Chapter 23
Under One Command
Alexa
She looks at me with a gentle smile carved into her lips. Her head nods with complete understanding and respect.
“Anything,” the woman replies.
“Harlow will become the Alpha of this new pack. Would you be willing to give your blessing?” I ask.
The woman nods.
“Yes, I would.”
She turns and reaches for something beside her. A flower with wide white petals. I don’t know the name of the flower and have never seen one like it.
“I trust you.” She places the flower in the palm of my hand.
I don’t know why, but the scent of the flower feels soothing and stirs something inside me that I can’t name.
I inhale its fragrance. It smells a little like jasmine, but fresher.
A little like vanilla, but without the sweetness.
The scent warms me from the inside out, and suddenly I remember my mother’s voice.
A fleeting memory, too distant to grasp.
Why can’t I remember it clearly? Was there some kind of memory manipulation magic at work again, or was I simply too young to remember her scent, her laughter, or even her final breath?
Tears stream down my cheeks, but the Moon Goddess gently strokes my temple.
Even her hand carries the same scent as the white flower.
“I miss my dad…” I mutter. “And my mom, I want to see her too.”
The reality hits me hard. I’m alone in this world. Without them both, how will I survive? Who will love me the way they used to, hug me, and reassure me that everything is going to be okay?
“I’m sorry I killed you. I’m sorry. I…”
My body hunches as I search for any comfort I can find, letting my tears fall on her lap. My fingers dig into my arms, holding myself so tight to find any courage left in me. Like a child whining to her mother.
All this time, with Alastair, Gabriel, and everything else happening in my life, I’ve kept suppressing my feelings. Be stronger, be tougher, don’t cry because it’ll make me weak while everybody depends on me, their Luna. But now, in this sacred space, I let it all out.
She strokes my back with a slow gentle touch.
That’s all she does with a silent understanding and listens while I wail and shake.
Her gestures ease the heaviness in my chest in a way I can’t explain.
Like a rush of air sweeps through me, clearing away the weight that has been lodged in my chest for so long.
“Are they happy now?” I ask in a raspy voice.
She smiles and nods. “Yes. You don’t have to worry about them. They’re more than happy to see how much you’ve grown.”
I’m not sure how much time has passed. Eventually, the sobs fade. I wipe my face, swallow hard, and force myself to focus on the reason I came here. There’s still one question that has haunted me for weeks.
“Am I the Supreme Luna?” I ask as doubt creeps into my heart.
“You are.” The answer comes without the slightest hesitation.
“Then why do all these toxic men keep coming after me? Why can’t you stop them? Why are they my potential mates?”
This time, she doesn’t answer as quickly as before. She falls silent, sympathy etched into her cerulean eyes. Then she speaks, closing her eyes and bowing her head, like she’s feeling guilty for all of it.
“Sometimes it’s just fate. It’s unpredictable, confusing, and selfish. Yet even I can’t govern every thread of fate or the free will of my people, but I’ll give you all the help you need.”
“I chose Harlow, but he isn’t an Alpha. Will that help me?” I say, needing to hear it one more time.
A soft laugh escapes her lips. “I promise you, if your choice comes from good intentions, it will help you fight against evil.”
Hearing her answer, something inside me settles. Confidence taking root where uncertainty once lived.
“The Lord of Darkness protects Alastair now, and his power keeps growing. He killed Mr. Pascoe, Romero, and Mrs. Geeny. I’m sorry.”
I wipe my tears with the back of my hand. The two gray wolves rise from her lap. They walk toward me and press their noses against my cheeks and chin. Their wet tongues lap at my tears, and I can taste the salt on my own tongue.
I reach out and stroke their fur. It slips softly between my fingers. The simple comfort of their presence slowly eases the ache inside my chest. My tears stop. I smile at them before lifting my gaze to the Goddess again.
“In this world, we ain’t alone.”
The woman bathed in silvery light reaches for my hand and squeezes it firmly.
“The Lord of Darkness is roaming this world, gathering an army. You need to stop him before he succeeds. And remember this. You’re not alone.” Her voice echoes through my ears.
Before I can ask another question, my vision fades. The white light surges. It explodes outward and blinds me. I raise a hand to shield my eyes and turn my head away from the overwhelming brightness.
* * *
Around me, there’s only silver-white light. It feels as though I’m surrounded by it. No. I’m the light itself. Above me, the clear sky reveals a crescent moon shaped like the Moon Goddess’s smile.
“Crescent Moon Pack, I bless you all as one family.” My voice rings out, echoing like a clear fugue.
My gaze shifts within the light. A face gradually comes into focus at its center. Harlow’s figure stares back at me with widened pupils, reflecting the darkness of the night sky above our heads. My ears throb around the focal point of the vision.
“Harlow Blackmoore, I’m trusting this pack to you. Take good care of them.” The moment the words leave my lips, a beam of light shoots toward Harlow’s figure.
He lets out a deafening scream that pierces the ears of everyone who hears it.
His body is engulfed in light, but behind it, he screams in pain.
The energy pouring through him is so powerful and overwhelming that several people nearby scoot backward in fear.
Even some of the women and children scramble to the back of the crowd.
“Harlow!” Jack calls his name in panic.
“Please! Make it stop!” Harlow screams again. The muscles in his face lock tight, and the veins beneath his skin stand out far too clearly to ignore.
Inside, I beg the Moon Goddess to stop. Mythril howls in pain as well, suffering from the resonance of Eldritch’s energy flowing through us. The power is far stronger than anything either of us has ever felt.
The roar continues without end. Again and again.
It becomes difficult to breathe, difficult even to think about stopping what has already begun. The pain cuts deep, but I know this is helping him. No matter how much it hurts, this is exactly what Harlow needs.
* * *
My eyes blink open. The wooden ceiling above me isn’t high. Soft light peeks through the cabin curtains, casting pale yellow tones across the furniture and the items resting on the table. The cold air makes me shiver for a moment, but I push the blanket aside and climb out of bed.
My head throbs, but the light no longer dazzles my eyes. This is a wooden cabin in Sapphire Hill. I don’t remember much, but I’m certain I was performing the ritual. If I’m here now, does that mean the ritual is over? Or was it all just a dream?
I rub my face and wipe my eyes. Once I’m sure I don’t look miserable, I open the door and step outside.
Everyone inside the cabin immediately turns toward me. Several women set down their bowls of porridge and hurry over. Gina and her brother hug my waist, while Lisa also hugs me so tight.
“You’re awake. How are you feeling?” Lisa asks, cupping my cheeks with both hands.
“Uh, I think I’m okay.” I press my lips into a straight line.
“Uncle Harlow! Uncle Harlow! Alexa’s awake!” Gina shouts as she races out of the cabin.
“Thank goodness.” The women surround me with hugs and bright smiles.
“We’ve become the Crescent Moon Pack. Is that real, or am I still dreaming?” I ask Lisa.
Her eyes widen instantly. Her entire face lights up before she bursts into laughter. The women around her laugh too, their eyes shining with excitement. Lisa presses her lips together as tears gather in her eyes despite her smile.
“We... oh, I’m so happy hearing you say that.” Her voice trembles. “Yeah, it’s true. The Moon Goddess blessed us. We’re the Crescent Moon Pack now. Even First Light Pack officially recognized us.”
Before I can answer, Lisa wraps me in another hug.
“You’re awake, Alexa?” Eldritch’s voice carries Harlow’s message through the mind link.
“Yeah. What...”
A silhouette blocks the sunlight pouring through the doorway. My mouth falls open. My heart nearly stops.
The man standing there is tall. He wears a red-and-black plaid flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing strong, muscular tan arms.
Two arms.
Both of my hands fly to my mouth. I stare at him again to make sure my eyes aren’t playing tricks on me. Dark-brown hair cropped short. Dark-brown eyes like polished obsidian. A small smile. A familiar dimple.
Harlow Blackmoore, both arms intact.
“Did I sleep for years, or am I dreaming?” I ask Lisa and Gina, bewildered.
Harlow walks toward me and stops directly in front of me. The women step aside, creating space between us. Jack follows behind him and pats his right shoulder.
“Well, ma’am, you passed out right after the ritual ended and slept for a whole day.” Jack beams. “And nope, this ain’t a dream. It’s all real. Through you, the Moon Goddess blessed Harlow with the title of Alpha and granted him new power.” He gives Harlow’s shoulder a firm squeeze.
“It’s Luna Alexa to you,” Harlow says with a playful grin.
“Then I reckon she oughta call me Beta Jack.” Jack puffs out his chest proudly.
“Oh my Goddess. Is that really true? She gave you all of that?” I ask again, needing to hear it one more time.
“Yeah.” Harlow chuckles softly. “Well... Luna.”
Laughter spreads throughout the cabin. Everyone looks relieved. Happy and safe. For the first time in what feels like forever, content.
“Thank Goddess!”
I throw myself into Harlow’s arms. He catches me and pulls me close, letting my head rest against the crook of his neck. His lips brush against my shoulder while both arms wrap around my back.