“This is my destiny.”
For a few minutes, we sat in silence. My mind wandered to the battlefield between werewolves and vampires. All the howling, the breaking of bones, and the tearing of claws spun like a fantasy movie I had once seen, where the vampires ultimately lost.
Could that ever happen?
Even though it was my wish now, sacrificing my own life made my heart sink. Questioning my destiny, my mother felt immature. I wanted to prove myself worthy of being her daughter.
Pollux turned to face me, his hand reaching out as if to touch me, but he stopped, keeping the distance between us. “I know what you’re thinking, sweet pea. But it might not be you. We don’t know the full story yet, do we? Look at the carvings; the images are fading.”
I also noticed the carving of the silver wolf was incomplete. All I could see was a speck of bright red, like a flame. I rubbed it with my finger, but it revealed nothing. My thoughts remained clouded, the carving only intensifying my unease.
Finally, I could no longer hold back the tears threatening to fall. “You know it’s my destiny, Alpha Pollux. This carving-it points to me. I’m the strongest Luna on this entire earth. I know I have to do something to stop this darkness.”
He opened his mouth to argue, but the sound of footsteps behind us interrupted him. One of the warriors approached, his face filled with caution. “Alpha Pollux, Luna Godiva, something is approaching,” he said tensely.
Pollux immediately assumed a defensive stance, his eyes glowing with alertness. I followed his gaze, sharpening my wolf senses. The surrounding air suddenly changed, becoming colder and heavier.
From within the temple, a low rumble echoed, as if something massive was moving. Shadows began swirling in the corners of the room, converging into a larger form. The figure of the giant black wolf with glowing silver eyes reappeared, its presence instantly signaling the danger drawing near.
“Calm down, Argus. They won’t be able to breach this temple,” my mother’s voice echoed through the room. Her elegant figure walked toward us, bringing a leash for the black wolf, which then sat with its legs folded beneath it.
My mother had changed into casual clothing, like an ordinary werewolf. My wariness eased at her “unusual” appearance, unlike what I’d expect from gods and goddesses.
“It’s been a while since I dressed like this. Seeing you makes me envious; that toga I wore earlier made it hard to breathe,” she said.
Pollux chuckled but quickly covered his mouth with one hand. Not just him; our warriors also immediately stopped their alert stances and bowed, their eyes still glancing at my mother.
“What? Why are you all looking at me like that?” my mother asked, sounding almost like she was complaining.
“I thought you’d be more… elegant. I thought a goddess would…”
“You wouldn’t exist if I weren’t like this, Godiva. I also have a collection of women’s nightgowns, but I won’t wear them now. Besides, it’s already night; even gods need to sleep in comfortable clothing.”
“I like your mother, sweet pea,” Pollux remarked.
Now I understand why my mother allowed me to live among humans. She had chosen it that way. Every action of the gods was unpredictable, like a puzzle difficult to solve, yet meaningful in its own way.
“They will die if they step past the boundary of the pillars. I enjoy the smell of their charred bodies, that turpentine-like aroma. Rest now; it’s late, and you’ll need to begin your battle tomorrow, won’t you?”
After that, we parted ways. Our warriors refused to use the rooms my mother referred to as “bedrooms.” I had a look at them-large rooms devoid of furniture like tables or chairs. They preferred the front hall to rest.
As for Pollux and me, we entered a smaller room, but it was identical to the ones I’d seen: only a floor, walls, and a ceiling. It piqued my curiosity, making me wonder if we would sleep on the floor. I didn’t mind; I’d experienced such situations before. Pollux, however, groaned beside me in frustration.
“I take back what I said. I’m not complaining, but I’m exhausted and need to rest. I haven’t slept since those damn vampires attacked Trionia. Look at my eyebagues; they have their own bags now!”
I ignored him, knowing Pollux was just exhausted. I lay down on the floor, but I felt something different. It wasn’t the cold hardness of the floor but a soft warmth, like the bed in my pack mansion. I ran my hands over it and wasn’t hallucinating.
“Alpha Pollux, you should try this.”
“What are you doing, sweet pea? You’re lying on a cold floor.”
“No. It’s different. Try it; you won’t regret it.”
“I’ll regret it, and I’ll take it out on you…”
I saw Pollux’s expression change instantly. His eyes widened as he lay down on the floor. Just like me, he smiled as he ran his hands over it.
“Is this your mother’s power?”
“Perhaps. We can’t predict the gods. I think I’m getting sleepy.”
“Is that so?”
“What do you mean, Alpha?”
“We’re going to war tomorrow. Don’t you want something? Like intimacy before the battle. Usually, wolves, especially Alphas, would…”
I understood Pollux’s desire perfectly. Without a second thought, I sat on his lap, gazing at him as he lay down. Pollux grinned, his hands moving responsively as I unbuttoned his shirt. Not just for tonight, but for every moment that made me fall deeper in love with him, I would remember this before sacrificing myself. This was just a part of the synergy we would create together.
“I, Godiva, daughter of the Moon Goddess, will remember this as our most beautiful mating moment. Within the Moon Goddess’s dwelling, we will create the strongest synergy for every step that lies ahead. Bless us, Moon Goddess.”
“Do you have to make an announcement like that?” Pollux frowned, shaking his head left and right with a nervous expression.
“Yes, my mother often does that in my dreams about her.”
By the Moon Goddess, I surrendered myself to Pollux Melucci, Alpha of the Moonstone pack. Half my soul I would entrust to him for the wolves on this earth, to fight the darkness beyond. Pollux tore away every piece of fabric clinging to my body in one swift motion until they were completely gone. He did the same to himself, leaving not a thread for either of us.
“Alpha Pollux, I’m yours.”
“Yes, you are, sweet pea.”