Luna Rising

FIFTY TWO

I trained hard, more challenging than I had ever before.

Boran's training method is different than my dad's. He wasn't strict or aggressive with us, but he was patient.

Whereas my dad, I trained non-stop with him, finding weaknesses and building up my magic to create a more substantial attack move. I even do endurance to give me the adrenaline and speed to catch up with Dad.

Dad is much stronger and faster than I am. I could only keep up with him sometimes, eventually failing to take him down. Dad's methods are exhausting.

It's been a few days since I came to this cave. I trained, studied about demons, their laws, and my lineage, spent time with my parents, and got to know the fairies here as they taught me a little bit of their magic. I learned that they associate themselves with the Fae Queen, Bisera. When I told them I was friends with her, they all cheered with joy.

I got to live a peaceful life with my parents and these creatures here, but in my heart, I miss my friends, the farmhouse, and Dominic.

I sigh as I dip a finger in the crystal waters that contact healing magic. I swirl around and watch the glitter effect. A wood fairy latches on my hand, giving himself a ride. All the other fairies with him joined in.

"Lippy, what's wrong, child?"

I look over my shoulder to see Dad standing there. I sat up and pulled on frown. "I haven't received any mind links from my friends. I don't know what happened. Why can't I contact them?"

Dad crouches down to sit next to me. "The magic of the giant tree protects this whole cave. Any magic outside can not be entered."

"Is it because you don't want anyone, including Demir and his goons, to find this place?"

"Yes," he nods. "It's the only way to keep your Mom safe as she recovers."

I look over at the tree.

Mom has finally recovered but has not woken up yet. I stayed not only to train but to see Mom.

Dad kept reminding me that her soul wasn't fully intact, only her body. It will take more than a few days to wake her up. And the only way was to feed her blood from the heart daily.

I was not too fond of the method.

Dad had to stab himself in the heart and feed her his blood. I've seen him do it once, but after that, I look away. I wish Mom would wake up soon, but it pains me to see Dad do this daily to his heart. I know he has healing abilities, but doing that daily breaks my heart.

Dad would reassure me it didn't hurt, but if it were the only method to bring my Mom back, he would do anything.

"Do you miss your friends?" Dad asks curiously, yet the tone is as if I'll be leaving him.

I understand how he feels, and we just found each other. I don't want to sound desperate to look for my friends, but being away from Dominic is killing me.

I had endured this feeling since I arrived here, and I could sense his desperation to find me. I felt a zap of mind link from him, but because of the magic barrier, it had blocked him. Even Kaze can't shadow jump.

"I do." I look at Dad and reach for his hand. "It's been days since I left, and they are probably worried about where I am. Is there a way to contact them? Saye, Arlo, and Jippies will be happy to see you."

"Ah, Karam's children. It's been a while since I last saw them."

"It's not just them, but you get to meet Camila, Takkar, and Kaze," I chirped.

I told stories about my friends and how I'm a guardian to two young minors.

"It would be nice to meet them."

"So, is that a yes?" I batter my eyelashes.

His red eyes stare at me as if I'm hiding something from him. "Is there nobody else you didn't mention?"

I swallowed hard as it also made my heart skip a beat. "W-What do you mean?" I'm laughing it off, but it seems Dad wasn't going to stop questioning.

"A certain werewolf."

I yelped and backed away in shock.

I thought Dad didn't know my life stories, and I did tell him stories about Camila and the others but not Dominic. I didn't say to him about growing up in a werewolf pack and how miserable living there was. If Dad knew I was being bullied, he would destroy everyone. I can't let that happen. Marcus and Lisa weren't bad people, though they didn't have my back. But I love them nonetheless.

"I-I don't know what you are talking about, Dad," I stutter. "There is no werewolf."

Dad lifts a brow as I try to look away. Every time I peek at him, he still stares at me.

"Don't need to hide it, love. I heard you talk to your mother about him."

Oh crap!

He heard me talking to Mom about Dominic and how much I miss him and love him—wishing to be with him because being away from Dominic was killing me.

I couldn't handle this pressure.

I wasn't sure to tell him about Dominic and me. If Dad learned that Dominic was the one who broke my heart, I could imagine the chaos he would bring hunting down my mate. I didn't tell him about being reincarnated because Dominic was the one who killed me in my past life.

But if I tell him Dominic is my mate, and by the law of all species, including demons and angels, he can not harm him because it will harm me. I read in the books here that their rule for finding a mate is the same. The problem is it's only effective if both parties have done the Mating Ritual.

If that's the case, Dad will kill him.

Fuck!

"Lippy."

"There is no werewolf," I retort back to him. "Dominic and I-" I clumped my mouth with my hand once I mentioned the name.

"So, his name is Dominic?"

I pinched my lips and let out a troubled sigh. The cat is out of the bag, and I can't hide it forever. "Dad, before you say anything. Dominic and I had our upside down. He hurt me once, but everything was resolved. He and I are mates. We haven't done the ritual. But if you hurt him, I will tell Mom and won't speak to you."

Dad held up his hand. "I didn't say anything, and already you threatened me - twice using your mother." He chuckles.

"I'm serious, Dad," I cross my arms. "Dominic and I will be together and raise Michael as our own."

I also told Dad about his nephew and his background of being Demir's vessel. It made Dad furious that his brother used a forbidden art by using another body, especially if it was his son.

"I understand," Dad pulls me in an embrace. "I will have the chief open the portal to where your friends are and have them come over."

I lifted my head, and my eyes beamed. "Really?"

"Of course," he pinched my cheek lightly. "Besides meeting Karam's children, your friends, and your mate. I want to meet my nephew, and maybe I can do something about the seed."

I jumped for joy and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, Dad. I will let Chief Hamrock open the portal." I say and dash away to find the chief.