The Rise

Chapter Fifteen

"What is it?" I found myself asking, but it wasn't my voice.

Aeron wrapped his arms around my shoulders and rested his chin on one. Ever since the night he killed Damon, I have shivered in disgust just thinking about him touching me, but now, for some strange reason, I felt so much comfort in it. We gazed out into the deep night. "Look at all of the stars."

An infinite number of white specks were painted onto the night's canvas. "There are so many of them," I breathed.

He pointed to a star just above the forest which laid in front of us. "Out of all of the stars, that one's my favorite," he whispered in my ear, drawing me closer. "Her name is Maia."

I found myself smiling. "What a beautiful name." It sounded like my name.

"In Roman mythology, the name means the goddess of growth."

My hand grazed over the bump on my stomach. "The Goddess of Growth..." I whispered to myself.

"What do you think? It's a strong name for a goddess. She will become the next Moon Goddess after you. Your species is in need of growth, My Beautiful Luna. They are a starved and thirsty species, hungry for nourishment."

I pressed my lips together and took a step back, offended that he would question my rule over the wolves. "My species is none of your concern, Aeron."

A knot formed between his brows, and he took his hand off of me. "I apologize. I'm just trying to help you out. I don't want to see your light burn out. I love watching you illuminate in my darkness."

He has said those words to me so many times, yet this time felt different. I was different. I wasn't Mae - I knew it.

I shook my head and brushed my fingertips against his bare chest, watching those stars sparkle. "No, I am sorry. These hormones and this Challenger problem has been just getting to me."

A smile tugged at his lips. "It's okay, My Beauty." He trailed his large hand over my stomach.

"John and I will think the name over," I said, gazing over at him.

His jaw clenched. "You should be thinking the name over with her true father."

"Aeron, please... don't start this again. John is her true father. He's the only man I've slept with."

"Yet, you lay with me every night."

I huffed, taking his hand off of my stomach. "Aeron, you're not my daughter's father."

"And, why would you think that? Tell me Luna. You've been having your visions of the future lately. Tell me what you've seen."

I clenched my jaw. Thoughts raced through my mind – thoughts I knew I've never had before.

Should I tell him? Would he be angry with me? Would he interpret the dream as she was his daughter?

No. I knew she couldn't be. At least, I didn't want her to be.

The power that radiated off of the daughter inside of me was immense; much greater than I expected. Could she hold this much power and only be a demi-goddess? Could this much power just come from me and a human?

"My last vision was of her and John. They were living a peaceful life in our home by themselves," I said.

"That doesn't mean he's her father," Aeron continued.

"If he is or if he isn't, he will be her father. He will act like one because he deserves to be."

"Can a measly human protect such a powerful bein-"