Page 26 of Night with a Gamma (Golden Strings of Fate #2)
AZURE LIGHT
Wren
The night settles around us like a cozy blanket, the moon casting a silvery glow over the Pack House.
As I make my way through the halls, the sounds of laughter and chatter fill the air, wrapping me in the warmth of community.
Harrison walks by my side, his strong presence a constant source of comfort.
I can feel the mate bond humming between us, a pulsating energy that makes me feel alive.
“Are you excited for the gathering tomorrow?” he asks, his voice low and steady, as we step into the main hall, where decorations are being hung for the evening festivities.
“Definitely,” I reply, glancing around at the preparations. “I love how everyone comes together. It feels like family.”
Harrison smiles, his eyes sparkling with warmth. “You’re a big part of that, you know? Your spirit brings everyone together.”
I blush at his compliment, playfully nudging his shoulder. “You just want me to keep baking those double fudge brownies.”
“Can you blame me?” he retorts with mock seriousness, making me laugh. “But really, Wren, you’re the heart of this pack. Your magic, your kindness… it makes a difference.”
Before I can respond, a commotion at the entrance catches our attention. A group of warriors bursts through the door, their faces flushed with excitement. “You’ll never believe what we found!” one of them exclaims, panting as he leans against the wall for support.
“What is it?” Harrison asks, his tone shifting to one of concern.
“We were out on a patrol and found a strange artifact in the woods,” the warrior explains, his voice a mix of exhilaration and apprehension. “It looks ancient, maybe even magical.”
I exchange a glance with Harrison, feeling a tingle of unease ripple through me. “What kind of artifact?” I inquire, stepping forward.
“It’s a stone, deep blue in color, and it radiates this… energy. We thought it might be something to do with the old Sweet River legend about a hidden power,” the warrior continues, excitement lacing his words. “We brought it back to show the Alpha.”
Harrison’s brows furrow. “We should go see it.”
“Agreed,” I say, my curiosity piqued despite the unease still gnawing at my gut. “Let’s find Alpha Wyatt.”
As we follow the young warriors through the halls, the atmosphere shifts from festive to tense.
The gathering is still being prepared, but whispers of the artifact ripple through the crowd, drawing attention.
It feels as if the very air is charged with anticipation, and I can sense the flickering shadows lurking just at the edges of our collective consciousness.
When we reach the Alpha’s office, I find Alpha Wyatt standing with a few members of the pack council, examining the stone carefully.
It rests on a wooden table, gleaming under the warm glow of the lamps.
It’s mesmerizing, a deep azure hue, almost like the ocean at midnight, and I can feel the magic radiating from it, intertwining with the energy in the room.
“Wren, Harrison,” Alpha Wyatt greets us, his expression serious. “You need to see this.”
I step closer, my heart racing as I peer at the stone.
It seems to pulsate with life, shadows dancing across its surface.
I close my eyes for a moment, reaching out with my magic, trying to read the aura surrounding it.
It feels ancient and powerful, but there’s an undertone of darkness wrapped in this glowing light — an unsettling imbalance that sends a shiver down my spine.
“What do you sense?” Harrison asks, leaning in beside me, his presence grounding me.
“It feels… conflicted,” I answer slowly, opening my eyes. “There’s power here, but it’s tainted. It could be dangerous.”
Wyatt nods, his jaw tight. “We need to understand what we’re dealing with. This could be a key to something much larger, or it could be a threat we can’t ignore.”
The few council members murmur among themselves, and I can feel the weight of their worry. “We should perform a ritual,” I suggest, feeling the urgency in my bones. “If it’s magical, I might be able to uncover its true nature or purpose.”
“Agreed,” Wyatt replies, his authoritative tone bringing no argument. “Wren, you’ll lead the ritual. Gather what you need and prepare.”
Harrison’s eyes widen at my side, a mix of pride and concern flashing across his face. “Are you sure you’re ready for this, Little Bird?” he asks, his voice low.
“I have to be,” I respond, determination settling in my chest. “If there’s even a chance this stone is dangerous, we need to know.”
As I make my way out of the office, I feel the weight of responsibility resting on my shoulders.
The whispers of the shadows grow louder in my mind, urging me to proceed cautiously.
I can’t shake the feeling that this artifact is a harbinger of something more significant — and potentially more sinister.
In the quiet of the Pack House, I gather the supplies I need for the ritual: white candles, herbs, and a small bowl of moon water.
My thoughts swirl with the possibilities, the weight of the task ahead pressing down on me.
With each item I collect, I can feel the magic within me stirring, igniting a fire that blazes brightly in my core.
When I return to the main hall, I find it transformed. The warriors have set up an area for the ritual, clearing space and creating an atmosphere of reverence. The flickering candlelight dances in the shadows, and the air is thick with anticipation.
Harrison stands at my side, his eyes filled with unwavering support. “You’ve got this, mate,” he whispers, squeezing my hand.
I take a deep breath, centering myself. “I know, honey,” I reply, my voice steady. “With you here, I can do anything.”
As I step into the circle of light they’ve created, I can feel the energy swirling around me, a tangible force that pulses with life. I arrange the candles in a circle around the stone, their flames flickering in unison, creating a warm glow that pushes back the shadows.
“Everyone, please focus your energy on the stone,” I instruct, my voice carrying through the hall. “We need to unite our intentions and open ourselves to the truth.”
The warriors gather around, forming a tight circle, their eyes fixed on the stone. I close my own eyes, allowing the magic to flow through me, connecting with each person in the circle. I can feel their energy intertwining with mine, creating a tapestry of strength and purpose.
“Moon Goddess, guide us,” I whisper, summoning the power of the night. “Show us the truth hidden within this artifact. Lend us your knowing sight.”
As the words leave my lips, I open my eyes and gaze at the stone. It shimmers in response, the deep blue hue intensifying, radiating waves of energy that pulse through the air. I can feel the magic vibrating beneath my skin, a connection that transcends the physical realm.
Suddenly, the stone erupts in a brilliant light, illuminating the entire hall. Gasps echo around us as the energy surges, enveloping us in a cocoon of warmth and power. Shadows flicker at the edges of the light, writhing and twisting as if trying to escape.
“Stay focused!” I call out, my voice rising above the chaos. “Don’t let the shadows distract you!”
The warriors concentrate, their faces set with determination. I can feel their energy merging with mine, amplifying the power of the ritual. The stone is alive with magic, and I can sense the depths of its history — echoes of power long forgotten, tales of triumph and tragedy.
Visions swirl before my eyes, fragments of memories that are not my own. I see a time before the packs were divided, where witches and shifters lived in harmony, united by a shared purpose. But then, darkness creeps in — betrayal, greed, and a thirst for power that splits them apart.
I gasp, the weight of the vision crashing down on me. “It’s a relic of an ancient war,” I murmur, struggling to hold onto the thread of understanding. “It was used to seal away a great magic. One that can break or heal bonds given by the Goddess herself.”
The shadows grow bolder, swirling around the edges of the light, their whispers rising to a crescendo. I can feel their cold tendrils reaching for me, trying to pull me into their depths. “No!” I shout, pushing back with my magic, drawing on the strength of the warriors around me.
“Wren!” Harrison’s voice cuts through the chaos, grounding me as I fight against the darkness.
I lock my gaze on him, the fire within me igniting at his encouragement. I channel all the love and support I feel for him, for my pack, and for my sister and mother. “Together with the Goddess’ light I banish you from my sight,” I call out, my voice ringing clear. “We can push back the shadows!”
I feel as if the Moon Goddess is here to unite our voices, the light from the stone flares brighter, illuminating the entire hall.
The shadows screech in protest, retreating from the brilliance of our combined magic.
I can feel the power surging through the circle, a wave of energy that washes over us, cleansing the darkness.
With a final surge of strength, I reach out to the stone, pouring my magic into it, binding the shadows within. The light intensifies until it bursts forth in a dazzling explosion of color, scattering the darkness like a tempest.
When the brilliance fades, the hall is left in a serene silence. I gasp for breath, my heart racing as I look around at the faces of the warriors — eyes wide with awe, breaths caught in their throats.
“What just happened?” one of them asks, his voice trembling.
“Wren,” Harrison breathes, stepping closer, his eyes filled with admiration.
I look back at the stone, which now lies still, its deep blue color muted but no longer tainted. I can feel its energy still humming but contained, the shadows no longer able to escape.
“It’s safe now,” I say, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. “But we need to remain vigilant. This power isn’t gone; it’s simply been contained, for now. It shouldn’t illuminate its power anymore or call shifters to it.”
Alpha Wyatt steps forward, his expression a mixture of pride and concern. “You’ve done something remarkable, Wren. You’ve bound the darkness or evil in that stone, but we must understand what it is and how it could return.”
“I can help with that,” I reply, my mind racing with possibilities. “I can research the artifact, delve into its history. There’s knowledge within our coven that may shed light on its origins.”
Wyatt nods, a serious expression settling on his face. “We’ll need to work together to ensure this power doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. The shadows may be contained, but I fear they are still searching for a way back. If they get ahold of this stone, it could be really bad.”
As the warriors disperse, the atmosphere shifts once more, the tension replaced with a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.
Harrison moves closer, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “You were incredible, mate,” he whispers, pride radiating from him. “I knew you could do it.”
“Thank you for believing in me,” I reply, leaning into him. “I couldn’t have done it without your support.”
“Always,” he promises, his gaze fierce and unwavering. “I’ll always stand by your side.”
As we leave the hall, I can’t shake the feeling that the shadows are still lurking, biding their time.
Tomorrow is the gathering, a celebration of our achievements, but I know the battle for our future is just beginning.
The artifact may be contained, but the darkness is cunning, and it will stop at nothing to reclaim its power.
Mother always said darkness cannot exist without the light and evil will always try to swallow joy when it can.
And as I gaze at the moon, now high in the sky, I can feel the weight of the challenges ahead. But with Harrison beside me and the strength of my pack behind me, I know we will face whatever comes together.
Tomorrow, I will embrace the light, the love, and the fire that burns within me. For now, though, I allow myself to take a breath, to relish the victory we’ve achieved, and to hold onto the hope that flickers like a flame — bright, bold, and unwavering against the shadows.
As we step into the night, I can’t help but wonder what the future holds. But one thing is certain: I will fight for my pack, my family, and my mate, no matter the cost.