As dawn broke the next morning, Belle stood barefoot in a meadow, dew-soaked grass between her toes. The first rays of sunlight kissed her skin, but it was the moonlight—still lingering, refusing to fade—that made her fingertips tingle with energy.
"Feel the pull," Willow instructed, circling her. "The moon never truly leaves us. Its energy remains, waiting to be called."
Belle closed her eyes, reaching for that silver thread inside her. Her wolf stirred, eager.
"I feel it," she whispered. "Like... electricity under my skin."
"Good. Now push it outward. Through your palms."
Belle extended her hands. At first, nothing happened. Then a flicker—faint purple light dancing between her fingers.
Kael watched from nearby, mesmerized. "It's beautiful."
"Focus," Duke cautioned. "Intent shapes power."
Belle thought of protection, of safety. The light pulsed brighter, forming a small shield that hovered before her.
"I did it!" she gasped as the shield dissolved.
"That's just the beginning," Willow smiled. "You'll learn to heal, to connect with other wolves across distances, to strengthen pack bonds."
Belle practiced until midday, each attempt stronger than the last. By afternoon, she could create light that danced across the clearing and feel the heartbeats of everyone around her.
"You're a natural," Duke said, impressed.
Exhausted but exhilarated, Belle collapsed beside Kael, who wrapped an arm around her.
"How does it feel?" he asked softly.
"Scary. Amazing." She looked at her hands, still faintly glowing. "Like I'm finally becoming who I was always meant to be."
Her wolf hummed in agreement, no longer separate but intertwined with her soul.
Tomorrow would bring harder lessons, but tonight—tonight she would sleep knowing she had taken the first step toward healing a centuries-old wound.
As the sun began to set, Belle stood in the center of the clearing once more. She was drenched in sweat, her muscles aching, but there was a new strength flowing through her veins.
"One more time," Willow encouraged. "Channel it through your heart this time."
Belle placed her palm over her chest and breathed deeply. This time, the purple light emerged not from her hands but from her entire body, wrapping around her like a second skin.
"Look at me!" she laughed, spinning around. The light trailed behind her like stardust.
Kael couldn't take his eyes off her. "You're glowing," he said, his voice filled with wonder.
Belle concentrated harder, and suddenly the light extended outward, creating a dome that encompassed everyone in the clearing. Within its boundaries, they all felt a rush of warmth and connection.
"I can feel all of you," Belle whispered. "Your emotions, your strength..."
Duke clapped his hands. "Pack magic. The rarest kind. You're not just creating shields—you're creating bonds."
When Belle finally let the light fade, she wobbled on her feet. Kael caught her before she fell.
"Easy there, little wolf. You've done enough for today."
She nestled against his chest. "Did you see what I did? I never thought I could—"
"I always knew you could," he interrupted, kissing her forehead. "My extraordinary mate."
As they walked back toward the cabin, Belle realized something had changed. Her wolf wasn't just close to the surface anymore—they were one and the same, their strengths combined.
"Tomorrow," she said with newfound confidence, "I want to try healing magic."
Willow and Duke exchanged glances. "She's going to surpass us all," Duke murmured.
Later that evening, Belle sat cross-legged on the floor of their bedroom, a small bowl of water before her. She dipped her fingertips in, focusing her energy.
"Just a little..." she whispered to herself, as the water began to glow faintly purple.
Kael leaned against the doorframe, watching with undisguised pride. "What are you up to now, little wolf?"
"Duke mentioned healing properties in water magic. I'm trying something."
She lifted her hand, and the water followed, forming a floating sphere that pulsed with light. When she pressed it against a small cut on her arm, the water seeped in, and the wound closed instantly.
"I did it!" Belle squealed, jumping up and throwing her arms around Kael's neck.
He spun her around, laughing. "Is there anything you can't do?"
"Plenty," she grinned. "But I'm going to keep trying everything."
That night, curled against Kael's chest, Belle felt her wolf purring with contentment. For the first time, she wasn't afraid of what tomorrow would bring or what challenges awaited them.
"I used to dream about being strong," she murmured against his skin. "But I never imagined it would feel like this."
Kael's fingers traced patterns on her back. "How does it feel?"
"Like I'm finally whole." Belle looked up at him, her eyes shining. "Like I finally belong."
"You've always belonged," he said softly. "But now you know it too."
Belle fell asleep with a smile on her lips, dreaming of purple light and endless possibilities.