It had been four years now since Astrid found out what she truly was. Elisa had been training her and tutoring her on how to embrace her wolf. And she finally got the hang of it when she turned 17; she had her first transformation when she turned 18. Elisa had never seen anything like her before; her howls were magical, and her eyes were like the ocean with a glowing spark.
After the transformation, Elisa was certain Astrid needed a relocation, so they traveled to settle in the Lupari pack, where brown wolves resided. Astrid's late father's home.
"Nana, why can't you let me live like other wolves?" Astrid asked. "I'm sure everyone is already talking. I'm not even allowed to talk to anyone or make friends."
"Astrid, it's for your own good," Elisa replied. "At least you have Willow."
"But, Nana, I can't always depend on Willow; she has her life to live, and I have mine too. Four years, Nana, four years I've been locked in this shack. They now call me the 'Mysterious One'; I was even laughed at because of my hair."
"Oh, my child," Elisa laughed. "You're beautiful just the way you are. They're just jealous."
"I don't think so, Nana," Astrid said. "Have you seen them?"
"Don't ever speak bad about yourself, Astrid," Elisa said. "You're a rare gem."
"Willow will be here soon, and you can go out with her."
"What about you, Nana? Will you be okay being alone?"
"Yes, I'll be fine."
"When I get back, we can go hunting together."
"Alright, Nana."
And a knock was heard. "It's me, Willow."
"I'll be back soon, Nana."
And Astrid left with Willow.
As soon as Astrid left, Elisa's face turned sad.
"My time on earth is finally over," Elisa said. "The moon goddess will be calling me soon. How will Astrid take it?"
"Rheria," Elisa's wolf said. "She'll learn to live without us. We've lived for many years upon this earth, Elisa; we can't go against what we stand for. She's an adult now. She will have to learn how to embrace her wolf and the battles that come her way."
"Though I'm going to miss her, because equally, she's my child, just as she's yours. We promised her mother that we would take care of her, and we kept to our promise. Now is her time to face this world alone, so she can grow."
"I know, Rheria, but I've gotten too attached. How do I even tell her?"
"Elisa, be strong; she might not take it well, but everything will be good. Let's wait for her return."
"Willow, where are we going?" Astrid asked. "Be quiet, Astrid; you'll know soon."
"Tell me, or I'm going back to my cottage."
"Why are you like this?" Willow asked. "Sometime ago, you were complaining that Nana doesn't let you go out. So, what's the issue now?"
"I don't know, okay! Just tell me."
"Hmm, today and tomorrow, some wolves will find their mates, and I want us to see them together."
"Mate! What's that?"
"What has your Nana been teaching you, ugh? A mate is like your chosen companion by the moon's goodness. Your better half, the one you get to spend your whole life with."
"Wow, that's fascinating. So, you mean to tell me we all have mates?"
"Yes, Astrid."
"Hmm, I wonder who mine is?"
"Sometimes, Astrid, some wolves aren't lucky to see their mates, some get rejected, and some decide to be with someone else."
"Rejected? How does one get rejected?"
"Sometimes the abusiveness of the mate or just mere words. Though I heard those rejected with words hardly survive it."
"That's really scary, Willow."
"Last question, Willow, how do I know if someone is my mate?"
"I knew you were going to ask this. Well, my mother told me your wolf will be on edge, your senses will be higher, and you'll perceive your mate's scent, which will be sweet and lovely in your nose, just like myrrh."
"Wow, I can't wait to see mine," Astrid said.
"Sometimes, Astrid, you have the mind of a child."
And Astrid glared at her.
They were just walking around the village when two werewolves ran to each other, holding themselves.
"Finally, I've found my mate!" the male werewolf exclaimed, while the female wolf hugged him tightly.
"You see, Astrid, that's what finding a mate looks like. They use their mate's scent and find each other. And you see those two, they won't be letting go of each other anytime soon."
As they walked around, Astrid had to wear something from home to hide her hair, so she wouldn't cause too much attention. Astrid saw a lot of wolves finding their mates, and she was stunned in awe.
"Willow, it's getting late. I need to be somewhere with Nana."
"Alright, let's go."
…Thane was talking to his Beta, near his cabin, when he smelled something.
"John, do you smell that?"
"Smell what? I don't smell anything."
"Mate!!" He screamed and ran to where he smelled it, but he couldn't find her. He went back disappointed.
"I smelled her, John, but I wasn't quick enough. I'm sure you'll see her; don't stress too much about it."
"Easy for you to say, Thor is now on edge, and my skin is crawling. I need to find her as soon as possible."
Astrid was back home, but Willow didn't follow her inside.
"I can't go with you, Astrid. Tell Nana I'm sorry, but my mother just mind-linked me now. I need to go home."
"Don't worry; she won't be angry about it. Go to your mother."
They both hugged each other before Willow left.
"Just in time, child," Elisa spoke.
"I always keep to my time, Nana, so let's go."
They both wore their thick hooded cloth as they set out. They didn't want to get caught and start explaining themselves.
"This is where we would both transform, Astrid. This is a secluded area. Now, let's go hunting."
The two white wolves went hunting to feel their wolves. Astrid mind-linked Elisa.
"Can I howl, Nana?"
"It's too risky."
"I want to talk to you about something. Let's transform back."
They transformed back and sat on the lawn.
"I don't want to start beating around the bush, so I'll just go straight to the point, Astrid. My time on earth is finally over."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm going forever, Astrid. You don't need me anymore. Now is the time you fend for yourself."
"What? No, Nana! You can't leave me now! You're my only family."
Astrid was in tears as she spoke. And Elisa cried also.
"The moon of goodness has called me to join your ancestors, Astrid. I was only kept alive to watch over you and reach a certain stage."
"Maybe I can beg the moon goddess; you can't leave me."
"Astrid, snap out of it; you're an adult now. I can't help you anymore; this is a lone wolf battle. Let's go back."
As the two of them went back, they all walked quietly with no one saying a word, but only sniffing sounds could be heard. They were home finally, before Elisa spoke.
"Lay on my lap, my child, while I stroke your hair. When you wake up tomorrow, I'll be gone."
And Astrid lay on Elisa's lap while she cried.
"Don't worry, my child; all will be well. Astrid, you will meet your mate soon, and all I can say is, not everything will be as it seems. Trust no one, because the battle ahead won't be an easy one."
And Astrid slept off on Elisa's lap after the revelation.