143: Embracing that Power
Hayley's POV
Aiden and I stood in a secluded glade, the morning sun filtering through the trees, casting dappled patterns on the ground. I held it in my hands, its power pulsing reliably now that I was learning to listen for the beat of its carriage.
Aidan stared at me, a look of adoration mixed with greed in his eyes never leaving mine. "Are you ready to try again?" he replied calmly and reassuringly.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "I think so. It feels more flexible now when it responds.
For the last few days, every free moment, we had been training my connection with the artifact. Encouraged by Aiden and his unwavering support, I had started to tap into it and figure out how to not only bend but weave with the unruly magic of my mind.
Focus on what you want it to do, remember?" Aiden reminded me. "You're in control."
In my mind, I heard his voice say that like an incantation and directed myself to where the artifact lay in front of me. The energy was rushing through me-a current of light so vibrant and alive it turned the walls into pulsing flesh in my mandala-yellow room. I pictured a protective shield around us, keeping our pack safe from these approaching rogues.
Opening my hands, I reached farther and sensed the strength around us gathering.
The air rippled and warped, the diaphanous skin of a dome coalescing upon my command.
"Hayley, you are working." Aiden said in wonderment. "It's working."
I blinked, astounded at the wall that now surrounded us. It was a physical representation of the artifact, proof that we were getting better at using it.
He stepped in closer, just brushing against my hand. "Look how long you've come. Pride shimmered in his gaze as he spoke softly.
The warmth of his presence grounded me, and I couldn't help but smile. I literally went, "You guys!
He took my hand, and the world faded; just a touch for that second, it was only us both quietly rejoicing. He inhaled, his lips grazing mine with a tender kiss-one of reassurance and devotion that gave me strength.
Time for the illusion of normal to leave us. The rogues were narrowing their way, and it was steadily increasingly running short of time.
My words rung with an immediacy, "We need to go back for the pack." "They'll be here soon."
Aiden nodded, and the levity vanished from his face. "Let's go. We have to take all the help we can get.
We took a long last look over the glade and dashed back through the woods, my heart still vibrating from that artifact. We neared the inevitable confrontation, each step a trial, but yet I had Aiden at my side, and all we needed was that awe-inspiring strength of the artifact.
When we got back to the camp, the pack was pulsating in anticipation of war. Liam walked up to us and nodded, half glad and certain about something.
"How did it go?" Aidan wondered aloud, looking over at us for signs of victory.
I took the artifact from under my coat, and its light was clear and steady.
"We've made progress. I can control it now."
Liam's eyes beamed with hope. "That's exactly what we need. The rogues were almost upon us.
Mia and Zoe were with us; they looked so ready by the way that positioned yourselves. Mia spoke up, "We have fortified the perimeter as best we can. We're going to need more than defenses. I said.
That is our talisman, to reinforce the barrier that guards us from being another brick in your wall." My hope was buoyant backspacing as an arrogant belief. "It's our best shot."
Aiden pressed my hand, his confidence mine. Together, as always."
The pack was clustered around, looking various shades of grim and determined. Against all odds, there was an awareness that we are one people, with a drive to preserve what little remained.
When they first caught sight on the horizon of the signs of those rogue forces, a hush settled across that tent. And then I felt the atmosphere change, thick with tension and a mutual understanding of what lay ahead.
I clutched the artifact, Aiden, at my side as I stepped forward. The field of it surged with a response to my call as I concentrated on the barrier and spread my mind around, forcing it inwards so that all existed within its shielding perimeter.
The air blurred, creating an ethereal bubble-like dome over us as it formed, staining the sky grayish and transparent-with a sense of opening strength. I sensed the artifact absorbing power from the collective force of the team, fortifying the shield with their togetherness.
I felt the pack of rogues approaching, many in number and fierce of soul, as they closed on me, ready to face off. I could feel the artifact pulsing in my chest, a constant reminder of what was on offer.
The first rogues made it to the barrier and crashed against its bottom, struck like a gnat going at top speed into the windshield of an 18-wheeler. A murmur of awe spread through the ranks, our surprise advantage shattering their confidence.
Aiden's voice boomed strong and fierce. "Hold the line! We've got this!"
Re-energized, the pack charged in, taking on the rogues grimly. The barricade did not break, thanks to our growing control over the relic.
The battle seemed to go on for ages, but I stayed where I was, that artifact in the center of everything so strong through me-mmy ties with it becoming more and more solid as time passed. It was a dance of energy and will-sso delicate, indeed, it took every ounce of focus.
Aiden, he had not left my side from his conscious presence at that point. Side by side just pushing against the tide, bonded together like a gravy that you're drinking.
But the rogues wavered, their will breaking against our solidarity. They slowly started to back off, their loss clear in their retreating bodies.
The pack cheered as the last of the rogues fled, and they echoed through the clearing with a sound that would be remembered for many seasons to come. We had fucking done it-we defended our homeland and saved the future.
When we stopped to catch our breath, I glanced at Aiden; his hood and faceplate were shining with reflected glory. He drew me into his chest, and the heat he radiated was a healing salve to my rattling insides.
His breath so close to my ear, "Hayley, you did it." His voice was laced with wonder and affection.
"Baloney!" it was we, I deadpanned back falling against him. "Together."
And even just for that moment, with our pack and the thought of a brighter tomorrow around us, I was sure we could. And it was a tool for our protection-power we ought to wield as best serving against the unimaginable horror closing in.
We sat there, basking in the warmth of our mutual achievement, when suddenly, as if on cue from a movie set director, that perfect moment was interrupted by sunlight filtering through the grayish-white cloud cover and lighting up everything around us. A new dawn meant a fresh start, and it reassured the soul that anything can be conquered.
Less vulnerable, with Aiden and the pack behind me
Wolves, newly determined, surged forward and met them head-on with ferocity. The barrier was strong, a sign we were gaining control over the artifact.
The battle itself I kept at the center of, in this gray darkness where the artifact's power flowed through me more strongly as each clock second passed. One needs to bring his vigor, for it was energy in dance moving side by side along with the will, two fused into one that asks attention.
Aiden was there for me, the strength at my side. The two of us, fending off the tide together with a bond that human determination fought against on principle.
The rogues faltered, and their resolve broke against our unity; they started to drop back, in obvious defeat as their forms receded from the Yankees.
The chant of the scarf-wearing forest pack crescendo once more and then expires, mixed in with a most joyous bark... The cheering cry for having sent that last batch of rogues running. We DID it; we had saved our home and preserved our futures.
Excitement pounded through me. I turned to face Aiden and found his expression similar in spirit. In one deft move, he scooped me into his arms, the heat of him like a salve to my still vibrating insides.
Tom breathed when he finally regained a sliver of composure and pressed his lips tenderly to the beat-up side of her face.
"We finished," I said, correcting him and leaning against his body. "Together."
In that moment, amongst our pack and the hope of a better day to come, I had no doubt we could tackle whatever was thrown at us. This artifact was ours to wield: a weapon for defense and salvation.
In that moment, bathing in the afterglow of mutual victory, shimmering sunshine warm upon our faces. Each time I woke to a fresh day, it was the beginning of something new, and with that came hope we could face any hurdle.
With Aiden to be by my side and the pack in place, we shall conquer whatever each has set forth, unyielding to what the future may hold.