Chapter 26 - Let's be realistic

Trixie sat down gracefully, her long, curly hair cascading over her shoulders as she fixed her gaze on Giselle and her sister Cindy. Without preamble, she posed a question that caught them off guard.
"Do you even know who the Moon Goddess is?" Trixie asked, her tone laced with condescension.
Giselle and Cindy exchanged puzzled glances. Giselle shook her head. "No, I'm not familiar with the Moon Goddess."
Trixie's disappointment was palpable. "Of course not," she muttered under her breath, her disappointment evident. She sighed, composing herself before continuing. "The Moon Goddess, Selene, is revered in the werewolf community. She is said to appear during the Moon Festival and has the power to reveal each werewolf's fated mate."
Cindy furrowed her brow, her curiosity piqued. "So, what does that have to do with Shane and Giselle?"
Trixie's expression turned serious. "It means that if the Moon Goddess does not approve of Shane marrying a human like Giselle, he will be obligated to obey her."
Giselle's heart skipped a beat at the implication of Trixie's words. She had never considered the influence of ancient beliefs and traditions on their relationship.
"But what if Shane truly loves Giselle?" Cindy asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Trixie shrugged, her demeanor indifferent. "Love doesn't always align with destiny, Cindy. Sometimes, sacrifices must be made for the greater good of the pack."
Giselle felt a knot forming in her stomach as she contemplated the weight of Trixie's words. The idea that their fate could be dictated by an ancient deity was both unsettling and sobering.
"Is there anything we can do?" Giselle asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Trixie's expression softened slightly, as if she was pitying Giselle's naivety. "You can hope that the Moon Goddess smiles upon your union, Giselle. But ultimately, the decision is out of our hands."
Cindy's concern deepened as she pondered Trixie's words. "Why wouldn't Alpha Shane tell Giselle about this? If it's so important..."
Trixie's grin was mischievous as she interjected. "Maybe he's just hoping against hope that the Moon Goddess will give her blessing. But let's be realistic, Giselle."
Giselle regarded her sister with a mixture of determination and vulnerability. "Even if the Moon Goddess doesn't approve, I'm not going to let that dictate my happiness. If Alpha Shane still wants me, even against the Moon Goddess's disapproval, then I'll stay by his side."
Trixie's frown deepened, her skepticism evident. It was clear that Giselle's unwavering resolve unsettled her. The idea of defying ancient traditions and deities was something Trixie hadn't anticipated.
The weight of the pack's potential disapproval settled uneasily in Giselle's heart. She exchanged a glance with Cindy, a silent acknowledgment of the gravity of the situation.
"If the Moon Goddess doesn't approve," Trixie reiterated, her tone somber, "the whole pack will follow suit. Alpha Shane needs to consider the wishes of his pack members."
Giselle offered a faint nod, her smile strained but resolute. "I understand, Trixie. It's important for Alpha Shane to listen to his pack."
Cindy's frown deepened as she processed the implications of Trixie's revelation. "When is this Moon Festival?" she inquired, her voice tinged with concern.
Trixie's expression softened slightly as she responded, "Two nights from now."
Alpha Shane's sudden arrival sent a ripple of tension through the air. His voice, deep and commanding, sliced through the conversation like a knife, demanding attention and respect.
"Trixie, what are you doing there?" His words were measured, his gaze piercing as it fixed upon Trixie, who stood frozen under his scrutiny.
Trixie's demeanor shifted, her previous confidence faltering in the face of Alpha Shane's unwavering gaze. She struggled to maintain her composure, her mind racing for a plausible explanation.
"I-I was just..." Trixie stammered, her voice betraying her unease. "I was just talking to Giselle, Alpha Shane. We were discussing the upcoming Moon Festival."
Alpha Shane's expression remained inscrutable, his eyes boring into Trixie with an intensity that made her squirm uncomfortably. He seemed unconvinced by her response, his features betraying no hint of emotion.
"Is that so?" His tone was laced with skepticism, his penetrating gaze never wavering from Trixie's face. "Well, I appreciate your concern for Giselle, but I think it's best if you leave now."
Trixie's heart pounded in her chest, a mixture of frustration and resentment bubbling within her. She knew she had overstepped her bounds, but the dismissal stung nonetheless.
"Of course, Alpha Shane," she replied, her voice strained as she forced a polite smile. "I'll leave you to your preparations for the festival."
With a curt nod, Trixie turned on her heel and made her exit, her steps brisk and purposeful. Alpha Shane watched her go, his expression unreadable as he contemplated the implications of her presence.
As Trixie vanished from sight, a heavy silence settled over the garden, broken only by the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze. Alpha Shane's mind buzzed with questions and suspicions, his instincts telling him that there was more to Trixie's visit than met the eye.
Turning to Giselle and her family, he offered them an apologetic smile, though the furrow of concern remained etched upon his brow.
"Giselle, listen to me," he began, his voice steady and unwavering. "I understand your concerns, but you mustn't worry about the whims of the Moon Goddess. What matters most is our love for each other."
Giselle's eyes searched his face, her uncertainty intense as she spoke. "But Alpha Shane, if it's true that the Moon Goddess may not approve of our union, what then? Will we be forced to separate?"
Alpha Shane reached out, gently taking Giselle's hand in his own, his touch warm and reassuring. "No, Giselle, you have my word. Regardless of what the Moon Goddess decrees, I will never let anything come between us."
He held her gaze, his eyes filled with unwavering conviction. "Our love is stronger than any external force, and I will fight for us with every fiber of my being. You are my fated mate, Giselle, and nothing will ever change that."
Giselle's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she absorbed his words, a sense of relief washing over her. She squeezed his hand tightly, a silent expression of gratitude and trust.
"Thank you, Alpha Shane," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "I believe in us, and I'll stand by your side no matter what."