Steven’s POV
I blinked slowly, my vision adjusting to the dim light as Luna’s face came into focus. Her worried eyes bore into mine, her lips pressed tightly together.
“You’re awake!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling with relief.
“You were out for fifteen minutes,” she added, helping me sit up. “I was starting to get scared.”
I let out a bitter chuckle, brushing her hands off as I leaned back against the tree. “Why would you be scared? If something happens to me-or if I die-you’d finally be free of me. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?”
Her face softened, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Not really,” she admitted. “Actually, I’m starting to enjoy being married to a werewolf Alpha. It comes with certain… perks no ordinary man could offer.”
I shook my head, scoffing. “Clueless human.”
Her expression grew tender as she whispered, “Thank you, Steven. Because of you, I was able to speak to my mom again.”
Her words caught me off guard, and for a moment, I could only stare at her. A sudden memory struck me, and I froze, my thoughts drifting away.
“Steven? Steven!” Her voice jolted me back to reality. She waved her hand in front of my face, her brows furrowed in confusion.
“What?” I muttered.
“I should be asking you that,” she retorted. “You zoned out like your mind left this world. What were you thinking about?”
“Nothing,” I lied, shaking my head. “Were you able to speak with your mom?”
Her face brightened as she nodded. “I did. But… she said some strange things. Weird things. She told me I was born with a destiny to marry an Alpha. She said I’m special and powerful-more than I realize. And then…” She hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper. “She mentioned The Skin and Blisters She said they’d come after me, just like they came after her.”
I frowned. “Was your mom not human?”
“She is human. And so am I,” she said, her voice cracking. “That’s why none of this makes sense. She kept saying I’m extraordinary, but I don’t feel extraordinary.”
I smirked. “Maybe your ‘great powers’ include running and hiding?”
“Steven!” she snapped, glaring at me. “This isn’t the time for jokes.”
“Who said I was joking?” I shrugged, feigning indifference.
She ignored my sarcasm. “What do you think it means?”
A memory of the Priestess resurfaced, her cryptic words about Luna echoing in my mind. “Wait…” I murmured. “The Priestess of the Moon Goddess said the same thing. She told me you were special.”
Luna’s eyes widened. “The Priestess? The one who bonded us?”
“Yeah,” I replied. “The creepy old lady with white hair.”
“Then take me to her!” she demanded, her voice laced with desperation.
“Not my problem anymore,” I said, standing up. “I kept my promise. I’m done.”
“You can’t just back out like that!” she exclaimed, grabbing my arm. Her touch was firm, almost pleading.
“What if they come after me again? The men with bows and arrows-they nearly killed me before. What happens then?” Her voice broke, and I sighed heavily.
“This is blackmail,” I muttered, but her grip didn’t loosen.
“You want to know if I’m truly powerful, don’t you?” she said, her tone teasing.
“Powers or not,” I grumbled, “you’ll always be a weak human to me.”
But I followed her anyway.
******
Freja’s POV
James stood alone in the parking lot, his posture rigid. I crept up behind him, my footsteps soft against the pavement.
“You’re twenty minutes late,” he said without turning around.
I froze. “How on earth did you know I was coming?”
“I told you to stop trying to sneak up on me. It’s a mission impossible,” he replied, smirking.
“Nothing’s impossible,” I shot back, folding my arms. “You never know what the future holds.”
“And I told you not to keep me waiting,” he said, his voice calm but firm.
“I hate being told what to do,” I replied with a shrug. “So I came late on purpose.”
He sighed as I walked past him, but I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face. “Well?” I called over my shoulder. “Are we going or not?”
“Sometimes I forget how stubborn you are,” he muttered, falling in step beside me.
“One of my many unique qualities,” I said, winking at him.
*****
Ashley’s POV
The forest was dense, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and pine. I stumbled over a root, cursing under my breath. “Why does your goddess’s shrine have to be so far into the woods?”
“It’s not my goddess’s shrine,” Steven replied, his tone clipped. “And it’s hidden so humans don’t stumble upon it.”
“You always deny her when she’s mentioned,” I said, glaring at his back. “Do you have something against her?”
“I don’t have anything against anyone,” he muttered.
I rolled my eyes. “Sure. And I’m the last person you should lie to when it’s obvious you hate my existence just because I’m human.”
He stopped abruptly, turning to face me. “You are human. Weak, fragile, and clueless about the world you’ve been thrown into. That’s not a lie, is it?”
I squared my shoulders. “Maybe we’re about to find out how weak I really am.” I pointed ahead to a massive tree with twisted branches. “That’s the shrine, isn’t it?”
“Yup,” he said, his voice devoid of enthusiasm.
The priestess emerged as we approached, her white hair shimmering in the faint light. Her gaze shifted to Steven. “Alpha Steven, your visits to the goddess’s shrine have become unusually frequent for someone who claims to despise her.”
“I’m just the escort,” Steven replied coldly. “She’s the one with questions.”
The priestess turned to me, her expression unreadable. “You have questions, child?”
I nodded. “Who am I? What powers do I have?”
“You are the Luna of the Oakwood Pack, mate to Alpha Steven. That alone grants you power.”
“Not that,” I said, shaking my head. “I mean… I’ve been told I’m extraordinary. I want to know why.”
The priestess stared at me for a long moment before speaking. “What you seek lies in your lineage. Find your roots, and you will find your answers.”
“My mother told me I’m special,” I said. “But I already know my roots.”
“Your mother isn’t your only root,” the priestess replied. “What about your father?”
My breath hitched. “He’s dead.”
The priestess smiled faintly. “Your father is alive. The day you meet him will be the day you discover your true self-and the day your Alpha meets his doom.”
Steven stiffened beside me, his jaw tightening.
“How do I find him?” I whispered.
“You don’t,” the priestess said. “He will find you.”
With that, she disappeared into the shadows, leaving us in stunned silence.