Chapter 4 Lila's Story

As I entered the fortress that was the Purple Crescent Moon, I felt relief and anxiety wash over me. I finally brought my daughter home. She was going to bring peace in our time. She was the daughter of an Alpha King Warlock and a Lycan Luna. She was going to be the best of us. The tranquil look in her doe eyes brought me joy, but I knew that her ruthlessness had to be unlocked if she was to survive.

As I looked upon her silver fur, I knew she had been kissed with the strength of the moon goddess like the many Lunas of my pack before her. I was proud and scared for her because I knew that she would be thrown into the middle of a warfare she was not prepared for.

It was her first shift and I knew that it could be a lot to handle without guidance. As I stood there my Beta Lorraine approached me. She had been eager for our return to turn the tide of the coming war.

"Luna Lila you have returned. I have your clothes here for you and your daughter." Shouted Beta Loraine.

The excitement glistened on her face. She was happy to meet the future Queen and the daughter of their current Luna. She held out two pristine robes to place over her Luna and the future queen.

"Beta Loraine thank you. Bella come here child. Shifting back will be a little painful, but just think of taking control of your mind and shift to your human form." Lila commanded at Bella.

I know Bella was timid and afraid of the pain to come, but with time it would get easier. I saw the agony in her eyes as she began to shift back. I remember my first shift and the excruciating pain I felt. My wolf Vanessa was always talking to me as a little girl. It was unheard of hearing your wolf so young, but Vanessa had been reincarnated several times into powerful Lunas.

Vanessa had told me that I would bring about the change for the betterment of our species. That I would have a powerful heir that all clans would bow down to. At that age, I just laughed thinking that she was spouting nonsense. I never believed in prophecies, but Vanessa had told me about our mate. She even told me how our daughter would be destined for greatness.

It was almost 19 years ago when I ran into Alpha Josiah. I knew that most people were ecstatic to meet their mates but I was floored when I found him to be a powerful warlock. Vanessa giggle in my mind and I heard her yell out mate. The scent of cinnamon and chocolate wafted in my nose. I was so engrossed with the smell that I blanked out as he spoke to me.

"Mate, Im Josiah who are you with those magnificent emerald eyes? Lord you look like you have been blessed by an angel. You smell amazing like Lilac and honeysuckle. What is your name my beautiful angel?" Josiah smiled at the beauty in front of him.

He was strolling through the forest looking for a special flower. He needed the Nila Root to complete his spell work. He had spoken with a shaman and they told him the only way to ensure the success of his lineage for generations to come was with this spell. It was to be cast on June 9 only 10 months from now. He never imagined that this would lead him to his one and only true love.

This forest was a dangerous place, but Cristobal was the only location that this root thrived. It was a forbidden forest and many people feared the area. Josiah knew that no matter what dangers lurked around the corner he could use his magical abilities to protect himself.

"I'm Lila the Princess of Purple Crescent Moon. What are you doing in this area? We normally don't get outsiders here as it's a dangerous place. You have to watch out for rogue wolves on the outskirts of this area. But if you stick with me, maybe I'll protect you." Laughed Lila.

She found it amusing that he was staring at her so insanely that he walked into a tree. Laughter burst out into the air. Josiah was so flustered and embarrassed all he could do was join in. Laughter bellowed from his belly, and for once he was relaxed and giddy. Who was this amazing woman that made his fears melt away.

"Lila I apologize for my clumsiness, but you captivate my attention. Can I invite you to have dinner with me? I'd love to take you out on the town if you happen to be free."

Lila was amused by his character and charisma. Although she felt the mate bond tugging at her heart strings she knew that this union would be forbidden. However, all she could do was get lost in the pool of sapphire eyes starting back at her. This man appeared to be a God among men. She couldn't believe that the moon goddess herself had blessed her with such a perfect specimen. This man stood 6'4" and towered above her at only 5' tall.

His face contorted as he realized that Lila's attention was elsewhere and hadn't responded. A giggle escaped her lips as she looked at his confusion. Oh how she wanted him to pull her into an embrace and never let go, but at this moment she knew that she was his forever.

"I'll go out with you on one condition. Beat me in a race to the Cristobal waterfall. There is a cave opening about half a mile down this path. At the entrance of the cave there is a special flower only grown here called the Nila Root. If you can beat me to the entrance of that cave, I will give you a Nila Root as a sign of accepting your request to court me. We believe that when a mate is found by our future Luna's we give our better half this plant to bring forth good luck and fortune for years to come. What do you say Josiah, are you afraid to lose or can you keep up?" Lila darted off to Josiah's surprise.

Oh this sneaky woman was trying to pull one over on him. Laughter filled the air and he clasped his hands together envisioning the flower. He knew that Lila had shifted and was closing in on the cave. The only way to beat her, was to teleport to the entrance of the cave. He wanted to win her over and make her his forever. How he yearned to be with his mate.

As the last words of the incantation left Josiah's lips his eyes glowed. The magic flowed out of him and he teleported to the entrance of the cave. He stood there waiting for Lila to arrive, and as she turned the corner he saw a huge wolf racing towards him with silver fur. He'd never seen a more majestic creature, and was amazed at her sheer size. How could such a petite woman be massive as a wolf.

Lila shifted immediately left stark naked in front of Josiah. He couldn't look away from the gorgeous beauty in front of him. Her milky skin was flawless. She had the most amazing curly jet black hair flowing down her back, and swaying in the wind. Her beautiful curvaceous body was stunning, and he couldn't believe how perfect she was. This woman was perfect in every way. She had an amazing bubble butt, and her mounds of joy were huge and voluptuous. There was a red birthmark on her left breast in the shape of a half star and moon. Josiah was shocked at her birthmark because it was the polar opposite of his.

"How could you cheat? I said race me to the cave and you magically show up in front of me. I know you didn't run here because the smell of cinnamon disappeared from behind me and appeared here." Lila's face scrunched as she felt wronged.

"I'm sorry, but you never said how I could beat you." Josiah laughed. "I promise next time to get the ground rules before we race, but technically you cheated first giving yourself a head start."

"Fine you win this time, and you're lucky that I love the smell of cinnamon or I'd just tuck tail and run the opposite direction." Lila was ecstatic that he won.

She wanted to enjoy more time with her mate, but she was afraid her pack would see them. She knew that this root would hide his nature, and maybe no one would find out about this forbidden love.

"Um I have this jacket if you want to cover up beautiful. Can I ask you a question about your birthmark? Have you ever heard of the lore of the Moreno Clan?" Josiah asked Lila. He wanted to know if she knew of the prophecy.

"Well as the future Lycan Queen I've heard of the prophecy. It was told that 1000 years ago a Vampire from the Moreno Clan met her mate from the Mikolasson Clan of Warlocks. Zeven Mikolasson cited that upon the death of his mate and child they would return. That they would be reunited and bring about a change of times. Our species would become one, and we would have peace for generations to come. He also claimed that their reincarnated mates would have the mark of the star and moon to signify their reunion. Why are you asking me about that prophecy?" Lila was stunned. Could they be the reincarnated mates? Lila pushed the thought away.

"Lila I have to show you something and please don't freak out." Josiah was afraid she would run away.

Josiah lifted his tshirt displaying perfect glistening muscle. This man had perfect abs and a chiseled chest, Lila's jaw dropped at the sexy man in front of her. Her mouth began to salivate at the thought of her lips kissing his caramel skin. Her eyes slowly trailed up to his broad chest and shoulders. His curly brown locks cascaded over his face. She wanted to run and mark him as her own, but she restrained herself.

As she continued to gaze upon his flesh she saw the birthmark on his right breast. An imprint of the other half of her birthmark. As she reached for him and their skin touched sparks flew from their fingertips. The electricity pulsed through them as they intertwined their fingers.

Lila and Josiah felt the reconnection of a lifetime ago.