130
Peter
Lucy looked a bit uncomfortable but managed a smile at me. I tried to discern the relationship among the three of them, yet sensed nothing romantic. Luke appeared slightly younger than me, while Duke seemed about Lucy's age, exuding a sibling-like vibe. My gaze drifted over them, noting the rings on their fingers.
"Are you studying at the campus here?" I inquired.
Lucy nodded. "Luke is one of my professors."
"Ah," I responded. "A perfect setting for an in-depth lecture. The museum frequently hosts specialized classes for students at no charge if you're interested."
She looked up at me with a hint of hope. "Really?"
I confirmed with a nod. "There's a schedule at the front desk. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis, though."
"Are you an alum?" Luke asked. "Or affiliated with the museum in some way?"
"Not with this one. While I get along with certain covens, the Hecate coven is notoriously difficult to impress," I said, my lips twitching. "And I certainly never had the magical prowess to attend the capital campus, though my interest remains."
I tilted my head slightly. "I've helped the museum in my city with identifying and preserving magical artifacts, testing them. The Black Moon's territory is largely forest and undeveloped land. We have the most space, and with a relatively small pack, it's safer to conduct tests away from the populace."
"That's impressive... Do you enjoy it?" Lucy asked.
"I find it fulfilling," I replied. "Especially when it benefits my pack."
She seemed pleased. "That's good to hear."
"Do you mind if I join your tour?" I asked, turning toward her.
Lucy shook her head, and for the next half hour, I walked by her side. When we reached the Moon Wars exhibit, I paused in front of the Spear of the Moon Wars. Its radiant aura demanded attention, casting a mesmerizing glow across the room.
The plaque beneath it read: Donated by the Black Moon Pack.
"You donated it?" Lucy inquired. "Why?"
"Not me personally; my predecessor did. He believed it symbolized the divine intervention of the Moon Goddess and felt it didn't belong in our house."
"Why is that?"
"Legend claims it was used to kill an alpha of the Black Moon pack, preventing a Black Moon alpha from leading the werewolf community."
As I studied the spear's intricate details, I couldn't help but feel a sting of pain. It served as a stark reminder that even well-laid plans could fail.
"They say the Moon Goddess aided the Blue Moon wolf who killed him, elevating the Blue Moon wolves to prominence. It's less of a family heirloom to me than it is to the Blue Moon Pack."
Lucy's gaze lingered on the spear. "I'm sorry to hear that."
I glanced down at her. "Did he... Did he survive?"
"No," I admitted. "He lived, but lost the ability to shift. Whether that's fortunate, given the current state of affairs, is debatable."
"If he was content, then perhaps it was for the best," she mused.
I found no words to reply, so I remained silent, observing the curls that framed her face and brushed over her ears. Then, I turned back to the spear, contemplating it a while longer.
We parted ways in the foyer, and I watched them leave through the portal. My visit to the museum had been a casual decision—a trip to the witch museums always lifted my spirits. However, encountering Lucy again surpassed any exhibit. As I stepped out of the Hecate City magical museum, a smile played at the corners of my mouth. The visit had turned out more enjoyable than I had anticipated.
Reaching into my pocket, my fingers brushed against Lucy's hairpin. I had carried it with me at every opportunity. As I recalled the smoothness of her neck and her scent, distinct from the twins', I felt exhilarated. The mating hadn't taken effect. She was as free as anyone else. Strolling through the busy streets of Hecate City, my mind was awash with thoughts of Lucy. It was unusual for me to fixate so much on someone, especially when there was no apparent way for me to have them.
Before meeting Lucy, the only other person I had felt drawn to was Michelle. It wasn't as intense as the mating pull some described, but it was potent and genuine. Michelle had a spirit and warmth I had come to know well. It seemed I might have to turn her to make her mine until Lucy appeared at her ceremony.
The distance and silence regarding the twins had given me space, but seeing Lucy today had rekindled my desire to claim her.
Deep down, a voice whispered that this bond was special, worth pursuing. Maybe it was the magic of the moon goddess or fate's guiding hand that brought us together. The magnetic pull towards Lucy was undeniable, compelling me to possess her.
I followed my usual path through the museum district, grabbing a bite at a café, then headed to the nearby park as the sunset cast an ethereal glow over the city. A human woman jogged past, her dark hair reminiscent of Michelle's.
Michelle.
I pondered over the abrupt end to our relationship. She was certainly attractive, with a charming smile and fortitude. Despite her youth, she had a worldly presence that made her seem more mature. Yet, our connection felt superficial compared to what I felt for Lucy.
Perhaps it was because Michelle was human. We weren't mates, but neither did I feel that Lucy and I were. The pull I felt towards Lucy was unlike any mating instinct I had heard of. It was something else entirely.
I've always enjoyed a puzzle, and perhaps that's why she captivated my thoughts. It didn't make sense, but there had to be a reason.
My phone rang, jolting me from my reverie.
"Are you in a good place to talk?" Jason's voice came through.
"As good as any," I replied, taking a sip of my drink. "You have something for me?"
"I'm sorry it took so long. There's been a lot of attention on this profile. It took a while to extract the information from the Hecate database."
"Extracted?"
"The evaluation rooms are monitored by charms, but the data isn't formalized until I approve it. This girl's case is heavily guarded. Something about the Blue Moon pack causing a stir, and the Council's stance on them is well-known."
"I'm aware," I said. "And?"
"Lucy Graves' wolf form bears a glowing crescent moon on her chest."
I nearly spilled my drink. "Are you certain?"
"I witnessed it myself. I had her transform for the evaluation. It's there."
I licked my lips, intrigued. "Who else knows?"
"It seems she's undergone other tests. A bond test, for one. So, her examiners might know, but the witches have more incentive to keep her—and the world—in the dark than anyone else."
"Thank you."
I hung up, the information resonating deeply within me. Everything clicked into place. The pull towards Lucy, the inexplicable connection—it was because she was the next Moon Goddess. A thrill mixed with anxiety coursed through me. I finally understood the power she held over me, the feeling that I'd do anything to have her.
This wasn't mere passion but a deep-seated ambition. A Moon Goddess could elevate the Black Moon wolves from mere shifters to a formidable force, rivaling the Blue Moon Pack without diluting our bloodline.
With this revelation, my strategy would need to shift. If I could align myself with her as she embraced her role as the Moon Goddess, guide and shape her, I'd be poised to dominate the werewolf community.
Dealing with Tony, Matt, and their father would be challenging, but leveraging David could simplify my ascent. A grin spread across my face as I walked on. After Lucy provided enough heirs to change the Black Moon Pack's destiny, I might resume things with Michelle. After all, a true alpha always kept a mistress to satisfy his needs.
I headed home, confident that everything was falling into place.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
