Time Skipped Luna

REST IN PEACE

ALMIRA

It had already been two days since Aquil told me my parents had been innocent all along. Since then, I had barely stepped outside the guest room they prepared for me.

The omegas brought my meals three times a day. The pack doctor and healers checked on me every morning and evening, asking the same questions over and over.

"Any headaches?"

"Did you remember anything new?"

"How are you feeling today, Luna?"

I always gave them the same generic answer. To them, I somehow lost my memories. The truth is far more jarring, but if I told them the truth, they might assume I was already losing my mind. After all, the sudden memory loss was already confusing enough.

The doctor told me to bed rest, but I've been feeling okay since yesterday. The only reason why I was still isolating myself was because I couldn't bear to look at anyone without getting angry at the world.

Just like how I believed since the beginning, my parents were innocent all along. Because of a careless decision and judgment they didn't deserve, they died traitors to the pack.

I hugged my knees tighter as I sat on the edge of the bed. The morning sunlight were already pouring in the room through the window.

For the past two days, I secretly wished I would wake up back in my own time. Back to the night I crossed the territory markers and leave this pack forever so I can avoid this future no matter what.

That way, I could still save myself from ever marrying Aquil.

But if that happens, I would go back to a present where my mom and dad were still traitors.

I needed to understand what had happened to me, why I was here and more importantly, how my parents were proven innocent.

I stood from the bed and prepared myself to get out, trying my best to stay calm and hopefully unnoticed by anyone.

Unfortunately, I immediately crossed paths with omegas serving the place.

They lowered their heads respectfully as I passed.

"Good morning, Luna."

I nodded awkwardly, “Good morning..."

They walked away while I slowed my steps, still alienated at being called a Luna by the very people who used to push me around.

Not only that, I was also called a guardian wolf. Yet nobody had properly explained it to me. If only I could talk to Sebastian again, then maybe he could explain it to me.

My thoughts were interrupted by hurried footsteps echoing through the corridor.

"Mama!"

I lifted my gaze and saw Avery running towards me.

"Avi..." I muttered, holding him instinctively after he halted in front of me.

He was smiling so enthusiastically even though we haven't seen each other in two days. I didn't know what Aquil told him, but he looked more excited than disappointed.

"Come!"

He tugged my hand, and casually brought me to another direction.

"Where are we going?"

"To eat!"

I couldn't help but smile at his determination, and might be the first time I did in two days. He was definitely stronger than any pup with his wolf manifesting so early, but he was being very gentle with me.

Before long, we reached the kitchen and stopped by the doorway.

My eyes widened, expecting omegas busy cooking breakfast. Instead, I saw Aquil. He was wearing a simple dark shirt with the sleeves rolled up beneath the black apron.

He looked up at the same moment and gave me a look like he was caught doing something illegal.

"Almira, you're here." He quickly recovered before clearing his throat. "I... made breakfast."

I stared at him in pure disbelief. An alpha, cooking?

Was this really the same man who hated me and mocked me for my existence?

"Avery really misses you."

His gaze briefly shifted toward the little boy still clinging to me.

"I was hoping you could join us.”

I instinctively wanted to refuse but when I glanced at Avery's eyes gleaming with expectation, the rejection immediately died in my chest.

“Alright," I agreed.

Avery's smile immediately returned and practically danced into the kitchen.

I escorted him out of the kitchen before he could knock anything out and a number of omegas immediately began bringing dishes onto the dining table.

My eyes never left them. A few days ago, that had been my old life. I would have been the one carrying those plates, serving everyone and quietly waited if I could eat any leftovers.

I awkwardly sat down, pulling a chair for myself before someone do.

Everything still felt wrong.

Aquil helped Avery climbed to his chair with a booster seat so he could reach the table. His legs swung beneath the table while he excitedly looked between the simple dishes in front of us.

Avery immediately grabbed his spoon and tried eating by himself, only for half the food he scooped to land back onto the table.

"Here."

I scooped a spoonful and he immediately opened his mouth.

"Yum yum!"

I couldn't stop the smile appearing on my face with his happy contented sounds. I also started eating while he was busy chewing his food.

The familiar taste immediately caught my attention. I tasted the soup and it tasted familiar too. It was the same food I've been eating every morning...

I glanced at Aquil who seemed to have figured out the question already forming in my mind.

"When you became pregnant with Avi, you became extremely sensitive to food. You could barely stomach meals prepared by anyone else."

He scratched the back of his head. “I got desperate and learned to cook. I was hoping it'll make you remember somehow...”

I couldn't say anything. The Aquil I remembered would never willingly enter a kitchen. Much less spend hours learning to cook for me.

The dining room was momentarily filled solely by Avery's happy eating, oblivious to the struggle I feel for simply staying here.

Breakfast ended eventually and Avery tugged my hand again.

“Mama, outside."

I was once again tugged somewhere before I could protest. To my surprise, he suddenly shifted halfway. His wolf ears appeared on his head and everything else followed.

He rolled across the floor until his clothes slipped free from his wolf form.

"Avery!"

I hurried after him as he dash outside. I could hear his giggles through mind link.

I chased after him, surprised that I could match his pace.

We entered the woods and Avery casually darted between trees after trees while I was still wondering how I haven't been feeling like I was dying just from running. My legs doesn't hurt either.

If this had been five years ago, I wouldn't have lasted even half this distance.

Avery slowed, distracted by something. I looked ahead and realized we were near the pack's cemetery.

I barely came here. After all, the pack cemetery was reserved for honored wolves. My parents weren't among those people.

My eyes wandered across the rows of carefully maintained graves. Fresh flowers rested before many of them.

I felt envy I shouldn't feel, but then I saw two familiar names at two tombstones besides each other.

Richard Ashmyr.

Lovely Eliza Ashmyr.

I slowly approached, wondering if I was just hallucinating but it was real. Fresh flowers had been placed before both headstones.

The graves were clean, and obviously well-maintained, too.

They hadn't even been allowed proper burials and their bodies were discarded near the edge of the far end of the pack territory.

If a friend of them hadn't dug a grave for them, they could have rotten like that.

But now...they rested here. Finally, in peace.

My knees slowly touched the ground. I reached toward the cool stone.

“You can finally rest." I whispered, feeling the relief I hadn't felt in years.

Fresh tears slipped silently down my cheeks. I slowly wiped it away and carefully arranged the flowers set for both graves.

I heard calm steps beside me and found Avery approaching.

“Grandma, Grandpa,” he said through mindlink, resting his head on my side as if trying to comfort me.

I was still slightly surprised with how casual he sounded, as if it was normal for him to visit here and acknowledge my parents as his.

I gently rested my hand on his head.

"Yes, Avi. Grandpa and Grandma.”

Avery stayed quiet and respectfully waited for me even though he was so excited earlier. He understood silence and respect are needed when we were in this place.

I looked between both graves and felt the determination I carefully gathered earlier grow heavily in my chest. My parents were innocent and they have already uncovered the truth. That means evidence had already existed in this time.

I have to get my hands on it, and when I find a way to go back to my real time, I could prove their innocence too and expose whoever framed my parents.

It was too late to save them, but I could still change my present and future.

I slowly closed my eyes.

"I promise. I will learn the truth and find my way back.”