Chapter Nineteen

Serenity’s POV

About a week after the full moon, Willow finally woke up. Eager to meet the woman who had located me in our pack's vast lands, I decided to visit with Quinn.

The door to her room was open, so Quinn and I entered the doorway to find Doctor Proke standing at the edge of Willow’s bed. 

“Please, there has to be something that you can do?” Willow pleaded her word, entirely consumed by sorrow. 

“I’m sorry, but my specialty is werewolves. I…” 

“Please!” Willow interrupted Doctor Proke, desperate for his help. “She did this to save that girl that the Alpha asked her to. And now…” There were so many emotions in her words. “And now I can’t even contact her!”

Proke ran his hand over his face, “I’m sorry, Willow, but I don’t think I can do anything to help your sister.”

“But,” Her word came out in a whisper, and tears streamed down her puffy face.

He went around the bed and placed his hand on her shoulder, “To be honest, I don’t think there would be any doctor that would be able to treat your sister.” The Doctor paused for a moment. “Let me ask you something. Can you feel your sister's presence?” 

“Of course, I can feel her presence; she lives within me,” She said as if she was offended by his words.

I gave Quinn a quick, confused glance, ‘Her sister lives within her?!’

‘I’ll let her tell you what she means by that,’ Quinn said as we returned to their conversation.

“Okay, good. Then that means she is still alive.” Proke stated.

“But her presence is so weak.” Willow softly said as she nervously chewed on her bottom lip. 

“Yes, but at least it is there. How would I, as a doctor, be able to check that?” Doctor Proke said.

Willow nodded, “I see your point.”

Proke sighed, “Look, you said that to perform the location spell, Raven had to use her soul energy. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that is right,” Willow said as she nodded. 

“Then I suggest seeking someone who works with or knows about soul energy. I remember hearing about some ancient being that used to be well-versed in soul energy. However, finding these beings could prove to be difficult.” Proke said as he tapped his pen on his clipboard.

“Why is that,” She wondered.

“Because they were nearly hunted into extinction about fifty years ago. So it could be quite difficult to find one. There is only one place that I can think of that might have records of their last known whereabouts, and that is the records in the Imperial Library. However, getting approval to enter the library won’t be easy. So I’m…” 

Before Proke could finish, Quinn said, “We might be able to help with that.” He stepped further into Willow’s room. “I’m Quinn, and this is my sister, Serenity. Your sister helped us locate her, and I am eternally grateful.” He respectfully bowed his head, and I did the same, stepping up next to him.

Her sorrow-filled face softened, “Hi, Quinn and Serenity; it is an honor to meet you both. I am Willow.” She released a shaky breath, “You were saying that you might be able to help get into the Imperial Library?”

Quinn nodded, “Yes, there is something there that we must also research. So if we get the clearance to enter, we could speak with Alpha Derrick and see if he would allow you to join us when we go.” 

A smile spread across Willow’s face, “That would be wonderful.”

“Oh, and just so you know, it will probably take some time before we can get the clearance,” Quinn said with a sheepish grin.

“I heard that it can take up to a year to get clearance, even for requests from an Alpha,” I said, shaking my head in disbelief.

“That is because there is extremely sensitive information in the Imperial Library. If that sensitive information were to fall into the wrong hands, it could devastate the entire werewolf race.” Doctor Proke said with a serious tone to his words. 

“I would appreciate joining you guys at the Imperial Library if Alpha Derrick would allow it,” Willow said.

“I’m pretty sure that he will allow you to.” Quinn draped his arm over my shoulders, “And let’s not forget that you saved Ren.” He wiggled his eyebrows, causing a chuckle to escape Willow’s lips.

“Oh, Doctor Proke, what are the names of the ancient beings that I will need to research,” Willow asked as she looked over at the doctor, who had moved back to the end of her bed.

“The ancient begin are mermaids. Their affinity to water is very similar to soul energy, enabling them to wield soul energy at least to some extent.” As he began to walk towards the door, he said, “I have other patients to attend to, so I will be taking my leave. I do hope that you find the answers you are looking for and can reunite with your sister.” With that, the doctor left the room.

***

It took nearly three months to hear back from the Royal Palace about our request, which was granted. However, the date scheduled to go to the Imperial Library was ten months from the day our approval letter came. 

Even though we had to wait ten months, it seemed to fly by with everything we had on our plates. 

During that time, Erica returned and let her true colors show, meaning that she let everyone know that she was better than me in every way or at least according to her. She brought back a new minion that followed her around like a lost puppy and treated him like a slave. His name was Corban, and something about him made me suspicious of him.

Quinn and I graduated and had my eighteenth Birthday. We hadn’t had much luck finding any information about my family or mermaids for Willow. However, we did happen to stumble upon some fascinating information about vampires. There is a plant that they react to the same way that werewolves react to wolfsbane, but the plant's name was written in an ancient language that none of us could pronounce. So, we added another item we would look into at the Imperial Library. 

***

The trip to the Imperial Palace took nearly thirteen hours between the flight and the long drive deep into the mountains. 

There was a smooth white stone drawbridge, and the gatekeep was made entirely of sleek, polished white stones with crimson Red Creeping Phlox Vines lining the curtain walls. The curtain wall stretched for miles in both directions, with watch towers dotting its length. 

The castle over 5 miles past the gatekeep was five stories high and made of soft gray stones. There were climbing Saphire blue rock cress vines rising up the castle walls. We entered through dark brown, massive, double wooden doors with beautiful hand-carved howling wolves on them. Entering the doors, an enormous staircase led to the second floor. A luxurious scarlet red carpet lined the white and dark gray marble flooring. A yawn escaped my lips as we continued down the long hallways to the rooms we were staying in. 

The butler stopped before one of the doors, “These are the rooms that you all will be staying in. You can choose whichever one you like.” He said as he pointed to each room we were allowed to use for our stay. “Now, if you follow me, Elder Reiner, your room is in a different area.” 

“Of course,” Reiner said as he hugged me and gave each of us a stern look. “You all are representatives of the Silver Moon Pack; act accordingly.” We all acknowledged his request, and he followed the butler out of sight. 

Walking into the room I had chosen, I could barely believe my eyes. The room was huge! There was a seating area with a large 65-inch QLED TV. A balcony that was larger than my room at my parent's house, and this balcony overlooked a beautiful garden. There was an area to have tea, a massive California king-poster bed with grey and black bedding, and a mountain of pillows. The flooring was the same beautiful white and gray marble that was in the hall. The walls were soft gray with white trim, and large potted plants were all around the room. 

I shuffled towards the bathroom. Shock and awe washed over me as I stared at the beautiful bathroom. There was a grand walk-in shower with a remote that controlled the water, lights, and music for the shower. The colossal jetted infinity tub was large enough to fit at least three hulking adults, and a massive double sink and a mirror nearly covered one entire wall.

A yawn escaped my lips, and I reluctantly stopped my tired exploration and walked back to the large, fluffy bed, where I collapsed into it. Sinking deep into the soft bed, I drifted off to sleep.