Chapter 159

Dylan POV.

I stared at the tree, something about it genuinely seemed hypnotic, as if it truly did contain a direct link to the moon goddess herself. Even I was in awe by it, I swear I had seen it somewhere before though. It look really familiar as I walked over to it, placing my fingers gently on the bark, running them over the deep carving of the lunar cycle.

"What do you mean, it's time your prayers were answered? You can't just go round demanding gifts off the goddess Luna herself!" Oliver looked appalled by my gall, but I simply shrugged my shoulders at him. It wasn't at all disrespectful of me to ask her for something. I mean, with everything she had put me through simply so that I could conform to her bidding, she owed me something at least right?

"She has already offered me a gift once, I am simply going to ask for an alternative, think of it as an exchange." Besides, what I had in mind didn't only affect me, but would possibly aid the entire rebellion. Making things easier for us. "Oliver... the last time I spoke to her, I was unconscious for a week." This information forced The beta to stand back onto his feet, and he looked completely taken a back by my confession. "I don't know how long it will take this time, if it even works that is. So, I'm going to do something really stupid, and I'm hoping you don't make me regret it... I'm going to trust you to watch out for me."

The rogue woman simply cocked her head, listening intently to our conversation, fascination clouding her features with every word we uttered.

"I already made a vow to protect you, unfortunately, no matter how idiotic I think you are, I am with you. I will not leave your side, regardless of if your plan works or not." He assured me, and for once, I really did believe him, besides, with this rogue woman here too, he wouldn't be able to do anything to me. She seemed to love me almost as much as the moon goddess herself.

"Ok then." I sighed, I sure how I even managed to reach her last time. I hobbled over to the tree, trying to tap into its powerful aura as I sat painfully cross legged, my bad ankle resting on top of my good one awkwardly before slipping my shoulders... "Well... if you want to bless me with something, then now is the time to do it..." I looked up at the thick green leaves swaying in the wind, and sighed, even I knew that wouldn't work, I had to be much more respectful to her if I had any chance of her answering my call. "Please... I need your help!"

It was instant... the feeling of pure adrenaline rushing through me and a blinding flash of silver before I was staring up into the dark, still sky that I recalled seeing the last time I spoke with the goddess Luna.

My sight wondered over to the golden tree that sat in front of me, and I gasped, finally recognizing where I had last seen a tree with the lunar cycle embedded into it before, and realizing that it was in fact here, where the moon goddess called the after world.

"Hello again, my child." Her rich, church bell, sounding voice, rang out over the otherwise desolate area, and her human form finally came into view, the same flowing dress rested on her body and her long grey hair swayed with an invisible wind. "It is most delectable to see you again, I am elated you chose to seek me out once more." I rolled my eyes but nodded my head, an understanding that I didn't have during my last visit was evident as I stared at the beautiful celestial.

"We need your help!" I stated, getting straight to the point, as I tapped my foot nervously, waiting for her response. "The date of the battle is looming closer than ever, and we are about as ready to fight than we were when I fist escaped the kings grasp." I explained to which the goddess nodded. Her eyes suddenly took on an intense glow as she began to speak slightly differently, an almost robotic voice sounding out across the plains.

"I cannot provide you the answers you seek, but I can offer some words of insight..." at least she could help a little. "The fight which you anticipate, will take place on an up coming night when the moon is high and round." She stated causing my throat to become knotted. I had hoped it would happen during a new moon phase, but I don't know why I thought I would get that lucky. "I see a single path leading to victory, one, which you alone will have to wander. However, heed my words child... for It is your biggest fear that will provide the only opportunity for success, should you not take it, the world will never recover from the royals wrath."

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?!" I all but yelled at the benevolent woman, and sighed when the only reply to my question came in the form of a small smile.

"I'm afraid I cannot offer any more words of advice." Is that what she calls the vague weird prophesy which she had just recited? I'd call it bullshit.

"What about a few wishes, some prayers of my own I wish to see come into fruition." Was i testing the waters too much with a Deity that could probably kill me in s heartbeat? Definitely, but I didn't care. I had requests. "I'm unsure how you expect me to win a fight against the king, when I can hardly even lift my own weight."

"I admit, your current state is concerning, which is why, in light of things, I shall give you the curtesy of blessing you with several abilities." More than one blessing? Where do I begin?

"I have been thinking about how the rebellion will be able to discern our members from the kings men. The humans I imagine will be easy, but in wolf form. It would be impossible to know whether we were attacking the kings wolves, or our own. I want you to give all the lycans a mark, that will allow us to see our fighters clearly among the kings." The goddess pondered this for some time, before smiling and nodding her head.

"What would you have me mark them with?" I had no idea, just something that would make it easy for us to establish who is who.

"How about a big pink stipe on their fur?" I chuckled, completely joking obviously. "I'm sure Lewis, Gilliard, even Oliver would just love that." She raised her celestial eyebrow at me in humor but I shrugged. Silently telling her she may choose.

"I will see what I can do to aid you..." she looked over at me, and came closer, placing her cold delicate hand on the top of my head and allowing her eyes to glow a bright silver once more. "I have taken it upon myself to gift you with the ability to mind link." My eyes widened in shock and I couldn't stop myself from touching my head. How could I mind link if I wasn't a wolf, and if I wasn't mates to one. "I have not transformed you, Miss Riley, I simply believe it is vital for you to be able to converse with the lycans who have chosen to follow you."

"So, you already had your gifts pre chosen? Before I came here?" Was anything my choice? I still couldn't help but hold some resentment for this all seeing all knowing lady, I mean, even after everything, she had the power to actively help us in the fight, hell she could probably cause an earthquake or something on the kings side of the battle field before we even made contact with his forces, but nope, she thought it best to just send me out instead.

“I already had a few in mind, yes.” Again, why is my entire life fleshed out? “The mind link will take a few days to fully materialize, however in time you should be able to get a handle of if.”

I nodded already feeling exhausted from this encounter. Why must she always speak in riddles? For once could she not just give me a solid answer?

“What’s my biggest fear?” I asked, my mind still firmly on what she had told me about that being the only path to success. If I had to face my fear then, it shouldn’t be too difficult as long as I know what it is I’m facing.

“That is for you to discover on your own.” She smiled sadly and looked at the giant golden tree behind her, it began flickering slightly and I knew it was because she couldn’t keep me here for much longer. “I’m afraid this is where we must part, however, I will leave you with a final gift…”

She waved her hand gracefully and created a small silver ball of light, before throwing it directly towards my head letting it explode as it hit me, sending me crashing to the ground like a wooden plank…

Only as soon as my back hit the floor, my eyes opened wide, and I was greeted by the green leaves of the oak tree that sat in the rogues camp.

I gasped in shock, and sat up straight, feeling a little bit dazed and unsure about my surroundings. I had a feeling that the battle was closer than any of us first thought, and I had to inform everyone of what I now knew.

“Dylan?” My head shot around to Oliver, who was sat with his back against a tree next to me, his knees were bunched up and his arms rested on them, the appearance of a slight stubble was showing on his face and his eyes looked tired. “Oh thank the goddess!”

I noticed that I had a small blanket draped over me, probably to keep the cool air off me, although something tells me that I hadn’t actually been unconscious for that long this time.

“So… how long have I been out?” I asked quickly as I stood up on my stiff legs, only to discover that the ankle that I had most likely shattered was no completely healed. I frowned and twisted it slightly, before walking over to where Oliver had now stood up.

“Two and a half days.” He stated which left me nodding, I knew it wasn’t too long this time. I nodded my head and sighed, scraping my hands through my still tied up hair. “What happened?! I thought you were bullshitting me, and then… whoosh… huge flash of light…. Then you just flopped onto the floor after I got blinded for like half a second, I swear, it was so mad… you actually were accepted by the moon goddess, I guess even I have to admit you’re chosen by her. The rogue wolves have even been coming by every now and again, praying to you and the tree.” I frowned at his rambling, still trying to come to terms with what the moon goddess had told me… I wonder what my biggest fear was? “But right now, I think you need to look in a mirror.” Now I really did frown at him, and he chucked awkwardly. “Dylan… your hair, it’s…”

“It’s what?” I grabbed the ponytail that rested effortlessly down my back and pulled it over my shoulder glancing at the tresses that rested in palm in pure shock. Whatever the moon goddess had blasted me with, had changed my hair.

“It’s pure white?!” He finally stated as he looked at me in pure shock. He was right…

I needed a mirror.