Homecoming Luna

Chapter 12: Throne Room

• •• •••August's POV••• •• •

Winter Moon Pack

Car doors slam as the three car convoy come to a halt before the wide expanse of stairs leading up to the sprawling pack-house structure, and my home.

I take the stairs two at a time and my brisk steps are mirrored by the dozen doughty men flanking me.

"We go again tomorrow. So, get right on it." The gentle evening breeze carries my voice to the men keeping up behind me. "I want those Mittores checked out and if it looks as it stinks, make them sing soprano. Squeeze it out if you have to. Sound a message."

"And make it loud." Our heavy steps echo as we clear the towering front door into the open space beyond it. "This time, I want words of mouth. Reliable words of mouth."

"Yes, Alpha," is chorused in indiscernible low voices.

It's been a busy last few months. Days spent chasing leads into dead ends and not being sure what exactly we're looking for. It's a needle in a haystack situation. Make that a tiny needle.

And as impossible as our cause is, some packs haven't been so friendly so we got their co-operation indirectly. Mostly in the dead of night.

As soon as we clear the foyer, the men all disperse to get their designated tasks underway.

All but Vinn, my most trusted. He sidles up to me just as the pack house manager joins us, footsteps matching ours as we make a turn towards the west wing, walking down the endless hallway.

The pack house manager is a young soul, in her twenties, slender and silver haired.

"Nice day, Alpha." She acknowledges me. "Your father requested that you join him, have you the time. He suggested lunch. But we could make it dinner, judging by the time?"

"And where is he?"

"In his quarters, sir." Her smooth voice echoes off the walls.

We pass through an annex and take a couple steps down with Vinn preceding us.

"Let me confirm that." She quips after a couple steps.

The screen of her tablet lights up to brighten her round face. Her quick fingers tap at the screen of her tablet for the whole of two seconds.

"He's in the Pavilion. I could inform him, then make the dinner arrangements?"

I chuckle softly. "Don't tell me you're also partaking in the mind-linking fast?"

She could've just as easily mind-linked my father's staff to confirm his whereabouts.

Her cheeks tinge red as she shrugs one shoulder. "What can I say? I'm a dedicated Eclipse."

These past few weeks, some pack members have been devoted to moonbathing while abstaining from mind-linking and other menial werewolf perks. Something to do with limiting energy exhaustion, promised by our visiting witches would help make their task of learning more about the Mooner we believe is out there, easier. The abstinence is mostly practiced by the Eclipse, a religion that reveres the supremacy of Luna Queens—Mooners—which is born out of the infamous prophesy. They're more like a large good meaning, force-to-behold fandom born out of hope but with their beliefs set in stone.

The fast may explain why my father hadn't mind-linked me directly. As a vehement man of great influence who once upon a time couldn't stand the sight of witches, you'd think he'd be appalled by the whole thing.

"Alright, do that." Then on a second thought, I say, "Not to worry. I'll inform him myself."

I, more than anyone, want to find the elusive Mooner savior that entails saving my people, but I'm no Eclipse. I'm on no fast. So I'll mind-link him.

"Alright, sir." Vinn opens the door to a artificially lit room. "Also, the Southern Elders have been waiting for you. I seated them in the ball room."

I turn to look at her. "How long have they been waiting?"

"For over an hour."

A subtle look of understanding pass between I and Vinn. "Is Darion with them?"

"Yes. And so is his peanut talachucha tea—" She catches herself and rephrases. "And so is his team."

Goes to say Darion is as infamous as he is unliked.

"Keep them there for thirty more minutes then come get me. And no sooner."

"Gladly." She lets a tiny smile slip.

"And mother?"

"I saw her heading for the throne room."

Of course.

"Good. Now, what's your name?"

"Jotsey." She supplies good-naturedly. "My name's Jotsey." If she feels hurt I don't know her name, she doesn't show it.

"Jotsey." I utter her name as I come to stand before her, looking down into her expectant eyes. "Still unmated?"

Confused, she nods slowly.

"Alright, during this forthcoming full moon, stick close to the woods by the water revoir. Save yourself and your mate the stress of searching all night."

Her keen eyes draws together before they widen, then mist over in joy when understanding dawns.

"Your mate tatt," I add. "Should appear between your left collarbone and upper arm."

"Oh my goddess!!" She hugs her tablet to her chest while her fingers cover her mouth in awe and gratitude.

Vinn's face remain unchanged. He doesn't show it but I know he fancies her and have for months now. But it is what it is, and I know he understands.

"But h—how?!" Jotsey exclaims. "I thought only Mooners possessed this ability?"

I shrug noncommittally and throw her a cheeky wink. Her already flushed rosy cheeks flush more.

I turn and make my way towards the inner sanctum of the wing we're in.

I stop at a towering door, numerous feet above the ground. I push open the door into the grand room supported by pillars and most tastefully furnished. And right there in the center, a bit way from the elevated stage stands a woman. Her elegant up-do compliments her flowing coral gown. She stands with the grace of two queens.

I walk to her side and give her a kiss on the cheek. "Mother,"

She blesses me with a candid smile in return.

Beyond the perpetual look of motherly adoration she reserves just for me lies an expectant look. I shake my head at her unspoken question and watch her face fall like a sand castle, like it has a hundred times before.

I follow her eyes to the impressive lone seat that stands atop the elevated substructure. The seat looks regal in all ramifications. Centuries-old engravings in the tongue of old adorn its sturdy backrest, towering into high ceilings.

"We must find her." The sombre air of the vast room renders her words solemn.

She turns to me, eyes wistful. "If Luna Queen Collette's daughter is out there, then we must find and let her take her rightful place."

Like I've done many times before, I don't interrupt her. I let her hash out her deep-rooted worries the best way she knows how.

"If Terra is right and the other witches before her too, then she's out there and it's our duty to find her. The clan has suffered so much without a Mooner for two decades now."

The look on her face breaks my heart a little. I rest my hand on her shoulder in comfort which she quickly covers with her warm left palm.

Her tone assumes a yearning quality so I know what comes next.

"Mooner Collette, she was my best friend and I, her only friend." Her hand mindlessly caresses mine as her lips curve into a fond smile. "You know, I used to tease her about how her hair looks one colour in the front and another in the back. Then she would say a heavy crown looks better atop a peculiar hair. She used to be so proud of her hair before the prophetic reveal came to light and then it became a curse onto itself. Attempts were made daily on her life and the throne couldn't protect her." Her breath hitches. "And I couldn't do anything to help. I would've fled with her, had I known."

My hand slide down her back in a hug. She leans into me.

"Adored and respected. I've never seen anyone rule as fiercely as she did, not even her mother before her." She cranes her neck to pat my face. "She used to adore you so much, you know. You were only nine at the time and was the only one she let into her hybrid flower grounds. And no one else. Not even me. Not even your fa—"

I show no reaction to her abrupt stop. But I remember that much. I used to love coming up with names for the hybrid flowers and entertaining the idea that each represented unlimited possibilities. It was in those days my ability to tell mates had manifested.

"August, we have to find her. We must." She nods gravely, fully leaving my arms to look up into my eyes. "We need her. We failed her mother. We can't fail her as well."

The anguish in her soulful eyes causes me to finally speak up. "I know, mother. And I will."

It's a promise. Not just to alleviate her years long regrets. But because I know it's a duty that falls greatly to me. Both as an Alpha and as a key role in the prophecy.