A Princess and A Zombie (A Z-O-M-B-I-E-S and Descendants AU)

Ch. 27

Aurelia felt a mix of trepidation and curiosity as she followed Willa towards the cave, her mind swirling with questions and doubts. The idea that she could be some legendary figure to the werewolves was overwhelming, and she wasn't sure what to believe.

As they entered the cave, the atmosphere changed. The air grew cooler and the sounds of the forest faded away, replaced by the echo of their footsteps on the stone floor. The walls of the cave were lined with ancient carvings and drawings, telling stories of battles and legends from long ago.

Entering the main part of the cave, she was met with hundreds of faces, two of which she recognized.

"I told you she'd come," The male werewolf said cockily.

Willa rolled her eyes, "Would you shut up Wyatt?"

Aurelia glanced at the werewolf, recognizing him as the male that had tried to get through Zed at the football field, then again in Zombie Town.

"What is this place?" Aurelia asked, her gaze moving from the werewolves to the intricate carvings on the walls.

"This," Willa began, gesturing around the cavernous space, "is the heart of our history, our culture. These carvings tell the story of our ancestors, the challenges they faced, and the prophecies that have guided us through the ages."

Aurelia's eyes were drawn to a specific carving, depicting a figure with white hair standing amidst a pack of werewolves. The figure was holding a stone, which seemed to emit light, illuminating the surrounding area.

"That," Willa said, following Aurelia's gaze, "is the Great Alpha. The one who, according to prophecy, will help us find the moonstone and bring balance back to our kind."

Aurelia took a step closer, examining the carving more closely. "Why is the Moonstone so important?"

"The Moonstone makes us our true werewolve selves."

Curiosity and sympathy surged in Aurelia. The moonstone's significance to the werewolves and the expectations on the Great Alpha became painfully clear.

"The moonstone is sacred to us," Willa continued, her voice filled with reverence. "It's our life source. It enhances our strength, our speed- our lives. Without it, we will die."

Aurelia's heart sank as she took in the gravity of Willa's words.

"Our necklaces need to be charged every 100 years. A wolf without a charged necklace will get very sick and eventually die."

"I... I had no idea," she whispered, her eyes still fixed on the carving.

The weight of the situation pressed heavily on Aurelia's shoulders as she tried to process the information Willa had just shared. The moonstone wasn't just a relic; it was a lifeline for the werewolves, crucial for their survival.

"I know this is a lot to take in," Willa said softly, observing the myriad of emotions crossing Aurelia's face. "And I know we have no right to ask this of you, but you are our last hope. Without the moonstone, our pack... our families... we will all perish."

Aurelia turned to look at Willa, her eyes filled with a newfound determination. "I want to help," she said sincerely. "But I need to understand more. Where is the moonstone? And how can I help you find it?"

Willa seemed taken aback by Aurelia's willingness to help, but she nodded, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "The moonstone was lost to us generations ago. It is said that it was taken by humans, scared of our power, and hidden away where we could not find it. The Great Alpha is the only one who can sense its presence, who can guide us to it."

Aurelia felt a pang of panic. She had no idea how to find the moonstone, let alone sense its presence. "But I... I don't know how to do that," she admitted, her voice filled with frustration. "I don't even know if I am the Great Alpha."

"You are," Wyatt interjected, his gaze intense. "just look at the carvings, you're identical."

"You're the daughter of the Beast, you can't tell me you haven't ever felt a connection to the wild," Willa reasoned, "The beast was part werewolf."

Aurelia felt her heart skip a beat as the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. She had always felt an inexplicable connection to the wilderness, a sense of freedom and exhilaration that came alive in the presence of nature. But she had never imagined it could be linked to her father's past, to a heritage she knew nothing about.

"The Beast was part werewolf?" Aurelia gasped.

"Yes. The curse awoke a dormant werewolf gene in him. A gene that was passed to you," Willa explained swiftly.

Aurelia felt a mixture of shock and awe as she processed Willa's words. Her entire life, she had been unaware of this part of her heritage, this connection to the werewolves. And now, it seemed, she was their last hope.

"But... even if I am part werewolf, even if I am the Great Alpha," she stammered, her mind racing, "I don't know the first thing about finding the moonstone. How am I supposed to help you?"

Willa's gaze softened as she stepped closer to Aurelia, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "The power is within you, Aurelia. You just need to learn how to tap into it, to trust your instincts and let them guide you."

Aurelia took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. She had faced challenges before, had overcome obstacles and defied expectations. But this was different. This was a part of her she had never known, a responsibility she hadn't asked for.

"We will help you," Wyatt spoke up, his gaze determined. "We've waited generations for the Great Alpha to return. We're not about to let you face this alone."

Aurelia looked around at the werewolves gathered in the cave, seeing the hope in their eyes, the faith they had in her. She realized then that she couldn't let them down, couldn't turn her back on them.

"Okay," she said, her voice stronger now. "I'll do it. I'll help you find the moonstone."