ZORA'S POV
The night's shadows enveloped the forest as I, Zora, gazed at the full moon with Ignis by my side. Since a young age, I knew that my existence was the result of a punishment imposed by the Moon Goddess. My father, Garnet, before becoming the Alpha King, pleaded with Ignis to reject him, allowing him to be with Ogenj, the one he loved. Ignis accepted the responsibility, aware of the consequences. However, Garnet ended up losing Ogenj on the day of their love's fruit's birth, and now he had a female heir, me.
As my father sought another Luna to replace Ogenj and ensure a male heir, Ignis took on the task of caring for me. She wanted me to understand that I was not the result of a curse but an opportunity to change my fate.
That night, we were in the heart of the Sawtooth National Forest, standing by the river, heads held high to the full moon. At seven years old, I looked at Ignis and questioned.
“Why do we need to do this?” I asked, curious eyes fixed on Ignis.
Ignis, with closed eyes, took a deep breath before answering. “It's a way for us to connect with the Moon Goddess, Zora. We strengthen our bonds with her.”
I looked at the full moon above us and, with a sad expression, questioned: “But the Moon Goddess hates me.”
Ignis opened her eyes and gazed at me with compassion. “Why do you think that, little one?”
“It's obvious,” I murmured. “If she loved me, I would have been born as a boy.”
Ignis, gently, held my shoulder and said, “Never repeat that, Zora. It's not true. The Moon Goddess blesses everyone uniquely. If you were born like this, it's because she saw something special in you, something only you can discover and shape.”
I asked how I could do that, and Ignis smiled, promising to teach me. “I will teach you, Zora. The strength you carry is not a curse but a blessing. You will gain the knowledge needed to be someone greater than all of us. And you'll see, knowledge is power.”
From that day on, Ignis dedicated herself to guiding me through the pack's teachings and honing my skills as a she-wolf. She taught me about nature, the art of transformation, and the sacred bond between the pack and the Moon Goddess. As I grew, I absorbed every lesson, determined to prove that my existence was not a curse but a unique gift. Ignis believed in me when no one else did, planting the seeds of confidence and self-acceptance within me.
At every step, I discovered my own strength and the ability to shape my destiny, challenging the expectations imposed by my father's legacy. Ignis became my mentor, guiding me with wisdom and love, showing that, regardless of circumstances, I could be the author of my story.
She not only instructed me on how to be a she-wolf worthy of an alpha but also shared forbidden knowledge reserved for Peeiras, omegas, and healers of the pack.
On an ordinary day, while traversing the forest alongside Ignis, collecting herbs and medicinal plants, my curious gaze was drawn to a tall and robust plant, its flowers in a mysterious shade of blue and purple dancing with the breeze. Fascinated, I approached.
The flowers emitted a strong and pungent aroma, while the large, green leaves seemed to invite touch. I reached out to feel the lightly furry texture, but before I could touch it, Ignis urgently intervened, grabbing my arm.
“Don't touch that, Zora,” she warned, her tone laden with seriousness.
Surprised by Ignis's reaction, I asked curiously, “What is it? Why can't I touch it?”
Ignis hesitated for a moment before responding. “That's Wolfbane. A toxic plant. It has a powerful effect on werewolves, causing intense pain, vomiting, seizures, and, in extreme cases, it can lead to death.”
My eyes widened with the revelation, and instead of pulling back, my fascination with the plant only grew. “It's impressive,” I murmured, admiring the deadly beauty before me.
Ignis, still concerned, reiterated the gravity of the situation. “It's not meant to be admired, Zora. It's dangerous. Never go near it.”
I nodded, understanding the seriousness of the warning. “Okay, Ignis. I won't touch it.”
Ignis placed her hand on my shoulder, relieved, and said, “Now, we need to go back. We have the ritual with the Goddess ahead.”
As we walked back to the den, with twilight painting the sky in soft hues, I pondered the dualities of nature: beauty and danger, knowledge and mystery.
***
The den was infused with the scent of freshly harvested herbs as Ignis, the Peeira, and I organized the necessary ingredients for potions and magical artifacts. The soft light of torches illuminated the interior of the den, highlighting the plants and utensils arranged meticulously.
I watched Ignis with curiosity, but my mind was fixated on the memory of that mysterious plant with purple and blue flowers we found in the forest. The name echoed in my mind like a mantra, “Wolfbane.” Each petal and leaf had an enigmatic aura that sparked my curiosity. I repeated the name mentally, trying to decipher its significance.
Ignis, sensing my thoughts, stopped what she was doing and stared at me seriously. “Stop that, Zora.”
I met her gaze, trying to disguise my obsession with the plant. “Stop what, Ignis?”
She observed me with a penetrating look. “Don't play innocent, Zora. I can hear your thoughts, remember?”
I rolled my eyes, frustrated. “You know I hate it when you invade my thoughts.”
“I can't control it, you know I can read everyone's thoughts.” Ignis smiled, but her gaze remained firm. “Besides, it's for your own good.”
I let out a sigh and, realizing I couldn't escape Ignis's curiosity, decided to negotiate.
I tossed the gathered branches on the table and proposed a deal. “I'll stop thinking about Wolfbane if you answer two questions for me.”
Ignis raised an eyebrow but agreed with a nod of her head.
“First question,” I began, “how is the dosage of the plant determined? And how can it be used?”
Ignis gave me an assessing look before answering. “The dosage is determined by the weight of the plant. It can be used to make potions or coat weapons, be it wood or metal. But, Zora, it's not something simple to handle. The smell is strong, like a warning to werewolves.”
I looked at her, processing the information. “And how do we mask the smell?”
Ignis leaned back on the table, thoughtful. “That, Zora, is a subtle art. It requires a deep knowledge of plants and herbs. Maybe one day I'll teach you, but for now, focus on learning the basics.”
Before I could ask more questions, Ignis cut me off. “Enough questions about Wolfbane, Zora. You've had your answers.”
But I wasn't satisfied. I directed my gaze straight at Ignis. “Have you ever used Wolfbane before?”
Before Ignis could respond, Garm, the Beta of Alpha King Garnet, entered the den, interrupting our conversation.
Ignis, without wasting time, informed, “We're almost ready to go.”
I stared at Ignis with a hint of curiosity. “What happened, Ignis?”
Ignis, with a serious expression, announced, “Garnet has chosen his Luna.”
My heart raced at the news. Ignis gave me a reassuring look, but I felt waves of uncertainty enveloping me.
Garnet's choice would change everything. As I followed Ignis toward the destiny that awaited me, my mind couldn't shake off the implications of Garnet's imminent choice in my life.