Chapter 91
LUCIAN’S P.O.V.
The weight of Mai in my arms was almost too much to bear. Her tiny frame pressed against my chest, her blank silver eyes a constant reminder of my failure. Ares, snarled in the back of my mind. He didn’t trust anyone near her. Not Adrian, not Elizabeth, not even me. While on the other hand, Raivo was still suspiciously silent.
The witches grand hall was suffocating with silence as Elizabeth finished the binding ritual. Her hands glowed faintly as she worked, her voice a steady hum of ancient incantations. A thick, heady scent of herbs and ash filled the air, mingling with the faint metallic tang of my own dread.
Finally, she stood, wiping sweat from her brow, and looked at Adrian and me. “It’s done,” she said softly. “Her wolf is bound, her scent masked. To the world, she’s human now p>
Adrian’s gaze didn’t waver, it was cool and calculating. “What’s next, Elizabeth?” he asked, his voice smooth and deliberate, as if we weren’t discussing the fate of my child.
Elizabeth hesitated. “She needs to disappear completely. For her safety, no ties can remain. Not to her father, not to her mother, not to you, Master Adrian. You know what must be done. A human family—one far away from here—is her best chance. I can find someone trustworthy if you p>
“No,” the word tore from me before she could finish, raw and filled with unspoken pain. Ares’ growl erupted from my chest, shaking the air around us.
Elizabeth took a startled step back, her hands raised defensively. “Alpha Lucian, what p>
“You’re not touching her,” I said, my voice low and trembling with barely restrained fury.
Before Elizabeth could respond, to my surprise Adrian moved closer, his fangs glinting in the dim light. “I’d advise you to back away,” he said coolly, his voice dripping with menace.
Elizabeth blinked, her shock evident. “What’s wrong with you two? I just p>
“Stop,” I snapped, my voice trembling with barely restrained emotion. “I can’t—I won’t give her up p>
Adrian’s mask of strength cracked just enough for me to see the conflict in his eyes. “Lucian’s right,” he admitted, much to my shock. “I can’t… I can’t trust anyone else with my baby. Not like this p>
Elizabeth looked between us, stunned. “Alpha Lucian,” she tried again, her voice gentler this time. “Raivo is inside you. You’re the greatest threat to her. Do you both not see that p>
My heart thundered against my ribcage, each beat echoing my desperation. She was right—damn it, she was right—but the thought of parting with Mai felt like tearing my soul in half. I was drowning in my own turmoil when all of a sudden, the memory struck me: the vision of the woman cloaked in silver light. The goddess.
Dropping to my knees, I ignored Adrian’s baffled expression and clasped my hands together.
“Lucian?” Adrian’s voice was cautious, uncertain.
I didn’t answer. Instead, I tilted my head to the heavens, my voice breaking as I called out. “Moon Goddess… please. I’m begging you. I’ll sacrifice anything—my life, my soul—just don’t let her go through this alone. Please. Help my daughter p>
The room grew silent, unnaturally so, as if the world itself was holding its breath. A soft glow filled the space, and there she was—ethereal, luminous, and breathtaking. The Moon Goddess.
Her silver hair cascaded down her back, shimmering like molten starlight. Her eyes, ancient and knowing, bore into mine with a mixture of sternness and compassion. Elizabeth gasped, and Adrian… well, for the first time since I met him, I saw fear flicker across his face.
“I—I’m sorry,” I stammered, my voice trembling as tears streamed down my face. “I didn’t recognize you before. I should’ve called on you sooner, but I didn’t. I listened to the witches instead, and now my daughter is paying the price p>
The goddess stepped closer, her presence both comforting and overwhelming. She knelt gracefully, her fingertips brushing against my cheek. The touch was cool, calming the storm within me.
“You’ve made grave mistakes, Lucian,” she said, her voice melodic and powerful. “But I see your heart. I see your love for your daughter p>
I lifted Mai toward her, my hands shaking. “Save her. Please. I’ll do anything. Just don’t let her suffer because of me p>
The goddess studied me for a long moment before nodding. “I can help her. But your actions have consequences, and you must bear them if you want to save her. Are you willing p>
“Yes,” I choked out. “Anything p>
She stood, her presence towering yet gentle. “Take her back to her mother. Tell Teresa everything. She will not run from you, though she may wish to p>
My throat tightened at the thought of facing Teresa, of confessing everything.
“Two days from now,” the goddess continued, “bring Teresa, Mai, Adrian, Elizabeth, and Juliette to the Forest of Abian. Arrive before 1 a.m. There, you will hide until a woman comes. Whatever she does, do not interfere. Only after she leaves may you reveal yourselves. I will meet you then p>
Adrian and Elizabeth exchanged stunned looks at the mention of their names, but the goddess didn’t elaborate. Instead, she turned to Adrian, her gaze softening. “What are you planning, Goddess?” Adrian asked, his voice uncharacteristically sharp.
She smiled faintly. “You’ll understand in time, Adrian. But until then, do not leave Lucian’s side p>
The goddess turned to me one last time. “Be kind to him, Lucian,” she said with a knowing look. “You’ll need him more than you realize p>
Before I could respond, she faded away, her light retreating like the tide.
I rose slowly, cradling Mai against my chest. “You heard her,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “We’re going back to my packlands. I need to see Teresa p>
Adrian smirked faintly, his usual composure returning. “This should be entertaining p>
Elizabeth sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “This is getting complicated as the time ticks by p>
“Welcome to my life,” I muttered, heading for the door.