Chapter 91

Lucius stood from his chair, pacing the room as he processed this new information. "Selene's appearances are rare and purposeful. The fact that she came to you now, when tensions between factions are at their highest..." He shook his head, deep in thought.

"But she didn't tell me everything," Shea said, frustration edging into her voice. "Just fragments, pieces of a bigger picture I can't see yet."

Achilles rubbed small circles on her back. "Maybe that's intentional. Too much knowledge at once could be dangerous."

"Your father's right," Lucius stopped his pacing to look at Shea. "The goddess reveals things in her own time, for her own reasons. Victoria learned that trying to force visions or understanding too quickly could have... consequences."

Shea leaned into Achilles's touch, processing this. "She said the dreams would continue. That each one would show me more of what I need to know."

"Then we wait," Lucius said firmly. "We protect you, train you, and let the knowledge come as it's meant to." He walked to the window, looking out at the morning sun. "The goddess chose to appear to you now - that alone tells us we're on the right path."

Achilles pressed a gentle kiss to Shea's temple.

Shea turned to look at Achilles, finding comfort in his steady presence beside her. The weight of everything - the dreams, the goddess, the looming conflict - felt lighter when he was near.

"I remember Mother speaking of Selene," Achilles said softly, his fingers still tracing patterns on Shea's back. "She would say the goddess's wisdom comes like moonlight - you can't grasp it directly, but it illuminates the path ahead."

Lucius nodded, a ghost of a smile crossing his face. "Victoria always had a way with words." He settled back into his chair, studying the two of them. "The connection between you both grows stronger each day. Perhaps that's part of why Selene chose to appear now."

"What do you mean?" Shea asked, unconsciously leaning closer to Achilles.

"True mates share more than just physical bonds," Lucius explained. "Their spirits intertwine, making them stronger together than apart. It's rare, but when it happens..." He trailed off, lost in memories for a moment before continuing. "Victoria and I shared such a bond. It amplified our abilities, our connection to the old ways."

Achilles's arm tightened around Shea's waist. She could feel his heartbeat quicken slightly at his father's words.

"So what do we do now?" Shea asked, trying to focus on the immediate future rather than the overwhelming scope of everything she was learning.

"We continue your training," Lucius said firmly. "And we wait for Selene's next message. Whatever she needs to show you, she'll do it in her own time."

Shea and Achilles shared a look, both processing the weight of Lucius's words about true mates. The morning sun streamed through the study windows, casting a warm glow across the room.

"I remember Mother talking about her connection with Selene," Achilles said, his fingers still tracing gentle patterns on Shea's back. "She'd spend hours in meditation, trying to understand the visions."

Lucius nodded, a distant look in his eyes. "Victoria had a natural affinity for the old ways. The goddess spoke to her often, though sometimes the messages were... difficult to interpret."

"Did she ever mention anything about what's happening now?" Shea asked, leaning into Achilles's warmth.

"She spoke of changes coming," Lucius replied, his voice soft with memory. "Great shifts in power between the factions. But the specifics..." He shook his head. "The goddess's messages are rarely straightforward."

Achilles pressed another gentle kiss to Shea's temple. "We'll figure it out together."

The certainty in his voice made Shea's heart flutter. Despite everything - the looming conflict, the mysterious dreams, the weight of destiny pressing down on them - his presence anchored her.

A knock on the study door interrupted their conversation. Alaric entered, his usual composed demeanor slightly ruffled.

"Sir, an official courier just delivered this." He held out a sealed envelope bearing the marks of all eight factions.

Lucius rose from his chair, taking the envelope with careful fingers. The heavy paper felt weighty in his hands, the silver seals glinting in the morning light. His eyes scanned the contents quickly, jaw tightening almost imperceptibly.

"They've called for an immediate council," he said, looking up at Achilles and Shea. "All faction leaders must attend to discuss and set the date for the... confrontation between Von Lunar and Hawkins."

Achilles's arm tightened around Shea's waist. "When?"

"Tomorrow evening," Lucius replied, folding the letter carefully. "At the neutral grounds in the old church."

Alaric cleared his throat softly. "The courier mentioned all faction leaders are required to bring their seconds. And..." His eyes flickered to Shea. "The subject of interest must be present as well."

Shea felt her stomach twist. The thought of standing before all eight faction leaders, being discussed like some prize to be won or lost, made her blood run cold.

"We have no choice but to attend," Lucius said, his voice firm but gentle. "To refuse would be seen as weakness, and we cannot afford that now."

"I'll be right beside you," Achilles whispered in Shea's ear, his breath warm against her skin. "The entire time."

Lucius handed the letter to Alaric. "Make the necessary preparations. We'll need to present a united front tomorrow."

…

Shea and Achilles walked side by side toward the training ground, their footsteps crunching on the gravel path. The morning sun cast long shadows through the trees, and a cool breeze rustled the leaves above them.

"Are you worried?" Achilles asked, his hand brushing against hers as they walked.

"About standing in front of all the faction leaders?" Shea let out a shaky breath. "Terrified might be a better word."

Achilles stopped, turning to face her. "You're stronger than you realize. The way you handled yourself during the attack proves that."

"This is different though." Shea crossed her arms, hugging herself. "Fighting is one thing, but being scrutinized by the most powerful werewolves in Lockewood..."

"Hey." Achilles stepped closer, his hands coming to rest on her shoulders. "Remember what my father said about true mates? That connection we share - it makes us stronger together."

Shea leaned into his touch, drawing comfort from his presence. "I just hate being treated like some prize to be won. Like my choices don't matter."

"Your choices matter to me," Achilles said firmly. "To my father, to everyone in Von Lunar. Whatever happens at that meeting, we're in this together."

They reached the training ground, the packed earth still bearing scuff marks from their previous sessions. Shea rolled her shoulders, trying to shake off her anxiety about tomorrow's meeting.

"Then let's make sure I'm ready," she said, dropping into a fighting stance. "Show me how to channel this nervous energy into something useful."

Achilles's lips curved into a proud smile. "That's my girl." He moved to mirror her stance, his movements fluid and precise. "Remember what we practiced about focusing your energy through your core..."