The Rise of Lunar's Light (The Story Before Mateless)

Celine’s Pov:

“Madeline’s health is declining,” mother sighed as she sat across the table from me. “She’s what? 100?” I asked. My mother sent me a nasty glare thanks to my words.

“103, to be precise,” she snapped. “But that’s not the point. Just because she’s lived a good long life doesn’t mean I won’t morn her. Nor does it mean I will miss her any less,” she stated, blinking back her tears.

For a long time, we sat and stared at one another. While I was not as close to Madeline as my mother. Her unavoidable death would still leave a hole in not only my heart, but that of the packs as well. Her magnetic personality ensured that all loved her.

“I am sorry Mother; I will miss Madeline too. She has always been like an aunt to me….” I started, but the expression on my mother’s face caused me to pause. “Mom?” I tried to reach her, but she greeted me with a blank stare.

“Who are you?” she asked as her eyes came back into focus. “What do you mean, who am I?” I replied with surprise. “I mean, I don’t know who you are,” she snapped with an alarming amount of anger. My mind raced as I tried to come up with a reason she suddenly didn’t remember me.

“Timothy, come quickly, please. Mom seems to forget who I am,” I linked on the verge of tears. “Amethyst, are you ok?” Timothy’s voice came from behind me while he assessed the situation.

A light I’d never seen before shone from my mother’s eyes before she jumped out of her chair and raced to him. She leaped into his arms like a lovesick schoolgirl before placing a loving kiss on his cheek.

“OMG MOM!” I shrieked, leaping from my chair in surprise. She stared at me with her arms still wrapped around Timothy. It was almost as if she was seeing me for the first time. Suddenly, tears flooded her eyes as she searched for what to say.

A moment later, her eyes regain their normal dullness. Quickly, she moved out of the reach of Timothy as she realized what had just transpired. “So, this was where I jumped. I wondered when it was,” she muttered to herself as she quickly left the room, appearing utterly upset.

As I snapped my eyes to Timothy, I hoped to understand what it was I just witnessed. I realized my mother’s mind periodically went for a wander through time, and that was definitely what just happened. Only I didn’t understand why she kissed him or why he returned her embrace.

“Take a seat. This is going to be a long awkward story,” he sighed, sitting where my mother just vacated. Without so much as a word, I sat down. “I am sure you are aware your mother was around when Silverlight attacked, and we fled here. And the story of when she became High Priestess, what we left out was your mother shifted in my bed,” he smiled, recalling the memories.

“It’s not what you think. Amethyst has always left out the part where she and Gretchen were at each other’s throats. Your mother told Gretch not to perform the spell. Because your mother recognized Gretchen’s body couldn’t handle that amount of magic anymore. I mistakenly took Gretchen’s side, and it cost Gretch her life and it almost cost the lives of Olympia and the rest of those in training. Your mother completed Gretchen’s spell, saving all those who were in attendance and still sent Gretchen to her star,” he continued.

He paused for a moment, as if he was trying to collect himself. “The moment she raced on stage to save everyone, it was at that moment I realized I was hopelessly in love with her. When she finished her task, I could see it drained her beyond anything I believed she could endure. She collapsed on stage. I scooped her up and took her back to my quarters to watch over her. I must have fallen asleep as I awoke to the sounds of bones breaking and reforming. Until that moment, no one knew she was part wolf, as how many natural wolves witch hybrids happen? Once we got her back to her human form, she made it clear she felt every bit as strongly for me as I did for her,” he sighed. But he couldn’t hide the hurt in his voice.

“For many years, we fought about us becoming chosen mates. I resisted for a couple of different reasons, one being your mother had a mate out there somewhere. It was just a matter of time before she found him, and a chosen mate was forever. It’s just as taboo to leave your chosen marked or unmarked as it is to leave your destined mate. I didn’t want her to regret her choice,” he whispered.

“And selfishly, I believed once she moved on, I would be able to as well. When she turned 175, she demanded I mark her. And I almost did. When I was about to claim her, she received a vision of you, and it’s my guess that it was this moment in time. Rightfully so, she told me to stop because she met you. She promised to wait for your father, and she did, but there always been a part of us which still loved one another. We just aren’t meant to be,” he stated, as if someone ripped his heart out.

As awkward as it was knowing Timothy and my mother almost mated, I understood his pain. Most of my life, I heard the whispers they should have been together, as it would have saved her a great deal of pain.

“Until we almost mated, Amelia was not a part of the Goddesses plan. You were the one they meant to take over your mother’s title,” he breathed, taking my hands in his.

“The Goddesses created Amy because they looked into the future and saw you were no longer as strong as you were intended to be. Before you were conceived, they decided it was best for Amy to take up Amethyst’s title. I am so sorry, Celine. I never meant to harm you,” he croaked as a tear ran down his cheek.

My mind reeled from his words. Was that why they gave me the ambrosia, because I was born too weak to take her title? Before I could stop them, tears flooded down my face and I bolted from the room.

Amethyst’s Pov:

The warmth of Timothy’s hand on my waist was still fresh in my memory as I ran from the mixture of feelings flooding me. Guilt was the strongest. Joseph may have passed away 35 years ago, but in my heart, it was as fresh as the moment it happened. While my feelings for Timothy never truly left, I could never act on them. Joseph was my mate, my one and only.

Joseph told me once he was gone, he wanted me to take Timothy as my chosen mate. He always knew how much Timothy loved me and he always respected Timothy for respecting our mate bond and welcoming Joseph as if he was his own brother.

I realized Joseph also told this to Timothy. Thankfully, Timothy never pursued it. In this life, I could never take Timothy as my mate, as part of me believed it would cheapen my time with Joseph. And even though Joseph was my destined mate, Timothy and I would spend far longer together, overshadowing my precious time with Joseph.

My heart felt as if it could explode from the fresh tear which Timothy’s single touch ripped. Living such a long life without my mate suddenly seemed so cruel. My heart longed for Joseph, but I understood I would never spend my afterlife with him, and that hurt more than living.

“Witch, sorry to interrupt you, grandmother has requested you once more. I think her time is nearly up,” Lyra informed me. She tried to hide the fact tears were forming in her eyes. “Thank you, I shall go to her at once,” I smiled. The hole in my heart grew. The idea of living without Madeline, too, was unbearable.

Madeline’s quarters remained in the home we’ve shared for so many years. Lyra refused to move in and displace Madeline when she took over as General. In the end, they shared it as it had been Madeline’s home since she was 14. For a moment, I considered knocking, but something pulled me into the room. Madeline’s eyes found me as I entered. Her skin was ashen, and her breathing was more ragged than it was when I visited her earlier.

An air of serenity surrounded her as I made my way over to her. Madeline managed a soft smile as I took her hand in mine. “Witch, Lyra found you. I fear our paths must diverge soon, as I can sense it in my soul. My time in this life has ended. No complaints, the Goddesses have granted me a wondrous life. One with the very best of a friend who I will sorely miss in the next life. Your curse to live in a star, I will never know the woman you will become. I will not see you in the next life,” she grumbled.

Her words hit me hard as my heart fell. This was something I couldn’t accept. “I guess what I am trying to say is, goodbye old friend,” she smiled. “No Madeline, you will hold on, just for a little longer. I must talk to the Goddesses,” I snapped, rising from my seat. I left the room, not waiting for her response.

In an instant, I burst into the temple and opened the seal to the inner sanctum, the heart of the Goddesses domain. “Little Thyst?” the Girl gasped in surprise. “Forgive my intrusion, Goddesses. Madeline’s time here is almost at an end, but I must request a small amount of time more for her,” I breathed while my heart raced.

They exchanged a confused glance before returning their gaze to me. “Thyst, you of all people know when one’s time is up, it’s up,” the Woman replied, annoyed.

“I am asking just long enough for me to get my affairs in order. I wish to leave this life with her,” I blurted out. For a moment, no one uttered a word. “Amethyst, are you sure of this?” the Woman asked softly, taking my hand in hers.

“Yes, I can’t explain it, but when she told me she would never see the woman, I would become. I… I just couldn’t accept that. Madeline and I share a bond I can’t explain,” I whispered, tears pouring down my cheeks.

“What of Celine?” the Girl asked with curiosity. “It’s always been the curse of the child to live life without their parents. Celine will survive. She has wonderful support from Timothy,” I replied.

The intense burning gaze of the Girl penetrated the darkest regions of my soul as she tried to decide if my heart was being honest about this choice. She cast her eyes up to the Woman with a presence of intrigue. Almost as if she could not understand my choice to leave this life.

“Very well, Amethyst, you have one week to get your affairs in order,” the Woman sighed. “Madeline will have some strength returned to her so she can cross with you. Take a moment before you leave to ensure this is what you want, as once you leave here, you are bound to this decision,” the Woman cautioned. “Yes, Goddesses,” I replied as they faded, leaving me in the nothingness of their domain.

As I sat and pondered my choice, a strangely familiar clacking of heels echoed from behind me. “Gretchen?” I blurted out in surprise. Her wiry smile covered her face. The familiar presence of judgment quickly replaced her smile. “Here she is, the mighty Amethyst, in the living flesh. Oh, look how the Goddesses favored you,” she mocked. “And I hear you wish to give it all up? What are you now, 230?” she snarled. “Almost 265,” I returned her ignorant tone.

Gretchen placed her hand on my cheek as her eyes softened. “Child, why give up this life?” she asked. “I am tired. I am tired of those who I love not knowing the woman I have become. Something in me will not allow me to let Madeline pass while I still draw breath,” I sighed.

“I am supposed to be here to talk you out of it, but I am not sure if I can or if I really want to,” Gretchen shrugged. “Time passes differently here, and I am completely lost at how long it’s truly been since I came here,” she confessed. “It would be nice to have someone to visit, even if that star is yours.”

“An eternity with you is almost enough to talk me out of my choice,” I laughed as Gretchen feigned hurt. “Whatever you decide, I support you. At least now I can thank you for remembering me in your teachings. Something tells me you were a far better teacher than I ever was and for that, I am truly sorry,” she whispered.

“Gretchen, in your own way, you were an excellent teacher. Even though I hated always having to prove to you I was just as worthy as the rest of the trainees for your title. You forced me to do better to prove you wrong,” I explained. “And you always managed,” she growled as her signature sour expression washed over her face, which made me laugh.

“I look forward to when you come, Amethyst, just make sure it’s what you truly want, that’s all I ask,” she smiled. As she left me, a warmth I never felt from her before consumed me. She finally accepted me as her equal, something I never believed was possible. As the warmth of the light faded back to the temple. My heart for the first time in a long time filled with hope as I raced back to Madeline.

“Witch, what did you do?” she hissed as her eyes locked onto mine. A grin crept across my face. “Bought you more time,” I teased. Suddenly, an angered expression crossed her face. “I have lived a life most would be jealous of, witch. Why would you do this?” she hissed with the vigor of her youth.

As I reached for her hand to take it into my own, I struggled with how to explain I needed to leave this life with her. I didn’t want to live in this life anymore; I was tired. Not only that, I was angry and, most of all, I no longer experienced life’s joys.

Madeline’s harsh and expectant stare sent my eyes to the floor. “Because Madeline, you made me think. We have had a wondrous life together and when we do part ways, it is for good. I want you to always know the woman I am. I’ve known every General from Olympia to Lyra. But it was you who I formed the closest bond with. I begged the Goddesses to grant you more time and strength so we may leave this life together, old friend,” I whispered as shock overtook her features.

“No, I cannot ask this of you,” Madeline argued. “It’s done. I have one week to put my affairs in order before I leave this life,” I explained. A cloud of remorse crept across her face. This was not the reaction I had hoped for.

“I am not happy about this. But what is done, you say, is done. Although this is not something you should have this,” she chided, with a slight smile on her face. Which relieved some of the guilt that had built up in my heart.

“Now, rest well. I need to inform Celine as I came straight to you.” I grinned, placing a kiss on her cheek. “And the Wolf, do not leave him out. The last thing I want is his grumpy arse chasing us into the afterlife and ruining it,” she huffed, amusement twinkling in her eyes. “Glad to see the old you, Madeline,” I beamed. As I closed her bedroom door, dread filled my heart, knowing I must now have a conversation which would break my daughter’s heart.