I Am The Luna

| Am The Luna by Moonlight Muse Chapter 36 A Past Forgotten ZAIA. “Thank you, Alpha Hugh, for allowing Valerie to be placed here and for the warm welcome,” Jai says as he shakes Dad's hand. “And for allowingto stay at your pack, it is a great honour.” Dad nods curtly. “Don’t take it for kindness, | only agreed because you have been a carer for Valerie. You will be allotted an apartment and you may visit Zafa’s place, but be aware, due to you still being a part of that pack, a guard will accompany you at all times. Do | make myself clear?” Dad's voice is crisp and curt as he looks Jai dead in the eye.

“Yes, of course, Alpha,” Jai says with a firm nod. “After dark, you are not to venture out around the pack, save going to and from Zaia’s home.” It had been a great surprise when Dad had asked if any family would be staying with Valerie and if so, then he needs to know so he can have security enforced.

It was only jai who would be staying with her, something that Sebastian and Jai both thought was ideal, having Jai closer to me, too. Although | made it clear, | am perfectly fine without them! “Well then, have a good evening,” Dad says to the both of us before he glances at the house for a second before he takes his leave. “Con in,” | say.

Valerie's room was already arranged in the conservatory, and | had everything in place for my hope in this ritual of healing.

| know the omegas who helped set the place up and Dad thought | was crazy, but they entertainedanyway. | didn’t even care when | received side-eye looks when they brought in the supplies | asked for.

I didn’t mind what they thought of us, as long as she got better by it. I'm willing to try anything for her.

I need my girl back. “So... can | meet them?” Jai asks BL looks a bit nervous as he tries to hide his excitement. The children...

I nod, smiling slightly. “Of course,” | say, leading the way inside. “I told you to have dinner with us. He nods, “You were saying, | hope you cooked because | miss your food and I'm excited to meet those little mini versions of you.” Or one mini version of Bastien. Sebastian and | had arranged a tfor a call tonight, and | won't deny that I'm a little nervous... It’s the one twe have arranged a timing, so there is a chance it won't just be a quick thing...

| have a feeling he'll askwhy I left like that... and withasking Atticus, which | did tell them, I'm sure he might want details.

| lead the way into the lounge, pushing away those thoughts and smile, watching the twins who are playing with building blocks.

“Holy...” Jai mutters. | look at him and back at the kids, realising they are building quite an impressive structure.

“No Sia, like this see?” Zion says gently, showing his sister where to put the little piece she’s holding.

“Smart little buggers huh...” Jai whistles as the twins are so deeply immersed with what they are doing they don’t realise we've entered.

“Children, con over here, this is... Uncle Jai, a friend of mine.” | say, drawing their attention away.

They both look up and Zion is the first to spring up and hurry over, with Sia a few steps behind. “Hello,” Zion says, holding his hand out to Jai.

Jai crouches down and | can see the emotions in his eyes. “Hey, Zion.” He says softly, taking his small hand and giving it a shake. “Love your hair.” He ruffles his hair before | see him touch his chest and lower his head ever so slightly.

He’s acknowledging him as his future Alpha. He glances up atand for once there’s no smile as he tries to contain his emotions, looking at Zion once again.

The look in his eyes is of someone given hope A pack that is still without an heir...

Am | selfish in keeping them here? | want to protect them.

| remain emotionless as Sia clings to my leg shyly, peeping out at Jai. “Hello, princess,” Jai says gently, holding his hand out to her.

“Hello.” She says, still holding onto me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. They are mini versions of you...” He says looking up atas he tugs her cheek gently.

He means both of us. “But | don’t look like a girl,” Zion says, pointing up atand pulling a face.

Jai smiles and shakes his head. “No kiddo, it's true you don’t look like your Mommy.” Zion looks relieved at that. “Alright, dinner is ready! Jai, how are you?” Mom's voice breaks the emotional atmosphere, and | couldn't be more relieved.

“Melanie! Oh wow! It's been three years, but you still look as beautiful as | remember, if not younger and even more ravishing.” Jai flirts as he stands up and hugs Mom.

| can’t help but smile, reminiscing on the past...

(FLASHBACK) “Want to elope?” Jai teases Mom, earning himself a frown despite the smile on her lips. 2 “No. Now go find someone your own age!” Mom scolds.

“Ouch, you look beautiful, though. How do you expectto stay away?” Sebastian's deep chuckle from behind makes my heart skip a beat before his strong arms lock aroundfrom behind. “Want to escape for a bit?” He whispers, his lips meeting my neck, sending a jolt of pleasure through me. My breath hitches as | look up at him. We had recently found one another and would soon be married...

And although Mom disliked Sebastian, she was trying to tolerate him, although she kept tellinghe was a mistake.

| bite my lip, about to reply, when Mom looks up disapprovingly and calls us over to the table.

“Maybe later?” | whisper, leaning up and kissing his lips. His brilliant blue eyes sparkle before he smirks. “I am going to hold you to that, My Little Fox.” (END OF FLASHBACK) | take a deep breath to calm my emotions as | head to the dining table and take my seat.

The dinner with Atticus was two nights ago...

and although I told him everything will continue the way it is between us, | do feel | need to put distance between us. It's the only way he'll accept it and move on to find someone else. “Oh, you made my favourite!” Jai says as he helps himself to spasta.

| raise an eyebrow. “Isn't that always the case with anything | cook?” “Well, if you cook it, I'll eat it. And it's an instant favourite!” Jai says with a wink at Sia. “Don’t you agree?” She nods shyly as she leans closer to me.

| observe her. She looks better today, but she has her good days... my heart squeezes and | give her a gentle hug.

| can feel Zion watchingintently and turn my attention to him.

“Uncle Jai used to be my friend a few years. ago. We used to... work together.” | explain, not knowing how else to put it.

“Oh, ok Mommy,” Zion says, but he looks lost in thought for a moment before diving into his plate of food.

“Are you alright?” | ask Sia gently, and she simply nods her head, givinga beautiful smile.

The rest of dinner passes by smoothly and we are almost done when Mom asks Jai where he’s staying.

“It's not too far from here. I'll be around daily, though.” Jai grins. “Nonsense! | told you, Zaia, to let him stay here.” Mom says, unhappily.

“Mom, Dad said for safety reasons, and | know we trust Jai, but he’s not part of this pack. We have to abide by Dad's laws.” | say quietly.

“I'll talk to the Alpha myself. fai, unpack your things in the room upstairs. Putting him somewhere else.... My foot.” | stare at her in shock. She’s willing to talk to Dad? For Jai? Well, I know she’s always been fond of Jai, but for her to actually talk to Dad...

“Please Melanie, there's no need for that,” Jai says, waving his hand. “I appreciate being able to at least be around you all. It's not too far from here, and | respect that the Alpha is prioritising Zaia and the children’s safety.” She's about to get up, but at his words, she sighs in frustration and slumps back in her seat. “That man is far too arrogant and needs to learn he can’t boss others around.” Mom mutters.

“I love Grandad,” Sia whispers towith a little happy smile.

Mom frowns. “There’s nothing to love!” “He’s nice to me,” Sia says. “And that’s all that matters,” | say warmly, giving Mom a gentle poke of my eyes as a reminder.”) If Dad was good to them, then why shouldn't they have a relationship? | look between Sia and Mom and realise that | should ask myself that question. Why isn’t Sebastian a part of their lives? My heart squeezes as | fall silent as we continue to eat our dinner. “Do you think that'll work?” Jai asks as he stares through the open roof of the conservatory, which was now set up as a bedroom for Valerie. The moon shone directly down upon her.

It's a while later and the kids are getting ready for bed and Jai is about to leave.

I nod. “I have high hopes. This method surely worked, or we wouldn't have such books in our possession.” “This is magic, or abilities long forgotten over time, Zaia. We have now becmore man than wolf.” Jai says, staring at the moon above.

| look down at the books that were treasures of this pack. Old books that Dad gave to10/10 without even a care. Another sign he has no interest in preserving the past.

“And | think it is there that we failed as the creation of the goddess,” | say softly as | look at the glowing orb in the sky. It always relaxes me...

When he doesn’t reply, | glance at him to feel him watching me. Raising an eyebrow, | cross my arms, “You think I'm crazy too?” He shakes his head. “I could never think you're crazy, | just... what you said kinda hit. It's true, as werewolves we don’t really honour our roots. You know when | was a kid, | remember granddad tellingof their full moon runs, everyone would shift, and they would run together as a pack under the full moon.” His words make my insides fill with the warmth of a memory of a tlong passed. “There was something called The Full Moon 13/18 Hunt. They'd hunt and kill something together and then feast upon it. There used to be an award for the one who brings the biggest offering back. He said he never got to be part of one as it was abolished before he even got his wolf, but as a child, he loved to see the youth go on these runs.” Jai continues, sighing. “It’s crazy. | feel a sense of nostalgia, but I've never experienced that time, but the stories.” “No, but | understand, as a child, hearing those stories meant something. If | was an Alpha, I'd want to bring that back to my pack. | would want us to train our young, to make sure their bodies are strong enough to shift. It’s disappointing that as the years pass, the number of those able to shift becomes less and fewer, although our packs are growing.” “Yeah... wow, | never thought of it like that. When you put it like that... we'll probably die out someday and forget our gifts.” I nod. “It looks to be so.” | say, picking up the two books I had brought down to show Jai, ” Well, I'll show you out. There's six of our most trusted guards stationed right around the conservatory and one of our trusted maids will stay with her.” | reassure him.

“Thanks. It’s kinda weird to be away from her.” He says, rubbing the back of his head as he walks over and kisses Valerie's forehead gently. She's all hooked up to the machine, looking at peace under the glowing moon.

Please let this work, oh goddess “I'll talk to Father tomorrow. Maybe you can move here, especially since I'll be on a business trip next week.” He nods. “Thanks, but don’t argue on my behalf. Like | said, I'm grateful he even allowedentry.” | bid Jai goodbye before | head upstairs. After tucking the kids into bed, | go to my own bedroom. Placing the books down on the bed, I lock the door and decide to go have a shower. There are still twenty minutes. before our planned call...

I'm out pretty fast and after a long day, I'm ready to unwind. Dimming the lights and shutting the curtains, | settle onto my bed, switch the phone on and begin drying my hair with my towel.

The phone rings a few seconds after 22:30 shows on the screen and I cock a brow as | pick it up and accept the call.

“Were you in such a hurry to talk tothat you didn’t waste any time, Mr. King?” | ask, feeling nervous for no reason as | run my other hand through my hair. “If you forget, Ms. Toussaint, | am always the one on time. You're the one who has a reputation for tardiness.” His arrogant reply comes.

Crossing my legs, | roll my eyes and flip open one of the books distractedly.

“Oh please, we both know you were the cause of those delays...” | trail off, my heart thudding and not because of what | had accidentally said.

“Guilty as charged... | can hear your heartbeat from here...” | stare down at the page before me. It's towards the back of the book, a lot further, past the healing section...

“Zaia?” Sebastian's concerned voice comes.

“Zaia, is everything ok?” “Yes... | just...” What is this? “Zaia? Zaia, Babe, you're scaring me.” | don’t know how to reply as | stare at the symbol that mirrors my birthmark, glaring back atfrom the page...