Five

AMBER POV

   "Okay. I understand the concept, but we need to think about this. I have spent a great deal of time watching and observing the werewolves, and I think other things need adjusting. We might as well fix everything while I am here," I say as Selene goes to sit down in mid-air.

  "Like what things," Selene asks, and I sigh.

  "Well, for one, mates will no longer be knotting each other. The new age wolves aren't of age yet, so none of them have met their mate, but they are very different than your lycans. I believe you should adjust your mate curse. The adjustment will tie into my curse because while you were teaching me, I did think of an issue," I explain, and Anniki grins.

  "Let me guess, human mates," Anniki says, and I nod while returning her smile.

  "Exactly," I reply, and Selene shrugs.

  "I figured you would just stop assigning human mates. It solves the lifespan issue," Selene says, and a thick blanket of sadness covers my heart.

  "I was a human mate. I want to keep that tradition going. I want my wolves to have a bright future, and if we continue to improve human and werewolf relations, the chances of there ever being a war diminishes. You know this, Selene. It was part of your plan," I say with an edge of emotion in my voice.

  She turns her head away from me and closes her eyes. Silence falls around us, and I become incredibly uncomfortable. It's as if Selene is shutting down.

  "Selene, you have to overcome the pain, Selene. Only then can you help all those innocent lives," Anniki suddenly whispers, and I glance at the night goddess curiously.

   She is watching her sister with nothing but sympathy, and I realize Selene is shutting down because of her heartache. Sometimes I forget just how emotional this is for both of them.  I forget two sets of supernatural beings came into existence because these two women got their hearts broken.

  For me, there are no hard feelings. I love every werewolf. I see the faults of their human sides, and I accept their different personalities. But for Selene, every werewolf in existence is a result of Lupin.

"I just want what's best for them. I understand this is hard for you. You made the curse while Lupin was alive. But he isn't alive anymore. All these innocent people are alive. You chose me to be their new Goddess. I want to be the best Goddess I can be," I whisper, and Selene nods.

  "I will undo my original curse. I will make an entirely new one. Just tell me what you want me to do, but know this. After I place this new curse, I am done. I have decided I want nothing more to do with their everyday life. It is too hard for me. I will help when it comes to the fairies. I will do everything in my power to make sure they are defeated, but I don't want to be consulted on werewolves anymore. It hurts too bad. They were created because I gave my ex-lover a mate. I didn't mean to create a new race. It just happened. Ever since then, I have been expected to take care of them. I will help you by providing guidance, Amber, but I don't want to be this deeply involved anymore. I know that's selfish of me, but that's why I made you the Goddess of Werewolves. I wanted nothing more to do with them. I righted my wrong. I did my best by them when I appointed you as their new mother," Selene explains in such a soft voice I lean forward to catch it all.

     Anniki steps towards her sister and places a hand on her shoulder.

  "I think that is a beautiful idea, sister. Cut ties with the pain of the past. Let the Goddess who loves them handle it all," Anniki says gently, and Selene covers Anniki's black hand with her white one.

  "It is the only way to ensure they are treated fairly. My jealousy will never harm them again," Selene says, and I smile.

  "Well, then my guidelines for their mating should be met with zero resistance," I say with a laugh, and both Goddesses give me an amused look.

   "Zero. Give me my orders, Goddess of Wolves," Selene says, and I clap my hands.

  "Okay, well, I want no restriction on species when it comes to mates. I also want the wolves to feel when their mate is experiencing heightened emotion, such as happiness, fear, pain...you know, similar to my bond with Lucian. That really came in handy when I was in danger. The other couples don't experience that, and I feel like they should. I do want my wolves to mark their mates still. But I want the mark to be here," I say as I point to the spot where my neck meets my shoulder.

  "I am going to adjust the wolf formula you gave me as well. Since the wolf is no longer a part of them but a separate being they receive at puberty, I can add some benefits to help the packs. Such as mental communication. So when a pup gets their wolf, not only can they mentally communicate with their new half, they can communicate with the pack. It will help when members of the pack are in danger. It will make it harder for the fairies to attack individuals," I explain excitedly, and Anniki's eyebrows lift.

  "That is an excellent idea," she says, and Selene nods while looking like she is thinking.

  "But to link them like that, they will have to be subjectable to magic," Selene says, and I shake my head.

  "I don't believe so. The pups will have to pledge themselves to their Alpha when they get their wolf to tie them together, but that doesn't require any magic past what I originally give their wolves. We made the human side of my werewolves immune to magic. The fairies don't know that these new wolves are separate within their minds. They won't even consider that. Two separate beings sharing one body is unheard of," I explain, and both Goddesses smile.

  "Wow. Okay. What else," Anniki says, and my grin only grows.

   "The issue with the mates will be solved during the marking. I will make my curse transferable by venom. Long-life will be transferable. I will not limit it to mates. I believe there will be emergencies that will require my wolves to share my curse," I say, and Selene shakes her head.

  "No. Then anyone they bite will receive long-life. That isn't a good thing. Be very careful with that. You are getting close to repeating Anniki's mistake," Selene says sternly, and my smile falls.

  "Okay. But I don't want to limit it to just mates," I say, and Anniki nods.

  "Make the venom controllable. A werewolf should have to pass the curse consciously. That way, any old bite doesn't transfer the curse. But a bite where the werewolf allows the venom to flow does," Anniki says, and I nod along with her words excitedly.

  "That's perfect," I say, and the two Goddesses nod.

  "So we are strengthening the bond between mates. Emotion sharing will be an ability they share but only after marking. I will include a rejection clause. Sometimes a person's choices prevent them from being a good mate. I failed to give my pairings an easy out last time. That was a mistake. I will make it to where a couple has to accept their pairing. If they don't, the pairing will fade. If they want to reject the pairing, the bond will break instantly. Is this acceptable to you," Selene asks me, and my heart pinches a little.

  "I don't want the bond to fade. Every bond I make is for a reason. I do not leave my bonds up to fate, so I don't want them to fade. Also, absolutely no mating fever. They can live without their mate without that risk. But if both wolves reject the pairing, the bond can be broken," I say after a moment of contemplation, and Selene nods.

  "How will they identify their mates," Selene asks, and I smile.

  "Stick with the scent thing. I liked that," I whisper, and she smiles at me.

  "Alright," Selene says, and Anniki claps.

   "The werewolves are going to be a much stronger species all around. Their mate bond will be stronger, and their bonds with their pack will be stronger. I like these new curses. What about my curse? Does it stay the same," Anniki asks, and I nod my head?

  "Keep yours direct and straightforward. We need that one to be the strongest. So no need to change it," I answer and Selene nods.

  "After these curses are complete, I don't think there is anything else we can do. They will be as strong as we can make them," Selene says, and I nod.

  "I believe the improved mate bond alone will be very beneficial. Love is a powerful force. Sharing emotion will make their bonds unbreakable," I whisper happily, and Selene gets an excited look.

  "I just thought of something. I will make it to where a mate is appealing to every sense, not just a wolf's nose. I want your pairings to have a higher success rate than mine did, Amber. So I will make the bond as hard to fight as I can. I will make it to where a mate is appealing in smell and appearance. I will make it to where when they simply touch it is pleasurable.

  I smile and nod at her change in enthusiasm.

  "Well, get to it. Night is fast approaching, and every hour you spend here is months on Earth, Amber," Anniki says, and I nod.

  "Selene, will you go first? That way, I can watch," I ask, and Selene nods before standing up.

   Anniki and I step back just as Selene's body begins to glow. Selene's black hair rises around her, and her bottomless eyes lose all focus on her surroundings.

  "I, Goddess of the moon, withdraw my power. I strip away my influence on the werewolf species. Be free from my curse," Selene thunders, and a whoosh of power blows past me.

Selene's body wobbles a bit, but she holds her footing. Once she is steady again, she raises her arms and extends her fingers.

  "I am the Goddess of the Moon, and I will be heard. Werewolves of Earth, I curse thee. With this curse, I gift you a mate. Your mate will be a life partner you find irresistible. A being that calls to your every sense. A being that makes your skin tingle from their touch. A being you can feel within your body once you mark them as your own. But be warned, a mate can be lost in only one way. My curse will break if both reject my gift. All feelings of longing will disappear, and sadness will fill your soul. Hold your curse dear, for I give them with love," Selene says, and another wave of power whooshes past us.

  Selene falls to her knees, and Anniki immediately moves to her side.

   "You are weaker," Anniki says, and Selene nods.

  "Less prayer does that," Selene whispers, and I feel a little guilty.

  I rub my arm and step towards the two sisters.

  "So I just state my curse while projecting my power. I locate the thread attaching me to the werewolves, and I hold it open for as long as I can," I ask, and Selene nods.

  "Yes. It will be much easier for you. Your thread is strong. You are directly linked to them. We have to find them," Anniki answers for her sister, and I nod.

  "Here goes," I whisper before locating the ball of power in my chest like they taught me.

     I imagine the ball is strapped down with chains, so to release it, I mentally undo the chains. When I do, both Goddesses in front of me gasp.

  "Wow," Anniki whispers, and I look down at myself curiously.

   The parts of me I can see are gold and glowing, just like Selene's was.

  "What does my face look like," I ask before I can help myself and Selene chuckles. 

  "You are gold. Your eyes, hair...you name it, gold," Anniki answers, and my eyebrows lift.

  "Wow," I whisper before shaking my head and refocusing on the task at hand. 

  I need to get this done so I can return to my realm. My son needs me. Who cares what I look like now.

  "I am the Goddess of wolves, and I will be heard. Werewolves of Earth hear me now. I curse thee with long life. A life so long you will see many centuries. A life so long you can outlive your enemies. I also curse thee with the ability to share your long life. I curse thee to have venous glands inside your canines. When you choose to share your curse, you can open your glands and transfer a small amount of venom, thus passing your curse. Make wise choices, for I give you this curse with love," I state while pushing my power out towards my wolves.

   A massive wave of power leaves my chest, and both Goddesses look startled for a brief second before smiling.

  "It's done," Selene says, and I return their smile.

*****

"I want to thank you, Amber," Selene says gently as she walks me to the front door of her mansion.

  "For what," I reply as I try to read the emotions cutting across her face.

  "For never failing to rise to the occasion. For truly being a kind hearted individual. I chose you because of your mother's spirit, but you have proven time after time that you were the right person for me to choose. Now that you are my equal, you still show me nothing but respect. You show me respect that I don't exactly believe I deserve, and I am genuinely grateful for that. I tried to be their Goddess. I tried to keep my emotions separate from them, but I didn't. I was jealous and hurt. I told you I lost track of time, and that's the reason they were cursed for so long, but honestly I just didn't want to deal with it. I wanted to forget they existed. I felt guilty and ashamed for treated them so poorly, but I just couldn't force myself to care. You care. You are perfect for them. You have already improved their lives so much. You are a great Goddess,, and you haven't even been in the position for a century. So thank you. Thank you for doing what I couldnt," Selene says as she comes to a halt in the hall.

  I mimic her movement and smile.

  "I appreciate that. I also believe you might be being too hard on yourself. I can't lie and I say I would have done the same thing because I don't believe I would have. But I do think you tried your best. You didn't mean to create a new species. But you didn't refuse Lupin when he come to you begging for offspring. You chose compassion, and that speaks volumes towards your character," I reply, and a lone tear slides down her left cheek as she smiles at me.

  "Thank you, my dear. Thank you...Before you go I must teach you something else. It isn't necessary for you to travel here so we can communicate. There is a simple thing with water you can do that calls us. As you have seen, my sister and I are rarely busy. So you can call out to us at anytime. The direct communication will help in our fight against the fairies," Selebe says with a smile, and my eyes widen.

  "Really! Thank goodness. I don't think I could do this again. When my wolves are of age, I will need to be making pairs daily. I could never afford another trip like this," I admit, and Selene nods.

  "I understand. If anything arises, we will travel to you from now on. The way to reach us is simple.  You will need a large bowl of water, and you will project yourself just like you did for the curse. You project your magic while calling out us. Locate us using the thread just like you did when you cursed the wolves. Use it to lock onto us. You have to be looking into the water while you do it, though don't forget that part. When we answer, you will see us. One of us, I mean. Most likely that one being me. Anniki rarely leaves her room. She would never hear you from the call basin," Selene says with a joking smile, and I laugh.

  "I figured. Thank you, Selene. I hope I continue to make you proud," I say, and she smiles brightly.

  "I have no doubts about that, Amber. You are my greatest creation," Selene whispers.