It was cold. There was no light. Only darkness surrounded me.
I wasn‘t sure what I had expected for when I died, werewolves didn‘t seem to have any real lore hypothesising about what came after death. I‘m sure humans would think we should be cast into hell, our entire self being a creature opposed to the ways of their natural laws. But we didn‘t have any thoughts or values on that.
Did I expect the Goddess to embrace me and lead me into some pearly gates? She had abandoned me in life, I could only assume she would abandon me in death also.
I stayed curled up in the darkness for longer than I could say. It felt like days, or even years, but time didn‘t seem to move the same way here. Hell, for all I knew, it could have been only seconds that had passed in this eternal abyss.
But suddenly, without warning, light surrounded me and I began to fall.
Around me were images from my memories, floating past me as I dropped. I saw my childhood, my mother tenderly caring for me. My father with his always stoic attitude. I saw Aleric, how attractive he looked when I saw him for the very first time after coming of age. I saw Thea, her air–headed facade as she always smiled at me. I saw Sophie… betraying me.
And I saw my death. It was replayed over and over, and over again as if trying to make me go insane. I would see Aleric lift the blade, the sound of the sharp edge eating into my flesh, and then the darkness… the silent cold darkness. It continued to repeat like a broken record.
“Please… stop…,” I begged to the empty.
I didn‘t know if anyone could hear me but I couldn‘t handle this anymore. If this wasn‘t hell then it was damn near close. I shut my eyes tightly, pressing my balled–up fists against my ears to block out the images and sounds, but they continued to drill themselves into my brain.
Why…why was I being punished? I had never done anything wrong. I had done exactly what was asked of me the entire time. I had died for that very reason.
“My child,” a melodic voice then called out to me, bringing the peace and silence with it that I had craved.
I quickly opened my eyes and saw a woman with brilliant gold hair and silver glowing eyes. I recognised her immediately. She was the woman I‘d witnessed in the woods whilst I was shifted. But who was she?
I asked the question in my mind but, deep down, I already knew the answer.
She was the Moon Goddess, Selene.
was overwhelming, making me feel so strange inside. I was warm but I was cold, I was empty but I was full. Just looking at her made me want to break down into tears before her but
but wonder though, why was she finally showing herself now? Where was she when I was alive?
said. “I know you have many questions but I also know some
loyally, yet I was conflicted inside. How could I worship someone
said, my voice wavering and betraying my emotions. “…Why did you do this to me? You made
that mean you wanted me to become Luna?
you,” she said gently. “I have watched over you since the beginning but there are some things I cannot interfere with. I never wished for you to experience
I was letting my anger get the better of me. “I prayed every night to you for years
a mother to you all. I give you all the tools to bring you immense happiness in your lives,
all happened because something changed your divine
that was the truth, then what had happened to change the course of destiny? I
too simplistically, trying to apply your earthly knowledge and logic to something that cannot possibly be understood so easily. You are one of my favourite children, so intelligent and strong, but I cannot change the future in the ways
wanted to flinch from her touch but her presence instinctively made me want to give myself to
education and family, only for them to grow up and commit grave crimes, would you blame the mother? I wished for you to have the best life, full of love and happiness. However, if things change from my original plan, then there is nothing
its course? You mean
cannot deny that the interference that occurred
that cannot be allowed to occur. ...And so,
boring into mine, making it hard
if I refuse?” | asked
you will remain in the Abyss, forever reliving your
over and over again. I knew now she must have shown
want to be Aleric‘s mate,” I said, surprising even
is the fate I have chosen
argued, removing my hand from hers. “I think there is something you‘re not telling me. A reason why you need me to go back