Liora's POV

The training grounds had been more busy than I had known it to be for ages. The warriors diligently obeying every instruction and honing their skills, Jaxon working tirelessly to ensure the new recruits gives their best. It was a beautiful sight to behold, judging that the formal Jaxon would never look at those he considered as weakling twice. He did rather continue with the little number of warriors he had than recruit new ones that know not their right from their left. I was Luna, but I wasn't comfortable sitting down, and watching others work without contributing anything. To hone my skills, I train everyday, never ready to be caught unfresh, but there's an aspect I had been neglecting; making more research about my power and the prophecy before we embark on the journey to find the artifacts. After quietly slipping away, careful not to alert Jaxon, I made my way to the ancient grove—I got to know about the existence of this place from our pack's archives, reading to know the history of my pack. In the Grove, there were ancient trees which twisted strangely to reach the sky, and I got to know how powerful their branches were, heavily loaded with moss and secrets. As I got deeper, something kept pushing me in, and I felt a connection to the environment, like I had been there before. 'Liora," I heard a whisper behind me, a feeling that someone was behind me, eerily closer than the voice. But I saw no one, not even a shadow was seen. I froze instantly on realizing that I had crossed the border of the living, I had entered the grove only for the fallen. As I spurned around sharply on hearing my name the second time, I saw a figure appearing from the shadows. I waited patiently for it to get to my direction, and lo and behold; it was an old woman. She was all cloaked in forbidden dark robes, the only thing not black on her body was her silver hair which descended like a flowing water on her shoulders but perfectly unkempt. 'Who are you and do you seek?" I asked with much authority. She chuckled, and then smiled yet eerily. 'You are free to call me Selene, that's if you wish to. I am… related to your family, an old distant friend, your noble family." 'Family you said?" I questioned, not believing anything coming out of her mouth. 'Then why am I just hearing of you now? No story or trace of you ever existing?" 'Because it wasn't yet the right time to show myself, I've been in hiding for the longest time. I have been waiting patiently for you, Liora." She took two steps closer, her gaze intensely holding mine. 'Your union has stirred up many hidden forces for decades, something ancient has been awakened within you. This power is peculiar only to the veins of your bloodline. But it would be fruitless doing that alone, you need guidance." I crossed my arms in amusement. I had heard and seen a lot that I doubt I have connections to all of them. Some might be strategies to diversify my attention, and make me less efficient. 'And from your narration, you are the chosen one to guide me? How sure are you?" Selene nodded, but something wasn't just connecting. Why do I feel connected to this groove, like I also know Selene? It felt like a part of my memory was wiped off. 'If you wish and intend to do anything to protect your mate, not excluding Silver Moon Pack, your pack… then you are stuck with me." I kept mute while studying her countenance. The more I searched, the more difficult it became dictating her intentions. She seemed to be telling the truth, her gaze said it all, though I might be wrong. 'Then, I would love you to show me," I whispered to her. Without saying anything, Selene quietly raised her hands, and in no time, the energy surrounding us became tensed, emitting endlessly from nowhere. I felt my senses sharpened, and I realized how easy it was for me to connect to the supernatural realm. It kept energizing me, giving me more strength than usual. 'This power you are experiencing now," she continued, watching as I adapted to its increasing intensity, 'is part of what you inherited from your lineage, an ancient line which is peculiar to your kind. I am bringing it to your knowledge now, and you are free to use it to shield the pack, to heal injured warriors, to wedge the entrance of dark magic into the pack." I closed my eyes, carefully allowing all she said to settle in, the power doesn't need rushing, and I would ensure not to misuse it. My coming to the grove was no coincidence, it was the moon goddess pushing me closer to my destiny. I was glad to be of help to my pack and loved ones in their tight moments. 'Thank you, Selene," I whispered, grateful to her for showing me another part of me. Though I would have been happier if she had told me how we are related, she wouldn't budge when I asked her for more details. 'Your healing journey is yet to start in earnest, and as Luna, your responsibility has just been doubled." Selene explained. 'But remember, you can't achieve true power by working alone . You need to work as a team to be at your best, hence, the reason you were mated to Jaxon." I was still reminiscing on her words when she vanished into thin air. She did that so quietly as she had come, giving me no clue of her disappearance. I was once more left alone in the grove, but not afraid. I was glad that my curiosity led me to searching for more information about my pack. I was able to discover the place of Jaxon in my life, he has a connection to my power, not only as my mate. Returning to the training ground, I found them almost rounding up, but Jaxon was already waiting for me, worries lined on his forehead. His eyes shone with much joy on seeing me, I felt bad for keeping him in the dark. 'Where have you been?" he asked, reaching out and engulfed me in a warm embrace. I smiled, snuggling closer to him, and allowing myself to enjoy the moment. My heartbeat resonated with his own. 'Just… went on a discovery search, gaining a new understanding which would help me come to terms with what I'm capable of." Jaxon looked at me in admiration, his gaze soft as he stared at me, but obviously my lips. 'Liora, my mate, you are full of surprises, an inspiration to me." I took his masculine hand, stroked the hairs on it, while still holding an intense gaze with him. 'We have each other, we're unstoppable together." Jaxon's POV We stood there, saying nothing to each other, only observing the training. Everything was going smoothly, not until we heard a sharp growl not far from the training ground. Our entwined hands released each other immediately as we spurned to action. There should never be an interruption to what we have arranged. We had gone ahead to discover that it was a minor problem, a new recruit without much stamina was resting by a tree shade, but mistakenly hit his leg on a sharp object, hence the growl. Liora had gone out of my sight before I could turn. I had no idea how she sneaked out without alerting me, but I did know that she would be safe. >>>>>>>>>>>>> Not preparing for a successful mission was preparing to fail. When we returned from the training ground, I went straight to the war room. By this time, Liora was back from her little walk. We had two major tasks at hand; securing the pack to avoid the likes of Alpha Rhys strolling in and out as they pleased in the detriment of the safety of our members. The second task was getting the artifacts from their different locations; a guaranteed healing to the pack. Fair enough, my union with Liora was able to restore her healing power, and the majority of the pack members have been healed, though some were still in their recovery phase. But in order to perfect the healing, the artifacts are needed, hence our reasons for training and recruiting more warriors. Right there in the war room, maps, scrolls, and ancient texts which we gathered would be useful to us, all lay scattered but not in a disorganized form, across the massive table in the center. Each document was as important as the other, giving detailed accounts and stories of long-lost relics, but not without attaching the trials peculiar to getting them. Today was not like other days where the council members meet, it was more of organizing, carefully selecting the necessary knowledge and tools needed for a successful journey. We had kept the details of the artifacts hidden from the council members except Elder Marcus, he was among the trusted few in the board, always pushing to get the best for the pack. My suspicions were proven right when Elder Clatus was exposed, but today, we had decided to keep everything open, though hidden to just a few until the traitors are all fished out. The council members who were hearing about the artifacts for the first time, all shifted uneasily. Some were offended that I hid such information from them, but I shut them up. If they were to be in my shoes, would they share vital information so freely, giving room to the enemy to carry out their duty. "The first artifact, which may not be from the order of importance," I started, maintaining a commanding and steady voice. "lies somewhere very deep in the Valley of Shadows, but unfortunately, guarded by the spirit of the fallen. From research, the place is known for its treacherous nature, and sadly, only but a few make it alive. The Valley of the Shadows holds something very important to us, and must be taken. a place where few return." Elder Marcus who had been staying quiet, carefully observing everything cleared his throat. He was as wise as an owl, 'Alpha Jaxon, this valley you are singing about… the very one you have narrated the story more than I can recall, I don't see it as a child play. The spirits which had taken a liking to living there, are fierce and mean. Are you sure you have trained enough, leaving no Stone unturned and you are ready to lead such an expedition?" 'Not just about preparedness, Elder Marcus," I replied boldly. "We are determined to secure the safety of this pack.. The use of power alone to secure this won't amount to anything. If we leave the artifacts to remain there, they could be manipulated easily against us by our enemies. Even Morgath will take advantage of the situation to finally wipe us off. It is best we face the inevitable on time and secure them." Liora chipped in a few details of the mission, backing up all I had said. 'We've done a whole lot to back down now. The risks are clearly before us, but we choose to fight them rather than sit down and be tormented by fear, eventually, our enemies would rejoice over us." The council room became dead silent, each of them with their thoughts. Liora's words must have touched them, but whether they give their support or not, we would be going ahead with the mission, especially going to the temple of the moon to seal our bond. I turned my attention to the stranger who saved the pack on the day of our union. He had pledged his loyalty, not under duress, but out of willingness to help and bring Morgath down. According to Calder, the warrior rogue, he had lived in this land for the longest time, and had the plans of Morgath in his palms. His presence in the pack would be much appreciated as he would guide us through the Valley till we accomplish our mission. 'Calder," I called him, he had been quiet all through the meeting, but keeping a watchful eye. I still felt it was inappropriate to let him partake in the meeting, just because he saved us once, but even at that, I would have a few of my guards monitor every one of his movements. 'you had made the Valley of Shadows your home for the longest time. What are the odds that we would win, what are we waging war against?" He stood up to address everyone, his eyes displaying both excitement and danger. 'The Valley from my years of living there, operates with a different rule, something entirely different from any terrain you've ever encountered, Alpha. The spirits that had taken over the territory, the fallen ones, have no business with sleep. They can be hostile and mean to you as intruders. Only eventually, would grant you a pass if they find you worthy." Liora and I exchanged a knowing look. Even this won't stop us, we are prepared. "Then we would make them find us worthy!" With that, the preparations continued, the sharpening of weapons, gathering of enough supplies for easy operation. We made sure to pick only warriors that were willing to go, those that their energy matched with their resilience. But not without keeping a watchful eye on the rogue warrior, he might be up to something.