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Love Rose x
I opened the door to what used to be my room, before I had moved into Zac's and peered in, my eyes flickered around, taking in everything.
The room had now been re-decorated, everything that had been there previously taken out in order to make it into the nursery.
I wrapped my fingers around the door handle tightly and a smile graced my lips, as I took in the light yellow painted walls and cream ceilings. The carpet was still the same, soft and white and the highlight of the room still remained the large floor to ceiling windows, but there was a different ambience to the room and as my eyes fell to the crib in the centre of the room, something tugged at my heart.
Slowly I let go of the handle and made my way towards the crib, my feet padding against the soft carpet.
I knew I was still early in my pregnancy, but like Taliya had informed me, werewolf pregnancies are much quicker than a humans and the fact that I was already starting to show so obviously, had made me desperate to start prepping.
The room was based lightly on the room I had as a child. The same one I never got to grow up in. I wanted to use the same style, but this time, there would actually be a chance for a child to grow up in it. It was airy, bright and simple, yet homely.
My hand went straight to my bulging belly and I cupped it gently as I traced the crib with my other hand.
"What do you think, Baby?" I ask, talking to my unborn child as if it could hear me. "Do you like it?"
Obviously there was no answer, but still a warm feeling came over me and I closed my eyes, imagining what it would be like in a few months when I would actually have a baby in my hands.
Both my hands come down to cradle by pregnant stomach and I look up at the chandelier hanging from the ceiling, its crystals reflecting light, casting multicoloured rays across the walls.
I stood there for a while, watching the colours, distracted by all my thoughts.
"I knew I would find you in here."
Startled by the sudden voice, I turned around to find Carla watching me with a sweet look in her eyes. She was already dressed for the party, wearing a navy blue, knee length dress, that looked amazing on her.
"You look beautiful." I compliment honestly and she just smiles back gratefully.
"This room looks amazing!" She replies as she takes a step in, slowly approaching me, her eyes casting around the room, taking in all accessories
and furniture.
"I love that-" she gestures with one hand, to the corner of the room where a crib mobile was placed, ready to be fitted when the room was furnished completely. I nodded my head in agreement.
"Kate bought it." I explain. The mobile was breathtaking really, made completely out of metal and wood, with little moon and star shapes hanging from it. It had little diamonds embedded in the shapes, so that everytime it spun, it twinkled brightly.
"It's really beautiful," Carla says, "and I bet expensive as well." I turn to her in surprise when I hear an almost depressed tone to her voice.
"What's wrong?" I ask, my eyebrow raising as I took in Carla's slumped shoulders.
She shrugs and forces a smile on her face, "Nothing. Nothings wrong- I just feel a little pathetic giving you this-"
She suddenly brings her hand from behind her and holds it in my direction and instantly my eyes lock in on the little soft toy in her grip.
"Aww my gosh!" I whisper-exclaim as I look up at Carla and then back down at the toy. "Carla you shouldn't have." I say but still gratefully reach out and take the teddy.
It was a soft plush wolf toy and that alone was so sweet and thoughtful but then when I looked closer I realised that there was something hanging around its neck.
"You didn't." I say in shock and disbelief as I hold up the little knitted compass hanging from the wolf's neck. I felt my eyes start to tear up.
"Oh my god Carla!" I fling my arms around her neck, holding her tight as tears of gratitude streak my cheeks. It's the hormones, I blame inwardly, for the blubbering mess I was.
"This is the best present ever!"
Carla laughs as she rubbed my back gently, "I'm glad you like it," she says, "I was worried because it not that expens-"
"Oh shut up!" I scold her, pulling her back into a tight hug.
"You are my best friend Carla," I say, wiping at my snotty tears, "I love you so much. It doesn't matter how expensive it is. It's priceless because you gave it to me."
"Hey, I'm just carrying out my aunty-to-be duties." She smiles, her eyes twinkling with unshed tears.
We both wrap our arms around each other and it's only a few minutes later, when she reminds me that guests have already started to arrive for the party, do we finally pull away and gather our snivelling selves together.
"Let's get out of here." I finally say, heading to the door, my eyes still red. "I have a party to host."
★★
"Hey" I felt Zac's arms wrap around my waist, coming up behind me to place a kiss on my head.
I smile up at him as his eyes trail over me, taking in my emerald green, floor length dress, which fitted my pregnant body like a second skin. His eyes darken slightly as he whispers in my ear, "You look beautiful."
My cheeks burn instantly and I lean back into his chest with a shy smile, as he slowly leads us around the Great Hall, stopping intermittently to speak with all our guests.
It was a brilliant opportunity to meet with all the prominent members of the nearby packs and build up a relationship I knew would be needed if we were going to fight against Demelza and protect the pack from rogues and hunters.
It was also an important chance to catch up with people from the past.
"I always knew your daughter was special." Luna Natalia, from the Bloodlust pack told my mother, who was standing beside me with a look of pride in her big blue eyes.
"Oh you don't have to tell me." My mum replies, with a wide smile as we all continue to reminisce about the past. The last time I had seen Alpha Abel and Luna Natalia was when I turned eighteen and these days, that seemed like another lifetime ago.
"You know we will support this pack with whatever you need right?" Natalia turns to me, her hands reaching out to grip mine. "We won't let Demelza win."
I grip her hand back tightly, my chest suddenly heavy with overwhelming gratitude.
"Thank you so much Aunt Natalia," I say, blinking back tears, "Zac and this pack appreciate all your help."
The red haired Luna shakes her head with a smile.
"It's not for Zac and it's not for the pack," she admits, "It's for you. As Jacob's and Alexia's daughter you are family to Abel and I, and we all know, family sticks together, no matter what."
I pull Natalia into a hug, while trying my hardest not to cry my makeup off.
We speak for a little longer and then Natalia notices her mate calling for her and excuses herself as she made her way towards him. I watch her leave for a moment and then turn back to my mother, who was already watching me with an unreadable expression sketched deep into her beautiful face.
"I'm so proud of you." She says finally, her hand reaching over to intertwine her fingers with mine. "You've grown up so much."
If I thought I was strong enough to hold back my tears, I was quickly proven wrong as a tear rolled down my cheek.
"Mum please don't make me cry." I say, wiping my cheeks, my nose already starting to run. Damn these bloody hormones.
She simply smiles and pats my hand before turning around to mix with the other guests, when I quickly pull her back to my side.
There was something I needed to say- just incase.
"Actually Mum, I wanted to tell you something. I feel like I never had the chance to properly say it before, but just incase Demel-"
"Don't you dare."
My eyes had floated down to the ground, unable to look at my mother as I spoke, but at my mothers sharp, cold tone, my eyes snapped back to hers.
Her eyes were burning with icy fire, her lips pulled tightly into a straight line. She was daring me to go against her.
"Don't you dare say another word."
"Mum I-"
"You will do well to remember who you are- who you have always been. I am Luna Kronex and you are my daughter. You have magic running through your veins and a thousand warriors to stand behind you."
My mouth turns dry at her words, completely rendered speechless.
"So don't you dare say goodbye to me."
We both stared at each other, my mother daring me to argue with her. I finally shake my head, her burning glare making me back down.
"Fine," I say with a resigned tone, "not yet then."
She gives me final pointed look, "Not ever." And then walks away, her shoulders held high, looking like the most elegant and powerful woman she was.
My mother.
★★
I had spotted Zac a little further away, speaking to an Alpha and was making my towards them when Demarcus appeared beside me.
"Eve!" I turn to him, noticing the excited sparkle in his eyes.
"Hey, did your friends make it?" I ask.
He nods his head, "Yeah they did. Like I assumed, only two of them came, but they are here." He gestured to the other side of the room, "I'd like to introduce you to them."
I cast a glance back at Zac who was still in deep conversation with the Alpha from one of the Southern packs and then turned back to my uncle.
"Yeah of course," I reply, "I'd love to meet them."
I link my arm through his and he leads me to the other side of the hall, where his friends were. I noticed the woman instantly, she was so tall and thin that I worried if one of the wolves standing next to her accidently pushed past her, she might actually snap in two.
"Juliet-" The woman turns around as Demarcus calls her name, "I'd like you to meet my niece, Luna Evelyn Kronex."
The woman smiled widely as her blue eyes met mine and for a split second I noticed the surprise on her face as she took in my appearance.
"Dear God!" an airy gasp leaves her lips as her eyes trail over my body, "You look exactly like her."
I knew who she meant by 'her' and instantly all the hairs on my body seemed to stand on edge, I'm sure Demarcus felt my arms tighten around him because he quickly cleared his throat.
"Eve, this is Juliet Blackwood. She is my dearest and closest friend as well as my mentor." I forced a smile on my face as I held out a hand in greeting, hiding my shock as I look at the young woman. She barely look over thirty and yet her eyes spoke of more life experience and knowledge than I could ever in my wildest dreams imagine.
"Hello Juliet, it's nice to meet you." I greet.
The woman almost hesitantly reached out and placed her hand in mine and shook it lightly. Her eyes still fixed on me in what looked like disbelief.
"I'm sorry, it's just shocking how alike you both look." She replied, her eyes changing from disbelief to curiosity.
I tuck a strand of my curled hair behind my ears, feeling suddenly uncomfortable under the woman's prodding gaze.
Demarcus, noticing my discomfort thankfully speaks up, "Juliet is the person who taught Demelza and I all the magic we know." He explains and this peaks my interest.
"Really?" I question, "Then surely you would know how to defeat her."
The woman lets out a humorless laugh, her thin and bony shoulders bobbing as she chuckled. With a raised eyebrow she turns to me, her piercing eyes digging into me.
"I taught Demelza and Demarcus the exact same magic, one turned out fine and destined to help others," she glances to my uncle "and then the other became hellbound on gaining power and glory though the destruction of everything and everyone." Her eyes locked with mine, and I take a second to observe her sharp jawline and protruding cheekbones which made her look both half dead and yet like a runway fashion model. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her back, a complete contrast to the black dress she was wearing.
"I had no part in making her into what she is now- that was all her." Juliet finished, not even bothering to hide the disgust in her voice.
"So you don't have any idea on how to stop her?" I don't hide the desperation in my voice and Juliet's eyes drop down to my hand on my belly and I see the ice in her eyes defrost slightly. She pauses for a second and then looks up to meet my eyes again.
"Luna," she starts, her voice suddenly sympathetic, "there is no chance for you to take on Demelza and then come out the other side unharmed, take it from me as someone who has spent many years observing Demelza's powers."
I stiffen immediately when her eyes fix on my pregnant stomach again and my arms quickly cradle my tummy as if my hands would be able to hide my unborn child from the witches hard gaze.
"There is only one thing that is Demelza's weakness and you my darling are a creation from that weakness."
My eyebrows furrow at her words. What was she talking about?
"Greed."
Like an arrow through my heart, the word sends shocks through my body. I don't know if its the word itself, or the way Juliet's eyes hardened and her face tightened as she forced it out.
"You were created because of her greed to have what was not hers and you will die because of her greed to have more than she should." Juliet states as if she was seeing the future.
My eyes look up at Demarcus who was watching the floor with the most heartbreaking look on his face and even though he could sense my gaze, he didn't dare to look up.
"I don't understand." I say, my eyes flickering between both Juliet and Demarcus.
Juliet speaks again, "The only weakness she has is her uncontrollable greed and desire for more. She will never stop until she believes she has
everything and ultimately that will be her only downfall."
Juliet smiles pitifully at me and feeling suddenly faint, I excuse myself away from them and head to the drinks table where I quickly grab a glass of water and down it, clutching to the table as my head filled with thoughts.
Greed. Downfall. Death.
I grip the glass so tight it cracks in my hands and so quickly place it down before I end up cutting my hand with it.
"It's pain that often causes anger and its anger that often leads to losing control."
I look over my shoulder in surprise at the sudden words and my eyes narrow at the girl standing behind me.
"Excuse me?" I look over the young girl, barely twelve, with white long blonde hair, pale skin and shockingly purple eyes. She was wearing jeans and a flowy pink top and stood out so strikingly conspicuously from the other guests, that I wondered why I hadn't noticed her before.
"And sometimes you need to lose control in order to win the war."
Again I had no idea what the child was talking about, yet there was something so magnetizing about her that I took a step forward.
"Who are you?" I ask gently, kneeling as much as I could to be eye to eye with the girl.
Her eyes don't meet mine though and instead lower to my stomach, where her unusual coloured eyes fixed so intently that it almost looked like she could see inside.
Her eyes finally flick back up to mine, her face so childlike and innocent and yet so old and mature. She stared into my eyes with no expression on her face and honestly it was so unnerving, like she could see every deep dark secret of mine.
"You would have been a good mother." She abruptly states, her face still blank. I go to smile but then pick up on her words.
Would?
"What do you mean by would?" I ask, my eyes hardening. I take a step back but the child remains still and unmoving.
"Emeli!" My eyes shot up to see Demarcus heading in our direction and once he reaches us he quickly pulls the girl into this side.
"Oh Eve, I see you've met Emeli." My eyes flick back to the blonde hair child, her intense purple eyes still staring straight through me.
My skin prickles with goosebumps and I shake my head as I turn to my uncle.
"Hardly," I say, "do you know her?"
Demarcus smoothes down the girls hair and smiles up at me broadly.
"Yes this is my other guest from the coven," he explains, "Emeli is a powerful seer, perhaps the most powerful one to have been born in the last century or so."
A seer?
"You can see the future?" I ask with wide eyes and disbelief, looking down at the girl again. She watches me with her powerful eyes and then carefully nods.
But before I could say anything else, Demarcus says that Juliet is looking for her and begins to lead the child away.
"Wait!" my hand shoots out and grips the girls thin arms tightly, "what did you mean by 'would'?" I ask again, unable to ignore the way her words had filled me with caution.
The girl looks from my hand wrapped around her upper arm and then trails her eyes back to mine.
She blinks.
"What did you mean?" I snap when she remains silent.
She blinks once more.
"It's destiny." Is all she says before walking away, leaving me staring after her in panic and alarm.
★★
Eve.
I didn't have time to ponder any further on what the young seer had said because moments later, Zac's voice had filtered into my mind through the link.
What is it?
Come to my office now.
I didn't hesitate as I quickly made my way through the crowd. There was something urgent about Zac's voice so I knew it was important.
I saw my father in the crowd and noticed his worried glance in my direction, but I didn't bother to stop and instead quickly made my way back to the pack house.
Grateful for my advanced speed, I made it to his office in only a few seconds and before I even pushed open the door, I could tell there was more than one person in his office.
"Zac?" The door closed behind me as I looked around the room, noticing that all the main members of the pack committee had gathered in Zac's office. I take a step forward, just as the door opens again and Demarcus steps in, his face showing just as much confusion as mine.
I made my way past Kate and Jayden and stood in front of Zac who watched me carefully with his grey piercing eyes.
"What's going on?" I ask, instantly noticing the tense air in the room.
Silence.
"Zac?" I asked again when no one spoke up.
Finally like thunder in a storm, his voice spoke, grounding me to the floor.
"We found her." He says and my stomach drops.
"We found Demelza."?
So the plot thickens!?