Chapter 143 CHOSEN

• My body felt weightless. I opened my eyes and wasn't sure where I was. Above me was a clear blue sky without any clouds. It was bright, but I did not see the sun. Instead of being hung up with blood draining into the golden bowl beneath me, there was grass tickling my skin. I sat up. All around me were sprawling hills of golden and green grasses waving gently with the breeze. It smelt so good and fresh. Taking in a deep breath, I felt peaceful for one moment. But then, I looked down.
• My body was covered in scars. While I was no longer bleeding, there was a long gash up my left arm where I could see all the way to the bone. I shivered, suddenly cold and aware of my nakedness. I didn't know where I was, or why I was not wearing clothes. I remembered my death. My twin, Jennifer's betrayal and cruelty. The wolf within me stirred, and I grew enraged. I thought of her, the worst person I'd ever known, taking my place beside my mate. I saw the darkness, and the red of my blood taken from me daily. I saw the life draining from me to a golden bowl, and Jennifer's words, "My Alpha will feast on his wedding day." I screamed, "I'm Alissa Clark!" My voice echoed around me -powerful as if I had all the strength of life. Ariana, long subdued by wolfs bane, was strong. I thought of my fangs trailing my sister's skin, and I coveted the chance to finish her.
• I had been robbed of my vengeance. I stood up, gazing around this strange, surreal place. It was vast and open as if the grasslands extended forever to meet the sky. The grasses whispered as the wind caressed them. A motion caught my attention. Over on the other hill, there was a tall woman with a large white face and blue-black hair glittering like a starry night that trailed down her body and covered her breasts. I knew instinctively, she was the Moon Goddess. She spread her arms to welcome me. The wolf within me lurched, and I shifted to Ariana, bounding freely across the plains. For the first time in years, there was no rope around my neck, no guards to set the pace, and I could run full-stride over the ground. My paws extended gracefully as if they barely hit the ground. When I came to her, I shifted back to the scarred human body. I looked down at the marks all over my torn withered skin. My body desperately needed oil and lacked a lot of the youthful luster and softness I saw Jennifer had. I remembered her words, the shame of my own image still burned in my mind.