longer.blue

Moonlight poured in from an unknown source and spread over Christina’s sleeping form. She stirred, groaning as she slowly stretched and woke up. She sat up, blinking as she began to make sense of her surroundings. She was in a strangely familiar forest. A sinking feeling formed in the pit of her stomach. “Oh fuck.. Am I-?” ` “ No, young one. You’re very much among the living. I just called you here to discuss something.” Said a soft voice. Christina whipped around to find herself facing a large, beautiful wolf. Fur as pale as moonlight, and her eyes a bright yellow. Christina gasped before immediately kneeling in front of her. “Mother Moon! Please forgive me, I didn’t realize!” The deity chuckled. “No need to kneel, young Alpha. As I mentioned before, this is just a discussion,” Mother Moon turned around and began to walk. “Come. There’s a lot you need to see.” Christina stood up and walked behind Mother Moon. Her eyes lowered to the ground in shame. For a while, she was quiet, unsure of what to say. “Mother Moon, you should know.. I’m not an Alpha. Not anymore. The pack is gone and I’ve moved on. All for the best, anyway. I’m a terrible Alpha. And an even more terrible wolf. I’m sure that’s what you want to tell me, right? That I’m a disappointment and that Olivia never should’ve put her trust in me?” Christina thought back to Olivia Lucas, the Alpha who took her in, guided her, and eventually named her as a successor. Liv was more than just her Alpha, she was her closest and dearest friend and sister. Tears began to well up in the younger wolf’s eyes as thought of letting Liv and Mother Moon down. But Mother Moon didn’t say anything. Not at first. “You know you’re one of my rarer children? While a Blue Moon isn’t too uncommon, it is rare for one to be changed during one. And even more rare for one to become an Alpha. In my time, I believe you are the fifth Blue Moon Alpha. But you, my dear Christina, are something even more remarkable. You are aware that each phase of the moon has a spiritual meaning, correct?” Christina nodded. “Yeah. A new moon is for new beginnings. The waxing crescent is for setting intentions... Oh, and the full moon is for manifestation and celebration.” “Very good, my child. Now, what if I were to tell you that the blue moon also has spiritual implications? And that you are the first Blue Moon Alpha to embody all of them?” Christina’s brows furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean?” Mother Moon gave a wolfish grin before continuing on. Eventually, the two came across a gorgeous lake. The white wolf stopped and sat on the shore, looking into the water. “Come, child.” Christina stepped closer, looking into the water. After, she saw nothing. Then, a vision began to form. There was a cave and a grey wolf was sitting in it. It had its eyes closed and it wasn’t moving. A closer inspection revealed that it was wearing a wolf head necklace. Christina’s hand shot to her neck, touching the exact necklace that she was wearing. This wolf was her! “I see... I’m meditating. That’s how I ended up here.” Mother Moon nodded. “Yes. By doing so, you’ve already embodied many of the spiritual qualities of the blue moon. This is your first run in years, so you’ve reconnected with nature. You are in a new place, which is a new beginning and fresh start. Meditation helps with inner reflection and self-discovery. There’s also the increased intuition and connecting with spirit guides. Whether you realize it or not, you called me here tonight.” “Okay.. But why?” Christina shrugged. “What is it that I need to know?” “All in due time, little one. Now come along.” Mother Moon stood up and walked across the water, heading closer to the moon that shone in the middle of the lake. Christina tentatively placed a foot on the water. It faintly glowed underneath her shoe as it carried her weight. The young wolf took a deep breath and bravely followed along. As they walked, another vision appeared in the water. It was a combination of a few memories: learning to control and accept her wolf, becoming part of the pack, stepping up as Alpha, making plans with Liv. Tears welled up in Christina’s eyes. Those memories seemed like a lifetime ago. “I miss her.. Do you know if she’s doing okay?” There was silence for a moment. “I cannot answer that, little one. We’re here for you tonight,” Mother Moon looked into the memory Christina was visiting. “ All of these moments represent another meaning; transformation and growth. You strived to constantly better yourself and the people around you. A quality that you still have. Though it’s been buried.” Mother Moon continued to walk until she was directly underneath the moon’s light. Christina caught up soon after. “So how many more meanings do I need to see?” “Just two. But these will not come from your memories. There are things you need to do when you return to your body.” “What is it?” Christina looked to Mother Moon, pleading. “What do I need to learn?” “Christina Pierre, you must heal yourself. And rediscover the Alpha you were meant to be. There are many others out there. Like you once were, they’re lost, afraid, and need guidance. Bring back the Blue Moon Pack. Pass along the blessing that Olivia and I have given you.” Christina froze, not knowing how to process what was asked of her. “But... I gave it up.” “Too soon, I may add.” “And I haven’t met another wolf in ages. Aside from Victor. But I can’t ask him to join. I don’t know how Ruby feels about them on account of her mother. And-” “Christina,” The young wolf stopped her rambling. Only to be met with a smile from Mother Moon. “I seem to recall that you were like this when Olivia first named you her successor. But that was a long time ago. You’re not the timid little runaway that you used to be. You are strong, confident, kind, caring, all the things that an Alpha should be. And as long as my children exist, there will be a need for Alphas.” Christina stayed quiet for a long time, contemplating. A small part of her did want to be an Alpha again. Now she had a new life and home, she was sure to meet and help other wolves. She let out a sigh, realizing that she was trying to avoid responsibility. “You’re right. You’re right, I’m sorry. I need to do what I was chosen to do. I’ll start a new pack.” Mother Moon nodded. “Your healing journey will be a long and difficult one, but it will be well worth it in the end. Go, my child. You have work to do.” Suddenly, the glowing under her feet stopped and Christina was suddenly submerged in the water. All at once, the moon’s light faded and everything went dark... Christina woke with a start, her nails clawing at the stone floor beneath her. Once she realized that she wasn’t drowning, she let out a sigh of relief. She stretched a bit and looked around at the cave she was in. “Huh.. this is a decent size, honestly,” There was an opening in the back that she didn’t remember seeing last night. The wolf stood up and peek outside, only to be met with a gorgeous river. She quickly looked out the front entrance. It was the forest. “It can’t be that easy...” Though it wasn’t a requirement, Christina always wanted a den of her own. She couldn’t host every wolf at her house, after all. So, she rolled up her sleeves and got to work. Christina spent hours clearing out stray rocks and loose stalagmites. Soon, the ground was clear, save for a few patches of moss. She made a note to add things like animal pelts. Olivia had taught her how to make them and she had never gotten the chance to use that knowledge. Eventually, Christina stood proud of her work. But, something was missing.. Christina walked out the front entrance and looked at the mouth of the cave. She stood for a second before it came to her. She couldn’t put a welcome mat down. Or have a sign that obviously said, ‘Home to the Blue Moon Pack.’ But she could put up something to welcome others like her who were once lost. Christina foraged for a few berries. Using a rock and a leaf, she mashed them into a paint and brought it back to the front entrance. On the side of the entrance, she wrote, “Not All Who Wander Are Lost” along with a picture of a wolf howling at the moon. It wasn’t much, but it would do for now. Then, she walked back to town, marking her territory with a bit of blood from her finger along the way. Need to remember to set a perimeter. Maybe tomorrow.