CHAPTER 5: ECHOES OF THE PAST

Luna woke up to an unpleasant feeling as the night faded into a swirl of dimly recalled dreams and faraway echoes. Trying to put the pieces of her dreams back together, she laid in bed, while the cool morning light streamed through the curtains. Unfamiliar sounds she didn't recognize, and faces she couldn't place, swirled through a chaotic memories that didn't belong to her.

Luna got up gradually, her muscles still hurting from the last transformation. She headed to the tiny kitchen area, clothed in the basic clothes Marissa had left for her. She noticed her reflection in the window as she was pouring herself a cup of water. The figure facing her was both unknown and recognizable at the same time. There was no sign of Alice Wonder in those eyes; instead, there was a new depth, a new purpose.

The door opened behind her, and Luna turned to see Marissa entering the room, a small smile playing on her lips. “Morning,” Marissa greeted her. “You look better today.”

"I feel better," Luna replied, but the reality was more complicated: although the physical pain was fading, the mental and emotional effects of her transformation were still being felt. "But I've been having strange dreams," Luna said. They feel so real, like they’re trying to tell me something.”

Marissa’s smile faded into a thoughtful expression. “That’s not uncommon after a transformation. Sometimes, the change awakens memories or instincts from deep within. It’s the wolf inside you trying to assert itself, to find its place in your new reality.”

Luna nodded, though the explanation did little to ease her discomfort. “What do I do about it? How do I make sense of it?”

Marissa leaned against the counter, crossing her arms. “You have to let it come naturally. Don't fight against it. It will be harder to find balance the more resistance you have. Your instincts are trying to tell you what you need to know and to lead the way. Trust them.”

Trust. The word echoed in Luna’s mind, a concept she had long struggled with. Trusting herself was a challenge enough, let alone trusting others—or even the instincts of a creature she was still learning to understand. But she had no choice. She would have to learn to trust her instincts if she wants to survive in this new world.

Elias's voice could be heard behind the door before she could reply. “Luna? Can I come in?”

Marissa exchanged a brief look with Luna before pushing off the counter. “I’ll leave you two to talk. There’s a lot to prepare for today.” She gave Luna a reassuring nod before slipping out of the room, brushing past Elias as he entered.

Elias closed the door behind him, his expression serious as he approached. "I heard about the dreams.” he said without preamble. "We should exercise caution, but there's nothing to be afraid of." They can occasionally be a channel for the past to communicate with you.

“The past?” Luna echoed, a chill running down her spine. “What do you mean?”

Elias's dark eyes met hers, which were passionate but calm. You joined the pack once you were transformed, but you also took on the memories and experiences of your ancestors. These dreams could be bits and parts of those memories, trying to establish a connection with you.

Luna’s mind raced as she processed this new information. “So, these dreams… they’re not just my memories? They belong to someone else?”

“In a way, yes,” Elias confirmed. “The bond of the pack is ancient, and it carries with it the history of our kind. Sometimes dreams might evoke these kinds of experiences, especially for a new pack member. They are important even if they don't always make sense or are clear. They can provide you guidance, act as a warning, or help you understand your place in the world.

Luna felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her chest. It was unsettling to consider that she was haunted by memories of someone else and was plagued by flashbacks to a different history. "What distinguishes my memories from others?"

Elias took a step closer, his presence grounding her in the moment. “It will take time. You’ll learn to separate them, to recognize which memories are yours and which belong to the pack. But you can't ignore them either. They now contribute to your identity and the person you are becoming.

Luna wanted to believe him, but the weight of these startling revelations was too much for her to bear. So much of herself, her previous identity, her past existence, had already vanished in the transformation. She was being asked to embrace something far more complex than anything that she had personally experienced.

“Is there any other thing I should know about? Luna asked, her voice trembling a little as she tried not to worry.

Elias hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. “There is one more thing. The dreams might not just be memories. They could also be visions of the future.”

Luna’s heart skipped a beat. “Visions?”

“Not every member of the pack experiences them, but it’s possible. Sometimes, the bond you share with the pack can provide you with clues about future events. Though rare, it does happen occasionally.

Luna experienced a chilling fear. The idea that one could see into the future and know potential events before they happened was both terrifying and thrilling. "In that case, what should I do?"

“Trust your instincts,” Elias replied, his voice steady. “And trust us. The pack will help you understand, and will guide you through whatever you see. Luna, you are not alone in this”.

Luna searched his eyes for any sign of dishonesty or uncertainty, but she saw none. Elias was real; it was clear from his words that he cared about her. To know that someone loved her in a manner she hadn't felt in a long time was an odd feeling.

She whispered, "Thank you," her voice full of anxiety mixed with thankfulness.

Elias nodded and sent out a little squeeze on the shoulder. Together, we can overcome this. Luna, you underestimate your strength. You just need to trust yourself.”

Luna was left alone in her thoughts as Elias left the room, the burden of the past and the uncertainty of the future crushing down on her. She knew that the journey ahead would be tough and full of obstacles she was still learning to overcome. She was aware that she couldn't go back now, though.

From the ashes of Alice Wonder, Luna Grey had risen, and she was determined to follow her own path, wherever it might lead.