The Hybrid Queen Mother

Chapter 9

The sounds of the early morning birds woke me. Lee and Jordan were both still asleep. Lee clung onto me as she slept, while Jordan was curled up in a ball on the floor. Carefully, I got up and made my way to the bathroom. I took a quick shower and freshened up before going back into the room.

Lee and Jordan looked like they were just waking up as I came back into the room. Checking the time, Lee turned to me with a sad smile.

“I know you guys are leaving today, but will you at least stay for breakfast? It should be ready soon,” Lee said.

“We don’t have to be anywhere until 11. What time is it now?” I asked.

“It’s 6:45. Breakfast is usually ready by 7.”

“Great. We’ll stay for breakfast. Then I want to visit James’s memorial after.”

Lee nodded, then left the room. Jordan gave me a sad look before leaving the room as well. Not too long later, I met with both of them as we headed downstairs to the dining hall. It was filled with pack members who seemed to have been up for a while.

After breakfast, Jordan, Lee and I went down to James’s memorial. There was a small stone statue with all the names of each pack member that died during the war. A part of me was happy that it was a short list. But a bigger part of me was angry and hurt that these pack members lost their lives.

On either side of the statue were two large stone walls. One was for pack members and the other was for alphas. Not every pack had a memorial for their fallen, but Moon Creek did. It was something I wanted to adopt for my tribe.

“Can I go alone?” I asked Jordan and Lee. They both nodded and stayed where they were. They weren’t too far, but far enough.

It didn’t take long for me to find James’s name on the large stone wall. I reached out and touched the cold rock, tracing my fingers along the lines that carved his name. A few tears slipped out as I closed my eyes, remembering his smile, his laugh and warm embrace.

I remember the first day I met him. He took my breath away. He was perfect in every way. My James. My love. My heart and soul. My everything.

I know Onyx gave him my message. And I know he would have been the best father. He would continue to watch over us from the Moon Goddess' realm. So I needed to make him proud. I needed to be the Queen he always knew I could be. I needed to be brave, strong and most of all, I needed to be okay. So I can raise our pup.

The stone started to feel warm and when I opened my eyes, I was no longer standing in front of it. I didn’t know where I was. It wasn’t the Moon Goddess' realm and it wasn’t the pack. It was almost like I was teleported to a rainforest. The warm breeze kissed my skin, and instead of feeling scared, I felt content.

I heard a distant sound of a creek and made my way towards it. As the wind picked up, my senses were overwhelmed by the smell of nature. Pine, wood, salt, flowers and so much more. It was calming. Intoxicating even. It felt like my body was craving it the more the wind surrounded me.

The wind hummed as it swirled around me, then suddenly, it picked me up. I was carried by the wind through the trees and over the bushes. I passed the creek I had heard before and was carried further into the rainforest.

Breaking through the treeline, I gasped at the sight before me. Soft white sand lined the beach as crystal clear water splashed on the shore. It was perfection.

As I took in the sight before me, the wind started to die down as I was set on my feet. The view was captivating, and I couldn’t stop staring. I took a seat and buried my feet in the soft sand as I gazed at the water.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” I heard a soft voice.

I don’t know what I was expecting, but seeing Selene again was not it. She looked so different from the last time I saw her. Her crescent moon crown was gone. Her gold bands were no longer around her arms. And her hair, which used to glow silver and white, was now just silver with no glow. She smiled at me then took a seat next to me.

“Where are we?” I asked her.

“I got lucky. My best friend brought me here. I was banished from my realm and stripped of my title. Much like how they did Victoria.”

“So, if it’s like Victoria’s banishment, does that mean you still have all your powers?” I asked.

“Of course. They can strip me of my title, but they cannot strip me of who I am. I am a Goddess, and I will always be a Goddess. My powers cannot be taken from me.”

“So, did you call me here?” I asked.

“No. I have no authority to do that here.”

“Then who called me here?” I asked, confused.

“I did.” Gaia appeared in front of us, and I was a bit shocked to see her, but also kind of relieved.

“Is this your realm?” I asked.

“Yes. Do you like it?” She smiled before sitting on the sand across from Selene and I.

“It’s beautiful here.” I smiled.

“Thank you,” she grinned. “Now. I’m sure you’re wondering why I’ve called you here.”

“Yes.” I answered.

“It’s because there are a few important things I need you to know. The first has to do with what Victoria has told you. Some of your abilities will slowly disappear. This is also true for the gifts you received from myself and Selene. Which ones will stay, we have no idea. But the ones you need most will be available to you.”

“I understand.” I stated.

“The second has to do with your pup. Although it doesn’t have a physical form yet, its essence has already developed. The magic that surrounds it will protect it and prevent anyone from knowing about it until the second year. I know it's a lot. But it is necessary.”

I didn’t say anything this time, just nodded. Victoria pretty much explained everything I needed to know about this pregnancy, so I wasn’t too surprised to hear that part.

“The last reason I brought you here is because I have a surprise for you.”

"A surprise?"

“There’s a sort of… hierarchy in our world. I am one of the few that sits on the top. Do you know why that is?” she asked me.

“No. Why?”

“Because without me, they would have nothing. They would cease to exist. Without me, there would be no one to worship them. Even if they put their strength together, they cannot defeat me, because if I no longer live, neither would they.” She said proudly.

“But, how is that possible?” I asked.

“I am Mother Nature. My powers expand beyond controlling the elements on the Earth. Everything is a living organism. But they wouldn’t live without me. Including the vampires and wolves and all supernaturals. Yes, Selene is the mother of all wolves, but I am the mother of the Gods. They need me if they want their creations to become a reality.”

“You’re a total badass.” I said, and she flipped her hair with a smirk on her face. “So if you’re essentially the mother of the Gods, can’t you change the rules?”

“No. I, along with a couple others, created the rules. They were meant to keep everyone in line. I can’t just change them because I want to. However, this is a special case. You are a special case.”

“So, I'm guessing you broke the rules?” I asked. "How?"

“By bringing Selene here. She was banished for interfering and helping you. This you already know. I chose to bring her here. Here she cannot see her children, but I can. In a way, she can check on all her wolves from my realm. As long as she doesn’t perform any duties as the Moon Goddess, it's a sort of loophole.” Gaia explained.

I nodded, knowing there was more.

“Any and all beings are able to come to my realm once they pass on. That includes all supernaturals.”

I don’t know what that has to do with anything, but I nodded. Sure she has more to explain. As the wind picked up, I started to smell coffee. Surely, my mind was playing tricks on me. I closed my eyes and sniffed the air one more time, but then I felt something soft brush next to me.

I opened my eyes to see Onyx’s massive body sitting next to me, looking out at the water. I stood up fast to get a better look at him. It was him. No doubt. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tightly. I missed him. And I know Gaia did too.

“Even death cannot separate us,” Onyx said, and I froze. I thought I would never hear his voice again.

“How?” I asked Gaia.

“Because he’s in my realm now. Not Selene’s. However, James is still in the Moon realm. Only Onyx can come and go,” Gaia explained.

I turned my attention back to Onyx. My handsome mate. His black eyes stared back at me lovingly, and I knew he longed to be with us as much as we wanted to be with him and James. I kissed him on his snout and the top of his head and he licked me back.

Selene and Gaia left, giving Onyx and I some time alone. We talked about everything. Well, I talked, he listened. I told him about my plans to meet with everyone who helped in the war, my coronation and the pregnancy. I could see how sad he was at missing the chance to be there for the pup, but he encouraged me instead.

He told me how great of a mom I would be and how proud of me he was. He told me James was happy for me and that he was happy he could at least leave something behind for me, so I wouldn’t be lonely. Onyx told me that he would watch over me, so I wouldn’t be alone. Those words made me feel better.

After a while, he told me it was time to go back. I didn’t want to. But he told me Jordan and Milo needed me. I knew they did, but I needed Onyx. I needed his comfort.

“Marcy, you can’t stay any longer,” Gaia said behind me. I turned to look at her, and she had a soft smile on her face.

“Just a few more minutes,” I begged and turned back around to see Onyx slowly fading. “I love you. You and James both. I’ll always love you both.”

“We know. And we love you too. Be happy,” Onyx said before completely disappearing.

“Where did he go?” I asked.

“Back to the Moon realm.” Gaia said. “Come,” she opened her arms for me and I gladly accepted her embrace. It was cruel. Allowing me to meet Onyx and then taking him away. I never knew when would be the last time. Or if I'd be able to visit the Moon Goddess' realm or Gaia's realm again to see him.

“Shh. Don’t worry, you’ll find happiness again. I promise,” Gaia said softly as she kissed my head and hugged me tightly.

When I opened my eyes, I was standing in front of the large memorial stone. It was as if no time passed at all. But I felt different. I felt lighter, and my heart felt less heavy. The pain I once felt was now distant and my broken heart felt like it was put back together.

I no longer felt fatigue and the pressure I previously felt about my duties and role was alleviated. Most of all, the loneliness I felt without James seemed to be replaced with a sense of peace. It was hard to explain, but I think a part of it had to do with seeing Onyx. And also Gaia’s comforting hug.

“Can I join you?” Jordan asked, bringing me out of my thoughts.

“Yes, of course.” I nodded to him.

Jordan came and stood next to me. For a few minutes, we stood there silently. I had no idea what was going on in his head, but his feelings through the bond were strong. He was hurting. He felt guilty and heartbroken, and I understood those feelings. I had the same ones, especially when it comes to all the lives that were lost in the war. I felt responsible for them, just like he feels responsible for James’.

“I never thought he would die,” Jordan’s voice broke as he tried to speak. He was never one to cry in front of anyone. I understood that too.

“Neither did I.”

Jordan sniffled and wiped the tears from his eyes. I wanted to soothe him, the way Gaia soothed me. But I didn’t know how to.

“I know we started off on the wrong foot, but with all the time we spent together, I felt our bond grow. I would have died for him, just like I would die for you,” he said as he wiped more tears.

“Jordan-” I didn’t know what to say because I knew he meant that. “It’s not your fault.”

“I should have been the only one who died there that night.”

“Don’t say that.” I begged him, my own tears falling.

“At least he would be alive.”

“It wouldn't have changed what happened to him,” I tried to explain.

“Can I have a moment alone? I didn’t get to say goodbye. Or attend his funeral.”

As much as I didn’t want to leave him there alone, I respected his wishes. I told him I would pack our things since we needed to leave for the next pack once he was done. I met up with Lee, and together we went back to the packhouse, so I could prepare to leave.