Page 12 of Wolf Revealed

The Parrot’s Call: A Jungle Revelation

Artemis

I awoke with the morning light kissing my face, Ronan's arms still wrapped around me, reminding me of our shared intimacy the night before. His warm breath rustled my hair, and I turned to meet his kind eyes. They sparkled with a hint of concern as he asked, "What will you do, Artemis, once we find all your sisters?"

I closed my eyes, letting the question sink in as I savored the tranquil moment. My heart echoed with a strong desire that had been kindling within me for a long time. "I'm going to lead them back to our ancestral home—Magic Mountain," I said, breaking the silence. "We'll protect the sacred land where we were raised."

As I spoke, memories washed over me like waves hitting the shore. It was a bittersweet symphony of joy and sadness, unity and division. I could almost hear the laughter filling our home. The time when we, under our father's guidance, trained, loved, and lived together in harmony before the Great Battle scattered us.

I remembered my father's wise words, hearty laughter, and gentle eyes, always gleaming with an understanding smile. The grand feasts where we all gathered, the magic we weaved together as a family—it was all so vivid and alive in my memories. We were strong. We were united, a force to be reckoned with.

Yet the picture wasn't complete without the darker shades. I also remembered the day it all fell apart. The Great Battle tore us apart, forcing us to scatter and live in hiding. The sight of our father, fallen, his last breath promising a future reunion, was a painful remembrance but one I couldn't forget.

Ronan and I unwrapped ourselves from our embrace. Stretching the sleep from our muscles, we moved in silent harmony towards the basin of water near our bed. I scooped the cool water in my hands, washing away the remnants of sleep. Ronan mirrored my movements, his face stern with thought. We looked at each other through the mirror of water between us, ready to face the day's challenges.

Just as I was about to step outside, Ronan's strong hand clamped around my wrist. I turned to him, eyebrows raised in question. His face was taut with worry. His eyes were shadowed with a deep concern that instantly pulled me back into the tent.

"Artemis, wait," he said, his voice low and urgent. "We need to think this through. We know from what we saw in the portal that Kadence is already making her move."

The mention of Kadence, a rogue alpha, made my stomach tense. "She may have already reached the mountain top," Ronan continued, "gathering more shifters to her side as she made her trek. I feel she's becoming an unstoppable force."

As I held his gaze, I could see the worry etched on his face reflecting the turmoil I felt inside. Despite this, I remained determined and was not going to give up. "Together, my sisters and I will be powerful enough to take back our home," I insisted, my voice steady with conviction.

But as I spoke, my thoughts strayed to Luna and Gretel, our mothers still isolated on the mountain peak. I knew their isolation was precarious. Gretel may be our most powerful magician, but her magic would not be enough to resist Kadence and her pack. I felt a cold prickle of fear as I voiced my concern.

"Luna and Gretel..." I began, swallowing hard, "They're alone up there. Gretel's magic, it... it won't hold off Kadence for long."

The admission felt like a weight lifting off my chest. But even as I said the words, I knew we had little choice but to press on. We had to reunite our family. It was a risk, but I was willing to take it for my sisters, our land, and our father's memory.

Stepping outside the tent, the morning sun greeting us with a gentle warmth, we found the others—Mira, Syriah, Laurent, and Bastian—waiting for us. Their faces turned to us in unison, a tangible tension hanging in the air.

"We've been talking," Mira started, her voice steady but her eyes betraying her worry. She looked at me, her gaze holding mine with an intensity I recognized. It was the same look she'd given me when we were children, and she'd confided in me her first visions.

"About Kadence?" I asked, though I already knew the answer. They all nodded, a solemn affirmation of the situation we found ourselves in.

"We believe," Syriah began, pausing to exchange a glance with her mate Laurent, "that it's you who should lead us, Artemis." Laurent confirmed her words with a quiet but firm "Yes."

I turned to Bastian, Mira's partner. His agreeing nod was silent but firm, "We trust your experience and strength, Artemis. We will need that against Kadence."

Their unified faith in me was a warm, reassuring wave. A sense of surprise mixed with a hint of pride washed over me. They hadn't overheard Ronan's words. They had reached this conclusion themselves. A sign, perhaps? This was no mere agreement with Ronan's earlier comments. It was their independent belief in me. The thought brought comfort and a glimmer of confidence.

I looked at each of them, letting their conviction in me bolster my spirit. My gaze finally landed on Ronan, whose proud smile and warm eyes echoed their sentiment. With a deep breath, I nodded, quietly accepting the responsibility placed upon me.

"Then we are in agreement," I declared, my voice stronger than before, "I will lead us. For our mothers, our father, our heritage, and for Magic Mountain."

Our plan was set—to find Jezebel next. But a unanimous concern flickered in our hearts, an urgency to warn Luna and Gretel of the impending danger. We agreed to try the portal to reach our sisters isolated on Magic Mountain.

I watched as Mira stepped forward, her concentration etching deep furrows in her brow as she raised her hands, working the incantations to open the portal. A shimmering gate appeared before us, the swirling vortex beckoning us into its unknown depths. But instead of the comforting sight of Magic Mountain, we saw... nothing.

A gasp escaped my lips, a mirror to the horror reflecting on the faces of my sisters. The mountain was gone. Luna and Gretel... where were they?

"No!" Syriah cried out, her voice a sharp dagger in the silent air.

But before panic could truly set in, Mira turned to us, her hands lowering, but the portal remained open, still empty. Her face held a calm certainty that soothed my racing heart. "Gretel has cast a spell on the mountain, a protective shield."

"Are they...?" I couldn't bring myself to finish the question, my throat closing around the fear.

Mira nodded, her eyes softening, always so full of wisdom. "They are safe for now. I can sense Gretel's magic. It's strong. It's protecting them. But it's also blocking our portal. We cannot reach them yet."

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