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

Amethyst’s Pov:

“Amethyst, remember, I am just a link away. Don’t hesitate to call on me. You got lucky this time,” Tim’s voice invaded my mind. The worry was thick in his words. But I understood his concern with me being alone with Joseph. I didn’t blame him. If our positions were reversed, I would be the same way.

“I promise Timothy, I will. Thank you for everything,” I replied. Guilt ate at me as I walked over to Joseph. What he just experienced was incredibly difficult for someone to endure.

I laid my hand lightly on his neck, feeling for a pulse. As my hand contacted his skin, a wave of intense sparks raced up to my heart. I quickly retracted my hand. Joseph’s eyes snapped open, locking on to me.

Stunned, we both sat there for a moment staring at one another, neither of us sure of what to say to the other. Finally, Joseph sat up, placing his hand gently on my cheek, studying my features.

“I thought it was all a horrible nightmare. But it wasn’t,” he whispered. My heart stilled, unsure of what he meant. “What nightmare?” I asked. “The one where I almost killed my mate,” Joseph whispered, casting his eyes away from mine.

Pain flooded me as he left my bed. “It’s better if you forget about me,” he demanded. His voice was harsh, and his words were not at all what I was expecting. “Joseph?” I whispered, dazed.

What in the name of the Goddesses was going on? I thought we were past all of this. Without a word more, he was at the door to leave.

“Joseph?” I screamed, panicked. A pit formed in my stomach. I couldn’t make sense of what was happening. Only a moment ago we were fighting together to save the other.

His shoulder slouched as he hung his head, refusing to look in my direction. “Please, tell me-” I started before he cut me off. “You deserve better than me. I almost killed you. I thought it was a dream, but I was wrong. If that really happened, that means the rest of what I dreamed was real,” he sighed.

I carefully made my way over to comfort him. His sorrow smothered the room. Before our bodies even touched, our sparks ignited. Unable to let him leave my room, I placed my hand on his cheek, forcing him to meet my gaze.

“About what happened to you, Joseph, you are not to blame. You fought hard. It’s over now. I’ve waited so long for you, as you have for me. Now you are asking me to forget about you. Never going to happen,” I growled.

His eyes searched mine; an unknown emotion clouded his eyes. He leaned down, his soft lips teased my jaw line. Grateful for his touch, I pulled myself closer to him, enjoying his warmth.

Lost in the moment, Joseph ran his hand through my hair as he inhaled my scent deeply, calming us both. “Trust me when I say you are far better off without me. Those beasts, those witches, I remember them doing horrible things. I only have glimpses of what they did. Amethyst, you are far safer without me, with all the things they’ve done,” he whispered, pulling me into an embrace. “I am pretty sure they stole my heart.”

Tim’s Pov:

“Absolutely Madeline. There is very little Amethyst can’t do. If she wished to turn you into a toad, well, I guess you are a toad. But being as she is a Priestess, I would say that she wouldn’t. Because black magic was band when the Goddesses joined as one,” I laughed.

Much to my amusement, Madeline seemed unsure of my honesty. “You’ve not seen the feats that I’ve seen Thyst accomplish from the time she was small. From the first moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she was extraordinary,” I explained. “If she says she can, then she is more than capable of doing it.”

“It is best to give them their space. There is plenty for them to discuss,” Jennings smiled, motioning for us to follow him away. I tossed Madeline a glance.

“I guess now is as good as time as any for you Sanders to show me to my room,” she grumbled. “Marvelous idea. I will check in with you later,” I grinned. Annoyance covered Sander’s face, almost as if he wanted to argue, but didn’t. He merely nodded in the direction that he wanted Madeline to follow.

“Main?” I asked. I needed to learn as much as I could about him. Thyst’s warning about his heart being tainted worried me. “Timothy, I assure you he has always been an outstanding young man. I do not understand his behavior,” Jennings sighed. Clearly, he was at a loss for words thanks to Joseph’s actions.

“He is the second son of my Beta, twins actually. Eclipse is made up of pure bloods for the exception of the Main boys. This is a secret I’ve kept since before their births. Their mother, it’s believed she was a human witch hybrid, just with very little magic abilities. I always believed she was not truly a witch, as wolves and witches don’t produce children. After they were born, their mother vanished. So rather than lose my Beta, I hid the fact they were hybrids. Currently, he is my acting Beta as his father and brother have not returned from their mission,” Jennings continued. I peered at the older Alpha questioningly.

“What mission?” I asked pointedly. “I sent them to investigate some of the unusual activities which we now know resulted from the witch infestation we have. Actually, they were the ones who discovered we had a witch issue,” Jennings explained. “So, where are they now?” I asked. He was leaving something important out.

Not surprisingly, Jennings stayed quiet. He glanced away, avoiding my question. His aura became one of discomfort. “There was an incident. They had to leave for another pack a week’s travel away. I expect them sometime next week at the earliest. We shall have this all resolved before they are to return, don’t you think, Timothy?” His explanation avoided the truth.

Something told me to drop it. “It is my hope in the next day or so,” I agreed to avoid suspicion. “Shall you take rest and we will reconvene after dinner?” Jennings grinned, relieved I didn’t press further.

“That sounds wonderful Jennings,” I replied. Adding a wink hoping to keep up the charade. I followed the Alpha as he led me down a hall which was nowhere near Amethyst’s room. A sickening apprehension crashed down on me. Something was terribly wrong here, and Jennings was in on it.

I struggled to keep a calm and collected demeanor while my terror rose. Every instinct told me to link Amethyst to order her back to Lunar’s Light.

The whole situation gave the impression she was in grave danger. “Your Gamma is right next to you. As for Amethyst, Joseph asked for her room to be next to his,” Jennings lied. “Of course,” I smiled, entering my room. “See you at dinner, my friend.”

“Madeline? Have you noticed anything off since your departure from us?” I linked her, hoping to calm myself. “Nothing definitive, but something has me on high alert. Timothy, something is definitely rotten,” Madeline confirmed my suspicions.

“Have you tried to reach Amethyst?” I ventured. “No, been trying to convince myself that I am overreacting. Sanders gives me the creeps, I’ve been blaming that,” she replied.

“Timothy?” Amethyst’s voice broke through my mind. “Thank the Goddesses Thyst I have been worried sick about you. Everything ok?” I linked. I realized my worry and desperation would flood her at this moment. I didn’t care. Something was rotten, and it was more than just the witches.

“Well,” she hesitated. “Joseph is awake. And uhm, he needs to talk to you. Can I port us into your room? Too risky any other way,” she explained, uncertainty filled her voice. “Whatever you need to be safe, Amethyst, you know that.”