Gabriella’s POV
“Okay, fine, I will agree to go with her, but I will still make sure not to let my guard down,” I concluded.
“Why should I be excited? Let’s chase the evil foxes away so I can get enough rest.”
“You are no fun to be with at all,” she added, and I just gave her a weird smile.
I drew a circular shape on the ground while she created the other shape that looked like a triangle. We placed the candle down and sat in the middle, holding our hands together and reciting the spells.
The evil fox appeared, begging us to let her go and saying she wouldn’t harm anyone again. I smiled because many we had caught said the same thing to gain their freedom. Finally, she was the last one to defeat; then the farmers would be free. We finished everything and walked inside together.
“Are you sure about your tribe?” I asked.
“Yes, I am. We will protect you at all costs. Remember the meeting I went to today? It was about you. But I will be telling you everything about it soon.”
“Okay, I hope he never comes there when we leave.”
“He won’t. He will never step foot into the witch tribe. My people will not allow him. Your happiness is my responsibility now.” I hugged her and felt like myself again.
The next day, I had a little conversation with my daughter. “Mom, is your friend still around?” she asked, and I hoped she didn’t know Alpha Nicklaus was her dad.
“He has already left. Let’s get ready. We are going to visit Margret’s tribe.”
“Why? Is it because of your friend?”
“Wow, you are wiser than your age. I must confess, you know. Let’s just get ready,” I said to her, but she refused. “I want to know who your friend is, Mom. He looked so happy when he saw me earlier today, and I noticed you were sad. Are you two fighting?”
“He is no one. I want you to promise me that you will never bring up anything related to him, okay?”
“Now get ready and no more questions.”
“Okay, Mom, I will get ready if that’s what you want.” I caressed her hair and kissed her.
I stepped out for some fresh air and recalled how he hugged me, the words he said to me, and how sorry he was as well. Thinking of his blue eyes, I couldn’t deny that he had become more mature and handsome, which had a fatal attraction for women.
I hadn’t even asked him how my sister was doing or how many kids she had for him now. Maybe next time I would ask him. Too bad there wouldn’t be a next time. This was the final goodbye, and I hoped he would never come to look for me. He should just remain happy with my sister in his tribe and try to forget that he had a daughter as well.
At the Witches’ tribe, we were welcomed like royalty, which was so confusing. Why would they welcome me this way? This is more like it. If I had known I would be accepted this way, I would have moved here long ago.
We were shown our rooms as well, and my daughter’s room was decorated with beautiful wallpapers and so many toys for her to play with. I was introduced to the person who would be tutoring my daughter now, which meant I would not be tutoring her since I would be engaged with other things. Judging by the look of things, I guessed I would be getting a job here soon.
I finished taking a shower and jumped onto the bed to rest. But I couldn’t fall asleep, no matter how hard I tried. I was thinking about Alpha Nicklaus. I even imagined what would change if I told him that he was truly the father of my daughter.
As I pondered this question, my breathing became difficult. With a sigh, I got up and threw on a shawl before leaving the room. I saw Margret sitting alone by the campfire under a nearby tree.
As I approached her, she smiled gently and said, “Thinking about the past again?”
I nodded, and a gentle breeze blew, lifting my spirits slightly.
“It seems that man has had a significant impact on you.”
“I see you are still worried, but let me tell you this now: no one can take your child from you. My people regard you as a family member now, and they are going to protect you at all costs. And most importantly, you are the chosen person of the Moon Goddess.”
I got confused by her statement. “What do you mean by ‘chosen by the Moon Goddess’?”
“You are the new Moon Goddess, Luna…”
I looked at Margret in astonishment, with the flames reflecting on half of her face, her expression mysterious and unclear.
I couldn’t hold back my laughter. Was she comforting me? How could I be a Moon Goddess, Luna, when I couldn’t even shift into a werewolf? The luck I had now was the fact that I had trained so hard to be a warrior. Otherwise, I would have remained and still be labeled the weak omega.
“I am serious, Gabby,” she said again, placing her hands on my shoulders.
“Okay, I need to get some sleep now, and I believe you also need to rest. Let’s talk tomorrow. And please, never joke with me about things like being a New Moon Goddess, Luna. My name is just Gabriella, and that’s all.”
Nicklaus’s POV
“Did you find her?”
“Yes, Alpha. She is with the witches’ tribe as we speak. What do we do? I’ve heard that the Black Moon Pack is in a dispute with them,” Martins said to me.
“Then we need to prepare to visit the witches’ tribe. I need to get Gabriella back. I should have known after that day in the forest that she would end up with the witches’ tribe. Thank you for this news,” I said with a smile.
“It seems someone is quite excited and eager to meet his mate again,” Lethal remarked to me. I replied, “Both of us are.”
“This time, try to be a gentleman. I know you have reservations about the witches, but for the sake of our mate who is living with them, you need to learn to accept them. Remember, they protected her,” Lethal advised.
“You’re right. I’m not going there for a war. I’m going to win back the heart of my mate. I miss her so much,” I reflected on the first night we had spent together, her soft lips, and her captivating eyes.
“Martins, here’s my order: Let them continue to interrogate the Black Moon members we captured until we get the information we need about their Alpha.”
“Yes, Alpha. However, I will be coming with you. I can’t risk leaving you alone to go to the Witches’ tribe by yourself,” he said, kneeling. His request was hard to turn down.
“I suppose I could use some company. But remember, when we get there, regardless of what happens, we won’t attack the witches. That’s the only way to show them we’re not there for war, but to see my mate.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“Good. Now, go get ready. We leave tomorrow morning.” With that, I exited the room.
Gabriella’s POV
While taking a walk, I noticed that the usual happiness among the witches’ tribe was absent. They hurried around as if something significant was unfolding, but I had no idea what was going on.
I needed to find out for myself, as Margret was occupied at the elders’ meeting.
“Hello, can you tell me what’s happening?”
“There’s a serious dispute going on between the werewolves and our tribe.”
“What? Does that mean it’s not safe right now?”
“No, it’s not. You just have to be careful until it’s all over.”
Immediately, I thought of my daughter. I had left her to take a walk with her friends. What if she was caught up in this dispute? I needed to find her.
I rushed out, trying to locate Estella, but she was nowhere to be found. Where on earth could she have gone?
I spent hours searching until I finally found her returning with a bunch of flowers in her hands. She had done it again-wandered off to a place with beautiful flowers. Thankfully, she was with her friends, so there was no cause for alarm.
“Estella, you had me so worried.” I hugged her tightly, caressing her hair.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I wanted to see some flowers, and my friends promised to bring me here, but they said it was quite a distance. I should have told you before going so far.”
“It’s okay, my little pumpkin. The important thing is that you’re back safe and sound. Let’s head home.” I lifted her up. I couldn’t tell her that it wasn’t safe here. I needed to shield her from fear as much as possible, allowing her to be free while I played my role in protecting her.
“The wolves broke in.”
“He keeps insisting that he’s here for Gabriella and won’t leave without her.” I overheard some witches discussing this.
Maybe I wasn’t the only Gabriella in this place. As I turned to leave, holding my daughter’s hand, I saw a group of witches approaching with silver rods.
What could be happening? I needed to investigate.
With my daughter in my arms, I remained alert, ready to cast a protective spell for both of us.
Upon arriving, I saw Alpha Nicklaus wounded and on the ground. I gasped-how had this come to pass? Was he the one clashing with the witch tribe? Why would he do such a thing, knowing it would be nearly impossible to defeat powerful witches?
“No matter what you do to me, I’m not leaving here without Gabriella. Allow me to see her. I’m not here for war. If I wanted war, I wouldn’t be foolish enough to let you spot me.” He roared defiantly.
I held my daughter even tighter. Was he here to take my child away from me? Were my nightmares becoming a reality now? I couldn’t let that happen-never.
The witches subjected him to agonizing spells and struck him with silver rods. Despite the pain, I was stunned to see him not defending himself. What was your plan, Alpha Nicklaus? Why did you come back for me after what I told you?