The Moon Goddess’s Daughter

Chapter 002: The moon blood

002.

ELEVEN YEARS LATER…

“I’ve told you time and time again, Isa. You can’t keep a snake as a pet,” Dominic said with an exasperated sigh as he strode down the hall while Isadora rushed after him, determined to make him change his mind.

“But, Dad, it’s not dangerous. She's just a baby. I've wanted her since... forever.”

Dominic stopped in his tracks and Isadora slammed into his back, but he didn’t flinch. He slowly turned to look at her, his expression softening at the sight of her pouted lips and puppy-dog eyes. Those unique violet orbs that always drew him to their depths. She knew that was his weakness, and the stubborn rebel would do anything to utilize it.

But he couldn't stop himself from worrying. Especially now that she wasn't going to be under his watch anymore.

“You're leaving for Royals Academy in two days, sweetheart. You've already convinced me to allow you to stay at the dorms while promising to come see me every weekend. How do you expect me to allow you to take a snake to school, huh? They're poisonous even to us wolves.”

Isadora bit down on her lower lip. “You know I'm immune to snake poison, Dad.”

“Doesn't stop me from worrying too.”

“Dad, please.” She took hold of his hands and began swinging them, her eyes glistening. “Have I ever let you down before?” she asked, her voice cracking.

Dominic covered her hands with his. “My sweet girl, you know I'm really proud of you. I just can't stop worrying about you,” he murmured. For years, he couldn't stop remembering the prophecy Selene had told him about.

After Ares escaped—they haven't found him till now—Selene had gone with the rest to look for him. Though she comes to check on Isadora once in a while, she hadn't really given him a full explanation. But from what she told him, he knew it wasn't anything good. And since then, he's been extra protective of her, even though the moon bracelet was doing its job perfectly.

Isadora smiled at him. “I'll be fine. It's a celestial snake, so it's not gonna hurt me.” Her smile widened. “I was the one who broke the seal that kept it bound, Dad. It sees me as its master. It would protect me instead. Oh, and look, I already have the moon bracelet.” She raised her hand and wiggled it in his face.

Dominic couldn't stop himself from laughing. He loved her so much. “Alright,” he surrendered. “I'll give you a chance. But if you notice anything off, contact me immediately, okay?”

She nodded with a bright smile, stood on her tippy-toes, and pecked his cheek before running off while screaming, “Thanks, Dad. You're the best.”

When she entered her room, Lyra was already waiting for her there. The minute she noticed Isadora, she rushed to her and grabbed her shoulders. “What did he say? Tell me he said yes,” she urged.

Isadora smirked, her eyes dancing with mischief. “Not until you give me that hair clip I've been dying to take from you for months.”

Lyra rolled her eyes and flipped her ash-brown hair confidently. “No,” she answered.

Isadora groaned and glared at her. “Fine, I'm still gonna tell you.” She hurried to her wardrobe, and her face lit up when she saw the white snake, curled into itself with a protective shield around it, sleeping soundly. She picked her up like she was the most fragile thing in the world and beamed at Lyra. “He agreed for me to keep her!”

Both girls shrieked in happiness, their noise waking the innocent creature up. Its violet eyes opened, and Isadora couldn't contain her excitement. She'd read about the snake when she was six years old and was told that whoever could break the seal was capable of taking the snake and becoming its master.

She recalled how two huge bears had tried to attack them and smiled. Memories. Now she was seventeen years old, and it still felt like yesterday.

“Oh, I can't wait to see the Alpha's face when he realizes that you've actually had Cee—” Yup, they actually named the snake Cee. “—and have been secretly taking care of her for two years now. Thanks to the remnant of your powers, you sure hid her well.”

“Shhhh.” Isa placed her index finger on Lyra's mouth to shush her. “He doesn't have to know that. In fact, he wouldn't have ever known if we weren't leaving for school in two days.” She sighed and plopped down on the couch in her room.

Cee curled into herself on Isa’s lap and made herself comfortable.

Lyra sat down as well. “What do you think Royals Academy is like?”

Isa massaged her temple. “Oh, it's amazing, alright. They train people to become Alphas and even send them on missions and competitions. Plus, kids from different packs and royal backgrounds will be coming this year. It's surprising you're asking me this, though. Our parents went there. Didn't Ma'am Naya tell you a*********s about them?”

“Mum has been busy lately. The only story she tells me about Royals is that she met my dad there and all that mushy stuff.”

Isadora laughed. “She still tells you that?”

Lyra facepalmed. “Believe me. My ears are bleeding.”

Isadora threw her head back and laughed. “You should be happy you even have a mother who bores and annoys you with stories. Mine isn't always around. I know she's probably busy doing goddess stuff, and I understand. I'm not complaining though. I love her... so much. And she always tries to make time for me whenever she is free, but sometimes, I wished I could spend a whole week with her without her attention being needed at the realm,” she exhaled. “But it's cool. That's one of the perks of being the moon goddess’s daughter.”

Lyra smiled. “I guess you're right. And I'm sure when all this is over, you two will finally have time.”

Isadora smiled. “Yes. I can't wait to see her on my eighteenth birthday though. It's just eight months away. I will finally have my full powers.”

Lyra chuckled. “You're talking like eight months is a week away.”

“That's what it feels like to me. For eleven years I've only done meditations and secretly learned sword fight. Sometimes, I want to feel the adrenaline pumping in my veins as those powers flow through me. On the bright side, I have also learned not to rely heavily on them. So, I'm gonna be responsible about it when I get them back.”

“Uh-huh.” Lyra rolled her eyes.

Isadora suddenly remembered something and jumped to her feet. “I forgot to tell you.” She wiggled her eyebrows at her friend, who already knew what was coming.

Whenever Isa wiggled her eyebrows like that, it was either the lady was about to make her go on an “adventure” that might threaten her life or force her to learn sword fight.

If she was asked to choose between both, she would choose neither, because both were things she didn't like. She preferred tea parties and burying her face in a good book to all these adventures.

“I found this giant cave while I was strolling yesterday—”

“Strolling?” Lyra shot her a knowing look.

“Maybe I wasn't strolling, but I did find a cave. I couldn't check it out because Dad needed my attention, but I'm guessing there are crystals in there. Why don't we check it out, huh?”

Lyra shook her head immediately. “No, thank you. I'll hit the library while you go on your adventure.”

“Come on, it's gonna be fun,” Isadora whined. “Even Cee agrees with me.”

“Yeah, sure. I'm not agreeing to anything Cee agrees to. There's no difference between the both of you,” she pointed at them.

Isadora chuckled.

“And we need to pack. We have tons of things, princess.”

“No, you do.” Isadora shook her head. “I'm not into all these ball gowns and stuff. I'll just take a few clothes I might need and voila, I'm ready to go. You, my friend, might need a pickup truck to help convey your things to school.”

“Come on, they aren't that much.” Lyra chuckled.

Isadora rolled her eyes instead.

---

••UNKNOWN LOCATION••

The place was debris—a remainder of what had been destroyed. The air was thick with the stench of blood, corpses lying flat on the ground. And he stood... in the middle of it all, his hand clutched to a scepter he had taken from the place he'd just destroyed.

For eleven years, he had sought this. For eleven years, he walked through every realm like an invisible and untouchable force, leaving dead bodies and blood in his wake, just for this. For eleven years, he'd nursed this grudge—this suffocating grudge that was tearing him apart. For eleven years, he patiently waited to finally put an end to this madness.

The people had put up quite a fight, but he wished they knew he was a formidable opponent. His eyes darted to the man, who sat on the floor struggling to channel healing into his body, but failed. His body and inner energy had been destroyed down to his power core, making it impossible for him to even summon his powers.

“Pathetic,” he roared.

He would have killed the man, but he had one rule: Kill and destroy everything but leave someone alive to tell the story.

He turned away and took one last look at the scepter.

Everything was complete. The only finishing touch now was the moon blood.

He chuckled. “Her blood.”