When I arrived at the pack house, the first thing I did was ask for Austin. Guilt gnawed at me for not giving him the time he deserved, especially when his mother was no longer in this world. But the weight of my responsibilities as the Alpha King left me with little choice. I had to protect the entire werewolf community from the growing threats of the dark alpha and the vampire, Damon.
My mother told me that Blair had put Austin to bed after ensuring he’d finished his dinner. I didn’t ask about Alpha Albert and Anne, but my mother mentioned they had left earlier in the evening as Alpha Albert had some urgency in his pack. I didn’t press further and made my way to my room.
After a warm shower and changing into fresh clothes, I sat by the window, letting the cool night air soothe my restless mind. My gaze shifted to the moon, its soft light casting a calming glow. But as I stared at it, something strange happened-it felt like the moon turned into a mirror, reflecting the face of that mysterious woman.
Who was she? And why couldn’t I forget her?
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to make sense of why she felt so familiar. Could it be possible she was my… mate?!
The thought hit me like cold water poured over my head, jolting me awake from a deep slumber. But I couldn’t be certain. At that time, Lyon had been blocked, and I couldn’t sense the mate bond.
‘I could feel you,’ Lyon’s voice resonated in my head through our mind link. ‘I wish I could have helped you and seen that lady. She must be special if you’re thinking about her this much.’
‘Yes, she was something,’ I admitted. ‘I feel like she came to help me, to save me because she knew me. But why couldn’t I recognize her?’
‘So, it means you’re not going to marry Anne?’ he asked, leaving me speechless.
The wedding arrangements had already started. What could I say to Alpha Albert and others who were waiting for the Alpha king’s wedding? That a mysterious woman I’d only seen for a fleeting second was the reason I was considering breaking the wedding?! I hadn’t even confirmed if she was real or just a figment of my gloomy imagination.
When I stayed silent, Lyon spoke again. ‘I still don’t feel the bond with Anne. Don’t marry her.’
Goddess, if he kept pushing me to cancel the wedding while Mother kept pressuring me to get married soon, I was going to lose my sanity, torn between the two.
___
*Selena*
I stood atop the pedestal as the people gathered around me. Their chants of holy words echoed in the air, their voices rising in reverence as they hailed me. They bowed deeply, clasping their hands together, gazing at me with an intensity that made me feel like a goddess in their eyes.
I glanced at my mother, who stood beside me, her expression calm and reassuring. She nodded, silently urging me to proceed. Taking a deep breath, I raised my hand, sweeping it gently over the crowd, silently blessing them. This ritual had become part of my daily routine, yet I still couldn’t shake the awkwardness that accompanied it.
Some moments, however, were beyond my understanding.
A woman stepped forward, clutching the hand of her son, who looked no older than nine or ten. His frail frame trembled with sickness, his wounds raw and bleeding. The woman wept before me, her anguish reaching straight to my heart. I felt a wave of empathy and pain swell within me, almost overwhelming.
Closing my eyes, I reached out and placed my hand gently on the boy’s head. Warmth spread from my fingertips, and when I opened my eyes, the boy stood upright, his wounds healed, his vitality restored. A gasp of astonishment swept through the crowd. I didn’t fully understand how it happened. Perhaps it was the piece of the Moon Goddess in me, carried as her descendant, that made this miracle possible.
One by one, people approached, seeking blessings or sharing their burdens. I listened to their pleas, offering them the solace and solutions they sought. Each left with their wishes fulfilled, their faces shining with gratitude.
Yet my heart remained empty, weighed down by the one wish I couldn’t fulfill-the wish to be with my mate and son. The irony was not lost on me; I could grant miracles for others, but not for myself.
The royal maids gathered the offerings brought by the devotees and carried them to the castle. Once the offering rituals were complete, it was time for me to go to the temple-my temple. Strange, isn’t it? I never imagined I would be worshipped as a goddess. It wasn’t something I ever desired, but Mother insisted it was my destiny.
Accompanied by her and the other priestesses, the ritual began. I was seated at the center of the temple on a round mat wrapped in soft silk cloth. Devotees gathered around me, clasping their hands in prayer and chanting reverently. Their collective thoughts flooded my mind-desperate wishes, whispered hopes, and unspoken pleas-all echoing loudly. The weight of their emotions bore down on me, and I felt a sharp ache building in my head as if my mind might burst from the sheer intensity.
I granted their wishes immediately, and as the echoes of their pleas began to fade, a calmness settled around me. I sat there with a neutral expression as the priestesses poured holy water, milk, and scattered flowers over me, along with draping a pure silk shawl. Strangely, none of it seemed to touch me-it all flowed over my skin as if I were made of wax.
I waited patiently for the rituals to conclude. Once finished, I was offered a selection of delicious food prepared by the temple cooks. The food was flavorful and satisfying, and after I had eaten, the remaining portions were distributed among the devotees. They accepted the small pieces with joy and gratitude, cherishing even the simplest blessings.
Finally, the ceremonies were over, and I could return to the quiet of my chamber.
Once inside my chamber I locked the door and quickly shed my clothes, changing into a white silk nightgown. Its smooth fabric felt cool against my skin. In this realm, everything around me seemed to be drenched in white, as if all the vibrant colors of life had been drained away, leaving behind an eerie serenity. It felt as though the realm existed solely to absorb the pain and despair of those who sought me, offering them peace and comfort in return for my own growing emptiness.
I sighed, letting my gaze wander around the room. The walls were crafted from gleaming white marble, their polished surfaces catching the faint moonlight that seeped through the tall, arched windows. The floor mirrored the same pristine marble, cool underfoot, while the ceiling rose high, its intricate patterns blending into the purity of the room. Every furnishing followed the same motif: curtains of flowing white silk, a vanity carved from pale stone, and a bed adorned with delicate white embroidery. Even the comforter that lay across the bed was soft and luxurious in snowy hues.
Despite the visual perfection, the room felt lifeless, its tranquility more stifling than soothing. I sank onto the bed, the mattress so plush and inviting it could have been spun from clouds. Yet, even in such comfort, I felt restless, my heart seeking a solace it couldn’t find here.
My thoughts again began occupied with memories of my son and my mate and the time we spent together and before I realized it, sleep overtook me. In an instant, I was no longer in my chamber. I stood in the midst of a moonlit forest, the silvery glow of the moon casting an otherworldly light over the serene landscape.
Suddenly, a shadow appeared, and my heart raced when I saw him under the moonlight-tall, broad, and dangerous. His long black leather coat shimmered faintly, silver buckles gleaming on his shoulders. A dark cloak swirled behind him, and his black boots thudded heavily as he approached. The demonic mask of blackened iron obscured his face, leaving only glowing eyes visible, and the smile he wore was sinister and bone-chilling. Then, he lifted his hand and slowly removed the mask. My eyes widened in horror as I realized that the man before me was Zander Blake, standing there as the Dark Alpha.