"I'VE BEEN LIVING FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS," Luna began to explain, "meeting a lot of people and encountering opportunities. I wandered the world when it was still one, and did a few experiments when it was divided into realms." She walked near an elder, whom Alinta recognized as Elder Tyro, and continued, "And guess what? I got what I wanted the most!"
"You finally severed your ties with the elders?" Alinta inquired, her face solemn. She wonders when the outside beings will notice that the ritual has been disrupted and she requires assistance. She had already inspected the area. The room couldn't be opened from the inside for some reason. The formation, however, would be destroyed with the intervention of a strong force coming from the outside.
Hah!
They claimed that mated couples could sense each other's distress. Guess she had expected too much!
Luna giggled. "It will be. Soon," she said, reaching out her hands to Alinta, "with your assistance."
Alinta arched her brow. "Me?" she asked, pointing to herself. How could she possibly help this 'mother of all werewolves'? And why do these people keep approaching her for assistance? Do they truly believe her service is free? Well, now that she thinks about it, everything she did for these werewolves was completely voluntary. Even when she asked Lila for allegiance, it was only because she couldn't think of anything in return. She simply did not want others to think she was easy to talk to. But the ending still had her working for free. Her heart sank just thinking about it.
"You'll make everything— every dream— come true!" Luna exclaimed, "But there is nothing for you to worry about; I won't ask you to do a work without giving something in return."
"Oh?" Alinta was intrigued. "What will you give in exchange?"
Luna's smile broadened. "I will assist you in breaking your bond with Severino."
"What?" She thought Luna was asking for her assistance in cutting the mate thingy. Now, she was not only intrigued but also taken by surprise. What the hell is going on? The two of them were not on the same page! Alinta was having a hard time keeping up with what was happening. "What exactly are you asking for my assistance with? Isn't it the severing of the mate bond?"
"I already have that covered," Luna replied. "What I want is your power. I want you to resurrect Morrigan."
"And who is this Morrigan?"
Luna opened her mouth to respond when the wall was suddenly blasted. She quickly closed her mouth, and there was no change in her expression. But her eyes were cold. The timing was right. Although she didn't manage to get Alinta's approval, she didn't need it anyway. She would get the girl no matter what. She would end the curse that she started regardless of the consequences. She had to!
Severino instantly hid Alinta behind him. His eyes were staring coldly at the woman directly in front of him. Luna was said to have died years after giving birth to Lila as a result of birth complications; since then, every alpha's mate has been given the title Luna to honor the mother of all werewolves. But now the said woman was standing right before their eyes. She was far from dead; she looked alive and well, in fact!
"It's been a while," Luna said with a smile. "Your mother told me several times that you would grow up strong and powerful, and looking at you now, her claims were not false."
Severino's expression remained stoic. He didn't respond, believing that talking to someone like this woman was beneath him. He never saw the elders as equals, nor did he regard the woman as worthy of his respect. His mother, the priestess, was never close to Luna, and it was due to her that his mother was forced to accept Cross' father as a second mate. Luna was filled with resentment and jealousy. He didn't care for or like this type of woman.
"Are you alright?" Severino asked, looking over his shoulder.
"I am," Alinta replied, nodding.
"Mother!" exclaimed Lila abruptly. Dust and pebbles settled on the ground, and the crowd outside finally saw who was inside with Alinta. Their gazes were filled with shock and awe. They never expected to see the mother of all werewolves just standing before them, in the flesh; and most importantly, alive! Especially Lila, who was only five years old when she thought she had lost her mother—— she was the most surprised of them all! "Mother, what are you--- how—- why—-" she opened her mouth to say more, to express her feelings, curiosity, longing, and resentment toward her mother for abandoning her all these years. Regrettably, none of the words she thought in her head came out.
Lila's tears began to flow.
Luna smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Lila," she said quietly.
"I'm—" Lila sobbed. She lifted a foot to move forward but then stopped. She looked at her mother again, and seeing her mother's friendly face, she dashed over to hug her. "I missed you! Where have you gone? I-I—-" She panted, and then looking up, she added, "I looked everywhere for you, but you were never... anywhere!"
"I'm sorry I had to leave you. There were more important things I had to do," Luna said as she stroked her daughter's hair.
Alinta squinted her eyes. She couldn't help but notice how emotionless the woman's eyes were; even when she was conversing with the daughter she hadn't seen in a long time, Luna didn't even show any longing, care, or love— Alinta couldn't see any of those maternal feelings. It seemed as if Luna was only acting, doing something she thought she had to do.
A cold light flashed through Alinta's eyes. A mother who does not care about her child is unworthy of her trust! It's no surprise she didn't like the woman at first sight.
Then an unearthly sound abruptly ended their meeting. Before they knew what was going on, the elders were already bathed in blood, arrows were stuck in their bodies, and Lila——
Lila, who had only recently been in her mother's arms, was now lying on the ground. She was clutching her heart, her eyes wide, as blood began to flow from her body.
"Ah!" howled a dark, low voice. And the sky was soon obscured by darkness.