Luna

Chapter 47

Perturbation (n)

· Anxiety: mental unease

Matthew

Soft snores and a steady heartbeat fill my ears as I watch the love of my life sleep peacefully beside me. Her naked body is pressed into mine, and her soft breath gently caresses my chest. As my eyes wander across her perfect face, I can't help but conclude that I have been cursed.

Cursed by the moon for reasons unknown to me, but she surely must hate me, for there is no other reason for putting me in such turmoil. True, our nature has never guaranteed us everlasting happiness, nor has it guaranteed peaceful living, but I want it for once in my life. I need it.

I want to protect my female from this world. To keep her and the pups hidden from the world. Take them back to my pack, where I know they will be safe. A place where I know my people will guard them with their lives, but I can't. Not without telling her everything.

I know she can tell there's something I am purposefully keeping away from her. I've known it from the first day, yet she hasn't brought it up. I am not naïve to think she would continue to ignore the part of the bond I have purposefully hidden away, especially when it keeps growing, but part of me hopes that she will. At least until I am ready.

The erratic beating of my heart fills my ears like it does every night, and I continue looking at her to calm myself, but it's of no use as the witches parting words haunt me.

"If I may have the last word before you leave," Lana spoke as I began to take my leave. "Don't keep your true self hidden much longer. While the others may be naïve to your true nature, I'm not. No wolf – regardless of his rank – survives his mate's rejection, let alone their death. And as her powers continue to grow, she too will detect the spell cast to hide your true nature."

A turmoil of emotions erupted as I stared at the witch whose gaze remained transfixed on me, seemingly reading through me. Conall's agitation and anger simmered deep within as I stared back at her with a face masked from all emotions.

She was skating on thin ice, challenging me in ways I could not fathom and seemingly implied to a notion she knew I would neither agree nor disagree with.

"Your people have always been credited for being smart," she continued, making my jaw twitch and fists clench in anticipation of her following words. "So, I always wondered how you went extinct."

As soon as the words flowed out of her mouth, I put a tighter guard on myself. Anger radiated from my form, to which she visibly recoiled slightly but didn't back down, and I became anxious. She knows. After over two centuries of living under the radar, someone knows.

"Your species began dwindling in number over three centuries ago. We all assumed you had gone extinct by the time the werewolves started battling for power, but I see my sister helped you seal your lycanthropy, and instead of a beast, now you have a wolf."

"Your sister?"

"Yes," she continued, "Lavinia. The great oracle of King Germanus. She died shortly after the shift in the regime when casting a spell to strengthen the magic protecting King Germanus' people. But you should know. You are the one who requested it. An oracle who has pledged their life to a king must continue serving his people as long as his lineage continues. And a request from the king's offspring, regardless of how dangerous it may be, is as good as a command, especially when he is first in line for the throne.

And though your father may have kept you away from the public, I know the son of King Germanus when I see him. My sister's magic is strong. Strong enough to deter even me from the truth for such a time. But after sitting in the same room as you for just over fifteen minutes, I see through the cracks. You need to tell her the truth before she finds out herself, your highness."