#3 By the Light of the Silver Moon

Marigold

I went back to our room and started cleaning up the mess I left behind in the closet. There was nothing left of the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma from Ireland, but there was plenty of damage left over.

“Oh my.” Zoey’s voice startled me from the bathroom.

“Yeah, I think I’m going to need some extra cleaning days this week.” I sighed.

“I’ll go get the vacuum.” Zoey replied absentmindedly.

“I think we’re going to need more than a vacuum.” I grumbled as Zoey disappeared again.

I started compiling all of my burned clothing and everything else that had been charred by Solaris flame. The carpet had been completely burned, fraying off in chunks and leaving behind the wooden boards of the subfloor. Bayu’s wind had left everything displaced and my vines had forced their way through the floor and walls, leaving vegetation and destruction in their wake.

“I sent Zoey to contact the contractor to come in and fix all of this.” Finn said, stepping into the mess.

“Great, thanks.” I mumbled, walking past him.

“Really, Marigold?” I heard Finn sigh as I escaped to the bedroom,

“Are you really mad about this?”

“I’m mad that you thought I was comparing Renee to my situation.” I snapped.

“I’m sorry, I just thought that maybe you were having some PTSD or something.” Finn said, leaning against the wall as I glared at him from across the room,

“What are you really mad about?” He asked.

“My father gave Torrin the ability to hurt me.” I confessed.

“You mean the bracelet?” Finn looked confused.

“No. Torrin went to my father, like my brothers said, but he didn’t leave empty handed. He gave Torrin a powder that temporarily disables a fae’s magic. I asked Sol and Bay about it and they said that Father personally escorted Torrin out of the palace, so he probably gave the powder to him then.”

“Does that really come as such a surprise? You knew your father would keep coming at you.” Finn pushed off the wall and walked towards me.

“No, I guess not.” I sighed. I let Finn take my hand,

“Then, what is it?”

“It’s just hard. It’s one thing for my father to sentence me to exile and make deals so I can’t return home, but it’s another thing to actually send someone away with a tool to help assassinate me. I gave up on my father a long time ago, but it doesn’t mean that I’m made of a stone. His betrayal still hurts.” I said, studying Finn’s hand in mine. Finn picked up my chin so we were eye level,

“I know it still hurts, love, and I’m so sorry you have to go through this time and time again. I wish I could do something to stop your father. But, now we’re making our own family, right here, and this family will never betray you. But, I’m going to protect this family.” Finn promised me, rubbing his other hand across my stomach,

“And protecting my family means taking down anyone who threatens it.” He added. I closed my eyes and sighed,

“I know that. I’m sorry.” My eyes fluttered open just in time to receive Finn’s kiss. I giggled against him as he wrapped his arms around my waist and tipped me backwards gently.

“I love you.” Finn whispered against my ear as he kissed my neck,

“I love you, too.” I breathed, my brain becoming foggy like it so often does when Finn’s hands trail my body.

I woke up alone in bed the next morning. I sighed blissfully and stretched out my swollen body. I tucked the blankets around me, protecting my naked body from the cold. I cupped my belly as I breathed in Finn’s scent. His aroma surrounded me, calming me and easing my discomfort.

I carefully rolled out of bed and went to the bathroom. I noticed that Finn had put a tarp up over the closet doorway and sealed it with tape so the smell of smoke didn’t cloud the rest of our room. I smiled at his thoughtfulness and wondered when he had time to accomplish that in between our extracurricular activities.

I turned on the shower and ran the water hot enough to cause steam to fill the room. Ever since I had gotten pregnant, Finn had become an expert on all things baby related. He apparently read that baths weren’t safe for pregnant women and banned me from taking one. He also sighted what happened the first time I took a bath and labeled me a fall risk. I gave in, but wouldn’t cave on my hot showers.

I stepped inside the shower and let the hot water run down my tired muscles. I seriously underestimated the toll that being pregnant with twin werewolf-fae hybrid babies took on a woman’s body.

After the shower, I went down to the dining hall to have breakfast. I found myself mostly alone. The rest of the pack was, undoubtedly, being overworked by their Alpha or busy fixing the packhouse. Finn had human contractors coming in soon to make the major repairs, but, in the meantime, the pack was doing what they could to clean up.

Finn was nowhere to be found, but that wasn’t out of the ordinary. He often skipped breakfast to get more work done so he could be free sooner in the evenings. Ferra and Stone were both seated at the table, all over each other after Stone’s release from the hospital.

It was Tuesday, so I went to my office to wait for Genny. Twice a week Genny came over to help me prepare for my duties as the Luna and as a mother. Exactly on time, Genny knocked on my office door and entered with a tea cart.

“Oh dear, I’m so glad to see you safe.” Genny gushed, hurrying over to me for a hug.

“I’m okay, Genny.” I laughed, shooing her away. Genny shook her head and handed me a cup of tea.

“You had us so worried.” Genny said, sitting across from me.

“It wasn’t by choice, I assure you.” I mumbled.

“Oh I know. I just can’t help but think of all the times Conrad must’ve felt the same way.” Genny said.

“What do you mean?” I asked, sipping on my tea.

“Unfortunately, being the Luna isn’t the safest job in the world. I was taken three different times by neighboring packs who wanted to threaten Conrad, and twice our packhouse was attacked and I was threatened.” Genny said nonchalantly.

“Well my father has now tried to kill me oh say a dozen times or so, so I think I can handle it.” I replied, waving my hand lazily.

“I guess that’s true.” We shared a laugh without humor.

“Did Conrad act like a prison warden after you were kidnapped? Because I’m pretty sure Finn is about to become even more insufferable.” I sighed.

“Yes, another side effect of being mated to an Alpha, I’m afraid.” Genny smirked,

“I suppose you’re much less willing to just accept that fate than I was.”

“I was kept for a long time, Genny.” I said.

“You know that Finn isn’t like that.” Genny said sternly.

“I know that he would never control me on purpose. But, I’m afraid that his desire to protect me will start to feel like a cage. I’m afraid we won’t be able to compromise on this one.” I admitted.

“He’s your mate, Mari, you’ll always be able to figure out a compromise. The future will be rocky, especially after you have the babies, but I have faith that you and Fox will be able to figure it out.” As usual, Genny’s words of wisdom eased all of my anxieties.

“I don’t know what I would do without you, Genny.” I smiled.

“Oh you would figure it out, you might just be a little slower at it.” She winked at me before we got to work.

I found Finn in his office a few hours later.

“Hello, love.” Finn smiled, immediately in a better mood. I grinned and danced over to his lap.

“Things always get messy when you do this.” Finn smirked, wrapping his arms around my stomach.

“I just wanted to tell you that I love you and I’m sorry for our fight yesterday.” I said, resting my head on his shoulder.

“I thought we made up last night, a couple of times.” Finn chuckled.

“We did. But I thought it was worth repeating.” I said, kissing his jawline.

“Is everything alright, love?” Finn asked, beginning to get suspicious of my behavior.

“I was just worried before, but your mother….”

“Please don’t talk about my mom when you’re sitting on my lap kissing me.” Finn groaned. I laughed at him,

“Sorry.” I teased him, not at all sorry.

“What were you worried about?” He asked.

“I was worried that we wouldn’t be able to figure this out, once the babies get here and everything gets so much more complicated.” I admitted.

“Oh, baby, we’re always going to be able to figure things out. Yes, everything will be different once the babies come and defeat us,” Finn laughed,

“But, nothing will change between you and me.”

“Just promise me that we’ll always listen to each other.” I said, holding his face in my hands.

“I promise.” He whispered, kissing me deeply.

He wrapped his arms around my waist and stood from the chair, carrying me out of the room.

“What? The desk wasn’t good enough?” I asked breathlessly as we rode the elevator to the top floor.

“My lovely mate deserves a comfortable bed to be laid in.” Finn said in his deep, husky voice.

I giggled as we entered the bedroom and he gently laid me on the bed. Finn made quick work of my clothes and I hungrily ripped off his. His hands overtook my body and my eyes took over his, admiring what was mine. Finn caressed my belly, moving his hands upwards to massage my tender breasts, taking away all of my pain.

As Finn and I shared our bed that afternoon, I gave him more of me than ever before. I’ve always known that I loved Finn Oxford, that I wanted to have his babies and live together in this beautiful life we’ve created, even when I was lying to myself and denying the mate bond. I knew, with certainty, that Finn and I could face anything as long as we were together. No matter what we faced, no matter what I was afraid of, we would come out stronger because of it.

I sighed deeply as Finn’s body consumed mine and moaned in pleasure. In this moment, I willingly let Finn take control as he held my arms over my head and trailed his mouth down my neck. He sucked on my mark and I gasped loudly, allowing the goosebumps to overtake my body.

“You’re mine.” Finn growled deeply.

“And you’re mine.” I gripped Finn’s shirt and pulled him close to me again, proving that he was exactly where he belonged: with me.

Epilogue

Marigold

Two Years Later

“Levi and Lexi, be careful!” I yelled to my toddler twins as they ran through the palace. I was rocking my newborn daughter, Lilli, as their father was off somewhere enjoying his freedom.

“Are you alright in here, little sister?” Solaris laughed as he entered the throne room.

“Your niece and nephew are going to be the death of me.” I grumbled.

“The little prince and princess are just filled with pent up fae magic.” Solaris observed, watching the sparks fly from the toddlers’ little feet as they sped through the room.

“I know. It’s crazy how much potential they are already showing.” I said. Fae children normally didn’t start showing signs of magic until they turned ten, realizing their true gift at the age of 13.

“Well, they are the descendants of both a royal bloodline and an Alpha bloodline.” Solaris shrugged just as the doors to the throne room opened.

Bayu and Finn strolled through the room, doding the running children. Finn kissed me softly and took our sleeping daughter from my hands.

Six months ago, Bayu and Solaris successfully overthrew our father for the throne. They were able to gather the support of the Great Fae and the people, revealing the truth about my father’s lies and turning them against the King. They imprisoned the King and demanded he relinquish Finn from his deal. With that, Finn and I were able to return to the realm. We brought the pack with us and helped smooth over the transition of power within the kingdom.

After the birth of Lilli, we decided to bring the children to the fae realm for the first time. The Great Fae requested our presence for a royal meeting, and Solaris and Bayu agreed to babysit while we attended the meeting. I wasn’t sure that the new King of the Fae and his advisor were prepared for two toddlers and a newborn, but, we’ll see.

“The Great Fae are waiting for you two in the committee room.” Bayu said.

“We’ll take the kids to have dinner and a nap.” Solaris added. I smirked at them,

“That’s optimistic of you.” Finn chuckled in agreement as he handed over Lilli to her Uncle Bayu.

“Good luck.” Finn said before picking up my hand and leading the way to the committee room.

The twelve members of the Great Fae were already waiting for us. We sat at the head of the table and waited for them to speak.

“We have asked for this meeting today in order to deliver a new prophecy.” One of the elders spoke.

“We aren’t interested in knowing our futures.” I argued, having no desire to chase my tail over a misinterpreted prophecy like my father did for the better part of a century.

“Not even to learn more about the time of the wolf?” One of the other elders said. I eyed him curiously, cursing him for peaking my interest.

“What does that mean?” Finn spoke first.

“There were two paths that our prophecy could have taken for the past King and Queen. One would have yielded four sons and the continuation of King Titan’s reign. That was clearly not what destiny had in mind. Instead, the second path was chosen and a daughter was born. Down this path, the princess will bring forward the dormant werewolf bloodline from the Queen by mating with a powerful Alpha.” The elders explained the old prophecy,

“This will awaken the time of the wolf.” Surprisingly enough, they explained absolutely nothing.

“We knew all of that.” I snapped.

“You may have noticed a rise in Alphas mating with a species other than werewolves?” One of the elders asked. I turned to Finn who nodded in agreement.

“Something is coming that will bring werewolves from the shadows. Density choosing this path for you, Princess Marigold, has secured the future of the werewolf kingdom.”

“Excuse me, werewolf kingdom?” Finn was just as confused as me.

“Haven’t you ever wondered why every other species has a monarch besides yours?” An elder asked.

“Not really.” Finn replied plainly. I shook my head at his ignorance and chuckled under my breath. The elders exchanged glances of unamused expressions.

“There was once a King Alpha and Queen Luna who resided over the werewolf kingdom. A century ago, the members of what is now known as the Werewolf Council, overthrew them. They executed the entire royal bloodline. Or so they thought. The Moon Goddess, in her wisdom, saved an unannounced heir to the crown and hid her among the children of the royal guard, until the time was right for the royal bloodline to rise again.” I looked, wide eyed, at Finn, trying to decide if he had heard about any of this before. The look of pure shock on his face told me that he had not,

“The Council wanted absolute control over the werewolves, instead of the freedoms and self governing body that the royal family protected for centuries.” Another elder explained.

“The prophecy sent by the Moon Goddess is this…” The Great Fae spoke all at once,

“The time of the royal wolf will come when the daughters of the world combine with the strongest Alphas. Marked as one, the daughters of the species and the Alphas of the wolves, will bring unity to a broken realm and relinquish the fears that have long since plagued it. When the moon rises red on the descendants of the royal guard, the descendants of royal blood will be revealed. Together, the packs of the four corners will combine and bring unity and peace to the royal kingdoms.”