Fate of the Lost Moon

Chapter 14

The late afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting warm golden rays across the living room as I sat curled up on the couch, a book resting open in my lap. My mind, however, was too restless to focus on the words before me. Instead, I found myself pondering the recent conversations with Cassandra—her excitement about becoming Luna mingled with an undercurrent of tension that was impossible to ignore.

The door creaked open, and I looked up to see Cassandra step into the room. She had that familiar sparkle in her eyes, but it felt tinged with something sharper—an edge I couldn’t quite place.

“Hey, Cass,” I said, offering her a smile that felt forced. “What’s up?”

“Just came to check on you,” she replied, her voice light but her demeanor slightly tense. “I thought we could talk.”

“Sure,” I said, my heart racing a little. “What’s on your mind?”As she sank into the armchair opposite me, I noticed her fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, a nervous habit I recognized.

“I wanted to ask how you’re feeling about everything,” she said, her eyes steady on mine. “You know, with me becoming Luna soon and all.”

“Honestly? I’m really proud of you, Cass. You’ve worked hard for this,” I replied, hoping to lighten the mood.

“Proud?” she echoed, a hint of incredulity in her voice. “That’s great to hear, but I’m not sure that’s enough.”

I blinked, taken aback. “What do you mean?”

She leaned forward, her expression serious. “I’m worried about you, Steph. About what happens when I take on this role. It’s a lot of responsibility, and having you by my side should be an asset, not a liability.”

I frowned, confusion swirling in my chest. “Liability? What do you mean?”

Cassandra sighed, running a hand through her hair, a gesture I recognized as a sign of frustration. “You know how everyone talks about you—about your wolfless status? It’s like a disease spreading. It could weaken the pack. If I’m to lead them, I can’t have anything dragging me down.”

The words hit me like a slap. I felt my heart clench in my chest. “Cass, I’m your sister. I may not have my wolf yet, but I’m still part of this family!”

“Part of this family, yes, but you’re not a full member of our world without a wolf,” she insisted, her voice rising slightly. “What if they start to doubt my leadership? What if they think I’m not strong enough to carry the weight because of you?”

“Is that really how you feel?” I asked, my voice trembling. “I thought you believed in me!”

“I do, but I can’t ignore the reality of the situation!” she snapped, the tension in her voice palpable. “You need to understand that I can’t risk everything for you. When I’m Luna, I have to make hard decisions for the good of the pack.”

I felt my cheeks heat up, a mix of anger and hurt swirling within me. “So what? If I don’t get my wolf in time, you’re just going to send me away anyway. To Silverpine, remember?”

Cassandra crossed her arms, her gaze unwavering. “If it comes to that, yes. It wouldn’t be personal, but necessary. I can’t have anyone questioning my ability to lead. I want to be a strong Luna, not a weak one.”

The weight of her words settled over me like a shroud, and I struggled to breathe through the heaviness in my chest. “You really think that little of me? That I’m just a burden?”

“It’s not about that!” she cried, the frustration spilling over. “It’s about being realistic. You’re my sister, and I love you, but I have to think about what’s best for the pack. We’re not just a family; we’re leaders.”

In that moment, the air between us felt suffocating. I could see her unwavering resolve, but it pierced me deeply. What about my dreams? What about our bond as sisters?

“I just wanted to support you,” I said quietly, feeling the sting of tears prick at the corners of my eyes. “But if you think I’m a burden, maybe I should just leave.”

Cassandra shook her head, her expression softening. “Steph, I didn’t mean it like that. I just… I need you to understand what’s at stake.”

Before I could respond, I heard the soft sound of footsteps approaching from the hallway. I glanced toward the door just in time to see Rowan stepping into view. He paused, his expression shifting as he caught sight of us. I couldn’t read his face—curiosity, concern, confusion all mixed into one.

“Hey, what’s going on?” he asked, his voice light, but the tension in the room was palpable.

I opened my mouth to reply, but Cassandra spoke first, her tone shifting back to the easy banter I was used to. “Just a little sisterly talk,” she said, forcing a smile. “Nothing too serious.”

But I could see it in his eyes—Rowan sensed something was off. “Uh-huh,” he said, his gaze darting between us. “You both look like you’ve just had a revelation.”

Cassandra laughed, but it sounded strained, almost brittle. “Nothing like that, I promise.”

Rowan’s brow furrowed slightly, as if he wasn’t convinced. “Okay. Just checking.” He shifted his weight, glancing back down the hallway. “Anyway, I was just headed to let you know that Remus is looking for you, Cass.”

“Oh my! I will go find him straight away,” she replied too quickly, rising from her seat.

As she moved toward the door, I remained seated, feeling like I was about to break into a million pieces. My sister brushed past me without a backward glance, and I wished I could call out to her, to tell her that I understood the weight of her decisions but also felt the pain of her words.

Rowan lingered a moment longer, casting a sympathetic glance my way. “You okay?” he asked softly.

I nodded, though I knew it was a lie. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

He frowned, clearly not buying it. “You sure? You can talk to me if you need to.”

I swallowed hard, knowing I didn’t want to burden him with my problems, especially when he had his own things to navigate. “I just need some time, that’s all.”

Rowan nodded slowly, concern still etched on his face as he turned to follow Cassandra out of the room. I sat there for a moment longer, feeling the weight of my sister’s expectations settle over me like a thick fog.

As the door clicked shut behind them, I was left alone, engulfed in silence and doubt. The conversation had stripped away any sense of hope I’d harbored about my sister’s support. Cassandra was right in one regard; I needed to prove myself, not just for her, but for me.

But as the shadows closed in around me, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was losing not just my place within the pack, but also my sister in the process.

Rowan’s POV

I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but the tension in the room was palpable as I walked past the open door. My instincts kicked in, and I halted, straining to hear the words exchanged between the sisters.

I could feel the heaviness in the air, the weight of unspoken truths and frustrations. Cassandra was wound tight, her words clipped and her demeanor colder than I’d ever seen her. And Steph—my heart sank as I realized how vulnerable she sounded, how hurt.

As I finally entered the room, I sensed the shift. I could see the storm brewing in Cassandra’s eyes, the way her frustration bubbled just beneath the surface. I was about to offer my support, but the moment slipped away as she and Steph exchanged tense words.

When Cassandra left, I stayed behind, my concern for Steph rising. “You okay?” I asked, catching the pain etched in her features.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” she replied, but I could tell she was far from it.

I could never stand seeing her like this—especially after all we had shared during our fake dates. The laughter, the moments of connection, and even the silly rumors that circulated about us. Like the one I’d heard recently, how we were apparently planning a secret wedding. I’d chuckled at that one, but now it felt bittersweet. I wished I could help her more, to ease whatever was weighing her down.

“You sure? You can talk to me if you need to,” I offered again, my voice softer this time.

She hesitated, and I could see the internal struggle within her. I could feel Lucius stirring inside me, wanting to comfort her as well, to reassure her that she wasn’t alone in this.

“Just give me some time,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Okay,” I nodded slowly, not wanting to push her. I felt a surge of protectiveness wash over me. Whatever was going on between her and Cassandra, I would stand by her. Lucius growled in agreement, echoing my sentiments.

As I left the room, I couldn’t shake the feeling that things were about to change. The dynamic between the sisters felt fragile, and I wondered how long it would last. I needed to keep an eye on Steph, to ensure she had someone in her corner, especially now that the weight of being Luna was about to settle on Cassandra’s shoulders.

As I walked down the hallway, I overheard a few pack members gossiping about Stephanie. I stopped, listening intently as they whispered.

“Did you hear? They say Rowan and Stephanie are practically inseparable,” one said.

“Yeah, and some even say he might be her mate,” another added, chuckling. “What a twist!”

A grin tugged at the corners of my mouth at their speculation, but my amusement quickly faded as I thought of the real challenges we faced. I knew I’d do anything to protect her, even if that meant standing against the tide of pack expectations.

As I continued on, I couldn’t help but hope that maybe, just maybe, those rumors would turn out to be true—because if anyone deserved a happy ending, it was Stephanie.