"What's going on?" Lanasia asks.
All the werewolves were hypnotized but the effect on me, and on Zaeramil, is low. The werewolves are now marching to the opened portal to Plandreas. "The Moon Goddess is calling," I answered and ran ahead of everyone. "Please, watch over the babies again!" I can't be a mother while I'm a moon's servant! Haiban and Hessuel were hypnotized too. I walked midway when I thought there was nothing to worry about.
The moon is brighter and bigger again in Plandreas. The Alphas and their wolves have gathered on the street already, but what intensified the situation is the presence of the Moon Goddess inside Linly in front of her children—something she had never done before. Another thing is the werewolves close to her aren't hypnotized but are amazed to meet her. She's touching them dearly, anyone who comes unto her, and I'm frozen many steps away from her—just enough view to witness everything.
Her countenance is glowing. Some of her children are crying with her affection. She healed those who were wounded and there's not a sign of fear in the ambiance. She was strict about exterminating her children. What made her change her mind now? Whatever it is... I like it! I remained still when she caught my eyes and approached afterward. The werewolves are giving way to her while keeping a stare at her.
"Dandeline," she calls, and her voice pulls my knees onto the ground! It didn't happen. She holds my hands, timid as always. "You are so special. You have fulfilled all of my purposes for my children, not to mention Haiban. Him, and you, will bring about the kingdom of werewolves."
"I knew it. You weren't planning to destroy your—" I looked around and whispered to her ear instead. "... your children."
"He pleased me when he created a small world for my white wolves, and I know he'll do great without the grudge in his heart. You made it happen. I am very well pleased."
"Tell me thy plans next time."
She taps the tip of my nose. "That won't be your growth." We giggled. I can feel the curiosity of the werewolves around us about my relationship with the goddess. She touches my hands and then our palms glow. "You will do great work for the world of werewolves. You shall consecrate your time and talent into building this. With that responsibility, I shall bestow my blessings of authority to use my power and rule over my children, only to you."
"W-Wait. Can I have some break time?" I don't want to hear about other obligations in the meantime except with my twins! I'm so tired of these dogs! Although my twins are one of them.
"Of course." She lands sight on the pureblood silver wolves and approaches them after. The two Alphas stand side by side while we're still watching the Moon Goddess.
Later on, Lanasia, with her newborn baby in her arms, calls Matheo for a relieving hug. Every family is complete again. The Moon Goddess is counseling Haiban and Haiban is like a sulking pup when he explains that he felt left behind when Moon Goddess abandoned the annihilation plan. It's funny and cute to see them converse. Meanwhile, Hessuel is looking at me, then looks at Lanasia to me.
I looked at Lanasia and to him, then to Lanasia again and my eyes widened! Hessuel scratches his ears before he hurries back to our twins. With the Moon Goddess in the center, all breeds forgot their packs—their hatred towards one another, and they're all genuinely united as one. It's a wonderful event to behold. I've never seen the werewolves as harmonious as this day. It is the beginning of the change of life.
☪ ✧ ✧
They gave me a few weeks to meet the needs of my twins that only a mother can give. Even for a limited time, I felt freedom from the stressful dogs. Opposite to my situation, Hessuel and Haiban are convicted inside the palace for the continuation of their investigation. So I think I still need to wait a little longer to make my family whole in this home—like I always do.
Great things every individual wants for themselves always require time. Many claim they'll have it soon, but the tenacity is challenged when that soon is taking forever to officially come. I feel that every day. And if I give up my ambition, I will not be who I am in both the present and future. I wouldn't want to meet that person as much as I can.
My golden retriever is barking and waggling around me while breastfeeding my twins on my bed. It is the way my dogs welcome them. My silverian husky howls a long howl after she sniffs my baby. I chuckled and tapped her nose. "You're still my baby too," I said. I always enchant my twins' diapers to become an infinite absorber of their dirt. I also created a comfy fur pad for them, where they lay. And every time they cry to communicate, I use enchantment again to read their needs in their minds.
That's how mages make their lives easier!
My dogs are keeping an eye on them whenever I have to leave the house to meet the demands of my profession. Changes in the werewolf traditions are revised line upon line. I was present when Matheo surrendered the hinged cuff personally to Linly. He said that imbued powers in treasures often arise greed with not just werewolves but humans too.
This killed the tradition that there's only one Alpha and the strongest one will be called. Alphas will be called by the moon herself instead of any rituals. Their authority to use the blessed strength will come directly from the moon. And every single werewolf has the right to choose which pack they wish to join.
That was the beginning of the multiplication of packs.
Linly became busier than before. But I still hold the title of the busiest woman in the city! I can't contribute to the progress of Hessuel's judicial examination because they are my family, and my probability of biasing is high—or of course, I'll defend my mate! I always come home hearing the cries of my twins upstairs. My dogs struggled to play with them but only the presence of my scent will calm them.
Playing with dogs makes them laugh. Caressing them makes them fall asleep easily; the one with the birthmark on the right jaw has tickles on his ears and the one with the birthmark on the nape has tickles on his neck. A month is almost over since the union of werewolves but I haven't named them. I don't want to name them on my own, it's listed on my family bucket list to name my children with the collaboration of my partner as well! Unless they'll end up Rain and Shine!
Hessuel is the only missing piece to the perfect picture now.
I received a letter from the former Luna of white wolves. She's inviting me to come into Asfara so that we may reconcile, and that allows me to step into their home again. "What does her pride taste like?" I asked Lanasia who paid a visit to me with that letter.
"Everyone can change. You will taste your own pride too once you get there."
"Oh, please. I already like the taste of it when I set foot there to rescue their asses."
I've seen how the werewolves grow. And the lessons reflect on me all the time. The white wolves welcomed me politely. Maia initiated the apology by returning my right on their land. She bows her head for me and the rest of the white wolves follow.
"I will never forget how you saved my daughter... and my beloved pack. Thank you and I apologize from the bottom of my heart for what I've caused you before. I will understand if you punish me," she said. Her influence on the white wolves remains impactful, so as to my friend who's the current human Luna. Both benefited me!
I lifted Maia's chin and stretched forth my hand for her. A shake-hands resolved everything between us. "The death of your daughter is already a punishment. Let's end with a good memory." Patience. That was what I learned throughout my job as the Moon Priestess. That's how professionals are being professional. This was where I learned that intelligent wolves can be a headache without a cure!
Maia and some of the white wolves offered fruits, cookies, and treasures to me! But the best gift I received is babies' dress! I came home full-handed. And the gifts hushed my twins from crying again. I had fun dressing them like girls!
In my free time, I study Haiban's scroll of creation and plan the world I will make soon. This turned me back to my student days wherein I sketch enchantment blueprints in big scrolls. And speaking of that, I received a letter from Venduque Academy.
The best award I never desired or expected: the authorities will rank me up to Eldar.
All students and alumni attended the ceremony in the academy. The hall was filled with thousands of people. All of them recognized me as the Priestess of Venduque—quite the reputation. The new professors bestowed additional power to my spellbook from the main source of enchantment. Professional mages are witnesses of my exaltation on stage. The male professor declared,
"Thou hast shown extraordinary perseverance to achieve your goal that benefited mankind by the advantage of your knowledge gained from where you came from. You have made record-breaking heroism along with the pride of your profession. You have proven and shown you are capable of holding greater power and using it for the greater good. Today will be historical, the day never recorded in history before, and will forever be remembered by the future generations of mankind, for bringing honor to this academy and honor to the image of every mage.
"Dandeline, we hereby make you the very first female Eldar in history."
Deafening applause was granted unto me as well. Before I came down the stage, the professor asked me to make a speech to the students aspiring to be like me. I recounted my experiences which developed my will for enchantment but the very highlight of my message is my grandmother's teaching to me that she passed on, and now I will pass it on to these aspiring students,
"If you can't kill your own ambition, then no one else can, not even your infirmities. Always imagine who you are in the future. That's how you'll see your own course. And if you are dedicated to your process, then you can be more than you imagine in the end."
My words are recorded in the history of the academy. A feast is prepared for me and for all attendees. Many of the students approached me to ask more questions and the experiences I have. Some just wanted to feel honored by talking to me—the only Eldar before them. Part of the change is not accepting human mages anymore. That laid off all human moon servants. These events are making me more proud!
I take home some of the meals at the feast. Yet I'm impressed that my twins weren't crying when I arrived. My room is silent. All my dogs are here. A sweet smile shapes my lips at the sight of Hessuel sleeping quietly beside our babies.