Page 21 of Rejecting the Future Moon Goddess

“Darling.” Strong arms wrap around me, Ariven’s calming scent washing over my body as his lips kiss the back of my neck just between my shoulder blades. The storm raging outside subsides, but the black clouds remain as the power I release into Jasmine retreats into me.

“That’s enough, Geminie. I know how you want to kill her, but your father also deserves his revenge too. Besides, there are innocents in this pack who will be harmed the longer you let your emotions control you.” Ariven is right, as his lips continue to rest on the spot he kissed, his thumb rubbing small circles over my stomach and calming me down.

I take a deep breath, my grip on Jasmine’s neck loosening until the she-wolf falls into a heap on the floor, gasping for breath and clutching her now-bruised and charred skin. There will be a scar of my hand there from now on, a reminder that her life is now in my hands.

Deciding to ignore the two wolves, I turn into Ariven’s embrace, wrapping my arms around him while burying my face into his chest and inhaling his scent in deep breaths. I need to calm myself in order not to lose control and kill innocents.

“Theta Cross.” A female voice cuts in and I peek out to see Maddie and her brother Matt standing in the doorway.

“Take these wolves to the dungeon and hold them until Alpha Maverick arrives with his pack to transfer them to Northern Snow.” Ariven orders. The twins get to work, placing leather-lined silver cuffs on my kidnappers’ wrists and dragging the two wolves towards the door.

“Hold it! I think I have the right to punish these wolves as they not only attacked a visiting Alpha, but also the future Luna of Hidden Claws!” Mika shouts, standing tohis feet now that he is no longer oppressed by my raging power. I bristle at his words, pulling away from Ariven to growl at the foolish ex-mate of mine and send him a glare.

“You lost the right to call me your Luna. You lost any right to have me in your life as nothing more than an aid!” I snarl, Ariven keeping his arms wrapped around me to prevent another emotional outburst. He stays quiet, allowing me to voice the words I have needed to say for the last few years.

“You rejected me! You abused me because the Blakes said to when you knew the truth. You put me through two and a half years of torment every time you fucked some pack whore. I felt like I was dying every time. You even fucking did it a few nights ago!” I continue, seeing the guilt and hurt on Mika’s face as tears begin to stream down my own.

“I am only here for two reasons: to help this pack as agreed upon and to find intel on the Soulless army. That’s it.” With that, I take Ariven’s hand and walk out of the room, leaving a protesting Mika who is stopped by his sister and two hostile packmates of mine wanting to rip into the leaders of Hidden Claw. But I could care less, I need a run.

?Chapter 20 – Following My Paws?

I run as fast as my four legs can carry me, my fur ruffling in the wind as I jump over ditches, fallen trees, and streams. I need to release the remainder of the pent-up anger before I can return to helping Hidden Claws. I can’t allow my emotions to get the better of me while here. My paws carry me to a familiar path, wading through a stream that quickly turns into a river leading to a familiar waterfall that I have not visited in years. With ease, I slip behind the vines and continue down the tunnel until the secret valley, where Lizaria and the unicorns used to live.

This is my old safe haven away from Hidden Claws. Trotting to the familiar willow tree, I curl into a ball underneath and open the link that can reach through time and space thanks to my mother.

[Liz.] I call out, a whimper to my voice.

[Yes, Little Wolf?] Her voice calms me and I give a small smile, happy to know the Elf can hear me.

[The pack, it’s Hidden Claws.] I answer. I then retell the events of meeting the Alpha, of how my kidnappers tried to deny their wrong doings, how I let my anger and emotions control me, and how I wanted to give in and kill Jasmine. I had to get everything off my chest, including confronting Mika, and there are one of two people I can trust to just listen.

[Little Wolf, I know you resent Ariven right now for tricking you to agreeing.]

[Of courseI do-]

[Butthis is what you need, Geminie. Ariven may have tricked you, and that was wrong, but going there and confronting the past will help you become a better Moon Goddess.] Lizaria continues, not allowing me to protest her statement, as we both know the Elf has a point. Confronting the three wolves felt amazing, like a weight lifted off my shoulders knowing that Bastian and Jasmine will receive their punishment, and that Mika learns just how badly he fucked up.

[So, what do I do now?] I ask, watching the rippling of the pink water in the breeze.

[You do what you agreed to do and then come back home, Little Wolf.] Lizaria answers and I smile, wishing to hug my surrogate mother. I ask if there is anything she wants from the Hidden Valley before I leave, and she gives me a list of herbs to find. After that, I say goodbye and disconnect the link as I enjoy the silence of the valley, the wildflowers still in full bloom. All that is missing are the unicorns running around.

With the moon high in the sky illuminating the lonely valley, I lay my head on my paws and decide to sleep here for the night, away from everyone, as I just need some time in a place I feel safe.

???

A pecking on my forehead has me waking up with a start, a flock of birds taking flight in fright. Taking a deep breath, I look around and remember falling asleep in the valley last night after an emotional meeting.

[Geminie, are you okay?] Ariven’s voice calls out through the link as I take one last look at the valley and turn towards the exit.

[Fine. I just needed some time alone.] I reply, feeling relief through the link from Ariven. Guilt swells inside me at worrying my pack and leaving them to clean up the mess of a meeting last night. Hopefully, the twins had taken the Blakes away to wait for my father’s men as ordered.

[Alex called. I broke the news about his parents, and all he had to say was good riddance.] I walk along the stream towards the vines as Ariven fills me in on what I missed last night. Lace had to drag Mika away to their pack house as she feared I would kill my ex if I saw him in my lodgings. Her fear isn’t wrong, though, as I did think briefly about using my power on him when I was on the verge of killing Jasmine.

He then goes on to explain the meeting being postponed until today at noon, with a luncheon buffet will be prepared in the pack house. Lace has already prepared the reports on training as well as the financial records of the pack. One thing is for sure is if this pack still treats Omegas as in the past, their treatment will be the first thing to change.

[So, where did you go?] After the briefing of what happened last night after I left to what is expected of today, Ariven asks the one question I know he has been itching to ask. Our friendship over the last two years has grown to something more romantic, and I know he worries about my wellbeing especially after losing control of myself.

[I went to the only place I felt safe.] I answer honestly, retracing my steps through the forest and heading towards the direction of the guest house.

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