Chapter 84:

Alley POV:

When my eyes opened I didn't recognize where I was. A huge tree with large branches reached at least twenty yards, a large swing hung off one of the branches. I walked a little closer to see a woman sitting on the swing. Shit did I die!? No, no, no, no please tell me I didn't die! My heart started beating fast and hard in my chest and I could feel the panic rising. "Rose? ROSE?!" Why can't I feel her? "Alley calm down." The woman said, wait I know that voice, the closer I got to her I recognized her. Athea, the moon goddess herself. Wait what? "Athea?" I was confused. "Come have a seat with me, my great white witch, we need to talk." She said, Crap am I in trouble? Why am I here? "Stop asking yourself a million questions and come sit." She chuckled, patting the seat beside her. "Why can't I feel Rose?" I asked. As soon as I asked, a large white wolf came out from behind the tree. I've seen Rose before when she's shown me but never like this. "Rose?" I whispered, She came up and nuzzled her nose against me. "You're beautiful." I said as I took in her appearance. She was so much bigger than I pictured, she was taller than I am! All her different colors are just like a calico cat.
Her eyes shined multiple colors to match all the elements. I ran my fingers through her fur, her fur is super soft. She tilted her head into my hands. "How is this possible?" I asked. "Well this is what I call my grove. It's peaceful and calming, I needed to talk to you and Rose wanted to be able to meet you herself." Athea said, Rose wagged her tail and nodded her head. A giggle escaped my lips. "Well it is very nice to finally meet you Rose, you are beautiful you know." I said, smiling at her. "Thank you Alley." I was startled making Athea laugh. "Yes, you can still hear her in your head, I can hear her as well." I looked between the two of them. That wasn't something I expected. "What happened to me?" I asked. Rose hung her head down, "You used a lot of energy, you let your emotions get the best of you which wore you completely down." Athea said. I tried to remember what happened but it seemed like bits and pieces were missing. "You did well though but Alley you have to remember to pull from your element." Athea said. Then it all came back to me, Bosch, the fight, the rage I felt the hatred I felt.
"I thought I learned how to balance them. Rose wanted to come out but I wouldn't let her." I replied. Rose snorted at me. "Sometimes you have to let her take over. She can handle a lot more than you think she can and she is able to pull from the element itself." Athea said. "I'd never let anything happen to you Alley." Rose chimed in. "I just don't want to feel like I have to rely on Rose for everything you know? Who would I be if I hid in the corner while Rose fought my fights?" I said, casting my eyes down. I didn't want anyone to think less of me. How could I lead others if I relied on Rose for everything. Rose nudged my head up, "Don't ever feel bad for needing me Alley, no one would think any less of you." Rose said, licking my face. "She is right my dear. I chose Rose for you because she is the strongest and most gifted, when you and Bosch battle you will need her." Athea said. "I just want everyone to know that I can protect them just as well." I whispered. "I know my sweet witch, but you have to let go of the fear that people will think less of you, do you know what people truly think of you?" Athea asked. Do I even want to know? I try my best but even then it isn't good enough.
"I don't know what people think of me and honestly I'm afraid to know." I said, running my fingers through Rose's fur. It was oddly calming. "Everyone thinks the best of you that you know. The ones you've helped, the ones you have saved. Even a simple smile has made people's day. You do what some refuse. To show compassion, love and loyalty." Athea said as she tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "I do my best to do what is right. But sometimes it isn't good enough, I mean look at what happened with Bethany. She hated me. Leia was kidnapped in a way, dark magic used on her." I huffed out frustrated. "Bethany chose her own path, she wanted what he couldn't have. She knew better than to do what she did and she knew what the outcome was going to be because I showed her. As far as Leia, she knew what could have happened. But, in the end you all saved her." Athea replied. "Do you know how she is?" I asked hoping she was alright. "They are performing the removal ritual, she will be in great pain but she will live, she will be stronger than before." Athea reassured me. At least she would live. "She doesn't blame anyone but herself. She will need you all to aid her through her recovery, I have full faith you all will get her through it." I would help Leia walk through the fires of hell if I had to. Nothing would stop me from that.
"Did I make it back home? I remember asking Jack to take us home." I asked, trying to piece the rest together. "Yes, you are resting peacefully beside Stephen, he has been up every few hours with the pack doctor to check you over." Athea said. "That makes me feel a little better but you said you had to talk to me? Am I in trouble?" I asked a little hesitantly, the last thing I want to do is upset her. "No, you are not in trouble. I wanted to talk to you about the upcoming battle. Bosch is furious but he is healing." Athea said. "Well I figured he would be mad but he shouldn't have called me and taunted me." I said chuckling. "You should know by now that you are much more powerful than he is. You can already tell the outcome of it. I'm proud of you, my daughter." She replied. "You did good Alley." Rose chimed in. "Thank you Rose, I'm sorry I didn't let you help." I replied. "Alley I need you to listen carefully, Bosch does have the one thing that can take your power, you haven't seen the others because I've sent them to find it and bring it to me." Athea said more seriously. So that's where the element carriers have been.