146 The Manifestation I L I was in the middle of a clearing .


    The moon was shining brightly … so bright that if I reached out for it , I would touch it .


    The stars shone with such bright intensity that Id never seen before , pulsing with the rhythm of my heartbeat … the forest was quiet except for the quiet chirp of crickets in the distance .


    L … A voice called out to me , filling the space with warmth .


    For the first time since my second cleansing , I felt at ease .


    As if a voice calling my name in the middle of nowhere was the most natural thing Id ever seen like Id been waiting for my whole life without realizing it .


    Slowly , I turned towards the source of the voice .


    But I saw Mother Liora pouring water over my head in a ceremonial gesture .


    Beside her , Nanny sped my hands so tightly that I could see her veins popping out from under her skin and she had a serene aura around her .


    But something was not right .


    Something didnt feel right for a moment .


    I was standing here and Mother Liora , Nanny and I were standing a short distance away from me , barely acknowledging my presence .


    How was I standing in the clearing while simultaneously standing in front of Mother Liora and Nanny ? I squinted , letting the moonlight illuminate the scene just to make sure the person there wasnt me , but then , I saw her clearly … it was me alright .


    Simr features , the same dress … everything was the same .


    I tried to move forward , to close the gap between the two versions of myself , but I was rooted to the ground .


    I opened my mouth to cry out , but no words woulde out .


    L … The voice called again , closer this time .


    I felt a light brush against my leg and when I looked down , blue eyes brilliant and piercing stared back at me .


    Hidden in my shadow and from the moons glow was a magnificent wolf .


    Her fur shimmered like liquid starlight , tinted with sparkles of silver and gold .


    Under the moonlight , she looked nearly white , but on a closer look , she was a paler colour between silver and white .


    Her legs were long and elegant , nearly as tall as mine , and her tail was unlike anything I had ever seen it ended in a forked tip , resembling two branches joined into a longer stem .


    She was breathtaking .


    Ravishingly beautiful probably the most beautiful wolf Id ever seen .


    I thought Nannys wolf was beautiful , but this creature was something else entirely .


    She was art brought to life as if the Moon Goddess was so intentional in making her .


    100 The Mandestation ! The wolf circled my legs , her lithe body brushing against me .


    She rubbed herself against mine , nudging my hand with her nose , urging me to touch her .


    I stood momentarily watching her , feeling a burst of happiness course through my body .


    Never have I felt so connected to something as I did now .


    I felt a synchronization with her heart ; I could hear her heartbeat and feel every part of her within me .


    I lowered myself to the ground , stroking her fur as our gaze met again , sending a shiver through my entire body as if she knew me .


    Youre so beautiful , I murmured , rubbing her your owner ? I asked .


    d with a smile .


    Did you get lost ? Where is Her mouth parted slightly , revealing a small set of white pearly teeth , but there was no threat in her expression , only understanding .


    She nudged me again , this time with more insistence , and I felt my hands sinking deeper into her fur .


    I was fighting the urge to hug her ….


    I wanted to do that so badly .


    Who are you ? I murmured again .


    She tilted her head , her gaze was filled with an intelligence that felt almost human .


    Her eyes flickered for a second up and down my form , drawing augh from me .


    Youre so sassy , I chuckled .


    Is your owner around here ? I heard a small scoff as she took a step backwards , gazing at me .


    L ! a voice resonated deep in my mind .


    I jumped with fright and was about to find the voice again when it came loud and clear , tinged with an edgy tone .


    It is me , L … I am you , and Im standing in front of you .


    We are one , bound by the Moon and the Sun.


    It is time to embrace what youre meant to be .


    My eyes widened .


    Oh ! Youre in my head … youre talking to me in my head , The subtle eye roll .


    Ive been talking to you for years , literally … you listen to every other thing except mine .


    Oh ! Iughed , covering my mouth .


    I dont know what to say .


    Youre my wolf ? Not good enough for you ? she asked , practically ring at me .


    I asked you to name me thest time .


    You must do it today .


    Im tired of sitting around doing nothing and you need me more than ever .


    Its a shame you gave your Moonsinging abilities to Xander .


    You know about that ? I asked , still trying to wrap my head around how well we couldmunicate in my mind .


    Im sure I mentioned Ive been inside you for years .


    L , focus … she pounded her paws on the ground in front of me .


    Now , you should name me … thanks to the cleansing , I can fullye to you , but I must have a name .


    Do you remember the reason I gave you for not having a name ? Something about the Moon Goddess is not responsible for making you .


    and meld #s kat wa mth that ! 24 4 146 The Mandestation i Great .


    So , what do you want to be called ? Do you have anything in particr ? * Before you blurt out anything , you can only name me once .


    Once you call me by a name , theres no going back , you cant change it .


    So , until youre sure of a really … really nice name … dont blurt out random words .


    O… okay ! I scoff .


    You have an attitude , but well deal with thatter .


    Dont me me for having an attitude .


    Ive been stuck in one ce for years .


    My legs would love to run too and do a lot of things .


    Hurry and choose a name .


    She urged .


    Do you have any preferences , cos honestly , I have no idea how they name wolves ? How about the name of something or someone that has really stuck long with you ? I thought for a moment and was about to speak when she filtered into my mind , her voice stopping me hastily .


    Dont blurt it , L … just say it in your mind , Ill be able to know Oh , sorry ! I gave her an apologetic smile .


    How about Truffle ? What ? her eyes widened with shock as she growled at me .


    You should give me a name that matches my appearance .


    Imagine meeting Lax or Ragnar answering Truffle … I feel embarrassed already Whos Lax or Ragnar ? I asked .


    Ramseys wolf and Nathans wolf , respectively .


    Oh ! I nodded , shifting slightly .


    I didnt think I was up to discussing my messy love life .


    How about cake ? Honey ? Love ? Are those the only words in your vocabry ? Since your vocabry is so extensive , how about you tell me what you want to be called and lets stop wasting each others time .


    Its getting cold already ? I shivered , rubbing at my arins .


    Youre in a dream .


    How can you be cold ? In a dream ? This looks real ? She groaned .


    Lets just do the naming … Okay .


    Lets hear your suggestion .


    Actually , I have a lot .


    I mean , Ive been picking up words here and there , you know … preparing for today , she paused .


    Usually , youre supposed to do these things but , youre L … you get stressed by the tiniest of things .


    Tell me the names , else , Ill blurt out the first thing thates to my head .


    Fine ! she hissed .


    The options are , Isariel , Sra , Nymeris , Eryndra and Zeryntha .


    These names stuck with me .


    So , you just have to pick one .


    Which of them do you like more ? I asked , stifling a tired yawn .


    It is your duty to do that ! she said through gritted teeth .


    This is yourst strike … if you badmouth me , Im going to blurt out Cupcake .


    146 The Manifestation i Isaricl Okay ! I nodded .


    Very strange options , but … I guess wed have to manage it that way .


    So , which of the names do you like the best ? Just choose any name you want from the three .


    I wont mind .


    How about Hazel ? I asked .


    Too popr and Im a Two tailed wolf , L … I cant just answer normal , cliché names .


    Come on … choose from my options .


    I studied her for a few minutes , deciding on which of the names would be much easier for me to call .


    Okay … I can really choose anything ? Yes ! she nodded .


    But from my list .


    Okay ! Here goes nothing .


    I exhaled .


    I chose Nymeris .


    I can call you Nym .


    She bared her teeth excitedly and her tail wagged , too .


    Good choice .


    Before I could respond , the world around me disappeared , and I awoke with a gasp .


    I was lying in the forest again .