Page 85 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince

The moment Elden reminded me that there was a connection, I realized it’s true. It’s so simple. Why did I never think of it myself? There is a bond I can feel to this unknown woman, like a bond I feel to Grandma and to Elden.

When I open my eyes, I am standing in the middle of a meadow. Celeste is right next to me, her fur sparkling under the moonlight. She is truly magical.

“I can’t believe it,” she says.

“I told you, easy-peasy.”

“But how? How were you so sure?”

“I knew I could do it, and the moment I realized I could do it, it just happened on its own.”

“That doesn’t make sense at all,” she mutters.

“It does to me,” I chuckle. “Come, Celeste, let’s find her!”

Celeste and I dash through the meadow, enjoying the way the flowers tickle our feet. Everything here is soft and warm, and safe. When we arrive at the small house, the woman steps outside, surprise all over her face. “You came here by yourself,” she says.

“Are you surprised?” I ask.

“I am,” she admits. “You are getting stronger. I didn’t expect you to make progress so fast.”

“Well, you met with Celeste, but neglected me,” I point out. “So, I came to see you.”

“Oh, my heart,” she smiles. “I came to Celeste because I felt her gifts getting stronger, and wanted to make sure she understood certain things. Not to hide anything from you. But there is a certain part in us that our human side can’t reach. And this part belongs to our wolf spirits only. It’s their conclave, the place they can retreat to.”

“I am not sure if I understand,” I admit.

“You have such a place, too,” she tells me. “A place Celeste can’t always follow you to. I wanted to guide her a little.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I am not jealous,” I say. “I just missed you.” I pause. “And I don’t understand why. You are real, aren’t you?”

“I am as real as you are,” she chuckles before taking my hand. “You have become so strong, my child.”

“I don’t feel any different, though,” I point out.

“But you are. You have become so confident and strong. Once your gifts awaken, I am sure you will master them. Never will there be a more powerful luna than you.”

“My ominous gifts,” I muse. “Elden mastered his.”

“I saw that he did,” she tells me. “I am very content with the progress he is making. He is going to be a worthy king one day. Probably the worthiest your world ever had.”

I stare at her curiously. “Just who are you?” I ask. “You are certainly not a shifter, but at the same time it feels like you are part of us. And I feel this connection to you.”

“On your birthday I will tell you everything,” she reassures me.

“Hm, haven’t heard that before,” I say, stretching slightly.

The woman looks amused and a tad bit guilty. “I know, I’ve been testing your patience for many years.” She tilts her head while she looks at me. Her eyes are deep, like I could actually get lost when looking into them. They are like the night sky and expand into eternity. Her facial features are soft and kind, beautiful to perfection, but there is also a certain strength to them. “You have come here all by yourself, by the sheer strength and will of your mind,” she mutters quietly. “Maybe it’s time to give you something in return.”

“What do you want to give me?” I ask curiously.

The woman takes my hand and pulls me closer, bending forward to whisper into my ear. “How about a name?”

“A name?”

“My name,” she clarifies.

My eyes widen. She has never answered any personal questions to me, but now finally she is telling me something of her own will. “Please,” I whisper.