Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
But some among the human magicians were not content with this. They delved into forbidden magic, seeking to bring the Lycan souls back from the realm between life and death, desiring their strength.
And so the first shifters were born, weakened Lycan souls merging with human bodies. But such a violation
A/B
of the natural order could not go unpunished.
I hold my breath, dreading what comes next in Selene’s tale.
The Lycan Curse descended upon the magicians and their descendants. The returned Lycan souls, enraged by the betrayal, consumed them. Over time, these souls developed their own identity, working in harmony with the souls they shared life with. They became Lycan Shifters.
I frown, trying to reconcile this with the history I’ve been taught. Shifters, cursed? It goes against everything I know. We are blessed by the moon goddess, and given a giftor so we’re told.
As centuries passed, the Lycan Shifters became simply known as wolf shifters. They formed their own packs, their own traditions and values, based on their unique history. And that, little one, is the true origin of our kind. Two souls cursed into one body.
Selene’s voice fades, leaving me in a stunned silence. It’s a lot to take in, this alternate history. Part of me wants to reject it, to cling to the familiar stories I’ve grown up with
But-
“What does this have to do with me?”
It means, Ava, that you are more than what they’ve told you. You are not an omega. You are a descendant of the original magicians, a being of magic and power in your own right.
“Butdoesn’t that mean I’m cursed?”
Of course.
I wait for her to elaborate, but she doesn’t. “But I’m different.”
Yes.
“Then why aren’t Jessa and Phoenix different?”
It is in your soul, not in your blood.
I sigh. “Okay. Selene, how am I different? Explain it to me like I’m five.”
You are stronger than the others.
“So, because I’m strong, my heat is strong.” That’s what she’d said just a few moments ago.
It is one of the reasons, she concedes. Though, your
Yours is to gain strength.
“Did you miss the part where I jumped Clayton’s bones and tried to fuck him in front of the hospital staff?”
Sex, of course, is part of it, Selene says primly.
I sigh. It’s like having halfanswers, which Selene excels at so thoroughly. But, I remember clearly feeling a heat going through my body once before, and feeling refreshed and stronger after-
I think I might understand, a little bit. Not really, but kind of.
You have the strength of the arcane running through your blood, she says simply. And I…
She stops.
Well, that’s for another time.
“What, that you’re a Lycan?”
Well, we are all Lycan, of a sort, Selene says vaguely.
Wait. When she says strength of the arcane-
“Selene, are you saying I can do magic?”
You have the potential, Selene says, her voice a cautious whisper in my mind. The arcane flows through your veins. But…
My breath escapes me in a giddy rush. Magic. Real magic. Human magic. It’s something out of a fairy tale, not something that should exist in my life. Then again, supernaturals existand we’re pretty nonstandard, ourselves.
It’s not that simple, Selene continues, her tone growing more serious. Magic is not a toy, little one. It’s a force of nature, raw and untamed. To wield it requires knowledge, discipline, and control.
I swallow hard, feeling the warning in her words. “But how do I learn? I don’t even know where to start.”
You would need a teacher, Selene explains, her voice tinged with hesitation. Someone well versed in the arcane arts, who could guide you, show you how to harness and control your power. But magic is a lost art. Magicians were lost to the curse and became shifters.
Talk about a letdown.
“So, I won’t be able to do magic.” Is that how you say it? Do magic? Cast magic? Spell magic? Cast spells? It all feels weird in my mouth.
It is unlikely, Selene says, but she still has that cautious sound to her voice.
“If I tried, what’s the worst that could happen?”
Death.
A simple word, bluntly given, with all the truth in the world behind it. I shudder at the matteroffact tone.
In times long past, many talented humans were lost to the recklessness of their magical talent. Until magicians began to teach each other, too many lives were lost in the pursuit of the power within them. Do not open that door, Ava.
I rub my arms vigorously, trying to regain some of the warmth that fled my body as she spoke.
“Okay,” I say, shoving down the odd sense of loss. Magic would have been amazing to learn, of course. Butif Selene says it’s too dangerous, I believe her. It isn’t worth my life to try and grasp something so volatile.
So I focus on a question that’s been bothering me from the beginning. “Selene, you’re my wolf, right?”
Of course.
“Then why are you separate from me? No shifter has a wolf with a physical body.”
Selene hums, a thoughtful sound that echoes through my mind. You were born bonded with the ancient magic, she explains in that nonexplaining way, where nothing is really answered. We are both separate and one at the same time.
I groan. “That makes no sense. You’re being cryptic again. All shifters are bonded with ancient magic, and they don’t have any ‘separate’, only ‘one’. Why am I different?”
Crypticity is something that can’t be helped, Selene sighs, and I can almost picture her shaking her head. It’s the nature of what we are.
“Crypticity? What are you, an English professor now? And what are we, exactly? Are you a Lycan or a shifter?”
I am pure, Selene says, her voice filled with a quiet pride. I came to be with you of my own choice.
I squint, as if that somehow makes my brain work better. “How is that possible? Doesn’t the curse decide who is matched?”
That is a story for another time, Selene says, her tone turning brisk. For now, it’s more important that you take a cold shower before your heat starts back up. Clayton is near.
The mention of the alpha sends a shiver down my spine, and I can feel the first tendrils of heat starting to uncurl in my belly.
Selene’s right; I don’t want to be in a frantic state like yesterday. But I can’t let this conversation go just yet. I’m finally getting answers.
“But how can you just choose to be with me? And what do you mean, we’re separate and one at the same time? I don’t understand any of this.”
I know, little one, Selene says, her voice softening. There is much you don’t understand yet. But trust me when I say that everything will be revealed in time. For now, focus on getting through your heat. We can talk more later.
I want to argue, to demand answers, but the heat is building faster now, and I can feel my skin starting to prickle with sweat. I need to get this under control before I become a feral, slutty mess.
One humiliation is enough.
I head for the bathroom, tearing off my hospital gown and tossing it on the ground as I go. Niceties are foregone; I just want to get control of my body as soon as I can.
I can sense the presence of a powerful wolf. I don’t know how far they are, but they’re close enough that I’m lifting my chin to sniff, trying to get their scent in my nose.
There’s two of them. One’s a little weaker, but he’ll do