I Am The Luna by Moonlight Muse Chapter 36
A Past Forgotten
ZAIA. “Thank you, Alpha Hugh, for allowing Valerie to be placed here and for the
warm welcome,” Jai says as he shakes Dad’s hand. “And for allowing me to stay
at your pack, it is a great honour.”
Dad nods curtly. “Don’t take it for kindness, I only agreed because you have been
a carer for Valerie. You will be allotted an apartment and you may visit Zaia’s
place, but be aware, due to you still being a part of that pack, a guard will
accompany you at all times. Do I make myself clear?” Dad’s voice is crisp and
curt as he looks Jai dead in the eye.
“Yes, of course, Alpha,” Jai says with a firm nod. “After dark, you are not to
venture out around the pack, save going to and from Zaia’s home.”
It had been a great surprise when Dad had asked if any family would be staying
with Valerie and if so, then he needs to know so he can have security enforced.
It was only jai who would be staying with her, something that Sebastian and Jai
both thought was ideal, having Jai closer to me, too. Although I made it clear, I
am perfectly fine without them!
“Well then, have a good evening,” Dad says to the both of us before he glances
at the house for a second before he takes his leave. “Come on in,” I say.
Valerie’s room was already arranged in the conservatory, and I had everything in
place for my hope in this ritual of healing.
I know the omegas who helped set the place up and Dad thought I was crazy, but
they entertained me anyway. I didn’t even care when I received side-eye looks
when they brought in the supplies I asked for.
I didn’t mind what they thought of us, as long as she got better by it. I’m willing to
try anything for her.
I need my girl back. “So… can I meet them?” Jai asks me. He looks a bit nervous
as he tries to hide his excitement. The children…
I nod, smiling slightly. “Of course,” I say, leading the way inside. “I told you to
have dinner with us. He nods, “You were saying, I hope you cooked because I
miss your food and I’m excited to meet those little mini versions of you.”
Or one mini version of Bastien. Sebastian and I had arranged a time for a call
tonight, and I won’t deny that I’m a little nervous… It’s the one time we have
arranged a timing, so there is a chance it won’t just be a quick thing…
I have a feeling he’ll ask me why I left like that… and with me asking Atticus,
which I did tell them, I’m sure he might want details.
I lead the way into the lounge, pushing away those thoughts and smile, watching
the twins who are playing with building blocks.
“Holy…” Jai mutters. I look at him and back at the kids, realising they are building
quite an impressive structure.
“No Sia, like this see?” Zion says gently, showing his sister where to put the little
piece she’s holding.
“Smart little buggers huh…” Jai whistles as the twins are so deeply immersed
with what they are doing they don’t realise we’ve entered.
“Children, come on over here, this is… Uncle Jai, a friend of mine.” I say, drawing
their attention away.
They both look up and Zion is the first to spring up and hurry over, with Sia a few
steps behind. “Hello,” Zion says, holding his hand out to Jai.
Jai crouches down and I can see the emotions in his eyes. “Hey, Zion.” He says
softly, taking his small hand and giving it a shake. “Love your hair.”
He ruffles his hair before I see him touch his chest and lower his head ever so
slightly.
He’s acknowledging him as his future Alpha. He glances up at me and for once
there’s no smile as he tries to contain his emotions, looking at Zion once again.
The look in his eyes is of someone given hope A pack that is still without an
heir…
Am I selfish in keeping them here?
I want to protect them.
I remain emotionless as Sia clings to my leg shyly, peeping out at Jai. “Hello,
princess,” Jai says gently, holding his hand out to her.
“Hello.” She says, still holding onto me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. They are
mini versions of you…” He says looking up at me as he tugs her cheek gently.
He means both of us. “But I don’t look like a girl,” Zion says, pointing up at me
and pulling a face.
Jai smiles and shakes his head. “No kiddo, it’s true you don’t look like your
Mommy.”
Zion looks relieved at that. “Alright, dinner is ready! Jai, how are you?” Mom’s
voice breaks the emotional atmosphere, and I couldn’t be more relieved.
“Melanie! Oh wow! It’s been three years, but you still look as beautiful as I
remember, if not younger and even more ravishing.” Jai flirts as he stands up and
hugs Mom.
I can’t help but smile, reminiscing on the past…
(FLASHBACK)
“Want to elope?” Jai teases Mom, earning himself a frown despite the smile on
her lips. 2
“No. Now go find someone your own age!”
Mom scolds.
“Ouch, you look beautiful, though. How do you expect me to stay away?”
Sebastian’s deep chuckle from behind makes my heart skip a beat before his
strong arms lock around me from behind. “Want to escape for a bit?” He
whispers, his lips
meeting my neck, sending a jolt of pleasure through me. My breath hitches as I
look up at him. We had recently found one another and would soon be married…
And although Mom disliked Sebastian, she was trying to tolerate him, although
she kept telling me he was a mistake.
I bite my lip, about to reply, when Mom looks up disapprovingly and calls us over
to the table.
“Maybe later?” I whisper, leaning up and kissing his lips. His brilliant blue eyes
sparkle before he smirks. “I am going to hold you to that, My Little Fox.”
(END OF FLASHBACK)
I take a deep breath to calm my emotions as I head to the dining table and take
my seat.
The dinner with Atticus was two nights ago…
and although I told him everything will continue the way it is between us, I do feel
I need to put distance between us. It’s the
only way he’ll accept it and move on to find someone else. “Oh, you made my
favourite!” Jai says as he helps himself to some pasta.
I raise an eyebrow. “Isn’t that always the case with anything I cook?”
“Well, if you cook it, I’ll eat it. And it’s an instant favourite!” Jai says with a wink at
Sia. “Don’t you agree?”
She nods shyly as she leans closer to me.
I observe her. She looks better today, but she has her good days… my heart
squeezes and I give her a gentle hug.
I can feel Zion watching me intently and turn my attention to him.
“Uncle Jai used to be my friend a few years. ago. We used to… work together.” I
explain, not knowing how else to put it.
“Oh, ok Mommy,” Zion says, but he looks lost in thought for a moment before
diving into his plate of food.
“Are you alright?” I ask Sia gently, and she simply nods her head, giving me a
beautiful smile.
The rest of dinner passes by smoothly and we are almost done when Mom asks
Jai where he’s staying.
“It’s not too far from here. I’ll be around daily, though.” Jai grins. “Nonsense! I told
you, Zaia, to let him stay here.” Mom says, unhappily.
“Mom, Dad said for safety reasons, and I know we trust Jai, but he’s not part of
this pack. We have to abide by Dad’s laws.” I say quietly.
“I’ll talk to the Alpha myself. fai, unpack your things in the room upstairs. Putting
him somewhere else…. My foot.”
I stare at her in shock. She’s willing to talk to Dad? For Jai?
Well, I know she’s always been fond of Jai, but for her to actually talk to Dad…
“Please Melanie, there’s no need for that,” Jai says, waving his hand. “I
appreciate being able to at least be around you all. It’s not too far from here, and
I respect that the Alpha is prioritising Zaia and the children’s safety.”
She’s about to get up, but at his words, she sighs in frustration and slumps back
in her seat. “That man is far too arrogant and needs to learn he can’t boss others
around.” Mom mutters.
“I love Grandad,” Sia whispers to me with a little happy smile.
Mom frowns. “There’s nothing to love!”
“He’s nice to me,” Sia says. “And that’s all that matters,” I say warmly, giving
Mom a gentle poke of my eyes as a reminder.”)
If Dad was good to them, then why shouldn’t they have a relationship?
I look between Sia and Mom and realise that I should ask myself that question.
Why isn’t Sebastian a part of their lives?
My heart squeezes as I fall silent as we continue to eat our dinner. “Do you think
that’ll work?” Jai asks as he stares through the open roof of the conservatory,
which was now set up as a bedroom for Valerie. The moon shone directly down
upon her.
It’s a while later and the kids are getting ready for bed and Jai is about to leave.
I nod. “I have high hopes. This method surely worked, or we wouldn’t have such
books in our possession.”
“This is magic, or abilities long forgotten over time, Zaia. We have now become
more man than wolf.” Jai says, staring at the moon above.
I look down at the books that were treasures of this pack. Old books that Dad
gave to me 10/10 without even a care. Another sign he has no interest in
preserving the past.
“And I think it is there that we failed as the creation of the goddess,” I say softly
as I look at the glowing orb in the sky. It always relaxes me…
When he doesn’t reply, I glance at him to feel him watching me. Raising an
eyebrow, I cross my arms, “You think I’m crazy too?”
He shakes his head. “I could never think you’re crazy, I just… what you said
kinda hit. It’s true, as werewolves we don’t really
honour our roots. You know when I was a kid, I remember granddad telling me of
their full moon runs, everyone would shift, and they would run together as a pack
under the full moon.”
His words make my insides fill with the warmth of a memory of a time long
passed. “There was something called The Full Moon 13/18 Hunt. They’d hunt
and kill something together and then feast upon it. There used
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to be an award for the one who
brings the biggest offering back. He
said he never got to be part of one as
it was abolished before he even got
his wolf, but as a child, he loved to
” :
see the youth go on these runs.” Jai
5 > hi ha f I
continues, sighing. “It’s crazy. I feel a
f gi i
sense of nostalgia, but I’ve never
experienced that time, but the
3 TRS
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“No, but I understand, as a child, hearing those stories meant something. If I was
an Alpha, I’d want to bring that back to my pack. I would want us to train our
young, to make sure their bodies are strong enough to
shift. It’s disappointing that as the years pass, the number of those able to shift
becomes less and fewer, although our packs are growing.”
“Yeah… wow, I never thought of it like that. When you put it like that… we’ll
probably die out someday and forget our gifts.”
I nod. “It looks to be so.” I say, picking up the two books I had brought down to
show Jai, ”
Well, I’ll show you out. There’s six of our most trusted guards stationed right
around the conservatory and one of our trusted maids will stay with her.” I
reassure him.
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uw ) . .
Thanks. It’s kinda weird to be away
» .
from her.” He says, rubbing the back
of his head as he walks over and
: Pe
kisses Valerie’s forehead gently.
,
She’s all hooked up to the machine,
looking at peace under the glowing
moon. Visit Novelxo.org to read
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Please let this work, oh goddess “I’ll talk to Father tomorrow. Maybe you can
move here, especially since I’ll be on a business trip next week.”
He nods. “Thanks, but don’t argue on my behalf. Like I said, I’m grateful he even
allowed me entry.”
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I bid Jai goodbye before I head
upstairs. After tucking the kids into
bed, I go to my own bedroom.
Placing the books down on the bed, I
lock the door and decide to go have a
shower. There are still twenty
minutes. before our planned call…
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I’m out pretty fast and after a long day, I’m ready to unwind. Dimming the lights
and shutting the curtains, I settle onto my bed, switch the phone on and begin
drying my hair with my towel.
The phone rings a few seconds after 22:30 shows on the screen and I cock a
brow as I pick it up and accept the call.
“Were you in such a hurry to talk to me that you didn’t waste any time, Mr. King?”
I ask,
feeling nervous for no reason as I run my other hand through my hair. “If you
forget, Ms. Toussaint, I am always the one on time. You’re the one who has a
reputation for tardiness.” His arrogant reply comes.
Crossing my legs, I roll my eyes and flip open one of the books distractedly.
“Oh please, we both know you were the cause of those delays…” I trail off, my
heart thudding and not because of what I had accidentally said.
“Guilty as charged… I can hear your heartbeat from here…”
I stare down at the page before me. It’s towards the back of the book, a lot
further, past the healing section…
“Zaia?” Sebastian’s concerned voice comes.
“Zaia, is everything ok?”
“Yes… I just…”
What is this?
“Zaia? Zaia, Babe, you’re scaring me.” I don’t know how to reply as I stare at the
symbol that mirrors my birthmark, glaring back at me from the page…