Chapter 14 - The Last Moon QueenAlora awakened in a world hidden beneath the mountains.Alora opened her eyes.
She was surrounded by silver flowers.
The air smelled of rain.
There was no pain.
No blood.
No castle.
No war.
She stood in a valley beneath an enormous black moon.
Hundreds of wolves watched her from the cliffs.
Then they bowed.
Alora stepped backward.
"Where am I?"
A woman approached.
She wore a crown made of bone-white branches.
Alora recognized her face.
It was her grandmother.
But younger.
Beautiful.
Alive.
"Grandmother?"
The woman smiled.
"You finally came."
Alora began crying.
"I thought you died."
"I did."
"Then how..."
"This is where the guardians go."
Alora looked around.
"What is this place?"
"The Moon Realm."
Her grandmother touched Alora's forehead.
"You carry both bloodlines."
"Voss and Wynn."
"And Moon Queen."
Alora shook her head.
"I don't understand."
"You were born from the last guardian and the last royal bloodline."
"That's impossible."
"Your father was not who you thought."
Alora's grandmother revealed another secret.
Her biological father was not Kael.
Kael had lied.
Her father was a Voss prince murdered before Damian's father became Alpha.
That meant Alora was not merely Damian's mate.
She was connected to the throne by blood.
But one final truth remained.
The First Alpha had not entered the Moon Realm.
He remained outside.
Waiting.
Because he could not cross unless Alora invited him.
"Why would I invite him?"
"Because your child will be born with his power."
Alora froze.
"My baby?"
"The child carries the future."
"Then I have to go back."
Her grandmother shook her head.
"You cannot return alone."
"Why?"
"Because Damian must choose."
"Choose what?"
"Between the crown and the mate bond."
Alora's heart broke.
He would choose her.
She knew he would.
But then her grandmother added:
"Not because he has the crown."
"But because someone must die."
Alora's face turned pale.
"Who?"
Her grandmother looked toward the black moon.
"The first Alpha King."
A howl echoed.
The ground opened.
Damian fell through the darkness.
He landed several feet away.
He looked up.
"Alora."
She ran to him.
They embraced.
For a moment, the war disappeared.
Then the black moon cracked.
Something entered the valley.
The First Alpha.
He was no longer monstrous.
He wore a crown.
His form was almost human.
He looked at Damian.
Then at Alora.
"You have come."
Damian drew his sword.
The First Alpha smiled.
"You still think this is a battle."
"What do you want?"
"I want what your father stole."
"Your kingdom?"
"No."
His eyes moved to Alora.
"My freedom."
Alora frowned.
"You're lying."
The First Alpha smiled.
"Ask your grandmother."
Alora turned.
Her grandmother's face had changed.
She was crying.
"Grandmother?"
The old woman whispered:
"I am the one who sealed him."
The First Alpha stepped forward.
"And she is the one who betrayed me."
Silence.
Alora suddenly realized the real tragedy.
The curse wasn't created by Damian's father.
It wasn't created by Kael.
It began here.
With her grandmother.
The last guardian had loved the First Alpha.
Then betrayed him.
And every generation since had paid the price.
Damian reached for Alora's hand.
The First Alpha looked at them.
"Only one of you can leave."
Damian stepped forward.
"Take me."
Alora shook her head.
"No."
Damian turned.
"I'm not losing you."
The First Alpha smiled.
"Then decide."
He lifted his hand.
A vision appeared.
Wren.
Finn.
Their future.
Their lives.
Their kingdom.
Everything Damian had fought for.
Then another vision.
Alora dying in his arms.
Damian's face broke.
The First Alpha whispered:
"The crown..."
May you like
Then pointed toward Alora.
"...or your mate."
