The moment we landed the crisp air of Nelson Lakes National Park filled my lungs. I held in to the car for support as my vision doubled before focusing.The scent of pine and fresh water wrapped around me like an old friend. Before us stretched Blue Lake- Rotomairewhenua–a shimmering, pristine body of water nestled between towering peaks.
We had arrived just as the sun was setting, casting an ethereal glow over the glass–like surface. The lake reflected the sky so perfectly that it was as if we had stepped into another realm. It was breathtaking, untouched, and sacred.
“Damn,” Austin muttered, running a hand through his damp curls. looks like something straight out of a dream.”
Isaiah, who had barely slept, rubbed his eyes before answering. “It’s not just any lake. This one is tied to werewolf lore. Supposedly, its water was blessed by the goddess herself, giving wolves strength. and fertility.”
Austin smirked. “So what you’re saying is, Stormi should take a sip? You know, in case she wants to start having pups after all this is over.”
My face burned as I turned on him. “Shut up, Austin.”
Alex barked out a laugh, elbowing his brother. “At least let her get through this mission before you start planning a nursery.”
Austin shrugged. “I’m just saying. The legend says the water holds power. Maybe it could help.”
Elijah rolled his eyes. “That’s not why we’re here. We need to figure out what the riddle means and how this lake is connected to the Lunar Keystone.”
Isaiah nodded, flipping through The Book of Lores. “By the moonlit lake, reflections guide, symbols hidden in ripples where secrets abide.“” He looked up. “We’re probably going to have to wait for the moon to reveal the way.”
The problem was, the moon wasn’t full–it was a thin crescent hanging in the sky, barely providing enough light to cast shadows, let alone reveal any ancient secrets.
Alex groaned. “So what, we just sit here all night waiting?”
Elijah exhaled. “That might be exactly what we have to do.”
We sat in the car, the heater running to keep the night’s cold at bay. I rested my head against the window, watching as the stars began to dot the inky sky. Hours passed.
I started to feel restless. Something told me we were missing a piece of the puzzle.
Then, an idea struck.
I sat up suddenly. “What if… I create the moonlight myself?”
Isaiah frowned. “You mean like in the cave?”
I nodded. “The riddle says ‘moonlit lake.‘ Maybe it doesn’t matter whether the real moon is full or not. Maybe it just needs to look like it is.”
Without waiting for a response, I stepped out of the car and shifted. The silver glow of my fur illuminated the darkness, brighter than any natural moonlight. The others followed me to the shore as climbed a rocky cliff overlooking the lake.
I focused, pulling on my power. A soft pulse of energy radiated outward, my fur glowing like the full moon itself.
Chapter 149
Then, the lake changed.
The surface began to ripple, even though there was no wind. The water shimmered with dancing symbols, ancient and cryptic. The markings twisted and bent with the ripples, leading to a single glowing point in the middle of the lake.
“There,” I mind–linked. “Something’s shining beneath the surface.”
Alex peered at the lake. “Guess we’re going for a swim.”
We found an old wooden boat by the shore, likely left behind by hikers. It creaked as Austin and Alex rowed toward the glowing point.
Elijah tensed beside me. “Something’s wrong.”
Before I could ask what, the water lurched beneath us. Phantom waves, out of nowhere, rocked the boat violently.
“Hold on!” Alex shouted.
The lake, which had been still as glass, now churned like an ocean during a storm.
Shadowy figures slithered just beneath the surface. My heart stuttered as dark, serpent–like creatures rose from the water, their glowing eyes locking onto us.
Isaiah cursed. “Water serpents.”
They attacked.
Elijah and Isaiah dove in first, slashing through the water with their weapons. The serpents hissed, their long, eel–like bodies coiling around the twins, trying to drag them under.
Austin and Alex had already shed their shirts, ready to fight.
“Go!” I shouted to Alex. “Get the stone! We’ll cover you!”
Without hesitation, Alex dove beneath the surface.
Isaiah and Elijah continued to battle, their movements fluid even underwater. The creatures fought with unnatural intelligence,
dodging and countering every attack.
I stood on the boat, glowing bright, my light keeping the darkness at bay. The creatures hesitated under the silver glow, hissing at the blinding radiance.
Then, suddenly-
Alex was dragged under.
A Desperate Rescue
My pulse hammered in my ears.
He wasn’t coming back up.
Without thinking, I jumped in.
The cold water shocked my system, but I pushed through, kicking down toward where Alex had disappeared,
214
Chapter 149
Below me, I saw him. His body was limp, but in his hand, he still clutched the glowing stone.
A serpent had coiled around his leg, pulling him deeper.
Not today.
I shifted underwater, my powerful werewolf form moving effortlessly through the depths. My jaws snapped onto Alex’s shirt, yanking him away from the creature’s grasp.
I swam upward, my legs burning. The weight of him slowed me down but I refused to let go.
Finally, we broke the surface.
Isaiah and Elijah reached out, hauling Alex into the boat. I shifted back and followed, my chest heaving for breath.
Alex was unresponsive.
“No, no, no,” I muttered, pressing my hands against his chest. I started CPR.
Austin was next to me in an instant. “Come on, man,” he begged, his voice thick with emotion. “Breathe!”
I pushed against Alex’s chest, my hands trembling.
Nothing.
I kept going, panic clawing at my throat.
Then-
Alex gasped.
He choked on water, his body jerking as he coughed up what felt like half the lake.
I slumped back in relief, my heart pounding.
Austin turned him on his side, patting his back. “You scared the hell out of us, dude.”
Alex blinked blearily, then smirked weakly. “Miss me?”
I let out a half–laugh, half–sob. “You idiot.”
Austin groaned. “Never do that again.”
Alex grinned, holding up the glowing stone in his hand. “But I got it.
We had done it.
The Omega: Mated To The Four
