Moonbound

Chapter 2: The Gift

Two Weeks Later

Athena, help me out here. I really need to be able to meditate. I have to focus. Stop whining about food; we just ate.

Alright, alright. Let's work together. You hold the pose, and I'll be quiet. Then we'll finish with Savasana, and we can eat again.

You're always thinking about food, I laugh to myself.

It's all this training, Athena retorts. It keeps me hungry.

I focus, holding the Plow Pose, breathing deeply as I sink into meditation. I push out the surrounding noise, letting the silence settle around me like a soft blanket. The waterfall's distant roar fades, and I feel a strange, comforting stillness.

Then, the silence is interrupted.

"Freya..."

The voice is soft, almost musical, resonating through my mind. I tense, instinctively listening. There's no other sound—no wind, no rustling leaves, no footsteps. Just the voice, smooth and warm, like a gentle whisper on the wind.

"Freya, my dear..."

"Who... Who's there?" I ask, feeling a strange calm, an assurance that whoever this is, they mean no harm.

"Come forward, Freya," the voice urges, and it feels like a magnetic pull, drawing me into the heart of this silence.

"I... I can't see," I say, feeling vulnerable but oddly safe.

"Freya, child, it's time. I am Selene, the Moon Goddess. You've caught my attention, my darling. You are ready for the gifts I have prepared for you."

My heart stutters. "Moon Goddess? Have I... am I dead?"

A light laugh echoes around me, soothing and comforting. "Oh no, my child. You are merely in a deep meditative state, connected to me now as I have always been connected to you. I've waited for you to reach this place; I have something to give you."

Relief floods me, and I can feel my muscles relaxing. "What kind of gift?"

"This gift will help you find the strength within yourself. You are not just any wolf, Freya. You were born under a full moon, and I blessed you with blindness so you would be free from the distractions of sight. Your other senses will carry you beyond what any eye can perceive. You have a unique path ahead of you, one that requires inner strength and heightened abilities. The time has come to unlock your true potential."

The words settle over me like a soft snowfall, and a strange sensation of warmth washes over my hands. I feel an object forming within them—a necklace, cold and heavy, as if crafted from pure moonlight.

"It's beautiful," I breathe, running my fingers over the piece. The shape feels familiar—a crescent moon with a small selenite point, delicate and intricate, with a wire-wrapped tree of life extending along the crescent.

"This amethyst necklace will protect you and strengthen your focus," Selene continues. "The crescent moon represents your connection to me, and the selenite point will help you reach me when you need guidance. Wear it always, my child. Let it guide you when you feel lost."

Her words are filled with an energy that stirs something deep within me. I can sense the power radiating from the necklace, a warm hum against my skin. "Thank you, Moon Goddess," I whisper, my voice barely audible.

"There is more, Freya. This necklace will also help you in other ways. It can create a protective force field around you, repel those who would harm you, and even aid in healing the wounded. But remember, its powers are only as strong as your connection to it. Keep your faith, and its strength will always be with you."

A sense of wonder fills me, mingling with the strange warmth. "I won't let you down."

She chuckles, a soft, musical sound. "I know you won't. You have a brave heart, my child. Soon, you will meet someone who will change the course of your life. When that time comes, remember that you are stronger than you know. Trust in yourself, and you will find your way."

The air grows heavy, and I can feel her presence beginning to fade. "Wait!" I call out. "Please, don't go yet."

"I must, dear one. But I will always be with you. Remember to keep the necklace close, and do not remove it. Ever."

With that, the warmth vanishes, and the familiar sounds of the forest flood back in—the rustling leaves, the murmur of the waterfall, the distant call of a bird. My hands close around the necklace, still cold from its celestial touch. I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of Selene's words settle into my chest, grounding me.

When I open my eyes, I reach up, tracing the shape of the necklace to reassure myself that it's real. The crescent moon feels solid beneath my fingertips, a comforting weight that fills me with a newfound sense of purpose. For the first time in a long while, I feel complete. I stand, brushing the damp earth from my hands, and start to make my way back to the packhouse.

Back at the house, I go straight to my father. "Dad, something happened during my meditation."

I hear the rustle of papers as he looks up, his attention immediately on me. "What is it, Freya?"

I touch the necklace, unable to keep the wonder out of my voice. "The Moon Goddess came to me. She gave me this necklace... it feels powerful, like it's meant to protect me."

My father is silent for a moment, his breaths steady. I can feel the shift in his energy, a blend of curiosity and awe. "Freya, that's an incredible gift. The Moon Goddess doesn't choose lightly. This is a sign—you were meant for more than just ordinary training. This is your calling."

My mother joins us, her soft footsteps signaling her presence before she speaks. "Freya, the Moon Goddess must see something special in you. You have a purpose, a path only you can follow. Trust yourself and trust in her guidance."

I smile, feeling the warmth of their support. I clasp the necklace firmly, knowing that this is only the beginning. "I'll make you proud. Both of you."

As the day fades into night, I sit alone beneath the stars, my fingers brushing over the necklace as I replay Selene's words in my mind. She spoke of someone who would change my life. I can't help but wonder who it might be, and if this new path will lead me to something greater than anything I've known before.

With the Moon Goddess's blessing, I feel ready to face whatever comes next, unafraid of what the darkness holds. For the first time in my life, I am more than just Freya, the blind daughter of an Alpha—I am Moonbound, and my journey has only just begun.