Callista woke up abruptly, her breath uneven, her mind reeling from the vivid dream she had just experienced. The image of the white wolf with golden streaks lingered in her thoughts, its piercing hazel eyes locked onto hers even in her waking moments. She sat up in bed, trying to steady her racing heart when she suddenly heard the familiar voice of her mother echoing from downstairs.
Without hesitation, she slipped out of bed and made her way down. Her mother, seated on the couch with a weary expression, barely noticed her approach until Callista cleared her throat.
"Mom," she began hesitantly, "I need to talk to you."
Her mother, sensing the urgency in her tone, turned to her with a knowing gaze. "What is it, Callista?"
Taking a deep breath, Callista recounted the dream in full detail—the riverbank, the white wolf, the way it seemed to call to her without words. When she finished, her mother sighed, motioning for her to sit beside her.
"Callista, what you saw was no ordinary dream," her mother said carefully. "The white wolf is a sign—a messenger of your true destiny."
Callista frowned, confusion and frustration bubbling up. "My destiny? What does that even mean?"
Her mother reached for her hand gently. "It means that your awakening is beginning. You are not just an ordinary girl, and you know that now. The power within you, the blood that runs through your veins, is calling for you to embrace both sides of who you are. It is time for you to learn."
"Learn what?" Callista asked hesitantly.
Her mother smiled slightly, a glimmer of pride in her eyes. "Magic."
Callista's eyes widened. "Magic? Like real magic?"
Her mother chuckled softly. "Yes, real magic. You are part witch, Callista. That means you have abilities that must be nurtured and controlled. And you need to understand how to protect yourself."
For the next hour, her mother guided her through basic spells—small incantations that caused a flicker of light, a whisper of air moving with her command. Callista was amazed, though she struggled at first. Still, she could feel something within her stirring, something powerful and waiting to be unleashed.
Once they had finished, her mother's expression grew serious. "But there is more you need to understand. You cannot rely solely on magic. You must also embrace the werewolf side of you. And for that, you need Lucien."
Callista stiffened at the mention of his name. "Why? I can learn on my own."
Her mother shook her head. "No, you cannot. He is your mate, Callista. He is tied to you by fate, and you must learn from him. He will teach you what it means to be a werewolf."
Callista clenched her fists. "But his father killed my father! How am I supposed to just... accept that?"
Her mother's expression softened, but her voice remained firm. "I understand your pain. But the Moon Goddess does not make mistakes. If you and Lucien are fated, then there is a reason beyond what we can see. Perhaps your destiny is to unite what has been broken for centuries. Perhaps you are meant to bring peace between witches and werewolves.
Callista's heart clenched. "Why should I trust him? And why must I accept this mate bond? I didn't ask for any of this!"
Her mother placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I understand your anger, but the Moon Goddess does not make mistakes. If you were fated to be with Lucien, then your destiny is far greater than you realize. The future of both werewolves and witches rests in your hands. You must face your destiny, Callista, and bring them together."
Callista sat in silence, her mother's words echoing in her mind. Was she truly meant to unite two races that had been enemies for centuries? And could she ever truly accept Lucien as her mate?