"Higher, Daddy higher!"
A young Samantha's laughter rang out across the small park, bright and carefree against the cool summer air. The swing arced forward, her legs pumping as high as they could go, her joy palpable.
Her father, a tall, broad shouldered, burly man, laughed along with her - a deep, roaring sound that carried easily. When he finally reached out and caught the swing, he crouched in front of her, "Alright, Sammy girl," he teased, brushing her hair from her face. "I think that's enough for today, lets head back, your mother is making lunch."
"But Daddy," Samantha replied, lower lip trembling in a dramatic pout. "Just a few more minutes. Then we'll go to Momma." She hopped off the swing and planted her hands on her hips, mimicking something she'd clearly seen before. "Why are you scared of Momma anyway? You're bigger."
Samantha's father lets out a roaring laugh, clutching his belly. "I'm not scared, I'm smart!" Scooping her up with ease, he presses a kiss on the top of her head as they head out of the park.
Still pouting safely in his arms, Samantha twirled her fingers in his hair. "Daddy," she said softly, "can you tell me a story? A crazy one. With princesses and warriors. And maybe dragons that breathe fire."
Smiling down at her, "dragons that breathe fire, huh? That's quite the imagination, don't you think?" He said, rubbing his beard in thought. "Okay. I have one for you."
He suddenly stops walking, pinching his brows together, he looks at her. Samantha stills…
"But I want you to promise me," he says gently brushing a piece of hair off her face. "You won't tell anyone, not even momma."
Samantha's eyes widen at the prospect of a secret. "Yes! I pinky promise, the Moon Goddess sees me."
His smile deepens. "That's my girl."
"Okay then," he started calmly, slowly rocking her as he walked. "It is said that we shifters are the children of the Moon Goddess."
"Because she created us," Samantha proudly interrupted, twirling her fingers in her fathers dark hair.
"That is correct," removing an eyelash from her cheek. " She made many creatures, but the wolves were her favorite. The Moon Goddess made them except for one wolf bloodline that was born from her." He said whispering.
"Samantha blinked. "Daddy… wolves had the Moon Goddess as their momma? And their grandmomma? And their…" She paused, thinking hard. "Their older grandmomma?"
He smiled. "Great-grandmother. And yes. But this was centuries ago, too many generations for even me to count."
He tapped her nose gently. "Now listen, Sammy girl. No more interruptions."
She nodded.
"Out of the Moon Goddess and the spirit of the Earth," he continued, slowing his pace and glancing around, "were born the White Wolves. They became the royal bloodline, as they should, being her direct descendants."
"They ruled with peace," he went on, voice reverent, "with healing and purification. White wolves are kind by nature, fierce when protecting others, and always seeking justice. They are healers at heart and warriors by blood."
"All shifters loved them. There was rarely any conflict amongst the wolves," he smiled down on her knowingly. "The white wolves even had power."
Samantha sucked in a sharp breath. "No way! They had powers?"
He nodded. "Yes. The Lumen."
Her shock was visible.
"The Lumen purified," he explained. "It was not made for destruction, but for healing and cleansing. It responds to intention and listens to their heart. Every White Wolf was trained to heal with it, but only the strongest those in line to the throne could use it for purification."
Samantha leaned closer. "Who had the strongest blood?"
"The King or Queen," he answered gently. "If the throne passed to a daughter, then she ruled. Her mate was King but she was Alpha," he looked at her lovingly with shed truths to be told. "Remember that, always."
Confused, she giggled. " Why Daddy? I'm not an alpha," she frowns disappointedly. "I'm not even a princess."
The sound of her laughter vibrates through the clearing, as her father tickles her stomach. "You are my princess, Sammy girl," hugging her. "And you are way stronger than you know."
Ignoring his last comment, "So what happened? Where are they? Is this just a story?"
He gave her an apologetic smile.
"No," he said quietly. "It's not."
Pain flickered across his face. "A jealous man wanted what wasn't his. He manipulated other Alphas. The Royal Pack was attacked. The King was killed… including the White Wolves. ."
"That's not fair!" Samantha cried. "I wanted a happy story!"
"Wait Sammy, there is more," he said softly. "The Queen suspected something wasn't right. She asked the king to help her hide her pregnancy. When her daughter was born, she entrusted her to warriors chosen by the Moon Goddess herself."
He stopped in front of their cottage.
"If your mother and I are ever gone," he whispered, touching Samantha's cheek, "you find them. Look for the mark. The wolf moon encrusted flame. Touch it and say the words."
"Lumera Purgete."
The front door swung open. "Robert! There you are!" her mother called cheerfully. "Lunch is ready."
Samantha giggled. "Coming, Momma!" Jumping off her father's arms, running to the door, she stopped and whispered, "Lumera Purgete. Daddy's silly."
—-
I jerk upright, gasping for air.
Sweat soaked my skin, my heart slamming painfully against my ribs. The unfamiliar room spun around - silk sheets, velvet curtains, and stone walls.
The castle is coming back to me.
That wasn't a dream.
That was a memory.
I was six, I remember it now.
Hands shaking, I stumble into the bathroom and splash water on my face. I stare at my reflection, breath shallow.
"Just a story," I whisper. "That's all it was."
But my lips move on their own.
"Lumera Purgete."
The lights flicker around me.
And glowing eyes stare back at me from the mirror.