Page 58 of Luna Ascending

I don't have much time to think about it. Morganna makes Carl hold the Severance stone, explaining his wolf should emerge from it to rejoin him. I thought we would need the exact stone used to separate him from his wolf, but apparently they work more like a portal.

We join hands and begin. Tavey and I concentrate on filling Morganna with energy, and she concentrates on Carl. The room expands into something vast around us, and when I look up we're all hovering just off the ground and spinning slowly.

We whirl faster and faster, and suddenly I can feel another wolf in the room, Carl's wolf. It seems a long way off and there's some kind of invisible barrier between us.

Morganna stands suddenly, chanting dark, horrible words that leave dread running through me. I don't recognise the language, nor recall having ever seen it written in any spell book, but inherently I know this is a dark majik. The air is heavy and suffocating.

Without warning the feeling of wolf fills the room and the four of us crash to the floor. Has something gone wrong? I can't think straight, I'm so tired I can barely open my eyes. I manage to drag my head up off the floor just in time to see Carl's expression change. He goes from terrified to ecstatic in a split second, and a second after that, he shifts.

We did it. We fucking did it. My head hits the floor with a crack, but I don't feel it as I drift into unconsciousness.

It takes days to perform the same spell on all the hostages, and I'm drained after each and every one. Strangely I seem to recover quicker than Tavey and Morganna, but it does seem to upset my whole system more than either or them – I'm violently sick after each reversal. It's a hundred and ten percent worth it though – the joy in the eyes of the shifters after we bring their animals back makes it all worthwhile.

No-matter the breed of shifter, if Morganna had split them, we manage to pull them back. They all pledge unwavering allegiance to Alpha Aaron. He's doing none of the hard work, just accepting all the credit - I allow myself a little grimace. He's a bugger.

Aurora is a worry – I thought she'd be ecstatic that we were managing to reverse the shifters Morganna had split, but if anything she's even fucking angrier and more despondent.

Morganna didn't separate Aurora from her wolf, so it was always unlikely she could re-unite Aurora. Of course she tried, but Morganna couldn't pull Aurora's wolf back. It was a blow, to both Aurora and Aaron. I think Aaron was hopeful Morganna might be powerful enough.

Aurora's wolf was there though – I swear could bloody sense it, even if the other's couldn't. It's so frustrating! We're loosing Aurora. She's more and more distant. Something has to be done, she's a loose cannon, I'm not sure what she might be tempted to do next. I catch her at a quiet moment and pull her aside.

“Aurora? There's something you should know.” She looks at me with one eyebrow raised “Aaron wasn't sure I should tell you because well, no-one else seems to have sensed anything...”

She takes two quick steps towards me and I can tell she's already imagining far better news than I have.

“Fuck my brother, he's an overprotective arse. If it's about me, he has no right to keep it from me!” She grabs both my hands and looks into my face.

“Uh, don't get too excited Aurora. I don't think it's anything big, and I really don't get why Tavey and Morganna don't sense it...” I pause, taking a deep breath.

Her shoulders sag a little at the implication it's not the news she was hoping for. I've started now – it's as good as done.

“When we first met, you took hold of my hand. I'd only just learned about your wolf separation, so I thought I must be wrong, but I was sure I could sense her” I say gently “She's called Nala, isn't she?”

Aurora's eyes widen a little – it's rare that we share our wolves names with anyone other than our mates. She probably hasn't told it to anyone yet. I don't mean to shock her, but I need her to believe me.

“Um... yes... how did you...? You're sure she's there?!”

“I wasn't to begin with, but anytime we touch I get a sense of her. When Morganna tried the reversal on you I was just there to act as an energy source, but your wolf was able to communicate with me a little; her name at least.”

I take her shoulders and give her a gentle shake “Aurora, you have to get her back... it's like the longer she's away from you the more she's fading” I sigh, unable to convey the sensation in words properly.

“Oh, fuck. What do I do? Aaron won't let me leave to try to find my separator, and I don't see how anyone else is going to do it better than me.”

“We'll work it out together Aurora. You're not alone in the this. I promise.”

“I am.” she states bluntly “Aaron won't listen.”

“Won't listen to what?” my mates voice still gives me a thrill. Even though I disagree with how he's dealing with his sister, I can't help but be glad to see him.

“To me” Aurora's voice takes on a shrill tone “You won't listen to me! I need to look for my separator Aaron. You have to let me go. Freya can feel my wolf, and she's fading!”

“Enough” Aaron's voice booms, full of alpha dominance “I shouldn't have to repeat myself. The sister of the alpha strolling around alone would be at risk in normal circumstances. Without your wolf you're just an easy target.”

I take in a breath between my teeth. He's being needlessly cruel. The more he talks like this the further he's driving Aurora away.

“Fuck you Aaron. I'll take Lyell with me if I have to – but I am doing this” Aurora spits “he will protect me with his life.”

Aaron lets out a cold laugh. “I have forbidden the two of you from associating. Even ignoring the fact you seem determined to defy me, what makes you think he will protect you Aurora?”

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