Chapter 27: The Great Wolf Council

The sun came up over the big mountains. It made long shadows across the valley. Jessica stood in front of all the pack leaders. The Great Wolf Council was happening. This meeting had not happened for a very long time. It was called because of a big danger that all the wolves faced.

Jessica's heart beat fast as she looked at all the faces. Pack leaders from all over had come to the meeting. Some had traveled for many days to get there. This place where they met was very special. Jessica saw Alec from the Thornridge Pack. His face still had marks from when he was hurt in a fight not long ago.

Jessica took a big breath and stepped forward. She felt the Luna's power in her body. When she spoke, her voice was strong. Everyone could hear her, even those far away.

"Thank you for coming," Jessica said. "I know many of you are not sure why you are here. You might not think the danger is as bad as we say. But I tell you, the danger is very, very real."

Jessica told them about what had happened in the last few weeks. She talked about the bad group that had attacked them. She said this group was getting stronger. Their leader was named Ezra. He could do very scary things. As Jessica talked, she could feel the mood change. At first, the other wolves did not believe her. Then they started to feel worried. Then they became very scared.

"This is not just about our pack," Jessica said. "It's not even just about werewolves. If Ezra does what he wants to do, it will be very bad for nature. It will be very bad for all living things."

The crowd started to talk. An old pack leader stood up. He had grey fur with white in it. He said, "What you are talking about... it's like the old stories. The old stories talk about a time when darkness would try to cover the whole world."

Jessica nodded. "Yes, and those same old stories talk about the Luna. The Luna is a special person who would bring all the packs together. The Luna would lead them to fight the darkness."

Another pack leader stood up. He did not believe Jessica. He said, "And you say you are this Luna?"

Jessica did not answer with words. She closed her eyes. She felt the Luna's power inside her. The power came out as a bright, silvery light. When she opened her eyes, they were glowing very bright.

Everyone was very surprised. They made noise because they were so surprised. Even the pack leaders who did not believe Jessica before could see her power now.

"I do not say I am anything," Jessica said quietly. "I am just what I am. But I cannot do this alone. We cannot do this alone. We all need to work together if we want to beat Ezra and his bad group."

For a little while, no one said anything. Then Alec stood up. He spoke in a clear, strong voice. "The Thornridge Pack will help the Luna. We have seen how much damage this bad group can do. It's time we stop fighting each other and remember what it really means to be a pack."

One by one, other pack leaders stood up. They all said they would help. Jessica felt very happy and less worried. Now they had a chance to win.

The council started to talk about what to do. They made plans and talked about how to use what they had. Jessica felt someone touch her shoulder. She turned and saw James. He looked very proud of her.

"You did it," James said quietly. "You brought them all together, just like the old story said you would."

Jessica leaned on James. She felt very tired. "We did it," she said. "I could not have done any of this without you. Without all of you."

As if Jessica's words had called them, her other mates came over. They all said nice things to her. Even Michael was there. He stood a little bit away, but he was still part of the group.

Jessica looked at them and at all the pack leaders working together. She felt hopeful. The bad group was still out there. They were still very dangerous. But now the wolves were not alone in fighting them.

The council kept talking late into the night. They made more plans. They made new friendships. Jessica was in the middle of it all. Her Luna powers got stronger as time went on. She could feel that this was what she was meant to do.

The fight ahead would be very hard. It might be the hardest thing any of them had ever done. But as Jessica looked at all the wolves, she knew they had a real chance to win.

The Luna had come, and with her came a new time when all werewolves would work together. Whatever hard things were ahead, they would face them together. They were one big pack now, all working together under the light of the moon.