Page 128 of Home: Posy 5

The Moon Goddess, Lark breathed, bowing her small head in respect.

What should I do?I squeaked.

Treat her like queen.

"My lady." With wide eyes, I curtsied as I had at Queen Lilah’s coronation.

"Luna Posy."

At her sweet smile, a sense of peace settled around me. I had no fear of her; to be honest, I felt as comfortable in her presence as I had in my mother’s.

"You are unique among lunas with access to the magic and power of six packs," she began. "You have the ability to recompense two great wrongs by merging Thoreau and Spring."

My eyes flew wide.

I could do that for my friends? Oh, how happy they would be!

"Are you willing to make a sacrifice for them, luna?" the Goddess asked. "I must warn you, there will be a cost, and a painful one at that."

"Yes, I want to do it, but I won’t sacrifice just anything," I murmured, knowing what was important to me. "I won’t risk my mates, not one of them, nor will I do anything that has an impact on my future pups. The witches warned us that what goes around comes around, and I want to make sure it doesn’t come to anyone but me."

"Very wise and selfless of you, luna." She nodded her head and smiled softly. "The cost is one you alone will pay, and pay it here and now. As for karma, you receive what you give. If you find it kind and loving to help your friends, then only kindness and love will you receive."

I thought about that for a moment, then nodded. Glancing over at Thoreau and Spring, I saw they each had their heads tilted to the right and their eyes were far away, as if they were seeing and hearing something different than I was.

"Do they really want this? Did you explain it in a way that Reau can understand?"

"Yes, and they begged for this," she assured me. "At least they did until I explained you’d have to pay a price. Now they refuse, saying they would not hurt you for anything, and certainly not for something as selfish as their happiness."

I smiled a little. That sounded like my friends, although I was positive Thoreau hadn’t worded it nearly as well.

"Yes, I’ll do it." I lifted my chin and looked her in the eyes. "Name the price."

"Hate, luna. Hate created this situation and only with hate can it be redressed."

"But I have no hate in my heart to give you, not even hate for Alpha Briggs."

"The evidence of his hate is all over you, my dear child, and that is what I wish to claim."

Although I was confused, I agreed to her terms and waited for her to take what she wanted.

"Very well." She gave me one last warning. "It will be painful."

I shrugged. I was quite familiar with pain. In the past, it was often the only thing that let me know I was alive. If she wanted to inflict more, and it bought Thoreau and Spring their happiness, then so be it.

She told me what to do, where to put my hands, and how to direct my Ultimate Luna Power. Light flashed and, seconds later, Thoreau grinned as he quickly stripped out of his clothes and shifted. Then Spring stood before me, howling out a song of joy and gratitude to the midnight sky.

I pressed my fingertips to my lips as tears ran down my face, so happy I feared my heart might burst.

"And now, little luna, the price must be paid."

"Gladly," I murmured. "I’m ready."

The Moon Goddess flicked her fingers - and I found out I knew nothing of pain.

Every one of my scars lit on fire, burning worse than the moment Alpha Briggs inflicted them, and my mouth dropped open in a silent scream as my knees gave out and I fell to the ground.

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