Luna Rising

SIXTY NINE

I pace around the room Dominic used to stay in when visiting occasionally.

My anxiety as a new parent and the need to learn about Camila's curse is crucial.

I paused, trying to devise a plan and visit the library's secret archives that only the Elders and their spouses and assistants are allowed.

I groaned and ruffled my hair in frustration.

"Hey, hey, you are going to peel that beautiful head of yours," Dominic stopped me, pulled my hands away, and gently rubbed my head.

"Nicky..." turning to face him with a desperate look.

Dominic smiled and then pulled me in his arms. "I know how frustrated but Michael is fine with his grandma."

When Bibi took Michael away, we followed to the main hall and found all the queens surrounding the child. Ingrid had the child in her arms while the other queens played with him, gave him gifts, and loved him like any grandmother would do to spoil their grandchild.

Being a half-demon, the queens quickly accepted him. But if they knew who his biological father was, what would they think?

I didn't want to interrupt their playtime, but I needed Bibi. But she was too busy with Michael. The only ones who greeted us were Ephraim and the other kings. He told us when it comes to babies, their spouses tend to be in their little world and just let them be. So, these queens have a weakness with babies.

I learned that Bibi has two; a son and a daughter. The son, Lorcan, I've met before, but as for the daughter never seen but heard she is pretty beautiful like her mother. Sheila has five children, two older sons who already have mates, and set triplets of girls who just recently hatched a few months ago.

I didn't know she was pregnant then, but I guess birth rates in supernaturals are different than in humans. Vanessa, the Vampire Queen, has two sons and one daughter. I don't know much about them, but Dominic told me to stay away from the eldest, Remus.

Dominic mentioned Remus is the next in line after his father, but he's extremely dangerous. I don't know what makes him want me to be cautious around Remus, but Dominic wants me to avoid him, then I'll listen.

Although I'm curious.

As for Ingrid, she only gave birth to one child, and that is Dominic's father. It was a story I never knew.

Before Ingrid married Ephraim, she was infertile. Ingrid was engaged before, but when the news of her infertility, the engagement was off. Her ex-fiancé didn't want a useless woman who couldn't bare his children. So, because of her parent's pride, they had the sister wed the ex-fiancé and had Ingrid sent as a sacrificial bride to the Werewolf King.

Ingrid's family thought having her sacrificed will bless them. What the family didn't know about Ingrid being a powerful summoner was their loss. And after falling in love with Ephraim and becoming his wife, the Moon Goddess blessed her.

A baby.

It was a miracle that Ingrid could have a child when she was infertile. But during that pregnancy was a challenge, and she almost lost her life. After Marcus was born, Ingrid could never have another child as it was a one-time gift from the Moon Goddess.

"Michael is fine," Dominic reassured again. "At least it will give us alone time."

"Speaking of alone time."

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Dominic wiggles his brows.

I lightly slap his arm as he chuckles. "Not that, you beast. I mentioned that thing I told you with our mind link."

"Is it about Camila?"

I nodded.

Dominic let his arms go and crossed them over his chest. "You do know that Clay and Camila are-"

"Yes," I sighed. " I know."

"Then what's the problem? Once she turns eighteen, the feeling of one's mate will be strong."

"Camila doesn't know, but she feels it just...denying it. But she's scared."

Dominic let out a sigh as well, then sat down on the bed. "Everybody gets scared. I know I was when I found out you were my mate. I was in pain and questioned if I was the right man for you to be a part of your life."

He ran his fingers through his hair before looking up at me. "Then, after you've been through from your first life, I was seconds of leaving you after...after what I've done. I hurt you."

"Nicky," I hug his head against my stomach. "Why are you still thinking about it? It's all in the past."

"I know, but-" his arms squeezed around my waist. "I still think about it. I don't want to lose you ever again."

I brush his hair, then lift his face to see mine. "I told you. I will never leave you." Then plant a kiss on his head.

"I know."

His arms trembled around my waist, and I sensed he wasn't okay. I know I shouldn't have told him about my recent past. I knew it would affect him, and it was better it came from me than somebody else.

"As for the Camila and Clay situation," he pulls back and wipes his nose.

After feeling sentimental about Dominic's minor mental breakdown, and his anxiety that I will leave him, I need to ease his mind that I will never leave him even if death himself tries to separate us.

But the topic needs to be put away and bring the other up for discussion.

"As I said," keeping my hands around his neck. "Camila is a we're-jaguar, and her tribe only consists of females."

"And the males?"

"A different tribe."

"Why the segregation?" Dominic questioned. "I've met other shifters but never the werejaguar, unaware of their tradition."

"The reason for separating the female and male jaguars was because of their ancestor that happened five hundred years ago."

I told Dominic the story about the curse of the black jaguars and what happened to their mates. It was a disturbing story, but Dominic listened through without questioning.

After I finished, he got up and turned his back to face me.

"So you're saying Clay will die?"

"That's why I need to talk to Bibi if she knows something about the curse and how to break it," I told him. "Since she's older than the other queens."

"That's true; fairies and elves have been around for centuries."

"I need more information about the curse and how to break it before Camila turns eighteen in a month."

"Is that why we are here?"

"That is partly the reason, but I did promise your grandfather to train the people ." I pull on a small smile and then land flat on the bed with a heavy sigh. "There is so much to do before the Blood Moon, and I got a full plate of concerns and worries. It's just too much for me to handle on my own."

There are the ferals, Camila and Clayton, Boran's sickness, and Demir.

There is so much to handle that I'm not invisible at all.

Dominic takes my hands. "You are not alone, Lippy. I'm here, and everyone else who has your back," he embraces me. "So, don't worry. Together we can figure this out."

"I know," I wrapped my arms around him tight. "I trust you."