The Goddess and the Cleansing Fire

Today, we are going to meet Selene. I’ve been told she is the goddess of us all, but I have no idea what that means. Goddess of all who? How does everyone around me know who she is, yet I have no clue?

Right now, I am packing some belongings I will need for the trip to Logan’s pack lands. I have been there before, but neither of us knew what was going to happen, and Logan didn't know I was a witch, so this time it will be different. Now that I have been formally invited, it won't be painful for me to enter their territory. The protective spells only work against witches who try to sneak in uninvited.

The pack knows what I am and that I am coming, and I just hope that they aren't scared. I wouldn't blame them if they were, though. I am the one with the power and abilities, and I am scared of what is coming and what I may have to do. It’s a normal response.

I have a lot of power, but I would never hurt anyone. Even before I fully gained my abilities or my wolf, I only used pure, good magic. I would never even think or imagine hurting someone. Magic is dangerous, and using it for anything other than to help others is just wrong. I guess we will see what they think when we get there. I just don't want to be ripped to shreds.

"We are taking the hour-long drive to get to the pack house this time. Last time I ran with her, and I don't think that would be a good idea now that we're bringing her belongings. I am strong and can carry a lot, but running with her and her stuff, I am bound to lose something—and I don't want it to be her."

As I loaded her things into the SUV, she said goodbye to her family and joined me. I had left the front seat open, figuring she would want space, knowing how worried and sad she must be. I didn't want to make this separation any worse.

That’s why I wasn't expecting what happened next. Instead of taking the front seat, she slid right into the back seat next to me. Dominick had a sly look on his face, which told me my expression was probably pricelessly shocked. He just slid into the driver's seat and took off toward the pack house.

As soon as we were out of sight of her house, she scooted closer, grasped my hand, and laid her head on my shoulder, letting out a breath I'm sure she’d been holding since I walked into her bedroom. I knew she was nervous, but I didn't think she would look to me for comfort yet.

I felt her heart rate slowing down, and she was completely relaxed being with me. We are mates, and this is what the bond is supposed to do, but I wasn't sure it would be the same for us since she is a half-witch.

The lack of tears was also totally unexpected. She just left her entire human family behind, and I figured she would need some adjustment, even a few tears, but there was literally nothing. The fact that she is calm tells me her wolf is helping her, too; I'm just not sure she knows that.

As we pulled away from my family, I had an overwhelming urge for comfort, and Logan was right next to me, drawing me in. My body told me the only way to find help and comfort was to move closer to him. I didn't even think about it; I just got close and allowed the pull to work.

I know the mate bond is there; I just don't know how it works. I'm assuming this profound sense of relief is part of it. I have no idea what is coming, and I am beyond scared. I know Logan is scared, too, but he has been a wolf his whole life and knows a lot more about all of this than I do. Everything is so new to me.

Selene never does anything without a reason, so I am going to stop fighting and allow my soul to do what it needs and what I want. I really feel if I try to fight this, it will tear me apart, and whatever is coming will win before we even have a chance. So, to better understand and comprehend what is going on, I am going to just allow my body to feel and go with it.

As I drifted off on Logan's shoulder, I could feel his breathing relax and his heart slow down. I know he is fighting the pull right now because his instincts and the need to claim me are much stronger for him. Most mated wolves are completely consumed right away, according to my mom. He, however, is being amazing about it. Despite being an Alpha, I know his urges are there, but he has not expressed them once since we found each other. He is just being here for me right now, which is what I need.

Just as my thoughts calmed down, we pulled into the driveway. His entire pack was standing outside, waiting for us. The pack is huge, and there are so many people. I instantly felt sick to my stomach. Well, here goes nothing.

"As we pulled up to the pack house, I think the sheer number of people waiting was a bit much for her. I could feel her tense up and her heart rate increase again. Well, sh*t, here we go again. I knew this was going to be hard, but we need to get her settled here no matter what."

As we exited the vehicle, we were met by my Gamma Zach and Selene. I had asked them to meet us because I knew this entrance was going to be rough for Sarah, but everyone else was here to show support and wait for orders once we knew what was actually going on.

The look on Selene's face when Sarah looked at her, though, had me concerned. I have never seen Selene look shocked to see anyone, but she looked like she had never met this person, and I know she has, since she is the one who sets wolves with their fated mates.

Zach came to us and told me we needed to speak in private. I found that a bit weird, but I started to step away anyway. As I let go of Sarah's hand and walked only two feet away, she suddenly turned bright red—the color of blood—with flames igniting all around her.

She let out a scream, ten times louder than the one when she was knocked out by our border spell. As she did, I looked to Selene for help, only to realize that she was causing this to happen. Selene had a look of anger on her face, and I wasn't sure, but she might be trying to kill Sarah. What the hell did I do, and why would the Moon Goddess want her dead? These were the thoughts I had as I watched this take place.

As I was standing there with Logan, I heard a voice in my head from nowhere.

"Sarah, this is Selene. What I am about to do is going to hurt a lot, and it is going to look like I am trying to harm you, but I am not, child. This needs to happen, or we will never win. Your father has done the unthinkable, and in order for you to even understand what is happening, I have to do this."

With that, my entire body lit on fire the minute Logan stepped away from me. I know she made him step away so he didn't get hurt, but the amount of pain I felt made me want him that much more for comfort.

As I was being lifted into the air while engulfed in flames, I felt a dark energy leave my body. I could feel my power rising to the surface, like when I was a child, when everything was light and carefree, and when I used my magic for beauty instead of hiding it in fear.

As the dark energy left, the burning all around me turned into a bright light, and the pain instantly vanished. I was sat back down on my feet, and before I could hit the ground, Logan was there to catch me.

Now that's over, I only have one thing to say: "What the hell was that, and what does my father have to do with it?"

"As I catch Sarah and pull her close, Selene tells me to bring her into the house and put her on the couch. She will explain everything that just happened and what is coming next."

I just hope we can handle it, because this bond with Sarah is crazy. I wanted to kill everyone around me for just watching her go through that pain. If it wasn't Selene doing it, I would have slaughtered them all. I don't even know Sarah yet, but damn if I wouldn't kill for her.

As we get inside and I get her settled on the couch, Zach apologizes for getting me away from her. He explains he was just doing what Selene said so that nobody got hurt from the blast. I forgave him, obviously, but I still wanted to crack him in the head if I'm being honest. It's hard to sit and watch your mate be in pain or possibly die like that and nobody helps.