this over and over," Z sighs.

"On a lighter note I'm surprised you are SO awake Bell," Artemis says giggling.

Nora tries covering her giggles with her hand and I grab her wiggling my eyebrows, "yeah my mate is a better wake me up than coffee!" I say making her blush bright red.

"I'm so happy for you two," Zeke says while holding Artemis. She nods her accent while she smiles at us.

"She's my dream come true," I say grabbing Nora snuggling her. I sound like I'm joking but I'm being totally serious. My wolf starts humming within me mirroring my sentiment. I look at her and Nora has the sweetest smile on her face. Then the door opens and we sober to the task at hand.

We take our seats then look to Zeke for the question we all need answered, why are we here?

"The Goddess contacted Artemis and has updated her on our growing troubles." He pauses looking to her and she nods for him to continue letting him lead our meeting. "Our enemies that we will have to face, are not wolves or even alchemists. They are a creation know as a golem, they are not made of flesh and bone. They were created using metal magic and quite possibly the souls of the very pack we have been enemies with for generations now.
Their Alpha betrayed his mate and his people. We punish him for his crimes that have hurt our Goddess." He says and I look at Artemis and she is visibly pissed.

"Alpha does that mean everyone else is dead? That the Alpha is the only one left?" Melcom one of our too trainers asks and I find I'm curious to hear as well.

Before my brother has a chance to answer a blinding light fills the room and I push Nora behind me.

"Be calm my children, I have more intelligence to share with you all"

I am dumbfounded by the sight in front of me for a moment then kneel before the Moon Goddess. I'm not the only one who does.

"Please raise your heads and retake your seats there is much I've learned and need to say. Our time dwindles so please."

We quickly retake our former positions and listen intently.

"Artemis asked me last night if there was a way to free those who were turned into philosopher stones to somehow return them to their former selves.
I'm afraid that it cannot be undone, once in that form they are lost to us. But as for releasing their souls, you will have to use the stones to use their energy inside.
The Goddess I spoke with said he is likely using the stones to power his golems. The best way to take them down will depend on the design he has used for their construction.
For now you should focus on training your able bodied adults.
There is still some of my children he has imprisoned, I ask you to save them. End his tyranny... the old feud is gone that man's line is dead. Protect our world."

With that she is gone and we are left to discuss training plans and perhaps recon details.