Second Awakening

Nova stirred, the cool air brushing against her skin. For the first time in days, her body felt… lighter. The exhaustion and pain that had clung to her like a second skin seemed to have eased. She sat up slowly, her muscles stiff but no longer screaming in protest, and took in her surroundings.

The forest was calm, the night alive with the distant calls of nocturnal creatures. Memories of the incident flickered in her mind—Kael pulling her close, his whispered command to stay silent, the terror of the creature's presence. And then, the blur of their escape.

She remembered his arms around her, the steady rhythm of his breathing as he dragged her, mile after mile, through the dense woods. She'd fought to stay conscious, but exhaustion had overtaken her, and she had fallen asleep against him.

Now, she woke to find herself alone. The hollow space beside her where Kael must have sat was still warm, but he was gone.

And then she felt it—a strange presence within her. It wasn't external, nor was it entirely unfamiliar.

"Nova." The voice wasn't spoken aloud. It echoed through her mind, soft but firm, like a ripple through still water.

Her breath caught. "Who—what—?"

I am you, and yet I am not. I am Athena, your wolf.

Nova froze, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't understand, couldn't fathom how this was happening. "How are you…talking to me?"

"The full moon is almost here," the voice replied. "Its light bridges the gap between us, allowing me to speak. I have always been here."

Her wolf's voice was calm, steady, but there was a gravity to it that unsettled Nova. "Why now? Why not before?"

"Because you weren't ready. The connection must be earned, forged through understanding and pain. You are beginning to know yourself, Nova, but the full moon will test you. You must be prepared."

Nova shivered. "Prepared for what?"

"I'm almost out of time." The voice was neither threatening nor cruel, but its words sent a chill down her spine. "Trust..."

The weight of the words pressed down on her, and before she could respond, the voice faded, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

"Trust what exactly?"

When Kael returned, Nova was sitting, staring at the glow of fireflies dancing in the dark, her gaze distant and her arms wrapped tightly around herself. He crouched beside her, his movements fluid and controlled, like the predator he was.

"You alive there?," he said, his tone casual but his eyes watchful.

Nova hesitated, unsure of how to bring up what had just happened. Finally, she looked at him, her voice small but firm. "Do you… hear your wolf?"

"Kael gave a small smile, sitting down beside her. "I do."

Nova blinked, surprised. "You do?"

Kael nodded. "He's always been there, like a second voice in my head. We argue sometimes, but he's useful when I listen."

"What's he like?" Nova asked cautiously.

Kael smirked. "A pain in the ass. Arrogant, loud, always convinced he knows better than I do."

Nova couldn't help the small laugh that escaped. "Sounds familiar."

Kael chuckled. "Wolves are like that. They're the primal side of us, and they don't have time for hesitation or second-guessing."

She sobered quickly. "Mine spoke to me tonight. She said the full moon is coming and that I need to be ready."

Kael's expression grew more serious. "That's not surprising. The moon's pull makes everything stronger—instinct, emotion, the bond with your wolf. If she's talking to you, it means you're close to connecting with her fully."

"But what if I can't?" Nova asked, her voice small. "What if I can't do it?"

"You can," Kael said firmly. "And you will. The fact that she's speaking to you means you're strong. I'm not surprised, I suspected you were special."

Nova frowned. "You're awfully confident."

Kael gave her a lopsided grin. "Let's just say I've been where you are. It's not easy, but it's worth it."

She looked at him, her fear still gnawing at her resolve. "Why didn't you tell me before that you could hear your wolf?"

"Because not everyone does," he said after a moment. "Not everyone can. Some of us—most of us—feel our wolf as instinct, as drive. But an actual voice? A connection like that? It's kinda rare. I didn't want to put pressure on you. This is your journey, Nova. You have to walk it in your own way."

Nova nodded slowly, her mind spinning with everything that had happened. She wasn't sure she believed in herself yet, but Kael's presence and quiet confidence gave her something she hadn't felt in a long time—hope.