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

Amethyst’s Pov:

“Happy 224th birthday, Amethyst,” Joseph’s warm and cheery voice woke me from a deep sleep. I glanced at my aging mate and smiled. “Thank you, my love.”

My heart ached because Joseph was now 45. We were yet to conceive a child; let alone the daughter the Goddesses showed me. With each year that passed, the thought constantly crept into my mind that the Goddesses tricked me out of taking Timothy as my mate.

Almost as if Joseph sensed my thoughts, he took my hand in his. His gorgeous eyes met mine. “Soon we will conceive a child, I know it,” he tried to smile. I flopped back down onto my pillow.

While I didn’t blame Joseph for our failure to produce a child, I still felt some resentment towards him. “Now, Mrs. Main, you’ve got a meeting with Madeline and Timothy soon,” he cooed, stroking my hair to comfort me.

Year after year, he did his best to shield me from the emptiness which threatened to consume me. The emptiness directly resulted from the unrealized vision of our daughter.

“I wonder what that old goat wants?” he teased, bringing a smile to my face. “Or is it an old toad?” he hummed into my neck, making me laugh. “You know, just because she is old doesn’t mean she couldn’t take you out,” I teased while he peppered me with kisses.

“Madeline has requested this meeting be in front of the entire tribe. We will hold it in the temple like we would with court,” Timothy linked. His voice was bland thanks to the official tone which he has used since Joseph’s arrival. “We will start the meeting in an hour’s time,” he continued.

“Oh, and Amethyst, happy birthday,” he practically sang. My stomach did a slight flip thanks to the warmth in his voice, which has been missing since Joseph marked me.

Since Joseph’s arrival, I couldn’t complain about the warmth Timothy had shown to him. They’ve become very close, and neither seemed to hold any hostility towards the other.

It’s never been awkward when I’ve needed to spend time somewhere with Timothy alone on pack business. Especially in recent years, as Madeline has requested to be left behind more and more. My mate and my first love. The Goddesses could not have blessed me with two better men.

“Madeline’s requested the pack be involved in whatever this is. We are going to hold a meeting in the temple,” I told Joseph, hoping he didn’t notice my stomach’s flip.

“Damn, I was hoping I’d get a little more time alone with my princess,” he sighed. Annoyed, he pulled himself out of the bed in order to get our day started. “This seems too formal for Madeline. What do you think this is about?” he asked.

Joseph was right. This wasn’t like Madeline to include the whole pack. She hated court with a bitter passion. She and her amazons always handled disagreements with a ‘friendly’ skirmish. The thoughts of what Madeline could want to put forth to the entire pack made me purse my lips.

“I guess we will find out,” I sighed after much deliberation. Begrudgingly, I pulled myself from the bed. I tried not to allow our inability to conceive to bother me. Right now, it was not the most pressing issue.

As I took my seat on my throne, Joseph made his way to the wolves to await the announcement. “Where is Madeline? I thought she’d already be here?” I asked Timothy, leaning close to him.

It was my hope no one’s sharp ear heard our discussion. “Not sure, she only told me she believed it was important to discuss it amongst the tribe,” he shrugged. Clearly, he was just as bewildered as I was.

After what felt like an eternity, the temple’s doors swung open, and a silhouette made its way through the parting sea of the pack. I studied my friend; the fine lines of age gave her an almost grandmotherly look. Her once dark auburn hair was now a sleek silver. Thankfully, time had been kind to her, and she still kept her youthful glow. In battle, she still was a formidable opponent.

“I formally address the court, not in the capacity of your Gamma, but as a simple member of this tribe. From the time I was a young girl, I never understood the way we did things. If we are to be a new and truly blended breed of wolf, why is it race which still divides us? I am just as guilty as anyone here for calling my brother Timothy, the wolf, and my sister Amethyst, the witch. Is it not the will of the Goddesses for us to all become as one? How can we achieve this unless we accept this change?” Madeline announced. All in the room became still and silent.

“As my eyes scan the room, am I the only one that sees we each stand with those who come from our same tribes? Yes, we live in almost complete harmony, but there is little blending,” Madeline pointed out.

“What do you propose, little warrior?” the Girl’s gruff voice boomed throughout the temple. A smile covered Madeline’s face at the sight of the Goddess. “My Goddess,” she bowed.

“Sometimes, to go forward, we must remember and revisit the past. Since we’ve made our journey here, we have gone back to the past many times. This has always worked for us. I believe it is once again time to do this. While we are no longer true wolves, we still carry their basic instincts. As you all know, I am a firm believer in trusting in them. Not only in the day-to-day but on the battlefield to ensure not only my survival, but those who enter battle alongside me as well,” she explained.

“Since coming here, the strongest have always battled to take over the titles,” a random wolf cried out. “Have we?” Madeline scoffed. “Yes, the witch and the wolf are the strongest, but when has there been a change in their leadership? Any of you remember a time before Amethyst was the high priestess?” she asked pointedly. A few shouts from the older witches, but aside from the handful of the old coven, there was no one who could argue, and this is what Madeline hoped for.

“Only a few from the old coven. They too can tell you, as much as they hate to admit it themselves, it was Amethyst. When she was a small child she aided Gretchen in many of her feats. When she was a babe, Amethyst out witted the Goddesses. I am not saying that her kin should be the next priestess nor mine the next General of the Amazons. But our numbers are growing, while the tribe is currently balanced. Eventually, there will be a time where we cannot hold the title of both. The title of Gamma and Beta needs to be inherited as all three clans have always passed down titles by blood. As for the titles of High Priestess and General, they should remain to the ones who are the strongest,” she went on.

The Girl mulled over her words with a smile. “What says the pack?” the Girl grinned. Suddenly, something in the air shifted. Whispers broke out as my eyes darted to Timothy’s and his to mine. “I think she’s gone mad,” Timothy whispered, earning a crack to the back of the head from his mother.

Although the nature of this meeting was serious, I couldn’t hold back my laughter. “You will do what the pack wishes,” her annoyed voice infiltrated my mind. “Yes, of course, my Goddess,” I smiled at her.

Taking this as a sign, I rose from my seat and walked to where Madeline was standing and took her hands in mine. “My sister and my loyal friend put forth a new idea. She’s asked you, the pack, to rule on this. You have my word as your Beta and my word before the Goddesses. Whatever the pack decides today, this is how we as a pack move forward,” I announced. My heart raced in my chest as the temple became deathly silent.

“Speak,” the Girl growled. To my surprise, it was Joseph who took the first steps forward. “Goddesses, while I was not born here, and my words should hold little sway. But in the short time I’ve been here, I’ve learned to trust Madeline’s instincts as much as I trust my mates or my own,” he chimed in. My heart swelled with pride at his words, always so thoughtful and always so humble.

“If she thinks this is for the best, perhaps it’s something we all should consider,” he concluded. The Girl glanced at Joseph with a warm smile on her face, patting him on the back before walking through the crowd. Within moments of Joseph’s words, many more came forward. Most were for this change, but some were against. Madeline’s eyes seem to be trained on Timothy, with a sour expression on her face.

My eyes fell on Timothy. I now understood the reason for Madeline’s sour expression. His face was dark and clouded with doubt. “What is it, Timothy?” I asked with more force than I intended.

As a result, the room quieted down once more. Timothy raised his hand to his lip in deep contemplation. “In theory, this all sounds fine and well, but we will need order. Do the new Beta and Gamma rule next to me or do the General and priestess?” he pondered out loud.

Joseph’s stare drew my attention. Our eyes locked as he once more went to speak. “Eventually the Alpha title gives way to the Queen, correct? Then why not have the Beta and Gamma bow to the General and Priestess, as will they not be her advisors?” he suggested, his eyes still locked on mine. Murmurs of approval ripped through the room.

Madeline’s face lit up with the knowledge of what she’s known for some time, was now what the pack saw. “Then I will ask the pack this, is this your will?” Timothy asked as Madeline took her seat next to us. “This is our will,” the pack replied in unison. “Then let it be done,” I beamed.

“From this point forward, we name Joseph the official Beta of Lunar’s Light. Thus, taking the title from the High Priestess Amethyst, keeping their blood line as our Beta. Alessa, oldest daughter of Madeline, will take the title of Gamma, leaving Madeline to be the General of the Amazon warriors. Keeping Madeline’s blood line as our Gamma,” the Girl proclaimed. “Is there any objection to this?” the Girl demanded. All shouted out their agreement to this change.

As much as my heart swelled with this revelation. The feelings of unfulfillment bore deep into my soul as there was no one to take up Joseph’s role as Beta when he died. The Goddesses made it clear he wouldn’t live to the age they meant for him to be.

All thanks to Abigail for taking his heart to give it to Victoria. Because of the taint in his mother’s heart, they were unsure of just how long he would live for. Joseph walked up to my throne as he always did, taking my hand to escort me from the temple.

“My little Thyst, we would like a word with you and your mate,” the Girl’s gruff voice demanded. “Of course, my Goddesses, what is it we can do for you?” Joseph replied with a bow.

“Your lack of an heir,” the Woman stated pointedly. “It has always been our intention for you to bear one child, you know this, Amethyst. Abigail’s actions threw our plan into chaos. Because Joseph has her heart, it has made your species’ compatibility out of balance. While we had hoped you two would conceive naturally, we now know this is just not possible,” the Woman said as gently as possible. My heart felt as if it was shattering. I’ve spent so many years loving a child I was yet to give birth to, only to see it snatched away.

My head spun and my legs gave way, letting me fall to the hard ground below. Sparks erupted all over as Joseph scooped me up and held me close to him. His heartache intensified my own. Our pain fed the others as it seeped through our mate bond. His desire for a child was every bit as strong as my own.

“Do not despair, my children. As my companion stated, we tied the title of Beta to your blood line. We found a solution to your plight,” the Woman smiled, handing us two vials.

We stared at the dark fluid in each of the vials for a moment before I realized what was contained in each. “Your blood?” I gasped in surprise. “Yes, little Thyst. You must find a way for our blood to be mixed with yours before you try again. Joseph must mix my blood with his and Thyst yours must mix with my companions. This is the only way,” the Girl explained. “By the way Thyst, happy day of your birth.”

Timothy’s Pov:

It’s been many months since Madeline brought forth change within the pack. Although I was unsure about them when she proposed it. I was glad she did as Amethyst was now with child and not always able to fill the role as my Beta.

With all the difficulties she’s faced conceiving, Joseph and Madeline did nothing but fuss over her. Never in my wildest dreams would I ever believe that Amethyst could look more beautiful than she normally did.

But her pregnancy has changed my mind. Even though it’s awkward that my mother’s blood was used to help impregnate her, and the child she carried is of my blood, a sister of sorts. I couldn’t help but feel more attracted to her.

Amethyst, Madeline and I watched over the amazon’s train in their wolf forms alongside those who still identified as wolves. Joseph and Alessa work together almost as well as he and Madeline once did.

“Witch, are you sure you should be here? Shouldn’t you be resting?” Madeline fussed over Amethyst. I tried to stifle a laugh earning me a nasty glare. “Madeline is right, you should rest, here take this seat,” I grinned, pulling a chair around for her to sit. She furrowed her brows as she took the seat.

Since she has been with child, I could not take my eyes off of her. Today she seemed to shift more than normal, holding her lower back. Her eyes appeared tired. She took notice of my gaze and reached for my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“I am fine, Timothy, really. Just a little more uncomfortable than normal,” she smiled. “Perhaps you should return to your room and rest Amethyst, we can handle things for you,” I urged her gently. “Perhaps you are right. I am feeling a little cold and unwell,” she sighed as I helped her up.

A shriek of pain ripped out of Amethyst as she almost dropped to her knees. Her sweat was running down her brow. Her eyes met mine. The surprise and excitement they held made my heart skip a beat. “Timothy, it’s time,” she screamed. The world stopped as my mind tried to put the words she just spoke together.

Another painful wail rang out. I glanced over to Madeline as the colour drained out of the warrior’s face. “Get Joseph,” I yelled. “I will take Amethyst to the pack’s doctor.”

Within minutes, Joseph was at Amethyst’s side. For a moment, I watched Joseph tend to her. My heart swelled for her. The Goddesses gifted her a truly loving mate. Without a word, I slipped out of the room and took a seat next to Madeline.

We said nothing as the moments turned to hours, and we awaited the arrival of the child. “Boy or girl?” Madeline finally whispered. “Girl, Amethyst saw her daughter, remember?” I replied. Madeline nodded, but said nothing more.

“Timothy,” Joseph called, strolling out of the birthing room. Madeline and I exchanged excited glances as we waited for him to fill us in on the details. “Amethyst wishes to speak with you,” he grinned, his eyes brighter than I had ever seen them. My heart leaped into my throat as I neared her room. I glanced back at Joseph and Madeline, unsure of why Amethyst would want to speak to me alone.

As I entered the room, the power within its walls overwhelmed me. This was more than just Amethyst’s power. It seemed like the child she carried, this child, could be stronger than her mother. My eyes fell to Amethyst as she nursed her new baby.

Nothing was more beautiful than this. Finally, Amethyst realized I was there. “Timothy, Joseph and I thought it would be best if you met her first,” Amethyst smiled with tears of joy in her eyes. “Timothy White, allow me to introduce you to Celine Main, your future Beta.”