Chapter 3 20

The air in Crystal's room trembled with power. Silver light pulsed from her skin, spreading in the form of threads across her arms. Her breaths came in ragged gasps. Every inhale filled her lungs with a burning sensation, every exhale sent a line of silver mist curling from her lips. Her body trembled, unable to contain the ancient force stirring beneath her skin. "Let go..." her wolf growled, voice rich and wild in her mind. No longer willing to sleep. Crystal clenched the bedpost, her fingers digging into the wood, splinter biting into her palms but the pain was nothing compared to the fire boiling in her veins. "Mother-!" she called out hoarsely Sarah burst into the room, fear and awe evident in her eyes. "Crystal! No, stay down! Don't fight it, just breathe, baby" But Crystal couldn't hear her. The roar of her wolf filled her mind "Let go Crystal. Let me out" A silver glow lit the room, fierce and blinding. The magic pushed Sarah back, the sheer force keeping her away as the windows cracked, light leaking through every seam in the walls. A deep furious howl came from her throat, a sound not human, neither wolf. "Edwin! She's shifting!" Sarah called over her shoulder, while shielding her eyes Downstairs, the entire pack felt it. Warriors spilled into the courtyard. Elders gathered in hurried whispers. Even Alpha Williams emerged from the great hall, face pale, eyes hard with unease. Pain raked through Crystal's body as her bones bent and lengthened. Silver fire burst from her skin, filling the room with more dazzling light. Her vision blurred, then went white * Spirit Realm ...Crystal's Mind * She stood in a vast field of silver mist The world was silent, timeless. Before her, a wolf stepped from the fog....massive, majestic, fur shining like liquid moonlight, its eyes glowing bright and pale. It stepped close, nostrils flaring as it breathed her in. "so long you caged me little one" the wild whispered through her mind "Why are you?" Crystal asked, trembling. "I am you. I am the part they feared, the flame of the moon's daughter. The wolf born of prophecy. You are not just a wolf, you are more" Visions flashed before her eyes....silver altars, ancient battles, goddesses in moonlight, forgotten wars of Lycans and dark beings. A prophecy carved in stars. Her wolf approached brushing its warm fur against her "Embrace me, take your true form" Crystal reached out Light flared, consuming her and then.....whoosh The Pack house shook violently. The gathered wolves stared intently upward, breathless. The door burst open in a spray of silver light. A massive wolf stepped into the moonlight. Gasps rippled through the courtyard. Fear. Awe. Her coat gleamed like a living moonfire, silver threads rippling down her back, paws glowing faintly against the stone. Her body was sleek, strong, impossibly graceful, twice the size of any normal wolf. Her eyes burned clear silver-blue. "No... wolf has ever shifted like this..." whispered one warrior. "She is not a wolf alone...." murmured another. Even the young pups fell silent, tails tucked. The Seer stepped from the shadows, her blind eyes turned skyward. "She is not bound by this time" the Seer whispered, voice trembling. "She is the Flame... the Moon's Child born again" Edwin and Sarah clutched each other as their daughter, the girl they had hidden, feared for, lied to and stood reborn as the prophecy itself. Crystal padded softly into the open courtyard, every eye tracking her. Power rolled off her in waves, sinking into the earth, stirring the forest. The Alpha of Moonlight Pack lowered his head, shamed by his son's crimes, awed by the truth he had ignored. Her wolf spoke in her mind, fierce and clear. "They will bow. They will follow. None can deny the Flame of the Moon" * Star Blood Pack * Ryder staggered as the force hit him, like a blazing chain snapping into place. Aiden howled in triumph inside him, clawing, demanding freedom. "She's awake" Ryder growled, breath sharp with cracked voice Luca caught his arm. "Alpha! Your eyes-" Golden fire bled into Ryder's gaze, his wolf surfacing fast, too fast. The bond vibrated, pulling him toward her. "I feel her. All of her. She's everything... more than I dreamed..." The air shook as her awakening magic touched his soul. "Alpha" Luca called out "She's mine" Ryder snarled Gritting his teeth, he forced Aiden down Not yet. Not until she came by her own choice. Soon I will claim you * Moonlight Pack...Courtyard * Crystal padded into the moonlight, the ground soft beneath her paws. The night air was rich with scent and sound. Every leaf, every breath of wind is vivid and alive. Her wolf sang in her mind, free at last. "See, little one? We are whole now. We are strong" She lifted her head to the sky and howled, a haunting, beautiful sound that echoed through the trees, through every wolf heart nearby. The Pack stared, wide-eyed, silent. Even her father dropped to one knee, head bowed. The Seer approached slowly, a faint smile on her aged lips. "Daughter of the Moon... your time begins" Crystal lowered her head in greeting, feeling the weight of prophecy settle on her shoulders. But her heart trembled not with fear but strength. She turned, her wolf senses sharp and her gaze locked on the far treeline. Ryder Their gazes met across the border, the thread of the mate bond burning hot and bright between them. His golden eyes blazed. Her wolf snarled with longing. But he did not move Her wolf growled softly, eager and patient. Elder Melvin stepped into the moonlit clearing, cloak trailing behind him. "Behold, the daughter of the moon" he spoke softly "The prophecy stirs..." Melvin added. The wolves started, some bowing in reverence, others frozen in fearful wonder. Crystal stood still, moonlight pouring over her. Her wolf growled low, scenting their doubt... their hope... their fear. * Unknown Lands * Far beyond the mountains... deeper than shadow.. Eyes opened, red and burning. "The Moon's Flame rises..." the dark voice rasped. Cracked claws traced dark symbols into the ground. Magic bled from the soil. "She is born of prophecy but not yet bound. Her soul, her power, shall be mine to claim and the Lycan King shall fall before her" The darkness smiled. "Let the game begin" * Moonlight Pack * Crystal padded softly back to her room, silver light fading from her fur as her human form returned, bare feet against the cold stone. Her limbs and headache but her wolf stirred awake, watchful, forever part of her now. She stood by the window, eyes scanning the forest's edge. Ryder. She felt him. Waiting. Watching. Burning with the bond they now fully shared. "Soon" she whispered, fingertips glowing faint silver, "I'll come to you... when it's time" And far below the earth, power stirred. The true storm had only begun