Godiva PoV
My hands stretched out tensely, maintaining the stability of the shield I’d created around the cottage. Pollux stood a step ahead of me, his body just as taut as mine. I caught the sound of him clicking his tongue, and when I glanced at him, his face bore the expression of a predator sizing up its prey.
Would tonight be the battle we’ve been waiting for?
“Alpha Pollux, I’m not sure if I can fight while keeping this shield intact,” I admitted, my voice shaking.
“Do you remember what I taught you, Luna Godiva?” he asked, looking over his shoulder at me.
“Conviction leads to victory.”
“I’m glad you remember. Never, even for a second, think we’re going to lose.”
His words lit a fire within me. I have to admit, Pollux had a way of igniting a spark inside me. Maybe that’s why we complemented each other so well.
“What about your brother, Alpha? He’s still not fully recovered,” I pointed out.
“You’d be mistaken to think he can’t fight. Castor’s even more terrifying than I am.”
A smirk crept across Pollux’s face, and for some reason, his confidence was contagious. It burned brightly in every word he spoke, even though we were surrounded by more vampires than the night before.
Nearly three rows of them encircled us. Their tight black cloaks stood out starkly against the white sand of the beach. What puzzled me wasn’t their sudden arrival, but how eerily quiet the cottage felt-a strange setting for a battleground.
By the Moon Goddess, I watched as Castor emerged from the cottage in his wolf form. His body looked… different. Evolved.
“The Moonstone warriors will be here in an hour. The alliance troops will arrive by morning. I think we should lure them to a more open area. Too many humans could get caught in the crossfire,” Castor stated.
“Didn’t expect you to care about humans, Cas,” Pollux teased.
“I learned that from Godiva. Humans aren’t all bad. I even sent Alvise to make sure that father and son left the area.”
My hands almost faltered when I heard Castor’s words, but Pollux caught my arms just in time.
So, is he the reason Declan left?
“Godiva cares about those two deeply. As an Alpha, I can’t ignore that,” Castor added.
“For the love of the Moon Goddess, you’re a mystery to me, brother,” Pollux chuckled. “We’ve lived almost a century together, and I still can’t figure you out.”
My jaw dropped halfway. What kind of plot twist was this? First, I find out the truth about Declan’s departure, and now, I learn both of my mates are nearly a century old?
How did they manage to look like they were barely in their thirties?
And how had I, a werewolf, never thought of asking about their current ages?
“Why am I only finding out now, in the middle of all this, that you’re both ancient?” I blurted out.
Pollux’s laughter echoed in response. I let out a frustrated huff, wishing my hands weren’t busy keeping the shield steady. If they weren’t, I would’ve either ruffled my hair or smacked his chest.
“I always knew we’d have a moment like this-the three of us fighting side by side. Look over there,” Pollux said, pointing to my right. “That scrawny vampire is stupid enough to use a silver dagger on your shield.”
Pollux wasn’t wrong. When I glanced at the so-called scrawny vampire, I saw him struggling to create a crack with the silver dagger in his hand. Pollux’s mocking tone was justified; the vampire really was an idiot.
Silver doesn’t work on me, and the vampires had no idea.
“How do you know that?” I asked.
“When we were searching for you, my mother told me about you,” Castor said through the mind link. His golden eyes locked onto mine. “She said you’re different from other werewolves because you’re a descendant of the Moon Goddess. A shield, immunity to silver, and dual abilities inherited from both your parents.”
“My father?”
I had thought about it before-who he was, what he looked like, and where he might be now. And here was Castor, bringing it up first.
“Is now really the time for nostalgia, Cas?” Pollux interrupted, frowning as if he wanted to avoid the subject. “Save the story for later. Godiva might weaken if she gets too caught up in it.”
“For the twins’ sake, you better tell me that story later, Alpha Castor,” I demanded, my curiosity mounting.
“Why for us?” Pollux smirked mischievously, successfully derailing my excitement about learning more about my father. My expectations plummeted. I growled at him in frustration.
“I’ve missed that face, sweet pea,” Pollux said with a grin. “And the way you grumble inside your head.”
“Damn it! How long do I have to keep this up?” I snapped.
“You can lower your hands now and use them for something else. Like this…”
Pollux grabbed my hands and pressed them against his broad chest. The shield remained intact, and I felt an intense synergy between us-something I’d never experienced before.
Leaning close to my ear, he whispered, “Our bond will be even stronger if we unite, Luna Godiva. With our combined strength, I can take down half of these vampires alone. If Castor keeps refusing to merge with you, at least let me make him jealous.”
Typical Pollux. He could turn any tense situation into something lighter. I understood what he was hinting at. Beside me, Castor let out a long sigh. Pollux had clearly hit his mark.
“So, are we just waiting for the Moonstone warriors to show up?” I asked Castor, seeking confirmation.
“Yeah, you two can use this time. I’ll patrol,” Castor replied as he moved forward.
“Sure you don’t want to join us? You could stabilize the camera with your fangs, Cas,” Pollux teased, his laughter trailing after him.
“Why would we need a camera, Alpha?” I asked, completely puzzled.
“Don’t listen to him. I’ll destroy any camera before it can record you two. We’re outside Blackmoon territory, and I’m not taking any chances,” Castor answered, his wolf form disappearing toward the edge of the shield.
When I looked back, Pollux had already entered the cottage. I followed him to our room.
Once inside, he pulled me into a tight embrace, leaving me standing there in stunned silence.
“Let me hold you like this for a moment. I want you to remember this when I’m no longer here, sweet pea,” Pollux said, his voice trembling.
I froze. This wasn’t what I expected-not this strange atmosphere.
Pollux’s words flowed effortlessly, as though he was unburdening something he’d been carrying for a long time. For the first time, I heard vulnerability in his voice as he held me, his usual confident grip now unsteady.
“You know I love you so much, Luna Godiva, don’t you?” he said, pulling back to look into my eyes. “I don’t want to see you hurt again. For the Moon Goddess, for our children, and for you. I need to ensure that before I go.”
“Why are you talking like your time is running out? Didn’t you just say something about conviction?” I protested.
“Because my conviction is my atonement for you,” he replied softly.