The atmosphere in the Everscent pack's Great Hall was tense, heavy with anticipation. The elders, their faces lined with age and wisdom, sat in a semicircle around the ancient stone table.
Marcus, as Alpha, stood at the head of the table, his expression grave. Celestial's display during the trial had shaken the pack to its core. What had been a moment of doubt for many was now a spark of hope, fear, and endless questions.
Elder Haldric, the oldest and most revered among the pack, broke the silence. His voice was deep and commanding, carrying the weight of decades of experience.
"What we witnessed today was no accident," he said, his gaze moving to each member of the council. "The sky darkened, the moon rose in defiance of the sun, and power radiated from Celestial. This is the prophecy of the Moon Gem manifesting itself."
A murmur swept through the room.
Arly, Marcus's second-in-command and a long-time skeptic of Celestial's place in the pack, leaned forward. His sharp eyes burned with suspicion. "Are we certain this isn't some anomaly? A trick of nature or some latent human magic? Celestial has never shifted. How could she possibly be tied to the prophecy of the Moon Gem?"
Haldric's gaze hardened. "Doubt her if you must, Arly, but the signs are undeniable. The prophecy speaks of a being born under the celestial alignment, neither fully wolf nor fully human, who will hold the key to uniting the supernatural realms. The Moon Gem is the source of that power, and it appears Celestial is its chosen vessel."
Marcus straightened, his Alpha presence commanding the room. "Celestial has always been more than what meets the eye," he began. "From the moment she was born, she has been different. Stronger. Sharper. Today, she proved that her strength comes not just from physical ability but from something far greater."
Arly scoffed. "Strength or not, she is a risk. The prophecy may speak of unity, but it also foretells destruction. If the Moon Gem is tied to Celestial, then she is both our hope and our potential doom. Are you willing to gamble the safety of the pack on a child who cannot even shift?"
Marcus's eyes flashed with anger, but he kept his tone measured. "She is my daughter. More than that, she is our future. I will not let fear dictate how we treat her."
"But with such power comes danger. Many have sought the Moon Gem for their own gain, and its guardian has always been a target. If Celestial is truly connected to it, then she is in grave danger. The Great War that broke out nine thousand years ago, left the seven pieces of the moon gem scattered across the realms" Elder Lyanna said.
The room fell silent as her words sank in.
Arly's voice broke the quiet. "If she is tied to the Moon Gem, then she is not just a danger to herself but to all of us. Enemies will come for her, for us. We cannot ignore this threat."
"And what would you have us do?" Marcus demanded, his voice low and threatening. "Cast her out? Leave her defenseless? She is a child, Arly, and she is one of us."
"She's not like us!" Arly shot back. "And that is precisely the problem."
"Enough!" Haldric's voice thundered, silencing the room. "This council is not here to argue about what Celestial is or isn't. We are here to decide how to move forward. The prophecy has awakened, and with it, so has the Moon Gem's influence. Whether we like it or not, Celestial is now at the center of this."
Elder Lyanna folded her hands in front of her. "We must protect her, but we must also prepare her. If she is indeed the chosen guardian of the Moon Gem, she will need to learn how to wield its power. The prophecy speaks of trials, of allies and enemies, and of choices that will shape the fate of all supernatural realms."
Haldric nodded in agreement. "Marcus, you must strengthen her. Train her not just as your daughter but as the future leader she is destined to become. And the rest of us must ensure the pack stands united in her defense. There is no room for division."
Marcus's expression softened slightly. "I have always prepared her to be strong, but now I see it must go beyond strength. I will do whatever it takes to protect her and prepare her for what lies ahead."
The elders deliberated long into the night, weighing the risks and responsibilities that came with Celestial's connection to the Moon Gem. Finally, they reached a decision.
Haldric stood, addressing the council. "It is decided. Celestial will remain under Marcus's care and protection. She will be trained as both a warrior and a leader, and the pack will rally behind her. However, we must also be vigilant. The prophecy has drawn its first breath, and the dangers it foretells are no longer distant."
The council members nodded, though not all with enthusiasm. Arly, still skeptical, narrowed his eyes but said nothing.
As the meeting adjourned, Marcus felt a mix of relief and determination. He knew the road ahead would be perilous, but he also knew Celestial was destined for greatness.
In the shadows of the Great Hall, Celestial watched silently, her young mind absorbing every word. Though she didn't yet fully understand the weight of the prophecy, she felt its pull. Her journey was only just beginning, and the world would soon come to know her name.