The Luna’s Legacy

Chapter Two: The Beauty Of Hotep

***Rosemary's POV***

"Welcome to Hotep Island. I'm Mariposa, and I'll be showing you to your rooms. Please follow me," greeted a sweet, petite Asian woman, her silver and white hair neatly pulled into a tight bun.

She wore flowing, silky white robes that trailed behind her like billowing smoke, and her uplifting presence was immediately contagious, I liked her.

Richard had dropped us off on Hotep Island, where two white jeeps awaited our arrival. We journeyed up narrow, scarcely visible roads hidden by dense, lush foliage. The rich scent and humidity from the tropical plants were unforgettable. The air was fresh and pure, evoking memories of freshly cut grass and the greenhouse back home where I loved to retreat for quiet reading and solitude.

As we drove, soft fern fronds brushed against my skin, their velvety texture guiding us toward the island’s center where our accommodations awaited.

Hotep was pure paradise—a place that filled my soul with peace and tranquility. Towering palm trees unfurled like colossal umbrellas with dark, luxuriant leaves, while thick, rope-like vines clung to them. Their vivid green hue reminded me of the little green field snakes Alexander and I used to catch back home.

Every imaginable color of hibiscus dotted the forest like a pastel rainbow—pinks, blues, yellows, purples, and whites. The air was heavy with the fragrances of flowers, moss, and coconuts as I took in a deep breath, cherishing each moment of this enchanting habitat. The melodious songs of exotic birds echoed through the treetops.

We soon approached the island’s center, where a vast dome-like structure of white stone emerged from a tangle of vines and moss—a sight reminiscent of Roman Empire buildings from the books I had read.

White cockatiels perched on the thick, vine-like tendrils that stretched out like bony fingers toward the brilliant blue sky and golden sun. The expansive, glassless windows afforded stunning views of Hotep Island.

Outside, beneath a large stone arch draped in wild pink roses, Mariposa waited with a friendly, dimpled smile. The heady scent of the roses was comforting, evoking memories of my mother's warm, welcoming presence.

Inside the stone building, wild plants clung to the walls, their leaves resembling dark green hearts flecked with gold. The stone floor was scattered with crunchy, dried leaves in tones of green and brown that made a satisfying sound under my sandals. White and gold butterflies flitted through the corridors as Mariposa guided us to our rooms.

"After I show you your rooms, feel free to explore the island as you wish. If you're hungry, just ring the crystal bells in your rooms, and one of our staff members will bring food to you. All you need is already there along with your luggage," Mariposa explained as she led us through the stone hallways.

While Alexander and I marveled at the unique surroundings, Nana, Poppa, Mom, and Dad moved ahead. Although Crystal Lake was stunning in its own right—a little slice of heaven—I adored this hidden tropical gem even more. It felt as if it held countless secrets waiting to be discovered.

"Look, it’s a white bunny!" Ella announced excitedly, her ears perked in anticipation.

I glanced at the stone floor and indeed, a white bunny hopped past me.

"This place is incredible," Mom remarked as she trailed her fingers along the wall, pausing to gently touch and smell a large pink hibiscus.

"The Elders believe we should live as close to nature as possible, letting all the Moon Goddess has blessed us come and go as it pleases. Ah, here are the first rooms for the young Alphas," Mariposa announced, opening two doors hidden behind lush, moss-covered walls.

Alexander and I stepped inside, and I was awestruck. Instead of a wall, there was a massive opening that overlooked the crystal-clear blue ocean and a pristine white sandy beach below. Thick vines in hues of purple and green clung to the walls alongside the rich, velvety moss from the hallways. Water cascaded over the opening like a series of small waterfalls, forming a rainbow mist across the space—a sight, smell, and sound that was profoundly soothing.

Two large beds dressed in white silk sheets and adorned with fluffy pillows faced the opening, accompanied by a table and chairs at their foot for dining. Atop the table rested a translucent, light pink crystal bell wrapped in golden, vine-like metal spirals forming its handle.

"Ooo, so pretty! Just don’t let Alexander touch it—it looks delicate," Ella murmured.

I stifled a giggle as I brushed my wild curls aside to better take in the room.

Our luggage was neatly placed at the foot of our beds, and the washroom at the back of the room was just as breathtaking as the bedroom.

"Whoa! What a view," Alexander gasped as he stepped toward the opening that offered sweeping views of the island and ocean.

"Oh wow… I can’t wait to see our room," Nanna said, her eyes wide with wonder.

"Miss Barbra and John, your room is connected to this one—if you follow me," Mariposa said, moving to the other side of the room and drawing back the vines to reveal a room similar to ours.

"This is even better than our honeymoon," Poppa exclaimed, taking in the stunning vista around him.

"I’m utterly speechless…" Nanna murmured as she settled onto her bed.

"Well, that’s a first," Dad laughed, prompting a playful rebuke from Nanna: "Watch it!"

Mom trailed behind me, laughing at the affectionate banter between Dad and Nana.

"It’s beautiful, isn’t it? How about a trip to the beach?" she suggested, gently pulling me into a warm hug. Her floral scent enveloped me, a reminder of how deeply I cherished her embrace.

"Hell yeah!" Alexander shouted, performing a swan dive onto his bed and sending silky pillows flying in every direction.

Mariposa watched our delighted reactions to Hotep’s beauty, her lined face beaming with warmth.

"Alpha, Luna, follow me—I’ll take you to your room. As requested by the Elders, you have the honor of the top-floor room," she explained as she left our room.

"Alright, everyone get ready, and we’ll come fetch you when we’re ready," Mom said, kissing me on the cheek before Dad linked his hand with hers.

I loved how cheerful Mom looked now compared to the past. Even though we had been reborn, I still held onto memories of our previous lives—a secret I kept to myself. Those memories never bothered me; the past was behind us, and all that mattered was seeing my mother and brother happy. Dad always treated Mom like a queen, and he cherished Alexander and me as the precious jewels we were.

"Sounds good to me," I replied with a thumbs up. I watched as they followed Mariposa out of the room, then I jumped onto the pillowy soft bed where I would sleep during my stay.

"This is going to be exciting!" Ella exclaimed joyfully, wagging her tail.

I nodded, enjoying the cool, soft sensation of the silk bed sheets beneath my hands.

***

***Lisa's POV***

Noah and I trailed behind Mariposa up a flight of ancient stone stairs that led to the top floor of the building, with views of the forest and ocean stretching past sturdy pillars.

"This seems like a place Elves would live in," I remarked to Noah as we reached a set of doors crafted from intertwined roots.

"The Elves built it for the Elders many centuries ago," Mariposa said with a warm smile as she opened the doors for us.

As the doors swung open, a burst of white doves flew out through the many wide-open windows encircling the room. Clusters of white flowering plants tumbled over the window ledges, their vines trailing into the room and clinging to the pillars. At the heart of the space stood a large bed with a canopy frame fashioned from twisted soft brown logs, draped in delicate sheer curtains that fluttered in the gentle, warm breeze coming in through the windows.

A small table for two sat by the expansive windows, where our little pink crystal bell shimmered in the sunlight. A massive curtain divided the room in two, delineating the bathroom area. Inside, a broad stone bath was set among all the necessary amenities, flanked by overflowing gold and white pots bursting with lavender, white, and pink roses. Bundles of purple sage and eucalyptus hung from the ceiling above the bath, adding to the room’s natural charm.

I wandered around amazed, absorbing the heady scents and softly caressing the silky rose petals.

Mariposa explained, "The steam from the hot bath activates the sage and eucalyptus—it’s very relaxing and clears your lungs and thoughts," pausing to pat her plump cheeks as she took a deep breath.

I stepped closer to Mariposa while Noah allowed a small white butterfly to settle on his finger.

He looked utterly adorable, holding the butterfly up to his face so he could admire it up close, the creature’s reflection dancing in his blue eyes.

"This place is beyond words, Mariposa. Thank you for showing us our room. But out of curiosity, how do we fill the bath if we want to take one?" I asked, glancing at the large stone tub that had no tap.

Mariposa moved toward the bath and, with a gentle touch along its edge, replied, "Magic, my dear. Just give it a few light knocks, and it will fill with Epsom salts and herbs. You’re going to love it! Is there anything else you need or want to know?" she added as we turned to check on Noah for any questions.

Mariposa and I shared a laugh while Noah stood surrounded by a dozen white and gold butterflies, even with one delicately perching on his nose, its wings slowly opening and closing.

"Look at you, Alpha—the Butterfly Whisperer," Mariposa teased with a chuckle.

Noah returned the laugh, causing the butterflies to flutter away.

I approached Noah with a smile; despite his Alpha nature, he was incredibly gentle and kind, looking almost like a small boy enchanted by the world around him.

I wrapped my arms around his waist, drawing him closer as his jet-black hair fell messily over his face.

"The big bad wolf has a thing for butterflies," I teased, reaching up to play with the opening of his shirt.

Noah rolled his eyes playfully, grasping me by the waist and effortlessly flipping me over his shoulder.

I let out a playful squeal as he turned toward Mariposa. Though I couldn’t see her, I sensed her amusement—perhaps a smile—as she caught sight of my exposed backside. How embarrassing!

"Oh my, such a strong Alpha, mhmm. Alright, I’ll leave you lovebirds to yourselves now. Enjoy your stay, I’ll return tomorrow to help you prepare for the inauguration. Have fun!" Mariposa snickered as she departed our room.

I shook my head, amused by her lingering look, before Noah unexpectedly gave my ass a quick, playful smack. A mix of shock and delight escaped me as he seated me on a cloud-like bed.

"This place is incredible. I can’t wait to explore the beach, or that bathtub tonight," I exclaimed, as Noah gently pushed me back onto the bed.

His mischievous blue eyes met mine as he slid my tank top upward, his warm, tender kisses trailing along my stomach and hips, sending electric shivers through me.

I succumbed naturally to his touch, my body arching in response as I absorbed the symphony of sounds, scents, and his intoxicating presence.

"I love it when you do that," I purred, running my fingers through Noah’s tousled black hair.

"I love it when your body reacts to me," he growled, sliding my tank top up further to reveal my breasts.

I assisted him by removing my tank top as he pulled my shorts down and tossed them aside, then began undressing.

There he was at the foot of the bed, completely naked against an amazing backdrop, simply too enticing to resist. I shifted further back on the soft bed, biting my lip at the sight of his lean, tattooed, muscular body and pale skin.

Noticing my reaction, Noah’s thick c**k stirred, and my breath quickened at the thought of it sliding into me.

I slowly spread my legs, inviting him as his eyes clouded with desire. I let my fingers trail from between my legs, a silent invitation that showed exactly how excited I was for him, watching his chest rise and fall with anticipation.

"Don’t you dare, little wolf," Noah murmured with a low growl as he moved between my legs toward the edge of the bed.

"Do what—this?" I hissed, sliding my tongue along my fingers to savor the taste of my own desire.

A deep growl escaped him as he gripped my ankles, drawing my heated core close to his face, eliciting a scream of pleasure from me.

His warm, slick tongue caressed and licked my pulsing core, each flick and twist pushing me ever nearer to the edge, tightening my grip on the bed sheets. The intense fire of our connection surged through me, heightened by the fragrant herbs of Hotep that left me feeling elated and sensitive.

"Noah... I’m going to c*m if you keep that up. There’s something about these herbs and this pleasure that makes me so sensitive. Oh, my Goddess…" I moaned, sweat beading on my skin.

"Tell me who you belong to," he growled, his eyes flickering with blue within the depths of his dark gaze, his lips still wet from my heat.

"You," I whimpered, pulling him down until I flipped him onto his back so I could straddle him.

A low, rumbling growl escaped him as his eyes rolled back and he filled me completely while I swiveled my hips along his throbbing c**k. His hands traveled up my body, grasping my breasts with a firm touch, while my fingers expertly worked their way down between my legs. I shifted my position, riding him as my finger stroked my c**t softly, our eyes locked in an intense, unspoken conversation of desire.

"Damn, you’re beautiful," he groaned as the heat between us peaked, his powerful erection pulsating inside me, eliciting an even stronger response from my slick, heated core.

Our bodies ignited in fireworks as we neared the brink of ecstasy, finally releasing our hold on each other and clamping down to savor the mind-blowing climax that united us.

Afterwards, I lay on Noah’s chest as he gently stroked my back, catching our breath.

"That was incredible. This place truly affects you—clearing your mind in the most delightful way. It’s as if it wanted us to experience that," he murmured, kissing my forehead softly.

"Mm-hmm," I replied.

The soothing sounds of water, birds, and rustling trees in the warm breeze surrounded us.

"We’re ready. Are you ready?" Alexander’s voice echoed in our minds.

"Yes, we’ll be right there," we giggled in chorus.

I sprang up, quickly cleaned off, and slipped into a pink two-piece while Noah donned white swim shorts. I let my braid down so my hair could hang loose in the comforting breeze.

"Alright, my beautiful wife, let’s go check out the beach!" Noah declared, pulling me into a heated kiss.

"Stop, or we might not make it," I teased, playfully licking his cheek.

"Come on, what’s taking so long? Oh Goddess, you guys aren’t..." Alexander’s voice trailed off.

"Wouldn't you like to know, son?" Noah retorted with a playful grin.

Laughter from Barbra, John, and Rosemary mingled with the playful barks of our wolves.

"…Let’s just go already," Alexander huffed.

"Okay. Race you there!" I shouted, seizing Noah’s hand, leaping out the window, and unfurling my white flaming wings.

"CHEATER!" Alexander shouted after us.

Noah and I laughed as we soared over the palm trees, eventually landing on the sparkling crystal-white sand.

Soon, Alexander, John, Rosemary, and Barbra burst through the bushes.

"There were no rules. We won!" I shouted, then ran off toward the inviting water with waves crashing behind me.

The air quickly filled with giggles, laughter, and joyful screams as the cool ocean splashed over us, a perfect prelude to tomorrow.

"Indeed," Raven observed cheerfully, delighted as we frolicked in the surf.