The Prophecy Of The Wolves I - The Beginning
~ Chapter Eight ~

~Two Months Later ~

Liliana and Cayden had been living together for the last two months. So it hadn’t taken long for Liliana to set up her dance studio and crafts room. They were beautiful, and Cayden had found that one of his favorite things to do was watch her dance.

Cayden had introduced Liliana to the pack as their Luna a month after they had moved in together. Everyone loved her. She was a natural-born leader and cared for everyone. Also, during that first month, Evelyn had given birth to a healthy son. Liliana was absolutely in love with him.

Everything had been perfect. Cayden and Liliana’s relationship grew stronger every single day. They hadn’t finished the mating process yet, but Cayden was willing to wait as long as he needed to. He would never push her to do something if he knew she wasn’t ready. However, when Cayden saw her holding Evelyn and Ryan’s son, Mason, it ignited a yearning deep in his soul that Cayden couldn’t ignore anymore. He vowed to talk to Liliana about it as soon as possible.

Atlas was the titan who had led the rebellion against Zeus and the newer gods eons ago. He had dark brown hair and dead grey eyes. He was cruel and seeking revenge against the gods who had condemned him to his prison underneath Uranus. He was pretty much holding up the celestial heavens for the rest of his days, and the only way for him to get out was if someone voluntarily took his place, which no one would ever willingly do. Or so he thought.

Atlas was in his usual place underneath Uranus. It was deep in the African mountains, where not many people traveled. It looked as if his luck was changing, though. One day a young demigod wandered into the mountainous cave where the gods had left him. “Oh,” she said in surprise. “Are you trapped in here?” She asked quietly from the entrance.

Atlas nodded as he tried his best to sound tired and pathetic. “I have been here so long. I can’t leave this spot unless someone else takes my place,” he explained.

The demigod frowned. “You’re Atlas, aren’t you?” She questioned quietly.

Atlas mentally groaned. He had been hoping that she didn’t know who he was. “I promise I’m not as bad as everyone says I am. Could you just hold this up for just a minute, and then I promise I will just rest for a minute.”

The girl bit her lip as she took a small step toward him. Her mother had always taught her to help others when she could. She also led her not to believe everything that others said. She sighed as she looked up at him. “You promise it’s just going to be for a minute or two?” She questioned.

Atlas nodded slightly. “Yes. I promise. Just for a minute or two. I just need to rest a bit.”

She sighed heavily. “Okay,” she moved to stand underneath Uranus and didn’t realize until it was too late that it was a mistake to trust Atlas.

As soon as she had placed her hands on Uranus, Atlas moved out of the way. He chuckled as she struggled to hold up Uranus. She groaned as she looked at him but frowned when he started walking away. “Wait!” she shouted. “Where are you going?!” She called as he left the mountain.

Atlas let out another dark laugh. “I will destroy the gods and take over the world.”

Without saying anything else, Atlas left the mountain that had been his prison for as long as he could remember. He quickly made his way to a secret hideout his allies had set up for him and smirked when he saw a warlock waiting for him. “Take me to my palace,” he ordered him.

The warlock nodded, and within seconds they were in his palace. Atlas smirked as he looked around. Everything was as he had left it. But then, there was a knock on his office door at that very moment. He furrowed his eyebrows. “Come in,” he ordered.

A vampire walked in with his hands behind his back. “My lord. We have already started to assemble your army. We should be prepared to wipe out the gods within the next few months.”

Atlas smirked. “Perfect. Continue with your business and keep me updated.”

The vampire left the office, sat down, and relaxed in his chair. He spun around in his chair and looked outside of his window. He chuckled as he watched his army training. He would decimate the gods before bringing the world to its knees.

Apollo was the god of the sun, prophecy, music, healing, plague, and the arts. He was relatively strong, and his sister was Artemis. She was the moon goddess. She created the wolf shifters and was also the goddess of hunting and nursing.

As it turned out, the young demigod that Atlas had tricked into taking Atlas’ place was Apollo’s daughter. He was sitting with Artemis when he heard it. ‘Please, father. I’m afraid that I messed up. I desperately need your help.’

Artemis frowned as he jumped to his feet. “What is it, adelfós (brother)?” She asked as she stood up next to him.

Apollo shook his head. “I’m not sure. Anna is praying to me about needing my help,” he said in confusion.

Artemis sighed heavily. “You know that we’re forbidden to speak with our half-mortal children. Father has made that clear many times.”

Apollo shook his head with a frown. “I don’t care. She sounded desperate and like she was in pain. I’m going to see what’s wrong.”

Artemis clicked her tongue. “Alright. I’m coming with you.”

“You don’t have to, Artemis,” he said as he looked at her.

Artemis scoffed. “Anna is my niece. I am coming with you.”

Apollo shrugged and took Artemis’s hand as they disappeared. They appeared in the mountain where Atlas was supposed to hold up Uranus. Apollo frowned as he looked around. He practically fell to his knees when he saw his daughter stuck underneath Uranus.

Artemis stared at Anna in shock. “Oh, young one, how did this happen?” She asked as she moved closer to her.

Anna looked at Artemis with tears in her eyes. “I should have believed the stories. I shouldn’t have thought that he was different. I should have listened to you, Daddy,” she said as she looked at Apollo with tears streaming down her face.

Apollo walked closer to her and shushed her. “It’s alright, baby girl. I promise that we are going to get Atlas back here. We are going to get you out of here. I just need you to hold on as long as you can. Can you do that? Can you hold on for a bit until I can replace someone to at least take your place? Please.”

Anna took a deep breath. “I can do it, daddy. I will hold on for as long as I can.”

Apollo pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I will replace someone as quickly as possible. I promise that you’ll be free soon.”

Anna gave him a nod. “Thank you, daddy. I’ll hold on as long as I can.”

Apollo pressed another kiss to her forehead before looking at Artemis. She gave him a nod, and they disappeared to the meadow where she usually was. “What are we going to do, Artemis? I don’t know anyone who will willingly take her place,” Apollo said as he paced in front of her.

Artemis sighed. “You’re forgetting something Apollo,” she said quietly.

Apollo frowned as he looked at her. “What could I possibly be forgetting, Artemis?” He questioned.

Artemis sighed. “It’s the prophecy,” she said as she ran a hand through her hair.

Apollo’s eyes went wide. “Of course,” he mumbled. “Quick, check on your runt wolf and see if she’s found her mate.”

Artemis let out a slow breath as she closed her eyes. She focused on Liliana and watched for a few minutes. Finally, she saw all she needed when Liliana snuggled into Cayden. “I’m sorry, Apollo,” she said as she opened her eyes. “The prophecy has begun. Liliana has been with Cayden for two months now.”

Apollo paced back and forth furiously as he muttered curses under his breath. “How am I supposed to help my daughter if there’s a war?” he asked with a troubled look.

Artemis shrugged. “Have Liliana help,” she bit her lip as she started thinking and pacing. “Yes. Aphrodite told me that her daughter, Adrestia, went into hiding so she’d be safe until the war started. Then, she’d be willing to take Anna’s place until the war ends.”

Apollo shook his head. “How will Liliana be able to replace her if she’s hiding, Artemis?” he demanded in exasperation.

“Have faith in Liliana, adelfós (brother). She is the one that will lead us to victory,” she reassured him.

Apollo took a deep breath and nodded. “Call her here and bring her up to speed. Give her her wolf and get her started. Anna has a week at most before the weight of Uranus becomes too much and crushes her.”

Artemis nodded. “Will you be staying to meet her?” She questioned as she sat in the middle of the meadow with her legs folded.

Apollo sighed heavily. “Yeah, I’ll stay. I’d like to meet the little wolf with my daughter’s life in her hands.”

Artemis gave him a nod. “I’m going to bring her parents here. I’m hoping it’ll make it easier for her.”

“Do what you have to. Hurry it up, though,” Apollo said impatiently.

Artemis rolled her eyes but quickly summoned Isabella and Jake to the meadow. She quickly explained to them what was happening. Once she was sure they understood, it was time to call Liliana.

Liliana was sitting in Cayden’s office with him. She had taken a liking to the bay window seat and the view in his office. So while he worked on paperwork, she sat in the window seat with her sketchbook.

Liliana smiled at Cayden as he sat next to her. She set her sketchbook to the side, and he took her hands in his. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about, little dove,” he said softly.

Liliana frowned as she intertwined their fingers. “What is it, my beloved?” She asked as she tilted her head to the side.

Cayden blew out a rough breath as he pulled her onto his lap. “This has been on my mind since I first saw you with Mason,” he cleared his throat. “I know that you’re a virgin, and I’m not trying to pressure you or have you rush into anything that you’re not ready for,” he stammered over his words as he tried to explain his thinking.

Liliana giggled and gently shushed him. “Slow down, love. Take a deep breath and talk to me,” she said in a loving tone.

Cayden took a few deep breaths before nodding. “Alright,” he sighed. “When you were holding Mason, it awoke something deep in my soul. I didn’t even know that I wanted this until I saw you with him,” he leaned his forehead against hers and let out a long breath. “I know we haven’t even completed the mating process yet, and I’m not going to pressure you into it. I’ll wait until you’re ready,” he slightly shook his head. “When you held Mason for the first time, though, I just couldn’t help but think, help but wonder,” he said quietly. “I never thought I would want a family after what happened to my father,” he said in a low voice. “But seeing you with Mason made me want it. Seeing you with that adorable little man made me wonder what it’d be like to see your belly swollen with my baby. It made me think about what it’d be like if we started our own family,” he said as he looked into her eyes.

Liliana’s eyes widened to the point Cayden was worried they’d pop out of her head. “You want to start a family with me?” She asked in a small voice.

Cayden nodded. “Yes. I would love to start a family with you, but I will wait until you are ready. This desire for a child has somehow ingrained itself deep in my soul. I want this just as much as I want you. As I said before, though, I will wait for you. I will wait until you are ready, and the day that it happens, the day that your belly does become swollen with my baby, will be one of the happiest days of my life,” he explained as lovingly as he could.

Liliana simply stared at him with wide eyes while her mind raced. Finally, after a few minutes, she cleared her throat. “I want to start by saying that I am truly grateful you’re willing to wait for me. I know that it hasn’t been easy for you, and I know that mates usually always complete the mating process within the first couple of days,” she gently took his face in her hands. “I would love to start a family with you. I just need a little more time,” she said softly.

Cayden’s eyes lit up in joy and excitement. He hugged her tightly. “Oh, little dove. I’ll wait as long as you need me to. You have just made me so happy.”

Liliana smiled as she pulled back slightly to press her lips lightly to his. “I love you, and I can’t wait to start a family with you,” she said softly.

Cayden grinned and pressed kisses all over her face.

Liliana giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck to hold him to her until she felt it. Her giggles stopped as she felt the room start to spin. “Cayden,” she whispered.

Cayden frowned as he looked up at her. “What is it, little dove?” He asked in concern.

Liliana tried to shake her head, but it made the room spin around her even faster. “I don’t know,” she mumbled. “The room is spinning.”

Before she could hear his reply, her world faded into darkness.

Liliana gasped as she sat up straight, only to replace that she was no longer in Cayden’s office. She frowned as she looked around. She was in a meadow that was right next to a beautiful lake. Liliana looked around as she stood up. She walked around for a minute before a voice she would recognize anywhere spoke from behind her. “Look at how big you’ve gotten, darling,” Isabella said lovingly.

Liliana spun around quickly and felt tears gather in her eyes as she spotted her mom. “Mama,” she whispered as she ran up and hugged her tightly.

Isabella hugged her back just as tightly. She pulled back a bit to look Liliana over. “You have grown into such a beautiful young woman,” she said in a rough voice.

Liliana let out a small laugh. “I don’t understand, mama,” she said after a minute. “Where are we? Why am I here? What’s going on?”

Isabella shushed her. “I’ll explain in a minute. There’s another person who would like to say hi to you.”

Liliana frowned in confusion. “Who?”

Liliana suddenly felt arms around her waist. She giggled as she realized who had picked her up and spun her in a circle. Once Jake set her on her feet, she turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. “I’ve missed you so much, Daddy,” she said as he hugged her back.

Jake smiled with tears in his eyes. “We’ve missed you too, my butterfly.”

Liliana sniffled as she pulled away from him slightly. “I think about you guys all the time,” she said quietly.

Jake shushed her as he gently tucked her hair behind her ear. “You’re always on our minds, butterfly, but we’ve been watching over you. We’re so proud of you. You’ve grown into such a strong, beautiful, independent woman,” he said softly.

Liliana sniffled again. “I’ve tried doing everything that I could think of to make both of you proud,” she said as she looked at Isabella.

Isabella smiled and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “We are proud of you, baby girl. You’re brilliant, caring, and loving. You’re the perfect luna,” she said in awe.

Liliana smiled brightly. “Cayden says the same thing,” she whispered. At the thought of her beloved mate, she grew sad. “Am I going to be able to see Cayden again?” She asked quietly.

Isabella’s eyes went wide as she realized what Liliana was thinking. “Oh, baby girl. Of course, you’ll see him again. You being here isn’t permanent. You’re not dead,” she explained gently. “The moon goddess wants to speak with you about something vital. She should be here any minute now. Once she’s finished speaking with you, she’ll send you back to your beloved.”

Liliana’s shoulders sagged in relief. “Oh, thank you.”

Jake chuckled. “I have to admit that I do like your beloved from what I’ve seen. He takes care of you. Even when you’re stubborn as hell,” he said with a smile.

Liliana stuck her tongue out at him but agreed with him. “I know I can be stubborn, but even in the short two months that we have been together, Cayden knows how to talk me into doing anything he wants me to do.”

Isabella giggled as she gave Jake a knowing look. “Now, doesn’t that sound familiar to you, love?” she asked playfully.

Jake chuckled with a nod. “Sounds like you and me,” he said as he hugged Liliana again, wanting to hold her as long as he could.

“Well, you guys are just the perfect family,” a melodic voice said behind them.

They turned around and saw the moon goddess standing behind them with a man who looked a lot like her. Liliana took a step towards them and knelt in front of them. “Moon goddess,” she whispered in awe.

Artemis laughed softly. “Please stand up, child, and call me Artemis.”

Liliana quickly got to her feet and stepped back to be back in her parent’s arms. “My parents said that you wanted to speak with me about something important,” she said in confusion.

Artemis nodded. “Yes,” she gestured to Apollo. “This is my brother, Apollo. Let’s have a seat and talk about what we need to do. We don’t have much time.”

Liliana frowned as they all sat down in the middle of the meadow. “What is it, Artemis?” She asked as she leaned her head against Jake’s shoulder. She had always been a daddy’s girl.

Artemis sighed heavily. “We have a huge problem,” she started. Liliana listened as Artemis explained everything that was going on. She explained the prophecy. She explained how Liliana was the one who would lead their army to victory. She also explained how Apollo’s daughter had gotten trapped underneath Uranus, and Apollo had asked her to save his daughter within the next six days, or she’d die.

Liliana sat there in shock as she looked at everyone. “You all want me to lead an army that we don’t even have in a war against one of the most vicious titans ever known?” She asked incredulously.

Artemis sighed. “I wish we didn’t have to ask this of you, but the prophecy had been written long ago. Unfortunately, and sadly, you were part of the prophecy. We can’t change it,” she explained softly.

Liliana stood up and started pacing. “Alright. I can understand that, but how am I supposed to do this? I don’t have a wolf, and I don’t have any information on where to even get started.”

Artemis stayed calm as she said. “I am going to give you all of the information that you need for this war. Then, after that, you will be able to do this. You are a strong young woman. You have your beloved by your side. You can do anything that you put your mind to.”

Liliana took a few deep breaths before nodding. “Alright. So then we need to start planning right away. From what you’ve told me, I’m sure that Atlas has been planning this for a while. He’d have allies doing his bidding while waiting to be released from prison. And if what you’ve said is true, Anna only has six days before Uranus crushes her,” she started muttering to herself as she ran her hands through her hair multiple times.

“What are you saying, little wolf?” Apollo demanded as he heard his daughter’s name.

Liliana glared at him. “I’m thinking,” she exhaled as she rubbed the back of her neck. “The first thing that we have to do is set her free. We only have six days from tomorrow to do that. However, we also need to start making allies and bringing people to our side. Or at least warn them about Atlas if they don’t want to fight,” she bit her lip. “There’s also the issue of not knowing where Adrestia is hiding. If we can’t replace her, we can’t set Anna free. So we need to replace someone who knows where she is. The only problem is that we’ll need to know someone ancient and mighty. Someone who’s been on the earth since the beginning,” her eyes suddenly lit up as she thought about Jacques. “Of course. He has so many connections. He knows so many people. I’m sure there has to be someone he knows that can help us replace her.”

Everyone stared at her in awe as she started planning everything out in front of them. It sounded as if she had a brilliant plan forming already.

Artemis cut her off. “There’s one more thing, young Liliana,” she said as she stood up.

Liliana stopped pacing and gave Artemis her attention. “What is it?”

Artemis smiled as she saw a wolf, about the size of a husky puppy, come running toward them. “I’d like to gift you with your wolf,” she said softly. “When you were born, a small bit of your wolf managed to get to you before the other gods stopped it, which is why most people think you’re a wolf, but this is your wolf. Her name is Savannah. She isn’t going to get any bigger than that, but she’ll always be with you.”

Liliana looked at her with tears of joy in her eyes. “I can have a wolf now?” She asked as she watched the wolf.

Artemis nodded. “Yes. All she has to do is jump into your body, and then you’ll shift at the next full moon,” she explained. “But as I said, she won’t get any bigger than she already is. You’ll still be considered a runt, but at least you’ll have a wolf now.”

Liliana squealed in joy as she hugged Savannah. “I don’t care. I’m just happy that I finally get to have a wolf. And she’s so beautiful,” she said as she stroked Savannah’s fur.

Artemis smiled. “Alright. It’s time to send you back, young Liliana. Your beloved is worried, and you need to get started.”

Liliana nodded and looked at Savannah. “How do I get her to join me?” She asked.

Artemis waved her off. “Savannah just has to jump into your chest, and then she’ll be with you when you return to your beloved.”

Liliana nodded and let Savannah go. Savannah took a few paces back before running towards her and jumping into her chest. Liliana blinked a few times before a bright smile took over her face. “I can feel her.”

Artemis nodded with her smile. “She’s with you now.”

Liliana hugged her parents tightly before looking at Artemis. “I’m ready to go back to my beloved,” she said with determination in her eyes.

Artemis smiled brightly. “If you need anything, just pray to me, and I’ll be there for you.”

“Thank you, Artemis,” Liliana said before her world went black again.