~Avery's POV~
Trees were swaying, dancing in the wind. The wind was humming through the tree branches, beautiful, soft green grass was tickling my toes.
If I could only use one way to describe the feeling of being here, it would be serenity. I felt at peace.
The moon was big and bright. It looked like I could touch it if I just reached out with my hand. It looked like I could grace the surface, admire the beauty of the moon with a single touch if only I stretched out my hand.
My hand reached up, I closed my eyes, and I let my senses take control. I let my hand show me the way and sure enough, I touched the moon. A powerful surge of energy, of light and warmth, speared through me, a feeling of home and love. I opened my eyes slowly, savoring the moment and feeling. Only I saw that it wasn't the moon that my hand was touching, was her, it was the woman from my dream.
"Hello, Avery. Welcome back." My hand was lying in hers, and for some reason, I never wanted to remove it. I felt safe and cared for. It felt like home, and at the same time it felt like an energy field that was about to burst.
"I have been waiting for you. I am truly sorry for the things that are happening to you." I slowly pulled my hand away, feeling the energy surge break and the cold once again shiver in my body.
"The warmth doesn't come from another, my child, it comes from within. Search for it and you will find it." How did she know?
"Because words are sometimes only a distraction from what really matters." I looked at the beautiful woman standing in front of me once again. How could she radiate such light, how could she be at such peace with herself?
"Who are you?"
"I am very much to very many. But mostly I am referred to as the moon goddess." My eyes widened. I didn't believe it.
"You don't have to."
"Would you stop that?" I snapped, not because I was mad, but because I was frightened. She was reading my mind. I didn't even know what my own mind was saying, but she did.
"My apologies."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. It's just, are you the moon goddess, the one that all wolves refer to whenever they say pretty much anything?" She smiled at me politely and I felt all better.
"Yes, I am she. I know you must have a lot of questions for me, Avery, and I'm going to answer them to the best of my ability." Okay then, I really need some answers.
"Avery, the first thing you need to know is that you are an extraordinary young woman. Don't be fooled by the appearance of others. There is much more than meets the eye. Who we are is embedded in our core, in our genes, and in our DNA. Nothing, not even magic can wipe that away."
Was she saying that my abilities weren't taken from me? Was I a wolf? But I was weak, I could barely run and my hits had the strength of that of a feather when punching a werewolf.
"You are so much more than you can ever begin to believe. Every ounce of doubt and self loath you have needs to be pushed aside. How can you ever rise when you keep beating yourself down? The things that are happening to you, Avery, see them as a test, a test that will show whether or not you are capable of handling the number of powers bestowed on you. It is not an accident that it was you who was born into this world under these circumstances. It was chosen, it was faith."
"But what if I don't want this? Can't it be given to someone who is stronger and braver in all of this, because I'm not? I'm scared, I'm so scared of the things that could happen, that will happen when the wizard is back in my mind. I lose all control. I think that faith has made a mistake."
I felt a stray tear leave my eye and roll down my cheek.
Whether it be faith or the goddess herself who put me here, I wanted to resign my position.
"Avery, faith doesn't make mistakes. This is yours and you can either run from it or embrace it as I told you last time. I understand that this must feel like a heavy weight to carry on your shoulders but it is your weight to bear. You will soon have to make a decision. What you choose will affect everyone gravely so think with your heart and not your head."
"Isn't it usually the other way around?"
"Not when it comes to love and family, my dear, the heart always wins, even if it means shattering it." A sense of fear struck me upon hearing her words, shattering it, shattering my heart, again.
"Who is the wizard in my head?" The million-dollar question, to which I knew she had the answer.
Her eyes gazed into mine. She would answer my questions to the best of her ability. I believed this one was passed thatability.
"Blood doesn't make family, Avery, however, it bonds you. It's thick and can cause just as much damage as it can create love. But remember, not all those with whom you share a bond are worth protecting. You can choose family, Avery, and sometimes family chooses you, and you, dear, have been chosen.
You are very loved, and sometimes we do irrotational things for those we love, things that harm us in the end. Think with your heart, and don't stray from the truth. Protect your family, Avery, not your bonds." So cryptic, I felt more confused than I did before our conversation started.
Blood makes bonds, love makes a family. I just need to focus on that. She looked at me as if she was searching for something, scanning my eyes.