Mated to A Golden Goddess

Six

Matthew’s Point of View

Lirella lay in my arms, her face a shifting map of emotions. Uneasiness flickered across her features—forehead tightening, lips pressing thin—then, as if something unseen soothed her, her expression would soften, even hint at a smile. Power radiated from her like heat from a fire, warm enough that I could feel it against my skin.

I should have been terrified. She’d been out for an hour now—caught inside whatever magic the book had woven around her. But instead of panic, there was only a strange calm filling my chest, a certainty that this was right, that she would come back to me.

My parents stood nearby, watching with worry etched deep into their royal faces. Lirella’s parents—Beta William and his mate, my uncle’s Beta pair—looked less rattled, their calm undercut by a glimmer of guilt.

“Mother, Father,” I said softly, “please don’t worry. Lirella will be fine. She’ll wake soon.”

My mother’s hands twisted in front of her. “How can you be so sure, Matthew?”

“I’m not sure,” I admitted, “but it’s more than instinct. I feel her. We’re connected in a way I can’t explain—more than just mates. Something stronger.”

Her eyes softened with hope. “Oh, Matt. I do hope you’re right.”

William cleared his throat. “Perhaps we should explain,” he said.

“Yes,” his mate agreed. “You all deserve to know what’s happening.”

William took a breath, his gaze sweeping from my parents to me. “I’m sure you’ve heard the legend of the Golden Wolf—that one day she would rise to lead a great army against an even greater threat. The legend is true. You’ve seen it tonight. For generations, my family has been custodian of this prophecy, written in Old Draconic in the very book Lirella now holds. Only a few of us were taught to read it. We believed—prayed—that the prophecy would skip our children.” His voice faltered. “We never imagined it would be Lirella.”

He turned to me, eyes steady. “Matthew, your being her mate is no accident. The prophecy foretold a protector—strong, wise, pure-hearted—to guard the Golden Wolf. I believe you are that protector.”

A flare of anger rose in me, sharp and protective. “Why keep all this from her?” I demanded. “If she’d known even a fraction of this, she could have been prepared instead of blindsided.”

William met my gaze without flinching. “We thought it was best. Since childhood she showed small signs, and we prayed to the Moon Goddess it wasn’t true. We were trying to protect her. But yes—we made a mistake. Now she must learn in months what should have taken years. The only thing we did right was her training. She is one of the top warriors in this pack. We couldn’t be prouder.”

I looked down at her, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek, and tried to let the anger go. This was bigger than blame.

Then, a soft sound: a moan. Her lashes fluttered open, revealing blue eyes swimming with confusion.

“Hi,” she whispered.

“Hi.” Relief cracked my voice. I eased her upright and wrapped my arms around her as she began to cry, her body trembling against mine.

“Lirella, it’s all going to be okay,” I murmured. “Just breathe.”

Little by little she did—her heartbeat slowing under my hand, her breathing steadying. She rose, moved to the pedestal, and set the book back with a decisive thump. Then she turned to face everyone, chin lifting.

“I want to tell you all what happened,” she said. “But please—no questions until I finish.”

Everyone nodded. Silence gathered like a circle.

⸻

Lirella’s Point of View

I took a breath and began to speak. I told them everything: how Desiree had led me inside the book; the silver lake and endless forests; Celestina the unicorn and Droccolo the scarred dragon; the truth of Kodian and his rising army; and the final revelation—that I was the Moon Goddess reborn, the legendary Golden Wolf.

When I finished, the room felt heavier and lighter all at once. All eyes were on me, waiting.

My mother was first to find her voice. “So, what you’re saying is… after the war you may have to choose between staying here or becoming the next Moon Goddess?”

“Yes,” I said softly. “Right now, I don’t want to leave the mortal realm. But after the war…” I glanced at Matthew. “I might change my mind.”

His eyes darkened for a heartbeat before he smoothed his expression.

“And where will this war be fought?” the King asked.

I shook my head. “I don’t know yet.”

Silence fell. I felt Matthew’s gaze on me—warm, steady, but with a flicker of sadness.

William cleared his throat. “It’s late—or early, depending how you see it. We should all rest. Prince Matthew, as Lirella’s mate, you’re welcome to stay here with her tonight. The rest of you may stay in our guest rooms, or return to the pack house if you prefer.”

“Thank you, William,” King Xavier said. “We’ll stay here for now.”

Our guests began filing upstairs, the omegas already preparing rooms.

⸻

Lirella’s Point of View

I led Matthew up the stairs to my room, nerves fluttering in my stomach. No male but my brother had ever been inside. The door swung open on my little sanctuary: soft bedding, a few anime posters, manga stacked neatly, figurines lined like sentries on a shelf.

Matthew’s eyes went wide. “You’re an anime fan,” he gasped.

Heat rushed to my cheeks. It wasn’t exactly a typical interest for a she-wolf, let alone a Beta’s daughter destined for prophecy. I had hoped my mate would understand.

“Yes,” I said quietly. “I love it. It’s my secret pleasure.”

His grin split wide and genuine. “As if you weren’t already the perfect mate—now you’re even more perfect. I love anime.”

I blinked. “Wait. The prince of the werewolves likes anime? I never would’ve pictured that.” A shy smile tugged at my mouth. “So tell me, Your Highness—what’s your favorite anime? Then I’ll tell you mine.”

He laughed, warm and low. “Deal.”

And for a moment—just a moment—the weight of prophecy, war, and gods fell away. We were simply two people, sitting in a room full of manga, on the edge of a destiny neither of us had asked for but both of us would face. Together.