XII

They were all gathered around the table, having dinner. Maximus observed Selene, trying to decipher her. It looked like she didn't eat meat. How on earth does she look so strong without meat? „Selene", began Genevive, „How old are you?"

"24"

„Have you lived in the Cur.. I mean the forest since a child?" She scrunched her eyes a little, not oblivious to his words, but grateful the beta stopped himself.

„Yes, since birth." Maximus observed she didn't talk much. „Alone?"

„My father, Soren, went to be with the goddess when I was 18. Since then, yes, but I was never alone. I had the forest." Her words didn't make much sense to them.

„What do you mean you had the forest, moon?"

„Soren told me the goddess gave me the gift of the nature. It calls to me and I, to it." They were struck my her words.

„Calls to you?" Selene was not used to so much attention, but she saw they were curious and she felt a connection with these wolves.

„Yes, it whispers to me. It calls if it needs me and I, in turn, call to the woods if I need them." Still, they were so confused, but they saw the look their Alpha gave them and shut their mouths. Too many questions at once.

„Moon, did your father teach you how to fight?" The gamma perched his ears.

„Yes, he has been training me since I was 5."

„5?" Troy exclaimed. Selene looked at him with straight, serious eyes.

„Yes, there was no room for mistakes. He said I have to learn. That my destiny was great."

Maximus felt like the luckiest man in the world. Not only was his mate the most beautiful woman on Earth, but more powerful than himself. She was truly his equal, his Queen.

„Selene, Selene, come meet mamma!" She saw Mathias approach her with Eli and another women by his side. Holding his hand, stood a woman in her 40's, with a glint in her eyes. What Selene didn't know was that Amelia couldn't wait to meet her future Luna. It was an honour for her to pass down the title to Selene.

Selene stood up, approached Amelia and looked into her eyes. Her gaze softened. „Your heart is bleeding." Amelia stared at her.

„What do you mean? Is there something wrong?" the wolves behind her hurried to ask. Selene put her hand on her chest, above her heart.

„Be free of the sorrow." Her hands emitted a silver glow. It was the second time the wolves saw her do this, but they were still amazed. Amelia didn't know what she felt. For years, since the death of Ethan, she has mourned her loneliness. Sure, she had her pups, but the trauma that man inflicted on her was embedded on her heart. After her mate died, right after she met him, she was heartbroken. Meeting Ethan was a new beginning for her. He showered her with love, until all came crushing down and she saw his true colours. Enduring him were the worst years of her life and after he died, Amelia felt like she had no use in the world, no one to love her like your other half would.

It was as if Selene stitched her heart, giving her a feeling of content, fulliness again. Her eyes teared. You could see her pale face come to life again. Maximus has tried to help her over the years, either by making sure she focused on the Luna duties, so she would feel like she had a purpose, or by offering her to visit other packs, maybe she would build a connection with a male wolf from there. She never agreed, saying that she didn't want a remake of Ethan.

Amelia hugged Selene tightly. „Thank you! You are a blessing, child." Selene has always had the need and drive to help others, to see them happy, full of life. The look on Amelia's face satisfied her. „How did you do that?" She turned around to look at the wolves mouths hanging open.

„Nature has a lot of gifts. I gave her a little of my magic."

Maximus shook his head, in awe for his mate's kindness. „Let's go moon. I'll show you the pack house and our room."

„Our room?" He chuckled. „If you think I will let you out of my sight, you are very wrong. You don't know how long I have waited for you. Now that you're here, next to me, I'll never let you go."

At his words, Selene felt her heart flutter. She was warm and could already see the love this man she just met had for her. Should I trust him? She looked into his golden eyes and searched for his soul. She saw anguish and hurt, but all was covered by warmth, love. She has not encountered many humans, only the rogues, all with condemned souls, and the werewolves of Ironblood, who she saw as being good. But this man.... to have overcome such deep negative emotions was astonishing. It was not easy healing a soul that damaged. Now alone, she felt she needed to say the next words.

„You are like the sun."

„What?" Maximus watched her soft features, not knowing what she meant. She was looking at him like they were the only people on earth.

„You are royal, like the sun. I can see it. I can see you." He didn't know what to say. She felt like treasure to him. Like all his life, he had something missing and now, he found it. Being told he was like the sun left him speechless. The only thing he could do was sit on the bed, pulling her in his arms. He kissed her forehead.

„Sleep, my moon."