The Female Alpha’s Sanctuary

Chapter 53
“For reassurance as a liable witness.”
He explained. Yet somehow, a small tinge of doubt ruptured inside me. Something that told me he wanted me to come along for
an entirely different reason. The Moon Goddess’ Pool was a sacred shrine. The Pool indicated the mate ties between the two
users. A drop of blood from both parties was required to ink into the water in order to classify the bond as real. If the water turned
blue, then they were mates.
If the water turned red, they were not.
The Moon Goddess placed the Pool there to ensure wolves, they weren’t misplacing their feelings of attraction. Of course, it was
hard to mistake the pull of mates to mere infatuation but it was useful for those who had human mates.
“You wouldn’t mind, would you?”
His voice was tight. Almost like he was hanging by the string of my answer. I looked over to Noah who held my gaze, his eyes
darting between Locksworth and I, in evident confusion. My wolf tugged at the barriers, willing me to go. She was wagging her
tail, her tongue sticking out as she looked after Locksworth in pure awe. This reaction from her was so strange. She never
treated anyone like this. not even Landon. Pursing my lips together, I shook my head. My curiosity was getting the best of me.
“No, I suppose I could go.”
And so we did.
The drive to to the Goddess’ Pool was a short one. It was close to Nightwake territory in the neutral region just a few miles
South. For a good twenty minutes, all I could think about was the intriguing exchange between Locksworth and I. There was no
denying he was an attractive man, but would his physical features really have such a strong pull on me?
It didn’t make any sense.
My wolf didn’t make any sense.
“We’re here, Alpha.”
Staring out the tinted windows, I took in the large mountain with the mouth of the cave in view. Surrounded by trees that
stretched miles from us, I felt a faint smile on my face. This was the first time I’ve ever been here. It was a lot simpler than I
expected. Sliding the van door open, I stepped
out.
“The entrance is that way.”
Benicio said, looking directly at Locksworth. The wolf in him was thirsting for a fight. The denial of Hestia meant the denial of his
bloodline. The ultimate disrespect for a wolf, especially for a Beta or any high ranking title. It’s almost funny how it didn’t matter
when it happened to me.
I felt a surge of power come from Locksworth as he narrowed his gaze on Benicio. Sophie, who I just noticed was with us, stood

close to her mate, urging him to calm his wolf. She too, felt the pressure from Locksworth. The pressure that said he wasn’t
afraid to fight him if he were to be provoked
once more.
Locksworth looked to his Beta and shared a moment of quiet understanding. The Beta nodded, standing in his spot and turned to
the two warriors they brought with them.
“Stay here, the Alpha demands privacy among all those involved.”
Sophie, who held onto her mate’s arm in a tight hold met my gaze. For a split second, something
flashes in her eyes but I don’t let it hold my interest. I looked to Noah and nodded in dismissal.
If Locksworth wanted his privacy, I would respect it by telling my warriors to stay put. Landon did the same, bringing no one but
Hestia, Sophie and Benicio. All eight of us made our way into the shrine. Noah and I trailed behind, not really having any part in
this but being spectators of the whole ordeal.
The tension surrounding the two groups was thick, understandably so.
The cave glowed with barely lit torches attached to the walls. The entrance was narrow and cold. I felt a chill run through me. A
few minutes in, and we reached the Goddess’ Pool. Beautiful, shinning crystals grew around it, some hanging from the cave
ceiling and others growing from the walls. The water was sparkling; clear and unearthly. It looked ethereal, more so with a
sculpted marble figure of the Moon Goddess centered in the middle. Her hair was exquisitely long, a garland of flowers delicately
carved above her head as a crown. Her thin arms were outstretched as though she was posed for an embrace. One hand held a
posy of flowers, the other held a balance scale.
A small crescent moon laid on one of the weight pans. The sun on the other.
A perfect balance.
It was serene.
The only sound we could hear was the water dripping from the crystal above and dropping into the pool.
“Well, there’s no need to prolong this. Hestia, go on.”
My father said gruffly, motioning to the pool with his head. He looked annoyed, insistent on speeding the process up to prove
Locksworth wrong. Pride was the most primal part of his being. An insult to his pride was as good as an insult to his existence.
Hestia swallowed, looking at father nervously before staring after Locksworth. The longing and fear on her face matched my
suspicions
of her lie.
Locksworth, without even glancing her way, walked forward taking his place at the front of the pool and swiped out a metallic
pocket knife from his back pocket. Sliding the blade out, he wordlessly sliced his palm open and held it above the water.