Willing Heart

Chapter 16: Moon Goddess

~Ruby's P.O. V~

        When she let go of the connection, I felt anger rise in me. He tortured me, making me watch my parents be decapitated by her. How? How could she be so cruel? I hate Clarissa! I hate her. I'm going to kill her myself! I just need to get stronger. When I kill her, I'll kill her in the way she killed my family.

"Easy, Ruby. You'll get her. I have faith that you will." The Moon Goddess smiled at me.

"Why did she do it?" Asking the only person in this universe that could actually answer.

"She made a deal with Vladimir. As Alpha Max has explained. She wanted to rule by his side because, she, believed he was her mate. But, that couldn't be further from the truth." The Moon Goddess turned her attention to the light on the ceiling. "Vladimir, a vampire so old, he is considered the first. He has never loved before. But, he has used love against people. Including Clarissa. I cannot intervein in the affairs of mortals, including Werewolves. However," She winked at me, "You are not mortal and not a Werewolf. So, I am breaking no contract by being here. Did you know that there is a prophecy about you?"

"No. Is that why I am being hunted?"

"Not hunted. Pursued. I took a look into your hierarchy system and The Prince of the Unicorns is wanting you."

"I knew the prince was wanting me, but the why is still elusive."

"To breed you. To ensure his rule with a herd so powerful, no Mythic could stand up to him. If you have offspring with him, his line is forever and he will rule over everyone. You would be nothing but a tool to him for domination."

"Breeding? But, I'm cursed. Why would he want a cursed Mare?"

"You are not cursed child, you are blessed. That mark on your flank? It shows how powerful you can be. You've already got Fire and Air. Try practicing more with those. And that prophecy details how you will change the world with those powers."

A Prophecy that says I end up with the Prince, to be his heirs mother, a chained breeding mare. I didn't like the sound of that. "How can I stop this prophecy?"

"You have already taken the first step. You and Chester mated and marked each other. Now, it's up to Chester to keep you away from your Prince. Another change is coming this way that will help you." She smiled at me.

"I would be nothing but a slave to him..." I whispered.

"Yes, you would. And I want to prevent that."

"Why? What do you gain?"

"I gain nothing. But, I lose everything if the prophecy comes true. I am a being of free will. Your prince would take free will away."

"What if he tries to hurt Max? Or Chess? Just to get at me?"

"Then they would gladly lay down their lives for you to escape, my dear. Mabel as well."

"I don't want anymore deaths on my behalf, Moon Goddess."

"You can call me Ray."

"You have a name?" Why was I so surprised? Of course, she has a name.

She chortled harmoniously, her voice really was like that of a beautiful song bird, "Chandray. That was my mortal name, it meant Shining Moon in what you would call the Irish Language." She pet my hair as she looked over me. Her gorgeous eyes were warm and so motherly, I remember my mothers eyes looking like that. "My dearest Ruby. Why do you hide yourself?" I knew what she meant. I try hiding my emotions from others, seeming cruel, cold and distant.

"I can't trust anyone. I want to trust Chester. I know I can, in fact. But something is holding me back from doing so. A little voice in my head telling me that he will hurt me in ways I cannot imagine." I seriously couldn't lie to her. That is not what I wanted to say, I wanted to say, I had no reason to trust anyone, even if it wasn't true, it made me feel better thinking that way. I curled my knees close to my chest as I tried to think of a way to explain it better. She is the Moon Goddess, so I'm sure she already understood, I just wanted to be 100 percent.

"How about I give you a gift? Hm? It won't last for more than 10 minutes, however, if it sets your mind at ease, I will give you a glimpse at yours and his future." She really did remind me of my mom. The glow when she was proud, the light she always brought with her when her and dad were together. No! Stop it, Ruby! Enough of the past.

"And what does our future hold?" She took my hand and placed it on her heart.

"Close your eyes and clear your mind." I did as she instructed. Then I saw it.

        My future with Chester. It was beautiful, we have two daughters named Lilian and Genevieve, they looked so much like their father, except they got my eyes. I saw them shift into wolves and unicorns on their ten birthdays. Lilian gained my red marking while Genevieve had a sapphire marking. What surprised me will be where we are. We are in a pack, Chester's pack. Alpha Max helping the girls with their homework, Luna Mabel teaching me how to be the Beta Female. We're safe, happy but most importantly, we had family. People who I saw trusting me, me trusting them. Watching my girls growing up made me very proud and happy. Seeing their growth, making the world better and finding their mates. It was all I could ever ask for. 

        Then it shifted, to a future with The Prince. He had me locked in a room, chained to the bed as he used me. This was a darker future, with him I produced 3 little boys. 3 heirs to his throne before he permanently locked me away to be used as he see fit. From beatings to r**e to finally breaking my spirit. He was cruel, I had to stay away from him. Keep him from getting me me. The worst thing about this future? I didn't get to see the boys grow up, help name them or anything to do with them. One of them tries to help me escape, it only ended in more beatings on my end. The Prince was crying every time he beat me. Saying I brought it on myself, that it hurt him more than it hurt me. I could make out his words from reading his lips. He would say just be a good girl and this can all be over. Always with that same saying. I hated this future. I didn't want this future. I ended up crying in horror for this future.

        She cut the futures off then looked at me, her expression turned sad when she saw the worst future of my life. How could I stop this? Keep running? No. I had to get stronger to kill him, only then can I be free from this prophecy that's going around.

"How long has this prophecy been around?"

"Thousands of years. A witch made it as a debt to his family."

"A witch? I didn't think they did prophecies."

"Two do. One has been off the grid lately. She likes to make ones of herself more than others and moves around from place to place. The other? She's well known for making deals with Mythic Kind. Their help, for her prophecies."

"Huh..." Then I got an idea. A very twisted idea. I may not be as strong as I should be, but I still had a mind.

"No. You make one like that, you might as well just hand yourself over to Prince Ryan."

"It's a chance to kill him. I have to get her help to make a new prophecy about his demise."

"I won't allow it, Ruby." She gave the mom stare to me. I had to back down while I was ahead.

"Fine. I'll still kill him." 

"And that is what needs to be done. I cannot allow another prophecy float around in our world."

 "Alright." I had to do as I am told by her. I sat back and began to think about the better future I saw. It was heartening, I loved it.

"Have you heard of your own Goddess?"