Seeing the Goddess again felt like a dream. My memories of our first meeting had been restored, but the events uncovered during my hypnosis sessions felt different—less solid, more malleable, and elusive. This encounter felt much the same. A surreal ambiance filled the air as the inner temple doors swung open, intensifying when the Goddess appeared.

At first, there was only light. It poured from the expanding entryway in a blinding aura, forcing me to avert my gaze. Beside me, Cora shielded her eyes, though it offered little protection. My skin felt afire, and a strange pressure built in my chest. Something inside me felt like it was cracking open, and I instinctively recoiled, trying to contain it. Philippe muttered worried questions, his hand on my elbow, but I couldn't look at him.

My attention was fixed on the being framed in the doorway. The overwhelming light had dissipated, revealing the beautiful woman from my memory. I lifted my gaze, still grimacing with the effort to hold myself together. She was exactly as I remembered: too magnificent to fully comprehend, yet so fascinating I could easily lose myself in a single feature. The starlit hair, galaxy eyes, and pearly skin were all there. But this time, when our eyes met, I felt a new pulse from that cracked place within me—oddly reminiscent of my bond with Rafe.

The shock of this realization staggered me. I lost control, ceasing my efforts to contain the burgeoning crack. The walls seemed to collapse, and I felt a third bond, in addition to Sinclair's and Rafe's. It overflowed with love, power, and things I didn't understand. The link was so replete with magic I felt intoxicated, but I knew I had to continue. My wolf inched forward, testing the new channel in our consciousness. It was as strong as my bonds with my son and mate, though alarmingly vast and unfamiliar. I knew my sons intimately, but pinpointing a single shape, emotion, or thought from the Goddess was impossible. It was daunting, but not unpleasant. I felt warmth and affection radiating toward me, with the unconditional fervor I felt for my unborn pup. It filled me with a sense of safety, security, and belonging unlike anything I'd experienced. Tentatively, I sent a question through the bond and held my breath. The Goddess hadn't looked away since her arrival, and now she floated forward, her gown trailing over the hallowed ground. "Yes, Ella," she confirmed with a tender smile, her shimmering hand cupping my cheek. "This is what it feels like to have a mother."

Her touch was so soft and nurturing that tears stung my eyes. I wanted to throw myself into her arms, but hesitated, unsure of proper behavior. The Goddess sensed this, wrapping me in her embrace. "I've been waiting for this day longer than you know," she murmured. "Even before you were conceived, I looked forward to meeting you, my daughter."

"But we already met," I sniffled, nuzzling her shoulder and inhaling her scent. I almost regretted it; her aroma was a terrifying blend of everything in the universe—plants, animals, minerals, chemicals, and a million things I didn't want to know.

"I know," the Goddess replied, pulling back to look at me with a serene smile. "You were so tiny and precious, but it was only a moment. I want to know the woman you've become."

"Will we have the opportunity?" I asked warily. "Reina, Silas, and Pollux keep telling me I'm too late."

She sighed. "We have much to discuss, my darling. And you've only just arrived. Wouldn't you like a rest?"

"No," I countered, wanting distance but unable to release her. "I'm too hyper to sleep. I need to know what's happening."

"Very well," the Goddess conceded. "Reina?" She gestured toward the inner temple, and we filed inside. I introduced Cora, Roger, and Philippe, grateful for their continued presence despite repeated requests to leave.

"Where should we begin?" Reina asked once we were seated with tea.

"I know where," I declared, having observed the former queen's pain during our reunion. "I want you to know that what you did to Reina is horrible," I began, scowling at my mother. "To grant her wish, only to rip it all away? It's unforgivable. And why did you tell me Reina was one of my mothers if she wasn't?"

The Goddess arched a brow. "Wasn't she? She loved you, sheltered you, carried you. She sacrificed her body and freedom after losing her husband, all for you."

"You know what I mean," I countered, taking Reina's hand. I wished I could better express my appreciation, but this was all I could manage.

"I needed you to find this place, Ella," the Goddess replied, her voice light and airy. "You had to come looking for Reina so we could have this meeting, so we could begin your training."

"I don't understand," I confessed, reaching for Cora, who cuddled close. "Why couldn't you carry me yourself?" I asked, glancing apologetically at Reina. "Not because I wanted you to I just don't understand."

"I don't create life as humans and shifters do," the Goddess explained. "I can dream entire worlds into being, but the only being capable of impregnating me would be the God of Darkness. And that would have meant an immortal child—one who could never truly know what it means to be human."

"Oh," I mused, wondering if any of this would ever sound believable.

"The world doesn't need another god with more power than they know what to do with," the Goddess continued. "I needed a child with shifter blood and my power. So, I implanted one of my eggs in Reina and gave Xavier a push."

"And everything that happened after?" I asked, unable to hide the pain in my voice. "The orphanage? Binding my wolf? Those visits from Silas and Pollux? The knife in the forest?"

"You know some of the answers," my mother reminded me softly. "We needed you to know what it meant to be human, but it wasn't enough to leave you with them and bind your wolf. We knew you had my power, the experience to give you perspective, but we had to see if you could unite our worlds. That part had nothing to do with power or perspective. It was about you. We didn't know your heart or who you would become."

"But I thought this was why I was born!" I exclaimed.

"It was a hope," the Goddess replied. "I am not omniscient, and I don't control men. I knew a child of your lineage and experience had the potential to save your people, but the rest was up to you. We needed to see if you would fight, protect, and sacrifice for others. Luckily, you grew up to be the woman I hoped for, but none of this is guaranteed."

"Alright," I swallowed, deciding to process this later. "So what training? What am I supposed to do? If it's not about magic—"

"If we can win the war, your heart will bring our people together, not your power," she answered evenly. "But to win the war? Damon is not as weak as you think, Ella. Your mate will need your help, and that means learning to use your magic—and we have little time left."

"I still don't understand," I whimpered, wishing Sinclair were here.

"That's okay, my love," the Goddess said, running her fingers through my hair. "All will be clear in time. Now—are you ready to begin?"