MY LUNA’S TIME TO REIGN

Chapter4

CHAPTER 4

A week has passed.

A week of emotional torture and pain.

A week since her parents had passed away.

A week since Maiks and the people of the Sunset Pack betrayed her.

But Mia had survived against all odds.

Despite the unbearable pain and the suffocating silence that pressed down on her every passing second, she had endured. She had seen different mystics, shadowy figures with glowing eyes that watched her from afar, although they never came near her or tried to harm her. It seemed like there was an unseen force keeping them at bay. Her deep wounds had begun to heal, thanks to her knowledge of medicinal herbs which she had scavenged and used in desperation. Even her wolf, who was weak, had regained its strength. Every night, she would gather leaves to shield herself from the damp forest floor, lie on it while staring at the moonlight, wondering why she was still alive.

But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't find her way out of the forest. Frustration gnawed at her after she tried to locate the gate several times, but the forest was endless—she'd always end up at the same spot. She had given up on leaving. If the Moon Goddess was willing, one day she would let her leave or perhaps bring someone that would save her.

Tonight, the moon hung low, casting a glow over her. A heavy weight of sorrow settled in her chest as memories flooded her mind. Her father's laughter. Her supposed mother's gentle touch. Her pack—the place she once called home and the people who were her people-were now a bitter memory.

She swallowed hard and closed her eyes. And then, softly, she sang. Her melodious voice echoed through the forest as she sang with so much pain.

The moon is so bright, so beautiful despite my pain, despite my sorrows. The ones I loved, the ones I trusted had cast me away. Will a time ever come that I will be able to avenge it? Or shall I be forgotten, lost in the night?"

She repeated the verse, each word taking more root in her heart than the last. Mia had the best voice ever. Her melody wove through the darkness, laced with anguish, a promise of vengeance, echoing through the trees.

*******

Far beyond the cursed gates, Alpha Asher, the Alpha of the Bloodmoon Pack —the largest, most powerful pack in the world-stood outside the forest of fear, together with the fleet of warriors shivering.

Asher had once dreamed of this place, dreamed of a girl that had been betrayed and broken—and only she could help him. Only she could save him from the destiny and prophecy that had destroyed generations before him, and he was sure it would destroy him if he didn't act fast.

He stared back at the warriors, their bodies still trembling, their fear palpable. Everyone knows about the forest of fear, and they were scared like everyone else. But he doesn't care. He had to do what he had to do.

"Open the gate," he commanded, his voice firm with authority as he gestured to the guards.

They shifted uncomfortably, their eyes narrowing as their biggest fear came to reality. No one dared question him, except for his best friend, and Beta, Luca.

"Alpha, we can't—" Luca began, but Asher shut him up with a single flick of his hand.

"Do it. Now," he let out a animalistic roar, his patience wearing thin.

The guards, though still scared, sprang into actions—they dared not defy their king. They pushed the iron gate opened. The darkness that welcomed them was almost blinding, sending shivers down their spine—only Asher was brave enough to withstand the oppression.

Asher knew taking the rest of the guards was a hassle as they wouldn't be able to be much of a help due to their fears.

"Follow me," he commanded, gesturing towards Luca, who stood behind him.

Luca's breath caught. "What?....... Alpha." Luca tried to argue, but he knew it was futile. With no choice, he trailed behind Asher, who was already moving inside.

"s**t!" Luca cursed under his breath. "I'm so screwed!"

******

Hours passed, and their search was futile. Asher and Luca encounter the mystic, shadowy figures but they did no harm to them. Asher wondered why and just concluded that maybe they could recognize and sense his Alpha power, but little did he know that it was the presence of the woman he was searching for that had rendered them powerless.

Asher was starting to get frustrated, especially with Luca's constant whining like a baby whose candy has been snatched away. But Asher refused to give up. He was sure that this place would sort the mysteries behind his kingdom tragedy.

"Alpha, why are we searching for a girl that doesn't even exist?" Luca asked, his voice tinged with exhaustion and frustration.

"She exists, Luca. "I'm damn sure of it," he responded, his eyes darting vigilantly across the forest, his torch lighting up their pathway.

"Only in your dreams, Alpha. I'm sure she doesn't exist and even if she does, why would a girl in the forest of fear be the answer to your problems? I'm sure she would be just as scary as those creatures we've met."

Asher stopped in his tracks. Luca was right even though he didn't want to admit it. A girl in the forest of fear would be dangerous. But... why did the Moon Goddess tell him to come here then? He sighed silently and continued his journey. He would find her even though she turned out to be dangerous.

"Alpha, we shouldn’t be here. No one survives this place. We should leave before—”

"Shut up," Asher muttered, his gaze locked ahead. His wolf, Wolfe, stirred violently within him, clawing at his mind. The pull was undeniable, fierce, a bond that can never be denied.

His mate—she was also inside the forest? Now, he knows coming here wasn't a mistake. The girl who would save him and his fated mate was inside the same forest? Interesting.

Determined to find them both, he increased his pace.

Then a melodious voice reached his ears and he turned towards the direction the voice was coming from. The song was getting clearer with each step he took, and it was the best voice he had ever heard in his entire life.

Then he saw her.

A fragile, broken, yet devastatingly beautiful figure sat beneath a tree. Her brown hair glowed in the moonlight, her tattered clothes stained with blood, her chapped lips still parting in song. The sight of her made his breath seize.

This was the girl he had been seeing in his dreams. She was also his mate. His eyes widened at the realization.

Mia's voice faltered as she felt the sudden shift in the air. Her wolf, Bella, growled in recognition of the undeniable pull. Slowly, she lifted her gaze.

And there he was.

A man stood before her, towering, powerful, and handsome. His silver eyes pierced into her very soul. The weight of his presence sent something —an unknown feeling down her spine.

Then he stepped closer and spoke.

"Finally, I found you, mate."