Healing Hearts

C H A P T E R | 35

Luna Hannah glanced around at the kids, smiling towards herself. "Tell me, little wolves, did you know the story of the Moon Goddess' daughter?"

Marley stared at her, not blinking as the kids shook their heads.

"Wait," a small voice yelled, "wasn't the wolf her daughter?"

Marley nodded her head, "We are all her children."

"But," Luna Hannah interrupted, "we are different. She created us. Her daughter, she gave birth to her."

"A baby Moon Goddess?" A girl whispered, smiling, "and she's a girl!"

Layla leaned towards her mate, sensing curiosity in Marley's aura, "Have you heard of this story before? I never knew She had a biological daughter."

Marley shook her head, making sure everyone was focused on Luna Hannah. Even Gabby started asking questions, mainly proof. "Some stories aren't meant to reach the ears of outsiders; there's a lot of stories I never got told — wasn't old enough."

"The pup got lost in the stars," Hanna said simply. "Some say the Sun God, the father, took her, and the Moon Goddess couldn't follow — maybe She didn't need to."

Marley leaned into Layla, "The Sun God kept the day shorter when the Moon Goddess came to visit. We praise him too, but He's more like a side kick."

Luna Hannah raised her eyebrows at Marley, "Be careful, Sunshine. Do not speak ill of Him, even if you are joking." She turned back the pups, glancing at the sky, "I think it's about time we all head home."

"No," a little girl whined, shaking her head. One of  her tiny hands quickly gripped the grass while the other one grabbed onto Marley's ankle. "I want more stories, please!"

The Luna smiled, shaking her head, "We can't go through all the stories we have; plus, I think you have already stayed past your bedtime, little wolf."

"I have no bedtime!" The girl screamed as he parents started to come closer and closer. "Mama," she whined, "I want to hear more stories!"

The mother giggled behind her hand, but her eyes had a stern look to them. "Bugs, I think you're getting a little cranky, and I'm sure Luna Hannah and Marley would, when they have time, tell more stories for you if you ask nicely."

Marley nodded her head, "Maybe when everything has calmed down, Hannah and I will tell you more stories."

*•*•*•*•*

"You think we can wake up the Luna and the Alpha," Marley asked, practically bouncing on her toes thinking about speaking to her uncle and aunt again. "Like right now?"

Luna Hannah shook her head, "No, I need more time to rest. I would have gone to them first, but they have guards guarding the doors and I don't need to have my pack getting in trouble for my actions. They already have enough to deal with."

"Like with your mate and that other she-wolf?"

Hannah nodded her head, "Yes, Marley. He's tearing apart his pack loyalties — he turned his back to the Moon Goddess, and now, the pack must face the consequences."

Layla and Gabby watched as Hannah and Marley spoke to each other — neither one of them wanting to join their conversation.

"Has he fully rejected you or are you going to reject him?" Marley asked, nudging her old babysitter.

Hannah deadly chuckled, "I need to ask the Council for permission, but I'm going to have to do it if he isn't going to. I'll probably move back to the Healing Moon Pack, and take up some job to deal with my Luna authority."

"Luna authority?" Marley hummed, "If you want to maintain that, you should come to the next meeting — maybe then, the pack you mated into will have some sort of advice to bring."

Rolling her eyes, Hannah laughed, "They being warriors and good enough war strategies."

"Really though," Marley added, "we are going to go see the Beta, and I think you should be there." She shoved her hands in her coat pockets, which Layla gave to her. "I'm trying to be the one to talk to him. I need to do this — for myself and for my pack."

"You want to face the man who abused you and your family? Marley," Hannah turned towards the younger she-wolf,  "you don't have to prove anything to anyone."

Marley groaned, coming her hands over her face, "It's not that! I know I can get him to talk; how do you think I escaped? You listen to them, you get them cocky and then they just start giving out information."

"I understand that Marley, but you don't need to put yourself on the line — not anymore."

Marley was about to snap back, but Luna Hannah shook her head.

"I'll go to the meeting, if you are not the one offering to talk to him. Also, stop calling him Beta, one needs to earn that title, do you understand me?"

Marley thought for a moment, pouting her lip out before signing. "Fine, I won't volunteer."

"Good."

"Fine," Marley agreed, crossing her arms over her chest. She perked up for a second, knowing how to get two things she wanted — Luna Hannah didn't even noticed as she turned around to face Gabby and Layla.

"Are you two going to stand there all night?" She questioned, her eyes were narrowed at them but she looked at them differently than before.

Gabby chuckled, "Luna Hannah, we are just enjoying the nice evening weather."

Layla was flabbergasted when Hannah started to laugh. She leaned closer to her friend, "What's happening? I've never seen her so relax before."

"Hannah," Marley started, "what's the Moon Goddess' daughter story?"

Luna Hannah shook her head, "I expect you two to get Marley home safe." The youngest she-wolf rolled her eyes, and Hannah turned back to talk to her. "That story still doesn't have an ending, but I'll tell you more tomorrow," she answered before tuning away and heading towards where her pack was resting.

———— A U T H O R N O T E | 36 ————

Sorry for the late update. Over the weekend, I was studying for my finals — they have priority. Anyways, it's better late than never!

QQ (#42): Are you in school? If so, what classes are you taking and what are you going to or are majoring?