After learning the truth about my existence and the bond between Cassian and me, Leticia took it upon herself to teach me more about magic—specifically, my magic.
She said there was still so much I needed to understand if I hoped to survive the looming threat and help Cassian.
At this point, I knew I needed all the help I could get. Elias. That shadow. The war between the packs—it was all coming, and I wasn't ready.
I was scared. Excited. Anxious.
But when I remembered Cassian's voice—how certain he sounded when he told me I was stronger than I thought—my heart steadied, and my fear lessened.
I looked down at the ancient book Leticia had left for me. As much as I loved reading, history was never exactly my thing.
Cassian had left for a council meeting with Luke. Or rather, ditched him again. Typical.
I sighed, dragged the heavy book closer, and began to read aloud:
> "Long ago, our goddess Selene transferred a portion of her power into a mystical, incredibly rare gem—the Moonstone. She entrusted it to her chosen messengers, allowing them to awaken their true abilities. The gem also served as a conduit for communication with the goddess herself. Only a few messengers could wield the Moonstone Pendant to its full potential…"
I paused, blinking down at the page.
"Moonstone Pendant?" I muttered, narrowing my eyes. "This is the first time I'm hearing about this."
The pendant in the drawing caught my attention. A silver chain held a light blue, crescent-shaped gem. My fingers gently traced the illustration—
And then, it hit me.
Flashes.
Blinding, fragmented images flooding my mind in rapid succession. I yanked my hand away, gasping.
"What the…" I whispered, my heart pounding. The images moved too fast to process. I couldn't hold onto anything I'd seen.
Leticia had asked if I'd been noticing any changes—anything beyond the usual signs of my magic. I'd lied. I wasn't ready to admit that the visions were growing stronger… or that I'd seen myself die in Cassian's arms.
Just the memory of it sent a shudder through me.
I stared at the pendant's drawing, then flexed my fingers.
"Let's try this again," I murmured.
This time, I placed my hand back on the image and closed my eyes. I focused.
The images returned, slower now.
A dilapidated building. A temple, tangled with vines and wildflowers.
Then a wooden box, resting alone on a raised platform.
Darkness followed.
I gasped and opened my eyes.
"What are you trying to show me?" I whispered. I touched the image again—
Nothing.
"Where is that place?" I murmured, leaning back in my chair. "Why does it feel so familiar?"
Something in me clicked. I stood abruptly and made my way to the estate library.
I didn't know what I was looking for, only that I had to find it.
I pulled out a map of the estate. Then another. And another. No temple.
Frustrated, I threw the current map across the room.
"Damn it! Where the hell is that—"
My words cut off.
The map had landed by the window, and through the glass, I caught sight of something.
My eyes widened. I squinted to see clearer.
There it was.
The temple. Hidden behind the main house, not far from the library. Exactly as I'd seen in my vision.
"Why isn't it on the maps?" I muttered, heart pounding.
I shoved the maps back into place and hurried outside.
---
The temple was more worn than I expected, but exactly as my vision had shown me.
I stepped inside, wary but determined.
"Now I just need to find that box."
The temple wasn't large—maybe enough for twenty people, or wolves. The stone walls were lined with symbols and markings, stories I couldn't read.
Above me, the stained-glass dome bathed the room in soft colors. My eyes narrowed.
That image—
A white wolf and a dark wolf locked in battle.
Just like the ceiling of the council chamber.
I knew what it meant. I knew it too well.
I exhaled and began searching every corner of the temple. My instincts told me the box held something important, something sacred.
But hours passed, and I found nothing.
Defeated, I slumped to the floor, leaning against the wall without caring about the dirt.
My gaze drifted to the wall carvings again.
One symbol stood out—a blue crescent moon.
I stared at it for a moment before slowly reaching out to touch it.
No visions came.
Instead, the square section of the wall clicked and pushed inward, revealing a small hidden room, just big enough to hold a person.
My breath caught.
There it was.
A single platform stood inside, and on top of it—
The box.
I stepped forward, lifted it with both hands, and brought it out. My fingers trembled as I opened the lid.
The pendant lay inside.
A crescent-shaped gem, glowing a luminous, almost ethereal blue.
"The Moonstone Pendant…" I breathed, cradling it gently in my hands.
It pulsed with energy.
And for the first time in a long time—
I felt like something was finally beginning to make sense.