Chapter 19

“They never found any Gypsies, of course,” she said. “But that didn’t stop your uncle from demanding that the Woods Pack accept him as their new Alpha. Whoever opposed him ended up dying mysteriously. It didn’t take long for the pack to figure out what was going on.
“Since the former Alpha had no heir and his Luna had gone missing, they finally agreed to make Barry their new Alpha.”
It all finally made sense to me. My uncle stole a position that was never his in the first place. Now that he was dead, it meant…
“The triplets are now the new Alphas of the Woods Pack,” I said quietly.
“Yes, Jade. It is their birthright, their destiny.”
I was amazed. My mates were now the leaders of the pack that I grew up with.
“We have to go quickly,” I said excitedly. “I have to see them.”
Nana watched me with sad eyes and then she said, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
My happy mood deflated immediately. “Why?”
“Because they don’t belong to you anymore.”

**********************

“What does that mean?” I asked her angrily. Nana’s riddles were beginning to get on my nerves.
She shrugged and said, “What does it matter? Why don’t you concern yourself with your destiny instead?”
“Nana! Are you going to tell me what’s going on or do we have to keep playing these mind games all day?” I asked her impatiently.
“Listen, Jade. Just like the triplets’ mother, I too have a gift of sorcery,” she said. “When I first saw you with that necklace hanging around your neck, I saw your future.”
Her words sent chills down my spine. “Why didn’t you ever tell me this before?”
“Because the timing wasn’t right back then. But now, you deserve to know what lies ahead of you.”
I sat on the bed beside her, eager to hear what else she had to say. This revelation was becoming very interesting.
“What did you see?” I asked her curiously.
“You are destined to be three times a Luna,” she replied quietly.
“Meaning?”
“Meaning you shall be mated three times in this lifetime.”
“That’s nothing new,” I laughed. “I already have three mates.”
“No, you don’t. The triplets are one. A cord with three strands is not counted as three, is it? It’s just one cord made of three braids.”
“Speak to me plainly, Nana.”
She sighed tiredly. “I need to rest. All this talking has taken my strength from me.”
“I will not leave you alone until you explain these riddles to me.”
“Ugh, Jade!” She grumbled. “You will have other mates apart from the triplets. More hardships are awaiting you… and your son. You will eventually find happiness, but it will come at a great cost. That’s all I know.”
“Nonsense!” I said. “I don’t believe any of that. Maybe you’ve just made that up to discourage me from going to Apex Woods to be with my mates.”
“What?”
“You want me to stay here with you and become your maid? It seems Sonia and the rest of the villagers helping you aren’t enough for you, you want to add me to your list of servants too!”
“That’s not true, Jade,” said Nana with a sad look in her old eyes.
“Yes, it is,” I replied to her sharply. “Well, your plans have failed. Domarius and I are not staying. In fact, we are leaving right now.”
“Jade, wait,” said Nana, stretching her hand towards me but I was already on my feet.
“You don’t understand – “
“I understand perfectly, Nana, and you should be ashamed of yourself,” I said angrily.
“Domarius, come on, son. Let’s leave!”
“May I take the playthings?” He asked politely.
“No!”
“Yes!”
Nana and I had responded at the same time, confusing Domarius.
“Let him have them, Jade,” said Nana weakly. “Please.”
She looked so frail on the bed and I felt sorry for her. But then I remembered how she had just tried to deceive me into staying with her and my heart hardened.
“Get the playthings, then,” I said to Domarius. “Goodbye, Nana.”
“Will I see you two again?” She asked.
“I don’t think so,” I replied.
I took my son’s hand and we left Nana’s cottage. It was late afternoon by now and I was eager to get to Apex Woods. I couldn’t wait to see my mates and show them their son.
I didn’t want to wear my son out, so I shifted into my wolf and carried him on my back. We began the journey and reached our destination three hours later.
Apex Woods hadn’t changed much since I left. Even the palace still looked the same, bringing back many memories to my mind.
“This is where I grew up,” I said to Domarius. I had shifted back to my human form and we were standing side-by-side, admiring the view.
“It’s beautiful,” he said with a huge smile.
“Yes, it is. This is our home. Come on, let’s go in.”
We walked hand-in-hand toward the palace gates but we were stopped by one of the guards at the entrance.
“Yes?” He asked me.
I smiled patiently at him. “I am Luna Jade and this is my son, Domarius.”
“So?” He asked nastily.
“I think you’re new here, if not, you would have recognized me. The triplet Alpha Kings are my mates and this is our son.”
The guard and his colleague exchanged a look and then they burst out laughing.
“That’s a new one,” he said, still laughing.
“The boy does look like the Alphas,” said another guard.
“So?” Said the first guard. “She probably got knocked up when she had a one-night stand with one of the Alphas back in the day.”
“How dare you!” I shouted at him. “How dare you insult me like this in my son’s presence? Do you know who I am?”
“I don’t care,” he replied rudely. “You’re not the first woman to come here claiming to be romantically involved with the Alphas. Take your son and leave now before I kick you out of here!”
I felt anger boiling inside of me. “At least, let the Alphas know that I am here. You can’t just send us back without giving us a chance to see them first.”
“That’s not going to happen,” he said stubbornly. “The Alphas are too busy to concern themselves with a groupie like you. Get lost!”
Frustration made me lose my temper. I growled and changed into my wolf form, going after the guard with all of my strength.
My attack surprised him and he fell. His colleagues jumped in, dragging me off of him and pointing their weapons at me.
“Stand back or we will kill you right here in your son’s presence,” one of them threatened me.
I rose to my feet, changing back to my human form while the first guard stood up.
“You are going to pay for that,” he threatened me. “I will make you regret what you just did.”
“What’s all that noise about?” Someone asked, coming out of the palace.
The guards stood at attention when the person showed up. I recognized him instantly as the head guard from when my uncle was the Alpha King of this pack.
“Beta Jon,” I said, glad to finally see a familiar face.
When he saw me, he stared at me for a few seconds, trying to remember my face. Then he looked at Domarius and he gasped. He looked at me again and his eyes widened.
“Jade! Is that you?” He asked.
“Yes, Jon. It’s me,” I said, smiling with relief.
“What are you doing here?”
“I have returned home with my son, but your boys here wouldn’t let us in.”
“I apologise on their behalf, Jade,” he said kindly. “These guards are new recruits. They don’t know you. Come on, you two. Come on in.”
I gave the guards a dirty look as I passed them and I was glad to see them looking scared. I’m sure they will spend the rest of their day wondering if they will be fired or not. That thought made me smile with satisfaction.
The palace grounds were as neat as always. The servants hurried about doing their work, not even glancing in our direction.
I didn’t see Antonio anywhere and I wondered what became of him. And Brianna… what about her? Nana never said anything about my evil cousin who tried to destroy my life.
“The Luna is in the library,” said Beta Jon, as we entered inside the palace. “I’m sure she will be glad to see you.”
“The Luna?” I asked. I was confused. Nana never mentioned anything about a Luna living in the Apex Woods palace.
“Ah, here she is,” said Jon, leading us into the palace library. “My Queen, I’m sorry to bother you but you have guests.”
Jon stepped out of the way and I saw the so-called Luna, standing in front of a high bookshelf. She was reading a book but then she snapped it shut and turned around.
My breath left me when I saw her face. “Brianna!”
“Jade?” She said. Her eyes were wide and her skin had become pale.