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“What about me then?” Axel questioned. “I’m a flaming wolf like Juniper and reside in Axel. I’ve always been like this, and yet I don’t feel as though I’m a god.”
“You don’t feel like you’re a god because you’re afraid of your own power,” she voiced as she continued to analyze him carefully. “You awakened when your host was but a child and born out of the agony and pain that wished to destroy him. Isn’t that right?” she offered unexpectedly, which rendered the room silent as her eyes of wisdom locked onto Asher. “The Celestial of your pack. What was your last interaction with her?”
I could feel Asher’s discomfort — enough that I slipped my hand into his and squeezed to give him some sort of support. I was beginning to see that he didn’t like sharing about himself with others, but this was vital for our growth if we were going to venture into the Shadow realm.
We need to understand every aspect of ourselves before evolving into something greater.
“The new moon of the year. She wished to bless me ahead of time for my birthday, stating she may be away come the new year. Every birthday she’d blessed me with chants and rituals. That one didn’t seem very different,” he revealed as he looked away to stare at our joined hands. “At the end of it, she asked me what I sought to achieve in this world and if there was a way of securing such a future, what would I need.”
He squeezed my hand in return, his gaze afar as he seemed to remember exactly what was said that moment years ago.
“I sought for a world where Shadowborns could reign free without fear,” he confessed and lifted his head so he could stare back at the goddess with a sense of pride. “If there was a way to secure such a future, I need a warrior stronger than my own father who could ensure I’m capable of protecting all I love. A knight of war. A leader of undeniable strength. A being unable to cower at the sight of bloodshed, who’d go the distance to be a good king to those he loves but a merciless one to any betrayers.”
Quietness descended in the room, but it seemed like the goddess waited for him to say one thing more. With a reluctant sigh, he looked away.
“I wished for a friend, who no matter if I was good…or evil, would stand by my side and fight with me until the very end.”
His words were heavy as his admission invited a different sense of quietness that hummed through the room.
“And she ensured you received the god of destruction and turmoil,” Phyrra whispered, and she looked proud. “It fascinates me how Celestials are given so much power and yet their hearts are filled with so much selflessness to make all those around them happy and satisfied.”
With those words, her expression softened while she peered back at Axel.
“Rest. Your counterpart will need it for the journey ahead.”
“Thanks,” Axel replied and stared at her for a few more seconds before he was gone.
“Now that you both are complete, shall we get things rolling so you may dive into the Shadow Realm?”
“Yes,” Asher and I said in unison, which got things rolling.
Neither of us spoke much — our minds revolving around different aspects of the previous conversation we had. I personally didn’t like the shift in Asher’s demeanor — the change made me worry something was wrong — but at the same time, maybe this was the real him.
The real side of my Alpha that very few got to witness. The side where he was allowed to share his emotions and insecurities and ponder on the future ahead that wasn’t in his control.
Once I was in the clear, we were encouraged to quickly shower and wear special clothes that reminded me of something one would wear when attending a ceremony.
My attire was all black. The gown hugged my waist but was draped loosely everywhere else. It wasn’t until I left the dressing room that I noticed Asher’s attire was all white.
“Black and white,” I voiced when I reached his side — my hand already reaching to hold his as if this was just so natural for us.
It felt weird to publicly show our affection in such a simple gesture of touch, and yet it was the best type of love language we shared with one another.
A language I feel our souls have been yearning for a very long time.
“Yin and yang,” he replied back to me as he tugged me against him. We were staring at one another with ease, getting lost in the intensity of our gaze while we enjoyed each other’s body heat.
“You sure you’re okay?” I whispered.
“Not used to seeing me like this, huh?”
“I’m really dancing in between hating it and loving it.” There was no point in lying to him. “I hate it because I’m not sure if you’re truly struggling and need my shoulder to lean on. Yet, I also like it because it means I’ve earned the privilege to see all aspects of you, which makes my heart flutter and my stomach do stupid flips.”
I was certain my cheeks were red as I admitted the last part, but I didn’t break eye contact.
“Do you fear us going to the Shadow Realm?”
It took him a moment to answer — his eyes seemed far away as if he was looking within himself to find the answer I sought.
