The Royal Alpha, & Loyal Luna

45. And Hope You Find Peace .

"As soon as the sun peaks over the mountains, we head in. No hesitation. No questions. No mercy."

I stood far in the back of Grey, watching as he gave the pack their We're Storming The Castle speech. It was something I thought I would be annoyed by, but was grateful for. I wasn't in the mental state to give a pep talk. Let's kill and try not to be killed. Yep, that just about summed it up.

"How are you holding up?" Gabe perched on a stump close by me.

"I feel my pack. They're anxious."

"And you?"

"I'm them.. anxious too." I looked over at him. "Why aren't you over there getting the pep talked out of you?"

"All the pep talk I need is right here. And safe, back on Aureate Moon land."

"Tino." I smiled softly. "When this is over," And if I'm still alive, "I'm going to get to know him. Love him like how family should. I hope I can do that for him."

He smiled up at me. "I think he'd say you already have."

"The only way I can show him I care about him right now is to eliminate anything, anyone out to hurt him. And that's by stopping Minette and the Royals."

"You know, it's okay to call her your mother, Nova. That doesn't make you evil."

"No? Then what does that make me?"

"Human."

I scoffed. "I feel far from it. Like I never was."

"You very much are. And the fact that you're dreading this, no matter how necessary it is, proves it. She's still your mom."

"Yeah.." But she won't be much longer.

When I looked up, Grey was making his way over to us. Gabe took the hint and flashed off through the trees, probably to find Gio and annoy him one last time before shit really started to hit the fan, break it, and spiral out of control. Not that it already hadn't.

"If you're coming over here to pick a fight-"

"On the contrary, I'm coming to apologize." Said while still clearly angry. "You know I wouldn't.. I.. there is no excuse for me raising a hand to you." And to my surprise—which alone, I was surprised that I could still be surprised at this point in my life—he knelt on one knee and bowed. "I am sorry, Nova. But I'm not sorry for feeling the way I do. You don't trust me and your actions have shown me that."

Those dark brows clouded over his eyes when I laughed. "You think that's what this is about? Me not trusting you? Grey.." I knelt down in front of him, touching his cheek lightly. As if this hulk of a man would break under me. And with what I had going on inside of me, he probably could. "I didn't want to kill you."

He was confused by my admission. The smoothness of his face wrinkled in concern as he watched me with uncertain eyes.

"Had anyone else slapped me, I would've ripped their freaking heart out." I smiled, morbidly. "You though.. we trust you."

He looked at me with sad eyes for a brief moment, then kissed me just as sadly. "I'm going to kill whoever made wulphed.. and hope you find peace in seeing them suffer like you have." It was the only way he could truly convey he loved me right now, I could tell by the urgency in his soft words of vengeance, the desperation in his voice.

He didn't want to fix me by changing me, he wanted to fix me by breaking who was responsible for breaking me. And I would grant him the satisfaction. He had been so composed and patient with me in our time together, now.. now it was time to unleash Alpha Greyden Krem.

"Who would've thought I'd miss the days of your innocent stalking and sneaking takeout in my room?" I chuckled, but it was dry, filled with worry and apprehension that I tried to mask around the others.

"We'll be back to our old shenanigans before you know it, sweetheart. You deserve to be happy."

"I'm happiest with you. Even if I can't show it the right way right now."

"You're focused on the mission at hand, you're a luna," He dropped his voice, "A goddess. You have much more at stake than worrying about me right now."

"Wait, you.. you know?"

He laughed. "Nova, don't forget. I've been at this a lot longer than you, my entire life. I've heard the stories, the many tales of the wolves before us. The Coven of Spirits. The Moa People. The Enju's, the Lunar's. All of their stories is what my people have thrived off of for years, even before me. Before my parents and so on. I know a goddess when I'm in the presence of one, the air is different. Their eyes. The feel of your mind, it's you, but.. more. I wasn't sure at first because I'd only read stories and heard them, but I heard Gio call you by title. You're not just a Royal, Nova, you're a got damn god. I knew, I've always known.. you were meant for such much more."

"And even so.. I just.. want to be your supernova again."

"Oh, baby.." This kiss was harder, his anger from earlier ebbing away. "You've never stopped."

"Alphas." Kale approached with his head bowed.

"You're in trouble with Grey, not me. Look at me, Kale." No, I didn't want my friends to see me any differently, or treat me any differently. I just wanted to be Nova to them. I just wanted him to look at me with that same annoyed smile he always had since I came crashing into their lives.

"That would be the greatest disrespect."

I looked to Grey. "What the hell did you say to him?"

Kale shook his head. "It wasn't anything he said, you're a-"

I shot up, covering his mouth right as the word crept from his lips. "Some people might have a clue, but let's not blurt out the answer, yeah? We don't know who could be watching, if we have rats, or what the pack would say if they knew a part of their goddess chose me of all mutts to, you know.." I eyed him cautiously. "Bless." I whispered.

"I understand." He muffled, still not wanting to make eye contact with me. I removed my hand. "You do understand that some of our wolves are well-versed in their history. They'll know a.." He let the sentence drift off. "When they see one."

"One problem at a time, 'kay?" I smiled at him. And when he fully met eyes with me, I hugged him. "Oh, how I've missed getting on your nerves."

I felt him relax and bring his arms around to hug me back. "Likewise.. Nova."

"Speaking of," I pulled away from him to look at Grey, "Remind me again why you're mad at him?"

Grey opened his mind up to me, showing me his past dealings while I had been away.

"Well, damn.. I like Kalen better than Gio."

Grey shook his head while Kale laughed. "It's good to have you back, Luna." He looked over to Grey. "Things will be better, I can feel it."

"Me too." I hugged him again.

"Things will get worse before they get better." And even though his words rang true, he still put his arms around us and squeezed. His scent washing over me in pleasant, calming waves.

"I don't know what the hell's going on over here." Gio walked up with a confused expression. "But it's time. Sun's about to rise."

We all took a moment to bask in one another's silent company, watching together as the sun's first rays broke over the hills in the distance.

And then we advanced.