Tess
I can't keep track of how many minutes, hours, and lifetimes I spend in this waiting room with Lily and my other friends. It feels like I've been here forever. We're all praying to the moon goddess for Lucas. But eventually, exhaustion takes me, and I drift off into a fitful sleep.
A nightmare takes root in my brain, and I see images of Lily and Wesley kissing each other and laughing. I see her baby bump growing larger and larger, and then I spot myself alone without a baby or a partner to call my own. I'm standing there, all alone.
I inhale sharply, tears streaming down my face. "This isn't what I want...I don't deserve this future. Please, my family was already taken away from me. Why does Lucas have to go too? Can't he stay here with me?"
There is no answer. I don't even know who I'm trying to reach, the moon goddess, maybe. Either way, I continue talking because I don't care who listens; I just want to be heard by someone, anyone.
"I would give anything to save his life," I sob. "Anything! I might not know him that well, but this isn't how I want our story to end..."
"Did you say anything?" a kind voice asks. It sounds like a female, and I look up ahead.
The woman has a gentle, soothing smile on her face, and she seems to be radiating warmth. I wipe my tears and try to sit up straight, but my legs feel heavy, and my head is spinning. "Who are you?" I ask, my voice barely a whisper.
The woman glides towards me, her long, flowing white dress trailing behind her. "I have many names," she says and smiles. "But that isn't the point. I'm here because I heard your voice, my child. You were crying for me."
I try to focus on her face, but she seems to be shimmering, like a mirage. "Help me how?" I ask, my heart thudding with hope. Is this the moon goddess? It has to be.
The woman leans in closer, her hands resting on my shoulders. "I can help you save Lucas," she whispers, "but the price is grave. I wouldn't recommend it."
I'm skeptical, but I'm also desperate to save him. "What do I have to do?" I ask.
"You won't like it."
My eyes narrow with determination. "I will do whatever it takes to save his life."
The moon goddess places her cold hand on my cheek. "Are you sure, my child?"
"I am sure."
She studies me in silence, hesitating before sighing. "Lucas' wolf is dead, and his soul is slowly vanishing. To save his life, he needs a wolf, but...it's already dead...the only way to bring it back to life is by giving yours. A wolf for a wolf."
I stare at her, and she continues. "Normally, I wouldn't offer to make this horrible trade. When my little wolves die, they return to me to rest their souls, Tess. If I let you trade your wolf for Lucas' life, then I will lose you. Forever. But I love you, and that's why I'm offering you this chance to save him. But as I said, the price is—"
"I will do it."
The moon goddess looks at me with sadness in her eyes but nods her head nonetheless. "Very well. But I must warn you, Tess, once you make this trade, there's no going back. Your wolf will be gone forever."
"I understand," I say, my voice shaking. I know what this means. I'll have to live the rest of my life as a human now, and I'll never be able to shift again. But I don't care. If it means saving Lucas, then it's worth it.
"Very well. By sacrificing your wolf for your mate, I shall have enough power to make him tougher. I will also tell him that you were willing to give up your wolf to save his life so that he will be grateful—"
"No."
The moon freezes. "No?"
"I don't want him to know."
She gasps. "But Tess, surely you would want that rude mate to know what you've offered for his sake?"
"No," I reply with a grin, thinking about how Lucas' grumpy attitude is known far and wide. "I will give my mate everything without expecting anything in return."
The moon goddess looks intrigued. "Like a saint?"
"No," I answer with a smile. "Like someone who is in love..."
She glances at me questioningly. "Do you love him?"
Gazing up at her, I shake my head slowly. "Not yet...but by trusting your judgment in making him my partner, I'm confident that one day I will."
Her smile is gentle. "Let's see how your story plays out. To be honest, not even I know the answer to that. I'm unable to predict the future, Tess, but let's hope, for your sake, that the mate bond wins."
I feel a twinge of fear. "Will the mate bond remain when I become a human?"
"Yes," she looks sad but forces her smile to stay. "You might not remain as my child, Tess, but Lucas is still one of my little wolves, and I couldn't think of a person more suited to be his mate other than you."
Tears blur my vision. "You really think so?"
"I know so."
The goddess extends her hand towards me, and I take it, feeling a jolt of energy coursing through my body. Suddenly, I feel as though my skin is burning, as if I'm being engulfed in flames. The pain is excruciating, but I grit my teeth and bear it, knowing that soon it will all be over.
And then, just like that, it is. The pain subsides, and I feel different. Heavier, more grounded. My connection to the wolf within me is gone, replaced with a sense of emptiness. But I know it's a small price to pay for Lucas' safety.
The moon goddess nods to me. "It's done."
I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what comes next. "Thank you."
She smiles at me, a soft expression on her face. "You're welcome, Tess. I hope you find happiness with your mate."
With that, she fades away, and I wake up in the waiting room. I'm a bit disoriented, but even I can hear what the pack doctor is shouting, "It's a miracle! Lucas is healing; it's like he suddenly gained regenerative abilities!"
Those words make me smile. "It worked..."