Chapter 9

**Elena**


Watching over Amelia has taken a toll over me. A sudden spark of pain hits me and I gasp in shock. It fades into a rippling effect that makes me feel dizzy all of a sudden.

“It’s happening again.”

“How? We were the ones who brought her mates to her, they were not fated in the natural way. Why do they keep being drawn together? Elena?” Amira asks but I don’t know what I can say. “Is this your doing?”

I shake my head and walk over to the closest seat. “No. Perhaps the connection between them is too strong to break. We all had a part in it which is not how it usually works with my people.”

“Yet she is still helping them with the battle between the two species when we wiped her memories once again. She is also dreaming of her past lives with them. I don’t understand it.” Amira says sounding frustrated.

I don’t blame her. Something has happened that has linked the three of them together no matter what we do. The only thing this time around is that Amelia doesn’t know what she is, and she doesn’t sense Alexander and Owen are her mates. They don’t seem to feel the connection either, but her wolf flared to life when she saw the mistreatment of her people.

“We need to do it again. Perhaps place her in another country.” Amira offers but I push myself up the best I can.

“No. No more. We already know what will happen, and I can’t do it anymore.” My legs give out beneath me as soon as the words leave my mouth.

“Elena!” The three fates yell at once and run toward me.

“What’s happening?” Isa asks. “Are you alright?”

I don’t think I am. I have gone beyond my purpose and now I must face the consequences whatever they may be. If the pain I’m feeling is any indication then we have a bigger problem.

“Elena?” Evana brushes a soft hand along my cheek and I can feel her trying to sense my condition. “You don’t have much time.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and feel the weight of my choices for the first time. I was a guardian for wolf kind but became too cocky and have used more than what is left inside me to give. Taking Amelia’s memories this last time was the last straw. My powers have been drained and it is time for a new goddess to rise and take my place.

“What does that mean?” Amira asks.

“She is not like us. She is the spirit of a long line of wolf protectors and yet she has gone beyond her purpose to help us. We have hurt her in our desperation.”

“No. I wanted to help.” I say.

I try to push myself up, but I feel too weak. My condition is fading too fast. There is only one person who can take my place and she has no idea what she is. How can she take on this role when so many of her memories have been lost.

“Amelia must remember.” I whisper. “We don’t have much time.”

“We promised her a clean start. We can’t break that promise.” Evana says with a shake of her head. “It’s too cruel.”

“I know, but I can not help my people when I am gone. She must take her place, or we will all be lost.” I remind her. “Please.”

“I don’t know…”

“Please.” I beg her.

If we don’t correct what we’ve done, then all of my kind will be truly lost forever.

“Alright.” Evana stands and I watch her move over to the strings.

She slides her fingers over each one before reaching the only string brighter than all the others. Amelia is a creature unlike any other, and she needs to realize that.

“Do it.” I tell her.

She pulls the string and a moment later Amelia appears.

“What the heck?” Amelia says before turning to look around. “What…where am I? No wait…I know this place.”

“Indeed, you do Amelia. You have been here many times. We are the fates, and this woman is the goddess of wolves.” Evana explains without hesitation.

Amelia looks at each of us for a second before she starts laughing. “Right, and I’m…”

“The white wolf…leader…savior…goddess of wolf kind.” Evana continues.

“Okay, did I pass out again? I’ve had episodes before and-“

“This is not an illusion or dream. You do not remember but I will help you.” Evana walks toward her, and Amelia watches her warily. “I will not hurt you. I am only giving back what was taken.”

Amelia nods but when Evana raises her hand to place it on her head Amelia steps back.

“I promise you everything will make sense soon. Be still.” Evana waits for Amelia to relax and then places her hand on Amelia’s forehead.
A soft light appears under her palm and then Amelia’s body crumbles to the ground.

“It is done.” Evana says before leaning down and laying Amelia’s head on her lap. “Do it now before she wakes.” She tells me.

“I should explain it to her first.” I say as Amira and Isa help me to my feet.

“There is not enough time. Your strength is draining away too quickly. Come.” Evana holds a hand out to me.

I take it and slowly lower myself to sit beside her. My eyes take in the young woman I have caused so much pain to. The one descendant able to take my place among our people. The last goddess.

As Evana did, I set my hand on Amelia’s forehead and focus all my strength into her. The second it’s gone I feel…relief as if I will finally be at peace.

“How long do you have?” Amira asks me.

“Not long.” I had not expected this to move so quickly, but it is how it must be I suppose. “Tell her I’m sorry.”

“We will. Thank you.” Isa says reaching out and squeezing my hand.

“Take care of her.” I say just as I start to feel the energy inside me fade like a flickering flame.

Amelia gasps and looks up at me just as the last bit of me fades away.

“Elena?”

“Good luck little wolf.” I say before I fall.


**Amelia**

“Elena!” I cry rolling onto all fours and moving over to her as her body falls to the ground. “Elena? Please.”

I pull her limp form into my arms and look for any signs that she’s still in there. That is when her body starts to shine like a bright light, and I stumble back from her. The light is almost blinding but when it finally fades, I see the ghost of a beautiful white wolf. The wolf lowers its head to me and gives me a long look before walking toward a door with a wolf carved on it. I hadn’t noticed it there before and when she moves directly in front of it, it opens and with one more look at me she steps through. The door closes and starts to fade until it’s completely gone.

“Elena!” I stand and run over to where the door had been but no matter how I search with my hands there is no sign of it ever being there. “Elena!”

“She is gone.” Evana says.

I whirl around to face the three fates. “What do you mean? Where did she go?”

“To her final rest.” Isa says.

“What does that mean? She’s a goddess. Our goddess, she can’t just leave.” I yell at them.

“She used too much power and could not recover. You are to take her place.” Evana tells me.

I stare at her in complete shock. “What? Me? I can’t be a goddess! I’m half human.” I remind them.

“You are more than that Amelia. Much more, and she knew that only you could take her place. There is nothing more we can do now, but to let you find your own way.”
Are they serious?

“How? You have destroyed my life! No one including me knows what my life is meant to look like. Will everyone else remember me? What version of my life will I find when you return me?” I cry. “And now I have been given the burden of caring and protecting every wolf in this world! Why? Why won’t you just leave me alone?”

Tears fall like streams down my face. I drop to my knees and given in to the pain by screaming out all the pain and loss inside me. My screams turn into sobs, and I wrap my arms around myself as if somehow I can be protected from all of this.

“Amelia. We know you are in pain, and truthfully we do not know what you will find when you return but whatever it is…you can handle it. You are not human anymore, nor are you only a wolf. You are the Wolf Goddess and the White Wolf. No other person has held both titles which makes you a very special girl. Accept your destiny and find your way through all of this. We will not interfere. To that we swear.” Evana says.

“How do I know you will keep your word? You have done this so many times! How can I ever trust you again?”

“You can be sure because you are too powerful now. Now use that power to save those you love. It is never too late to fix what has been broken.”