Hope

My eyes fluttered open and worked to adjust to my surroundings. I remembered falling asleep in Connor's arms, but awoke on soft, plush green grass in an open field. My heart begins to pound as I search frantically for something familiar. Large trees to my left are surrounding a small oasis, with a waterfall and a large rock jutting over the surface. The moonlight twinkles off the water and I stand, realizing I am naked. I wrap my arms around myself and walk towards the water, unsure of what to do.

A figure glides gracefully towards me, almost floating over the grass. My eyes widen and I take a step back, until the features of a gorgeous woman are displayed in the moonlight. She smiles warmly at me and holds her hands out for mine.

"Are you the Moon Goddess?" I ask nervously. She nods and gestures for me to take her hands again. I reach out and clasp them and a sense of calm rushes through me.

"Call me Crisena, my wonderful girl." She says, her eyes twinkling. I smile in response and nod. She drops one of my hands, but uses the other one to pull me up onto the rock.

She sits at the edge, her feet dangling in the water. She pulls her flowy white gown up to keep it from getting wet, then pats the spot on the rock next to her. I sit and let my toes dip into the water before splashing playfully when I realize the water is a perfect temperature. She giggles at my antics, and the sound is like bells tolling.

"This is where I brought Connor." She says and I look up into her blue eyes.

"I thought he was crazy for a little while." I confess, my cheeks blushing. She laughs again and nods.

"That's understandable."

"I thought a wolf had to be on the verge of death for you to appear to them?" I question.

"Yes, that's normally the case. But I think you've realized by now, my sweet girl, that there is nothing normal about you." She smiles slyly at me and I can't help but chuckle.

"I may have noticed a thing or two." I tease. She laughs again and reaches over to hug me, squeezing me tightly in her friendly embrace.

"I am so proud of you." She says her voice thick with emotion.

"Really? Why?" I ask. She takes my hand again and holds it as she looks up into the night sky, focusing on the bright moon.

"What you went through, my girl. It was necessary. Unfair, but necessary. And you handled it all so well. With grace, kindness and loyalty. You are everything I wished for you to be and more. And all along, your faith and trust in me never wavered." She says and I open my mouth to argue but she silences me with a look.

"I didn't say you were immune to self pity, but if anyone is allowed a mood a time or two, it's you. But you always believed in me, my plan and that I had not just your well being, but that of all wolves at heart." She says, her eyes growing somber and she takes a deep breath before squeezing my hand.

"That so called council has been an issue for a long time. I didn't have a way to stop them, until you. I knew you and Connor could handle them and it was an excellent opportunity to showcase your strengths. No other packs will dare trifle with you. Now, you can use your gifts freely, as you see fit. The way it was always supposed to be." She says fondly. I sigh deeply, another thought popping into my head.

"What should we do with Asher?" I ask. "He's been in the cells since we haven't had time to deal with him. I don't know what's right, Crisena." I say and she sighs heavily, a sadness washing over us both.

"He's a sour wolf, Hope. There's nothing to be done. It happens sometimes. He has no reason to be the way he is, he grew up happy. With privilege even. I had hopes his mate could soften his heart, but he didn't give her a chance. He rejected her without even knowing her name. The only thing to do is end his life. I've seen the future if you allow him to live, it's ugly, Hope. Let Connor handle it. He will do right by you." The thought makes me smile and I nod in understanding.

"Could you give his mate a second chance? It's not fair for her to live a mateless existence because he was selfish and cruel." I say and she smiles mischievously at me.

"Oh I already did. She will still be Luna of your old pack. Don't you worry." She says and my mouth gapes in astonishment.

"Jon?" I ask and she nods.

"His mate was killed when she was very young in an accident. But he doesn't know that. With circumstances the way they are now, he needs a Luna and she will be strong and loyal. It's a good match." She says proudly and I smile.

"But not as good as Connor and I." I say and she laughs.

"You're right. You two are beyond perfect. I love watching you two. It's a better love story than any movie." She says wistfully and my spine straightens.

"You don't watch... um... everything do you?" I ask nervously and she throws her head back in a cackling laugh. Tears stream down her face and she clutches her stomach before she can get her laughter under control.

"Oh sweetheart no. Trust me I have no interest in watching any of my children have sex. I have my own mate for that." She wiggles her eyebrows at me and I giggle.

"If I look like you, does Connor look like him?" She asks and she cocks her head, thinking about it.

"He doesn't really look like Connor, no. But they are very similar. That's how I knew Connor was the one for you. That tenderness under all of the strength. The ability to love without measure or conditions, the unfailing loyalty. I knew he wouldn't just protect you, but cherish you." She says fondly and I lean my head to rest on her shoulder.

"Thank you for him. I love him so much." I say quietly and she kisses my head.

"No one has ever thanked me for their mate before." She says and I look up at her incredulously.

"Really?" I ask and she nods.

"Well, I'll be grateful for him forever." I say and she smiles brighter than the moonlight.

"Can I ask why I'm here?" I inquire and she gasps.

"Oh how rude of me! I was just enjoying our conversation I totally forgot." She laughs a little at herself. "I felt how uneasy you were, after your encounter with the council. I knew how worried you are that there was more to come and I wanted to assure you that there's not. I figured I at least owed that much to you. You and Connor have many years of happiness ahead of you." She says with a smile and I feel a weight I didn't realize I was carrying lift off of me.

"What about that thing you told Connor? About our pups?" I ask and she shakes her head.

"No need to worry about that now. It'll be fine and many years in the future. I want you to enjoy this life I've given you. Use your gifts, help to ensure the safety of future healers. Cherish your mate and give him pups. Be happy, my girl. Be so happy." She says a little tear trailing down her face. I reach out to wipe it away and she grips my hand to kiss my palm.

"I know I said it before, Hope, but I'm so incredibly proud of you." A tear escapes my own eyes at the love I feel radiating off of her.

"Thank you for these gifts. Thank you for allowing me to be the change that's needed. To make a difference in this world." I say my voice raspy from holding back tears.

"You're welcome, my love. Now, let's get you back to that boy. He can sense you're here and is going to start panicking in a moment." She says with a little chuckle making me grin.

"One more question?" I ask and she giggles.

"What?" I ask.

"Connor did the same thing." She says and a full smile flits across my face.

"What's your question?" She asks and I take a deep breath.

"Will our pups have powers?" I ask nervously and she nods.

"Yes. All of them. A mix of what you have. Your first will be a boy and the most powerful. He will have your alpha aura." She says and I nod.

"How many will we have?" I ask and she shrugs.

"I can't tell you." She says and I huff.

"Well, why not?" I ask pouting a little making her chuckle.

"Because I don't know. You haven't decided how many to have, but I can promise they will all be healthy and so beautiful. It's my promise to you, my thank you for enduring what you have to help my blessed wolves. Now, let's go!" She says gripping my hand and pulling me back towards the meadow where I woke up. She hugs me tightly and I hug her back. She kisses my forehead and I close my eyes, relishing in the touch of my creator.

"I love you, my sweet girl." She whispers.

I go to respond, but when my eyes flit open I'm back in our room, Connor shaking me.

"Hope? Hope? Baby are you ok?" He asks, his eyes wide with fear. I reach out to grip his face, pulling his lips to mine in a fierce kiss.

"I've never been better." I say with a smile.