power of your heirloom," she whispered. Pulling back, she blinked back her tears. "You're amongst the last of our kind. Warlock and Silver Wolf. Our kind is in the endangered zone like many unique shifters of this world, but don't allow that to belittle your grand purpose."
"What about when I find my mate, mother?" I asked her with the knowledge of our tradition - the role my rise in hierarchy would bless the individual I mated with.
"Mother Moon will choose your mate when the time is right. They will be beautiful, strong, and perfectly right for you."
"But...this trial...this journey I'm about to embark on is going to change me."
"Mother Moon is well aware of what this journey will do to you, Vincenzo. After all, she knows your beginning and your end," she explained. "However, the time will come. It won't be now, but in time, you will meet the one who is right and the heirloom will guide you to the light of your heart."
"You won't get...to meet her," I whispered as I lowered my head. "Neither will Dad."
"You're right," she admitted. "But magic never forgets, my son. Our magic will live on through you, and we'll watch from wherever we are if that time comes when we've left this forbidden world."
"T-Thank you, Mother."
"You're welcome, my son," she whispered and kissed my forehead - a sign of everlasting love. "Vincenzo Huxley, from the moment you descend from our realms of magic to the world of reality, you will be known as Viktor. Your challenges will mold you into a far stronger man than the one standing before me in this instant. But know that you are protected by the magic of the Huxley Pack of Silver Wolves. With our blessings, may you fulfill your purpose while finding favor and a pack that will embrace your qualities. You will find love and one day, aid in returning order in the midst of chaos."
She smiled and nodded her head.
"Farewell, son."
* * *
The memory faded away, but I couldn't ignore the tear drop that left my eye's grasp and dropped upon the silver symbol. It glowed a light purple as hues of pink and silver danced around its thickly crafted lines.
May Mother Moon meet you in the land of flowers and delivery your soul to the kingdom of peace. I love you, Mother.
Zyair watched me carefully as I blinked away any remaining tears and composed myself.
"If Master L's magic is fading, what does that mean?"
"Two things, really," Zyair replied. "It'll only be a matter of time before the Coven is aware of the possible opening to claim his chair and will seek to find someone to replace him,” he explained. "The other problem will be that the Russians will soon find out about Lex's murder and go on a lethal chase for the culprit. You know it's never a good sign when the Russians involve themselves in, well...anything."
I didn't comment on his statement, but he was right.
"There has to be more to it for you to risk being here."
"You're correct," he hummed, and his eyes returned to Willow. "The princess is a potential candidate."
My eyes widened at the news and he slowly nodded as my eyes were locked on his in the reflective surface.
"It's a secret for now, but I'm unsure how long I can keep it that way. Due to your woman's predicament and with the unstable circumstance of Roberto being in coma, we've held off announcing it within our realms of rulership. Since its winter, it's not a rush to discuss such things, but when spring comes, we'll need to face the obvious."
"I understand the importance and severity of this, but I feel like you're still not revealing something," I whispered.
He smirked and closed his eyes. "None of the current Coven members are candidates," he declared. "That includes the newly appointed Coven member. The misfit hybrid."
"Aurelia's not a candidate? How?" I inquired. "Clementines have always been candidates. Even when there was no chair vacant, their names were always pulled."
"You're correct," he admitted. "But this year, her name was not pulled. I can safely assume that it was due to a forced allegiance."
"Forced?"
"It wasn't her time to join the Coven. Mother Moon and the magic that thrums through our lands are not stupid. I'm unsure what went down behind the scenes, but that misfit wolf's spirit is not happy. She's a ticking time bomb, and unless things are restored on her own end, the Clementines will begin to fall down a spiral