Page 6 of Wolf Revealed

She nodded, brushing off the dirt from her hands, and rose to her feet. "I thought you might have questions," she said, her voice calm and soothing as if she was already attempting to soften the blow of whatever revelation was to come.

"Mira," I blurted out, "Who is she? And why am I dreaming about her?"

Luna sighed, a long, drawn-out sigh that felt heavier than any silence. She looked at me with a soft sadness in her eyes. "Artemis," she began, "Mira is not a figment of your dreams. She's real. She's your sister."

The world seemed to spin around me. "My sister?" I echoed the words sounding foreign to my ears. All these years, I believed I was alone in the world, and now...

"Yes," Luna continued, "I wanted to tell you earlier, but Gretel thought it best to wait. Your dreams, Artemis. I think they're a call from Mira. Perhaps she's in trouble, or perhaps she has some news. You need to find her."

"But, why now? Why did you hide this from me?" I asked, my voice a shaky whisper.

"We did it to protect you, Artemis," Luna replied, her voice full of sorrow. "I'm sorry. We never meant to hurt you."

As I grappled with the enormity of this revelation, Luna reached out and gently squeezed my hands. "We'll figure this out, Artemis," she reassured, her eyes filled with determination, "Together, we'll find Mira and get the answers you need."

I nodded, lost in the maelstrom of my thoughts. The world as I knew it had shifted on its axis. The mystery of my dreams had suddenly morphed into a reality that was harder to comprehend. But, for the first time, I felt a flicker of hope. I was not alone. I had a sister. I had a family--and now Ronan...

The revelations about Mira still swirled in my mind, echoing with a resonance that was impossible to ignore. Amid this chaos, I gravitated toward the one source of consternation I wished to avoid—Ronan.

He was standing at the edge of the village, his back to me, his gaze fixed on the sprawling wilderness beyond. There was an air of stillness around him, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me. He seemed at home amidst the solitude, his figure framed against the wilderness backdrop, embodying the very spirit of the wolf shifter he was.

His dark hair fell loosely over his eyes, a bit longer than I remembered, catching the dimming light of the sun. He stood tall and broad-shouldered, his body carrying an undeniable strength that I remembered all too well. He was every inch the sexy, mysterious wolf shifter who had once claimed my heart, his allure more potent than ever. Even though I wished to deny it, I found my heart pounding in response, a siren call I struggled to ignore.

I noticed his broad shoulders tense as I approached him before he turned to face me. His amber eyes, warm and intense, met mine. They held an unspoken question, a surprise that made them glow brighter under the setting sun. I felt a familiar pull, a stirring of emotions I had long since buried, emotions I did not want to acknowledge.

"Artemis," he began, his voice as rich and deep as I remembered. The sound of my name on his lips did strange things to my insides, as it had once done before. But I steeled myself, reminding me of the task at hand. His enchanting presence, the allure of the wolf shifter in him, was a distraction I could ill afford.

"I'm leaving, Ronan," I said, my voice steady. The surprise on his face deepened, quickly replaced by a cloud of concern.

"You're what?" he asked, stepping towards me. "Why? Where are you going?"

"To the seaside," I replied, meeting his gaze. "I need to find Mira."

His eyes widened at the mention of Mira's name. "Mira? Why do you need to find her?"

"Because she's my sister," I revealed, my voice barely above a whisper. The shock that rippled across his face was mirrored in my heart. Saying the words out loud made them feel more accurate, the truth of them more tangible.

"But, Artemis," Ronan began, reaching out to me. "It's dangerous out there. You can't go alone."

I moved back a step, avoiding his touch. His concern, although well-meant, felt like a reminder of the past - a past I was trying to move beyond. "I have to do this, Ronan," I said, looking him in the eyes. "I need to find my sister. I need to find out what these dreams mean."

For a moment, he looked as if he was going to argue, but then he nodded his gaze, understanding. "Alright," he said, his voice low. "But I'm coming with you."

"No, Ronan," I retorted instantly, "This is my journey."

"Artemis," he replied, his tone firm, "You don't have to do this alone. I...I made a mistake before, and I won't make it again."

Despite myself, I could feel my resolve waver. His offer and willingness to stand by me were a balm to my weary heart. But I knew that this journey was mine to make. I had to do this alone.

"No, Ronan," I said, my voice shaking but resolute, "I appreciate your concern, but I need to do this by myself. I need to...find my own way."

I could see the conflict in his eyes, but after a moment, he nodded. "Alright, Artemis," he conceded, his voice barely a whisper, "But if you ever need me... I'm here."

As I turned to leave, his words resonated in my mind. I was about to embark on a journey, the path unknown, the destination unclear. But there was one certainty, one clear truth - I was no longer alone.

Ronan's insistence on joining me for the journey sparked a flare of resistance in me. Anger and anxiety swirled within my chest, my thoughts tumultuous as I wrestled with the idea. I had sought him out to inform him of my departure, not invite him along.

However, he was as stubborn as I remembered, refusing to take no for an answer. He showed up at my cabin. His face hardened with determination. His eyes showed an earnestness I hadn't seen in a long while.

---