Their swords came down on each other with such force that Ashleigh felt the vibrations through her bones. If the strength to hold the sword was coming from her alone, she would have dropped it.
“You are as dishonorable as ever!” Solana growled, shoving Ashleigh away.
‘What?' Ashleigh asked, but her voice did not come out.
“The bitterness still clings to you after centuries,” Ashleigh growled, her voice deeper than usual.
Their swords clanged together once more. They growled and snarled as they held each other in place.
“This challenge is for her to meet, not you!” Solana growled once again, shoving Ashleigh hard.
Before Ashleigh could renew her attack, Solana held up her hand. Her silver eyes glowed brightly.
Ashleigh's body was held in place.
“How!” Ashleigh snarled.
“This is my sacred space,” Solana snarled in a quiet rage. “Not yours!”
Solana raised her other hand. She focused her energy on Ashleigh, brought her hands together, and swiftly apart.
Ashleigh was thrown back against a nearby tree. The force knocked the wind out of her. Then, as she gasped to get her breathing under control, she looked up to see Solana turning away from her.
‘No,' she thought desperately. ‘Don't leave! I will face whatever challenge you want!'
But Solana did not leave. Instead, she walked to a tree opposite the one Ashleigh slammed into. She bent down and grabbed hold of something, no, someone.
Ashleigh caught her breath and could focus on what she was witnessing before her.
At the base of the tree, Ashleigh saw a familiar figure recovering from being thrown the say way she had been. It was the Valkyrie.
Solana lifted the Valkyrie's chin to look up at her.-.
“You have done your great daughter a disservice by appearing here, Lily,” Solana growled. “Now, she will have to work twice as hard to prove herself.”
“I am the power that child holds. She may use me as she deems fit,” Lily snapped back.
“But she didn't call to you,” Solana snarled. “Did she?”
Lily clenched her jaw.
Solana let her go and turned back to Ashleigh.
“Our introduction is done,” Solana said. “But you have not proven yourself today. Come back when you can do it on your own.”
“But–!” Ashleigh called out, reaching for Solana, but she and Lily both faded away.
“Ashleigh!” Corrine cried out and rushed to her side.
“Damn…” Fiona whispered. “Looks like she did not hold back with you.”
They both helped Ashleigh to her feet.
“I failed…” Ashleigh whispered.
Corrine and Fiona both looked at each other with concern.
“Come, let's get you cleaned up,” Fiona suggested.
Together they helped Ashleigh back to the compound, avoiding any prying eyes that might ask about what had happened.
***
“You didn't fail, darling,” Corrine smiled as she dabbed a wet washcloth at Ashleigh's lip, wiping away the blood.
“No, you didn't,” Fiona said. “She will accept you next time. But, for now, we just need to work on getting you ready.”
“But how do I do that?” Ashleigh asked. “I feel like I just witnessed some kind of ancestral grudge match. I mean, seriously, how is it that the original Lunas of Summer and Winter also had a problem with each other?”
Corrine chuckled.
“I think the more important question is, how do you have the original Luna of Winter hanging out inside your mind?” Fiona asked.
“Well, that's because of the berserker power,” Ashleigh said as though it were obvious.
Fiona gave her a questioning glance.
“You know… how it comes from the light of the ancestors….” Ashleigh added.
Fiona raised her eyebrow.
“Sorry, I assumed your father would have told you that after he figured it out,” Ashleigh said awkwardly.
“As far as I know, my father never met her,” Fiona replied.
Ashleigh furrowed her brows.
“You said he found a balance with his power and could control it after he faced it head on.”
“Yes, he did. But he never said anything about the power having a presence or a life of any kind,” Fiona said. “He told me it was like facing his greatest fear, finding the strength to push through it and then take control of the power he wielded.”
“That is how I have also heard the power of the berserker described,” Corrine said.
Ashleigh looked between them.
“I don't understand,” she sighed. “When I was held captive… I met the Valkyrie… Luna Lily, though I didn't realize that's who she was at the time… but it was when Granger tried forcing me to use my rage to kill the children.”
She breathed, trying not to think too hard about those days trapped in that room. Knowing that she could lose control and do something horrible at any moment.
“She came to me. She told me that she was the power inside of me, that it wasn't rage but the light of my ancestors,” Ashleigh said. “It made sense; what else would explain why only wolves of Winter have been able to become berserkers?”
“Well, you guys aren't great about sharing your toys,” Fiona chuckled.
Corrine chuckled softly and then turned to Ashleigh.
“I don't know what to tell you about your time being held captive,” Corrine said. “But I can tell you, I have met Luna Lily, and the person you described is her. It's why we have the Valkyrie unit, to honor her.”
“From the description,” Fiona said, “it also sounds like she may have been the one that attacked me as well….”
Ashleigh sighed.
“So… now I have an ancient Luna in my head that can apparently just hijack my body from time to time, great.”
“Well, you said she told Solana that her power was yours to call, right?” Fiona asked.
Ashleigh nodded.
“Then, to some degree at least, you have control, or at least you could have control.”
“I agree,” Corrine nodded. “I think the best start would be establishing your control over her power.”
“You want me to overpower the original Luna of Winter?” Ashleigh asked.
Corrine nodded.
“And then the original Luna of Summer,” Fiona added.
“Right… how could I forget that,” Ashleigh sighed.
Corrine and Fiona smiled at each other. Ashleigh looked at them with confusion and a hint of irritation.
“How are you guys so calm about this?” she asked.
“We've been Lunas a long time… weird shit happens,” Fiona shrugged.
“Besides, we believe in you, Ashleigh,” Corrine smiled warmly.
“Caleb isn't going to like any of this,” Ashleigh sighed.
“Yea…” Fiona said. “About that… I think it would be best for everyone if Caleb left for a few days. He keeps putting off the meeting with Burning Ember, and honestly, he will just be in the way here.”
Corrine and Ashleigh both laughed.
“He means well,” Corrine smiled.
“Yes, they always do,” Fiona sighed. “His father was the same way.”
“As is Wyatt,” Corrine said.
“It's not bad to be so loved,” Ashleigh smiled.
“No,” Fiona smiled, “it isn't.”
The women all took a moment to think of their respective mates, to miss them, appreciate them, and cherish them.
“I will tell him to go to Burning Ember,” Ashleigh said.
“Good,” Fiona said.
“We can start working on your control in the morning. But, for tonight, let's all get some rest.”
***
By the time Ashleigh returned to their room, Caleb was already asleep. She took a quick shower, packed his bag for him, and then crawled into bed.
“Hey…” he whispered sleepily as she curled into the curve of his body.
“Hey…” she whispered back.
Caleb turned and wrapped his arms around her. She closed her eyes and inhaled his scent.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
“I'm in your arms,” she said. “How could I not be?”
Caleb smiled and pulled her closer.
He bent his head and kissed her shoulder, his lips gently grazing the mark he had given her.
Ashleigh shuddered and leaned her head back against his shoulder.
Caleb's kisses continued along her shoulder to her throat.
Ashleigh let out a soft moan and then a gentle chuckle.
“Aren't you tired?” she asked. “You were already asleep when I got into bed.”
“You tell me….” Caleb whispered against her ear as he moved his hand to her hip. He pulled her gently, so she felt his enthusiasm pressing against her backside.
Ashleigh bit her lower lip and let out a soft whimper as she felt her need for him stirring.
“It is the full moon,” she whispered with a smile. “We should celebrate it.”
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