Chapter Four

Sephora's POV

I walked outside and the moon was bright and it's glow bathed the entire land. The sisters were all ready. Artemisia walked up to me from behind and handed me the white veil that I was meant to put on. I smiled and took it from her and covered my long flowing brown hair. We couldn't proceed, however, without Kali.

I didn't have to wait too long as she soon appeared. The moon light made her look even more mysterious as her black mist intertwined with the moon's bluish glow.

"Sephora, are you ready?"

I nodded. Could I 'not be ready'?

"Yes Mistress Kali."

There was nothing left to do. Kali gave me a flaming torch and I walked infront of the procession. As we took a step, I would light the torches that the sisters had set up that led all the way to the waters of the Lunaria.

As I lighted each torch, the path grew brighter and brighter and the sky was set alight with the moon's glow and fire. I was filled with anxiety and excitement. I couldn't wait to meet the new Suprema. Half way through the journey, Kali began to chant. Her voice pierced the night and the birds stopped their songs to listen to her eerie yet melodic singing.

She sang in ancient Lycan and the sisters that knew the language joined in. Their voices filled the air and I continued to light the torches the entire way. The Lunaria was quite far and the walk was slow and steady. Artemisia walked quietly by my side avoiding eye contact with me. I could feel her heavy heart yet, this was what had to be done.

After a while, Kali's voice grew even louder and soon, I could hear the rushing sound of the waters of the Lunaria. We were nearly there. The sisiters and Kali chanted even louder and I grew even more nervous and excited. Soon, the stream came into full view. The moon's light reflected off the waters perfectly, better than any mirror could. It was nature at it's peak of perfection. The sisters stopped and Kali walked up to the front. Her voice was loud and commanding, yet cool and still mysterious.

"Sisters! The Moon Goddess consecrates this ceremony for today, from these waters, we shall welcome a new member of the pack and the future Suprema."

All was silent. She looked at me; her eyes had a frighthtening blue glow. The spirit of the waters of the Lunaria had taken over her. Such was the the power of the shaman, Mistress Kali.

"Sephora, step forward."

I took an anxious step forward and looked into Kali's flaming blue eyes.

"Suprema Serphora, Wolf of the burning flame, the Goddess asks you to shed your light."

I closed my eyes and soon I could feel the heat of my flame fan around me. I opened my eyes and Kali's face was bathed in a blue and orange glow. One from the moon and one from my fiery light.

My white veril burnt away and the breeze carried the ashes into the waters and they floated on top and burnt blue with light.

"The Goddess has acknowledged the transfer of the mantle of leadership. Sephora my dear, step forward and grace the waters of the Lunaria. They call to you."

I walked slowly into the calm stream and was soon waist deep. I stood still for a while and put my hands slowly into the water and held the pose. The sisters were as silent as a grave yard. All eyes were on me. I couldn't hear a sound, not even a breath. I closed my eyes and focused my mind and slowly, I could feel my hands getting heavier and heavier as if something was gently being put into them.

My flame continued to glow bright, the waters not quenching them and soon, I heard Kali's voice in the distance.

"Raise your hands Sephora. It has been done."

I lifted my hands slowly out of the water and I was carrying the most beautiful baby that I had ever seen. I looked at her chest and saw the mark of the Suprema just above her breast. I looked at my arm and found out that the mark had left me. I was no longer the Suprema. This baby was.

I turned to the sisters and as soon as they saw the baby in my hands, they all let out a howl that pierced the night. Kali smiled and gestured to me to step out of the waters of the Lunaria. It had been done. I smiled at Kali as I cradled the baby in my hands. I let out a howl as well and soon, all was silent around me. Artemisia let out a sad smile. My days to be with her had already started to count down.

Suddenly there was a gasp as someone walked forward. It was a little pup. We had left the little ones at home but some how this one had managed to follow us. She walked up to me holding a single moon flower and Kali didn't stop her. She smiled as the little one walked up to me and I bent down to receive the gift.

I looked at the girl's face and found out that it was Niylah, our wolf that was given to us on the last full moon. I took the flower from her and she smiled at the baby.

I stood up and faced the sisters and one came forward to pick Niylah up.

Kali spoke to me.

"The child is your to train for the next eighteen years. It is befitting that you name her. The Lunaria was silent about her name."

I looked at the sisters as they all waited for me to say her name.

"Sisters, I have waited for this child to be born. Her name was given to me on the howls of the winds. Welcome our newest sister. I name her–Sequoia."