Chapter 57 Cecilia

(Hope POV)

Finally, we are HOME at Dark Moon just in time to celebrate Alexander's actual birthday. I missed my parents. They had so many questions like how in the world can I be the CEO of Stella Foundation. I know. I couldn't believe it myself.

I gave my parents their new bank accounts. My mother almost fainted when she saw how much was in the account. I told her, if you still want to teach, you can now do it because you want to, not because you have to. I also told them they'll be going to New York City with me. My mother and father said they had to do some shopping at the village to be ready for New York.

I also gave Aunt Cecilia her new bank account. She looked at me and asked, "What about the gold and the diamonds? The jewelry?"

"I left it in the safety deposit box with the High Elder. Too heavy to carry. Is this not enough Aunt Cecilia? I can give you more if you want?" I looked at her confused.

She saw my reaction and let out a small laugh. "Of course, it's too heavy to carry. I was just asking, Hope. Thank you. I can live the rest of my life not having to work again. This really means a lot to me. By the way Hope, here's another book for you to read. Something you may like." She took out a book from her satchel. It was a book for disguises.

"I can change my appearance?" I asked her amazed a person could actually do that.

"Yes, dear. Appearance only. Your scent will be the same. For the disguise to be successful, you will need to spray a scent on you to mask your smell," she replied.

"And where can I get scents? Do I have to make some or maybe conjure one?" I asked.

"You can make some, but usually the scent doesn't last. There is a perfumery owned by a wolf that sells various scents. His scents last for up to two hours. He only sells to Alphas or Lunas so you should ask Alexander. His scents I heard are expensive, but a small bottle can last for years." She smiled at my enthusiasm. "If ever you are able to meet The Perfumer, try and get as many scents as you can. By the way, his currency is in gold." I nodded my head in understanding. No wonder she asked about the gold and the diamonds. That's the currency among wolves.

"This is so cool. I'll start with this right away and ask Alexander how I can get in touch with The Perfumer. Thanks Aunt Cecilia. I almost forgot. I made a donation to your former pack in Canada. And Grandmother wishes to see me." I told her.

"My mother wishes to see you?" Aunt Cecilia asked, surprised.

"Yes. I was hoping you'd want to come with me. I'll be going there after New York City. Maybe you'd like to come to New York City too. By the way, your pack made a list of things for me to bring," I told her.

"May I see the list? Maybe I can contribute?" Aunt Cecilia asked.

"No need. It's just a list of things they want like toilet paper, some meat products and apples. Basic items." There was one item on the list that was suppose to be kept secret even from her. My grandmother made it clear no one was to know about that item. This was one of the reasons why I visited the High Elder alone. I saw it in the safety deposit box, glistening in the room like it was asking me to take it the time I opened the safety deposit box.

"That was your mother's favorite ring. It was deposited the night she had dinner with me. Your mother was the one who put the spell on the safety deposit box. She made sure only the heir of Brandt could open the box," the High Elder informed me as I put the ring in a pouch.

"My grandmother wishes me to bring it to her. She told me to tell no one I have it aside from you. This ring is special somehow. I will know once I arrive at Autumn Moonlight Territory." I put the pouch in my bag.

"And your Aunt? Will she be accompanying you?" Arthur asked.

"My grandmother has asked me to have her come with me, but if she declines, my grandmother said she would understand given the circumstances. Whatever circumstances that is, I have no idea. I called the Alpha of her pack, and she requires me to be in business attire. My grandmother is strict on formalities. Of course, she is very happy a daughter of Lupa will be coming home," I said.

"Once you visit your grandmother, do give me a call about your trip. If you can come visit me, I will be very happy. I pray the Moon Goddess will keep you safe, Alpha Hope. Be blessed, my child."

I had the ring placed in the vault in Alexander's office. I couldn't take any chances. I told Alexander it was very important to me and to tell no one. "My mate has secrets. I will guard this with my life," Alexander assured me when I gave it to him. I gave him a kiss to thank him.

My aunt was standing there thinking if she should come with me. It took her a while to decide. "Well, I haven't been to New York in a while and I have money I can spend. Okay. I will go with you." I gave her a hug. My grandmother is going to be happy...I hope.

Amanda, on the other hand, was very happy. Business was booming for her. I told her I'd help her open a boutique shop of her own in Seattle. She screamed, "Sugar, I told you you're my Mona Lisa. Now, I need to finish the gown you're going to wear for the Hemming Charity Ball. By the way, Lucian told me what you did to Damian. Atta girl!" She gave me a pat on my back.

We gave Howard and Diane a box of bottles of the red wine we made while we were in Seattle. "Nice. Let's have some of this now." He took a bottle and a corkscrew to open a bottle. "I heard you invested more money into the company. Thanks Hope." Howard gave me a hug.

"Stella Foundation. All these years that was you, Adella and Davis funding it. This means we will have stronger alliances with all the packs. She actually did it," Diane said, while giving us wine glasses.

"She actually did what, Mama?" Alexander asked her.

"Help those she didn't help before," Diane answered.

"Yeah, I heard the whole story from the High Elder. I had lunch with him," I told them.

"Not many has had the honor of dining with the High Elder, Hope. You are privileged." Howard bows.

"My mother also had dinner with him. She had dinner there when she was pregnant with me. She, uhm, was there alone," I told them.

"Whatever the High Elder told you dear, is for you alone," Diane said. "I hope you found some of the answers you seek." She rubbed my arm, lovingly.

"Some. I'll find more when I visit the Autumn Moonlight Pack. My grandmother wants to see me."

"Adella's mother? Victoria wishes to see you? I will come with you. Adella's mother is very....uhm...formidable," Diane said.

"This is great. Aunt Cecilia is coming too," I told her.

"She is? It has been almost three decades. I guess it's time we put the past behind us. Howard, I'll be joining Alexander and Hope on their trip, if that's fine with you?" Diane looked to Howard for his permission.

"Sure, sweetheart. You're always cooped up here in the house. Do you need me to come with you or do you want to do this alone?" Howard asked Diane.

"I would like it if you come with us, Hon. Unless we need someone here. Everyone will be going to New York. Who will be left in charge of the territory?"

"I'll talk to Oliver, David and Mark. Just as long as the protection charm is up over the territory, no need to worry. We'll be gone for three to four  days. I think they can handle three or four days on their own," Alexander said to his parents. "I'll go ahead and have the plane prepared for us."

"I'm tired and the red wine has made me sleepy. I think I'm going to call it an early night." I yawned.

"Me too. Tomorrow is my birthday. We need to be well rested for tomorrow," Alexander said. "Ma, Pa, good night." Alexander gives his parents a hug. He takes my hand and I follow him to our room.

"Let's take a shower together," Alexander suggested.

I laughed. It won't be an early night after all.

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(Cecilia POV)

Hope will be going to see Mother. It only means one thing... She has the ring. Mother will be annointing her as Adella's successor? It can't be. After all these years, I am still looked upon as insignificant. Why can't I have the ring? Why can't it be me?

When Adella arrived home from seeing the High Elder, she didn't have the ring with her. She said she had hidden it in a safe place which only Stella can access. I told her to annoint me as her successor. I may not be the first daughter of a Lupa, but I still have great power. Adella shook her head and said when Stella comes of age it will be her decision to annoint me if she decides against her birthright. Unlike our mother who had pressured Adella in taking up her birthright, Stella will be given the right to chose.

"Cecilia, it is not up to me anymore. I know you have great power and you are also a daughter of Lupa, but the right is reserved for the FIRST daughter of a Lupa alone. I can not give you what is destined for Stella. She and only she can decide her fate." Adella looked at me, tired and defeated. Her pregnancy was consuming all the light left inside her.

"But without the ring we are defenseless against The Rogue Lord. Whispers say it will be the night of Stella's birth. Give me the ring and I will assure you, I will defend you and Stella against The Rogue Lord. You have my word," I argued, hoping she would relent and annoint me as High Priestess.

"It is done." Adella took my hands into hers. " I can not undo what I have already done. Only the blood of a Brandt heir can open the safe. Only Stella can open the safe. Without her, no one will ever see the ring again. The bloodline of Lupa will end with her death." She kissed my hands. "Keep her safe Cecilia and one day, you will understand. Promise me." Adella looked at me, begging. As much as I despised playing second fiddle, I nodded my head in a silent promise. A silent promise I have kept to have that ring!

I have given all the best years of my life keeping Hope safe. Fine, Hope did give me a large amount of money to play queen in a small island, but all I've wanted to be is the High Priestess of Lupa. Change the fate of all other daughters of Lupa who were not given the same opportunity as their Eldest sibling.

I stole the ring once when I was a little girl and had put it on my finger. I felt the power it held. My mother saw me and slapped me in the face. She screamed, "You are not a first daughter of Lupa and you will never be!" That day, I pledged I would take the ring and I would show her a second daughter of Lupa can be as powerful as the first.

If Hope is annointed by my mother, she will be able to channel her powers even in wolf form. To be honest, I did not expect Hope to display such great power after living as a human for the past eighteen years. I had expected her to be weak as she had grown up without the guidance of Priestesses before her. I was gravely mistaken.

Tomorrow night will be the big birthday celebration of Alpha Alexander at the village. While they are away, I will sneak into the mansion and look for the ring. It will be mine!