The Luna’s Choice

Chapter 246: Theo

We followed my parents as they led us to the woman standing near the shadows. She wore a simple dress and a dark cloak jacket that made her seem from another time. There was also a presence about her that inspired a sense of reverence from her.

“Theo, Ayla,” my dad began, “this is Sister Mona, of the Moon Haven Order.”Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

“Moon Haven?” Ayla questioned. “Why does that sound familiar?”

“That would be unexpected,” Sister Mona said. “Although, not entirely shocking given who you are.”

She reached out and took our hands. “It is an honor to meet you both, but I suggest we take this conversation to a more private location.”

I led everyone back to the Alpha’s suite. When we were settled in the living room, I turned back to my parents and our new guest.

“So, what is going on?” I asked. “What is this Moon Haven Order? And I warn you, I think I speak for both of us when I say we’re pretty done with secret societies.”

“Trust me, young Alpha,” Sister Mona replied. “The Moon Haven Order is nothing like the Waar Pa k Society. We are far older and charged with a much greater purpose.”

“And what purpose is that?”

“To ensure the continuation of our species,” she said, glancing toward my father.

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s just start with what this means for the two of you,” she redirected. “Alpha Torin tells me Luna Ayla is an Onyxcrown descendant. After witnessing the events of this evening, I have no doubt that is true. And that you are the Luna of the prophecies.”

“Prophecies? What prophecies?” Ayla asked with slight annoyance in her voice.

I knew she believed her being the Blessed One was nonsense and was growing tired of hearing about some special fate she was meant for. However, I had a feeling she wouldn’t be able to deny it much longer.

“Prophecies of the Moonstone being reconstituted,” Sister Mona stated. “I believe you have found one half of the stone recently. That is what led your father to us.

“We found a box within the tomb of our founding Luna,” I replied with confusion. “We don’t know what is inside it.”

I wasn’t sure about telling her that we knew Kingston had the other half. However, I knew he needed to be here for this. He was still the protector of his half. I told him I would respect that position.

‘Briggs,’ I linked my Beta, ‘message Kingston to come here quick.’

‘Got it,’ he replied. I saw him discreetly send a message on his phone from the corner of my eye.

“I think we all know what we will find inside that box,” Sister Mona said. “And it’s important that you do it soon. The time is almost here.”

“The time for what, Sister?” Ayla inquired.

“For your ascension.”

“Come again?” – “Excuse me?” Ayla and I spoke at once.

“Both of you,” she continued. “You are the descendants of the original families. It is your destiny to make the moonstone whole again.”

“You’ll have to forgive us, Sister Mona,” Dad said. “Our history taught to us a little differently. Prophecies and rituals haven’t been a part of our culture in a long time. Perhaps we would all benefit from a revised history lesson.”

“Yes, I suppose you are right,” she replied. She smoothed her dress and sat up a little straighter in her seat. “I suppose the best place to start would be how the Moonstone became a myth to you. In the beginning, there were only two packs. Together, they wielded the power of the Moonstone to grow our race.

With it, we thrived. Building a society and culture of our own. The two packs maintained their hold for generations. You would find small, sc attered packs of rogues here and there. But none that would ever be officially recognized as a pack. The Onyxcrown and the Sablemane would never allow it..

“Until, a thousand years ago, those sca ttered packs began to organize,” Sister Mona continued. “The Sablemane Alphas abused their ability to command their people. What we saw today with Luna Ayla was a demonstration of how great their abilities were. Many of those rogues were so because they chose to leave the packs rather than risk being commanded to do unspeakable things. They appealed to the Onyxcrown for help, but the Alpha did nothing. The rogues tried to form their own packs, but the Sablemane would attack. Break them up before they could establish themselves.”

“We know that our found Luna was a Sablemane, an Amvorov to be exact,” I interrupted. “Is that why she left her pack?”

“It was part of it,” she replied. “Matilda was the daughter of the Sablemane Alpha,/Thane. She protested against her father’s abuse of power, but her objections fell on deaf ears, were as you may have guessed.

It wasn’t until the Alpha’s sights were set on a young pack member, Lorna. A young mother with a fated mate. The Alpha wanted her for himself. However, even he couldn’t overrule a fated match. She would have to leave her mate willingly, but she wanted nothing to do with him.”

She fell quiet. We all knew the next part of her tale would be tragic.

“He wasn’t going to accept that, was he?” Ayla said, squeezing my hand.

“No, he wasn’t,” Sister Mona replied. “As punishment for refusing Alpha Thane, he commanded Lorna to kill her mate… and their child.”

Audible gasps filled the room, and Ayla’s grip on my hand tightened. As did my hold on her.

“That despicable, evil…”

“Yes, he was,” the sister agreed. “He planned to command her to become his mate. With her fated mate dead, he would have to power to do so. But Matilda was outraged by her father’s actions. She left the pack, stealing Lorna away with her, in search of a way to not only remove her father as Alpha but to strip him of his powers as well.”