Graduation

RORY

“I can’t wait,” I say, even though it breaks my heart.

My long-lost mother is standing before me with a patient look on her face.

But back on earth, Everett was dead. I need to know I’ve saved him. And I don’t want him to worry that he’s lost me in the process.

“I have to get back to Everett.”

She tilts her head and smiles.

“Your gifts have worked, Everett lives. So there is no hurry, time does not exist on this plane. I can send you home and you will arrive as if you never left.”

“You mean we have time to talk?”

“Yes.” She reaches out and takes my hand.

“Good,” I say. “I have so many questions.”

We begin to walk.

“There will be time for questions, but first I must tell you the truth.”

I swallow. “The truth about what?”

“Nemesis has told you many lies about the past. I would like to set the record straight.”

“I knew she was lying!”

“You are very perceptive,” she says, stopping to turn to me. “But be forewarned, the truth comes with the threat of danger.”

“Please, I need to know.”

“As you wish.” She nods. “Where should I start?”

“You could begin with your name?”

“Of course.” We start to walk again. “My name is Helena. I come from a long line of deities known as the Evermore.”

“Is that like a family name or something?”

“Think of it as a creed. Similar to what you would consider a race or a species.”

“Sure.”

“Nemesis belonged to another creed, a group known as the Tartarus. For eternity a war has raged between our two creeds.”

“And my father? What creed was he?”

“Your father was a Tartarus. A prince to whom Nemesis was betrothed, promised to him from birth.”

“Right.” I nod my head, trying to take all this in. But it’s a lot.

“Your father and I fell in love. But it is against both of our creeds’ laws to marry outside of our culture.”

“Like Romeo and Juliet?” I ask, having flashbacks to English class.

Helena turns to me and winks. “Who do you think gave Shakespeare the inspiration?”

“Whoa!”

“Our families begrudgingly allowed us to marry. But Nemesis was enraged. She saw her rejection as a slight against her entire creed and promised to seek her revenge. That is how you ended up a human.”

“It all makes so much more sense.”

“Now comes the warning, my child.” She stops again, turning to me with a grave expression.

“The war is not over and there are members of the Tartarus who would still see you harmed. You must be careful.”

My pulse rises. “What do you mean? What should I do?”

“Do not fret. Your father and I, along with Selene, are doing everything we can to keep you safe. But you must be prepared in case we fail.”

“How do I do that?”

“You and Everett are a lot like your father and me. The best thing you can do is unite your people. Strengthen your defenses.”

“But humans and wolves don’t mix, and the wolves would never go for it. They have so many rules and traditions.”

“The ways of the past must die if you are to survive. There is a reason you and Everett were destined to be together. It’s time for a new path. A new future for both of your races.”

I start to see a vision of the future in my mind: humans and wolves standing side by side, fighting the forces of darkness. Stronger together.

“Only through unity can you succeed,” my mother continues. “Forge a new destiny—your lives depend on it.”

“Yes, mother. I understand.”

Suddenly, I can’t stand the thought of being away from Everett for a moment longer.

I still have questions. I want to know all about the Evermore and the Tartarus. I want to know more about my parents and who I am.

But the truth is I already know who I am—and where I’m meant to be.

Helena looks at me as if she can read my mind.

“You should go,” she says. “Be with him.”

“There’s still so much I want to ask you.”

“There will be time for that. But for now, you need to be with your mate.”

“Thank you,” I say, wrapping my arms around her.

“I love you, my darling.”

I lose myself in her embrace. Only now am I realizing how much I have needed to hear those words from her.

“One more question,” I say, stepping back. “What’s my father’s name?”

Helena smiles. “Your father’s name is Helios.”

~Helios? That sounds familiar…~

“Now go, my darling. And remember, I am always watching over you.”

She bends down to kiss my forehead, and as she does, white light floods my vision.

I blink and find myself back on Earth.

The mist and my mother are gone.

And I’m staring up at the most beautiful sight in the universe.

“Everett, you’re okay?”

“Yes,” he says, stroking my face. “You saved me.”

“I did.” I sit up. “I’m sorry if you’d rather I let you die. But some traditions are meant to be broken.”

“I don’t care about any of that. I’m just happy to see you.”

I kiss him with all the love and all the passion in my body.

EVERETT

A week after I took over as the alpha of both the Shadow Blood and Red Moon Packs, I couldn’t be happier to take a day off to attend Rory’s graduation ceremony.

The sky is blue, with only a single plane trail drawing a line across it. The sun is beating down, burning the exposed necks of the parents sitting proudly on school chairs that have been set up on the football field.

Rory is sitting next to Freya in the second row of her class. She looks amazing in her burgundy cap and gown.

She’s talking and laughing with her friends, and I don’t think I’ve seen her this happy and relaxed…ever.

“I can’t see anything from here,” Ace says, trying to get a good view of the stage from behind a particularly tall man.

He insisted on coming, I assume because Freya was going to be here. But to my surprise, he wasn’t the only one.

Lucius and Ophelia are here as well, along with Rory’s mom…and half the pack!

There were so many of us that they ran out of seats. Most of the pack is standing near the touchdown line.

“Are you seriously thinking about starting human acceptance classes for the pack?” Lucius asks.

Ever since the fight with Stefan, Rory and I have decided to start making some changes to the way things are run.

We’re doing away with outdated customs and forging our own path forward.

One of the biggest undertakings we’re embarking upon is a complete overhaul of the way wolf society views humans.

“Dead serious,” I whisper.

“Good,” Lucius says. “Sign me up.”

I turn and stare at him in shock. “You want to attend?”

Lucius was always the most skeptical of Rory; his attitude toward humans has been less than stellar.

“Absolutely,” he says with a curt nod.

I grin and turn my attention back to the stage. ~We’re making progress already!~

“Shh,” Ace says, nudging me in the ribs. “It’s starting.”

RORY

I can’t believe this day has finally come.

~Graduation.~

There were large chunks of this last year when I never thought I’d make it this far.

I know I should be listening to every word Principal Herda is saying in her speech, but I’m too distracted.

It’s a perfect sunny day. Freya is beside me, obsessively peeking over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of Ace. They still haven’t had a chance to speak since they met.

In the row in front, Eddie is whispering in the ear of his new girlfriend. His cast doesn’t exactly match our gowns, but the doctors told him it was a clean break and should heal fine.

Oliver and Bethany have been bickering all day. They’re going to colleges on opposite sides of the country, and I guess they’re both trying to pretend like they’re not bothered. But they totally are.

Jax has made a full recovery. He catches me staring at him and winks—as smooth as ever. I’m not sure what school he’s going to after summer, but I’m certain he’s going to meet lots of new and interesting girls to flirt with.

“Rory, that’s you,” Freya says in my ear.

I look up to find the seat next to mine is empty, and Principal Herda is staring at me like I’ve gone completely crazy.

“Rory Matthews.”

~They’re calling me to the stage!~

Somehow I haven’t noticed that they’ve started handing out diplomas, and everyone has been waiting for me.

As I head up the stairs, I look out across the sea of faces and smile. Freya is in her seat waiting to be called, whooping and cheering for me.

Everett is grinning from ear to ear, like the proudest mate in the world.

So many people from the pack have shown up to see me graduate. My heart is so swollen it might burst.

Those people are my future.

This graduation isn’t just the end of high school.

I’m embracing my true identity—my true home.

After today, I will be a full-time luna to both the Shadow Blood and Red Moon Packs.

But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up everything.

Everett and I have decided to make our pack a safe space for humans, and Freya is going to be visiting as often as she can.

Finally, I arrive in front of Principal Herda.

“I half expected you to trip up those stairs,” he says with a knowing wink.

~So did I! Maybe the clumsy curse is starting to wear off.~

“Congratulations, Rory,” he says, handing me my diploma.

But something doesn’t feel right. It’s like I’m wearing a pair of shoes that I’ve outgrown.

I rise onto my toes and whisper in his ear.

“Of course,” he says, turning back to the microphone.

“Congratulations ~Aurora~!”

***

The day after graduation, I’m standing in the pack house doorway with Everett.

After a good deal of discussion with both packs’ councils, it was decided that the Red Moon Pack would move into Shadow Blood’s territory.

Everett wants us to be a united pack, and after the warning that my birth mother gave me, I have to agree with him.

We’re stronger if we’re together.

Not everyone from my old pack is happy about the move. Some of them have lived in their houses their entire lives.

And of course, not everyone is crazy pleased that the human girl they bullied their entire lives has become their luna.

But Everett and I plan to make them feel as comfortable as possible and will welcome them with open arms.

“This is going to be a lot of work,” I say to Everett, squeezing his hand.

“I know,” he says. “But it will be easy with you at my side.”

“Some of them might not like that I’m in charge now.”

“They’ll change their minds when they see the woman you’ve become—Aurora.”

Every time he says my name, my full name, I get butterflies in my stomach.

Finally, the first of the trucks appear, coming up along the drive—a trail of cars follow.

The Red Moon Pack is here.

I sigh as a worrying chill runs down my spine.

I’ve fought to make this place feel like home, but will our new neighbors do the same?

I squeeze Everett’s hand once more.

“I hope you’re right.”

^End Of Book Two^