The Lunar Queen Chapter 37

Cole POV

We have been here for two days, and once again, I have not left her side. I know Dom said Winter was doing poorly, but seeing her brought me to tears. She is nothing but skin and bones, her hair thin and matted, her eyes sunken from neglect, and my Beta isn’t looking any better. The room itself feels heavier because of it—like grief has been sitting in here too long and settled into the walls.

Seeing Winter when I walked in two days ago broke my heart. I just held her and told her she would wake up soon. I didn’t know if I believed it when I said it, but I needed her to. Today I’m sitting by her bed—Winter on the other side and Zeus is restless, pacing anxiously. Not angry. Not pushing. Just…waiting, and that’s worse.

“What is going on with you?” I ask.

“I don’t know, I just feel like something is coming,” he says. His voice isn’t sharp—it’s low, focused, like he’s listening for something I can’t hear yet.

“I can’t believe today is her birthday and she still hasn’t woken up yet,” Winter says softly. Her voice cracks at the end, like even saying it out loud hurts.

“Maybe she will, the day just started,” I reply. I keep my tone steady, but my hand tightens slightly where it rests near Lyric’s, like I’m bracing for something.

Dom walks in a few minutes later.

“Baby, let’s go get some food and coffee, then we can come back,” he gently tells her.

She just nods and stands, staring at her. Like if she looks away too long, something will happen.

As soon as they reach the door, Lyric gasps and shoots up in her bed.

“Lyric,” I say. My chest locks before I even finish her name.

She turns her head and looks at me—goddess, I missed those eyes. They aren’t dull anymore. They’re sharp. Awake. Different.

“Lyric,” Winter screams.

She runs and launches herself into her arms.

“Lyric, please don’t ever do this to me again. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there. I’m sorry I didn’t help you. I can’t do this without you,” she cries, and Lyric just rubs her back soothingly, letting her cry. Lyric doesn’t rush her, doesn’t interrupt—just holds her like she already understands everything she’s feeling.

“I’m sorry, sister. I promise I will not leave you ever again,” she says, pulling her back and looking at her. Her voice is softer, steadier than I remember. Controlled in a way it wasn’t before.

“Winnie, what did you do to yourself?” she asks, tears in her eyes.

“You are my soul. There will never be a me without you. I couldn’t function without you,” she cries.

“Oh, Winnie, I’m so sorry,” she says, then screams in pain.

“Dom, close and lock the door now. Winter, close the blinds. She is shifting, and we need to keep her wolf a secret as long as we can,” I say firmly so they understand the urgency. My voice comes out sharper than intended, instinct taking over before anything else.

Dr. Grant Lyric is awake and shifting. Please clear everyone from her vicinity because she is a gifted wolf, and it needs to be kept quiet. Please inform the alpha and her parents,” I link the doctor. “Yes, your majesty,” she responds, closing the link.

“Princess, you are shifting. Give your wolf control,” I say to her.

“It hurts,” she whimpers. Her fingers clutch the sheets, knuckles going white.

“I know. The sooner you give her control, the sooner it will be over,” I reply.

Her bones continue to snap and reshape, and white fur sprouts on her arms. The sound alone would break most wolves—but she doesn’t fight it, she leans into it. In minutes, the most beautiful white wolf I’ve ever seen stands before me. Not just white—there’s something under it, something that almost glows if you look too long.

She shakes out her fur and turns to Winter. She places her head against Winter’s, and within minutes, she is healed. Not just physically—I feel the shift in the room, like something heavy just lifted off her.

She yips at Dom, who walks toward her. She does the same to him, and he is healed.

“It’s nice to meet you, Nova,” I say. And I mean it—because I can feel her, separate from Lyric but not.

She turns to me and nuzzles my neck. Zeus goes completely still, watching instead of reacting.

“Shift back, my love,” I say softly.

She shifts back seamlessly this time. No hesitation. No struggle. Like she was always meant to do it this way. I hand her my jacket, and she puts it on.

“What did you do to us?” Dom asks.

“Nova healed your souls and bodies,” she responds.

“You feel different,” Winter tells her.

“I am different. I am finally who I was meant to be,” she says. And it’s not just words—you can hear it in her tone. She believes it.

She turns and looks at me, and it stops me cold. There’s no confusion in her gaze anymore. No hesitation. Just certainty.

“Hello, mate,” she says, and gods, it goes straight to my cock.

“We have some things to discuss. I know you kept stuff from me,” she says, raising a brow. There’s a hint of challenge there—playful, but real. She knows exactly what she’s doing.

Then her parents burst into the room.

“Daddy,” she yells, running into her father’s arms.

Lyric POV

The moment I see my father, I become the little pup scraping my knees. “Daddy,” I yell, running into his arms, “my pup, I am so happy you are okay. I am so sorry for everything,” he cries.

I hug him, healing his soul and releasing calming energy into him. The second my arms wrap around him, everything he’s been holding in presses into me—sharp, overwhelming, heavy with guilt—and for a split second it almost knocks the breath out of me, but I don’t let go. I steady him anyway.

He pulls me back. “What did you do to me?” he asks.

“I healed your soul, and I just gave you calm energy,” I reply.

“What are you?” he asks. His voice wavers slightly, like he already knows the answer won’t be something simple.

“We will talk about that in a minute,” I say, stepping out of my dad’s arms and walking to my mother.

“Hello, mommy,” I say.

The sob that rips through her breaks my heart. It’s not quiet—it’s raw, torn straight out of her chest like she’s been holding it back for months and can’t anymore.

I step into her arms, hugging her tightly. I heal her soul and her body, then send her calming energy. “I’m okay, Mom, and you are not a bad mother. Nothing she did is your fault; she is responsible for her own actions.” I push the calm deeper into her this time, making sure it settles instead of slipping away, because I can feel how fragile she is right now.

Then I smell the warm, sweet scent of chocolate peanut butter cookies. It cuts through everything instantly—too sharp, too sudden—and my body reacts before my mind does, muscles tightening, breath catching.

“No, I thought I had more time,” I whisper. The words fall out low, almost to myself, dread curling tight in my chest.

“For what, my dear?” my mom asks.

“Mate,” Nova and I say together, just as Mason stands in front of me.

I am frozen in place, pulled back into every slice, every whip—my body jerks from the memory. It's not a thought—it's physical. My skin remembers. My lungs forget how to work for a second, like I'm right back there and can't get out.

I can hear people talking around me, but it’s drowned out by my screams.

Before I can think, I declare, “I, Lyric Cassidy, daughter of Donovan Cassidy, daughter of the moon, reborn, reject you, Mason Lane, future Alpha of the Moonveil pack as my mate.” My voice holds steady, but my chest feels tight, like every word is being forced through something that doesn’t want to let it out.

He looks at me with so much hurt, and I break.

“Please, Mason, I can’t be with you. You are a constant reminder of being beaten and assaulted, and I can’t breathe around you,” I cry. The words come out faster now, like if I stop I won’t be able to finish.

“Sunflower,” he whispers.

I walk into his arms, and he hugs me tightly. For a second, everything in me wants to stay there, to pretend nothing changed—but my body doesn’t relax, it doesn’t forget, it doesn’t let me.

“Please don’t make me force you to accept it,” I whisper.

He pulls back, looking into my eyes.

“I love you, Mason, and I always will, but I can’t be mated to you. Please understand. I know you love me, but if you love me, let me go,” I cry.

I kiss him softly. “Please,” I repeat. It comes out quieter this time, almost like I’m asking instead of telling.

“I, Mason Lane, future Alpha of the Moonveil pack, accept your rejection,” he says, screaming out in pain.

I hug him through it. I feel it snap—sharp, final—and even though I chose this, it still feels like something inside me just broke with it.

“I’m sorry. Your mate is beautiful, and you will love her,” I say, healing his soul and his wolf’s. The moment I touch him, it flashes—quick but clear enough that I know without question.

He looks at me. “What did you do?” he asks.

“I healed your soul and Kane’s soul,” I say.

“How do you know who my mate is?” he asks.

“I have one more person to heal before I can tell you,” I reply, looking at my big brother.

I step into his arms and hug him. “I love you, Hunter, and I’ve always loved you. Don’t feel guilty for someone else’s actions,” I say as I heal him too. His guilt resists more than the others—it clings, heavy and stubborn—but I push through it until it loosens.

“Okay, now that everyone’s feeling better and I am too, first of all, Cole is my second chance mate, and I’ve known that even before today, and so has he,” I say, letting that sink in. I don’t look around—I don’t need to. I can feel the shift in the room the second the words land.

“Also, I am basically the moon goddess’s daughter reborn. Her spirit was reborn in my body, and I have her wolf and her appearance, apparently. My mate and I are meant to stop an upcoming war. I am also incredibly powerful, like the most powerful wolf alive, and although I am powerful, until I am marked by Cole, I am in danger,” I say. It sounds insane out loud, but it doesn’t feel wrong—not anymore.

I turn to Mason. “I know who your mate is because I saw it when I hugged you, and I know who she is—she’s here for the ball,” I say.

Turning to Hunter, I say, “Your mate is here too.”

“So, you mentioned something about a war?” my father asks.

“Yes, the son of the former rogue king has joined forces with the bear king and a dark witch to find me, take the throne from Cole, and rule over the supernatural world,” I explain.

“He is also Cole’s cousin,” I add.

“But if it’s okay with all of you, I’d like a minute with my mate and Mason. I want to talk later,” I say, looking at him.

“Okay,” he replies before they all walk out.

Now, the scent of Cole’s freshly baked chocolate chip cookies envelops me like a cozy blanket. It settles something in me instantly—grounds me in a way nothing else has since I woke up.

I step into his waiting arms, and electric sparks erupt where his strong hands rest on my hips. This time the sensation doesn’t overwhelm me—it anchors me.

“Hello, princess,” he murmurs with that irresistible smile.

“Don’t you ‘hello, princess’ me—you didn’t want to tell me about the prophecy I’m apparently tangled up in?” I tease, crossing my arms.

He glances at me with a sheepish grin. “I told Zeus we should hold off until you joined us at the palace,” he explains in his most adorable puppy-dog tone.

“Don’t you dare pull that on me, Mr.,” I reply, bursting into laughter. The sound feels foreign for half a second—then right.

“I missed you so damn much, princess,” he whispers, nuzzling into the crook of my neck and breathing in deeply. “You smell so fucking good,” he growls low, sending shivers racing down my spine.

“Relax,” he mutters low, more to himself than me. Not stopping—just keeping himself in check.

“You know, my king, today’s my birthday,” I say softly, my fingers trailing to the zipper of his jacket.

I pull it down inch by inch, locking eyes with him the whole time. He doesn’t break eye contact. Not even once.

Like he’s making sure this is real.The jacket slips to the floor.

For a second, fear tries to creep in. Not because it's Cole. Never because it's Cole. Just because my body remembers things my heart wishes it could forget.

“I’m officially 18… and officially yours,” I declare, perching on the edge of the bed, completely bare before him. There’s no hesitation in me this time—no doubt, no fear, just certainty.

He doesn’t move right away.Just looks at me like he’s holding himself back on purpose.

Like if he moves too fast, he’s not stopping.

A deep growl rumbles from his chest. “Lyric, I’ve been waiting for you forever. Are you absolutely sure?” he asks, closing the distance between us.

His hand glides up my side, igniting sparks along every inch of skin he touches. I tense for half a second. My body being stupid.

But I don’t pull away—I press closer like I need him to know I’m not going anywhere. His hand pauses at my breast, his fingers pinching my nipple just right, pulling a sharp moan from my lips.

“So responsive, my mate,” he husks, his voice thick with raw hunger.

“Please, my king… I want you right now. I need to feel you close,” I plead, my hand dipping between my thighs to stroke my slick folds.

I lift my glistening fingers to his mouth, and he sucks them in eagerly, his eyes flickering with Zeus’s power.

I slide to the foot of the bed on all fours, my hands working quickly—unbuttoning his shirt, fumbling with his belt, then popping open his pants.

My fingers dive into his boxers, wrapping around his thickening cock. He stills for a second. Not surprised—just focused.

Like he felt the shift the second I took control. He hisses sharply, pleasure etching his features.

“Fuck, princess,” he groans.

I tug his boxers down, and his massive, thick cock bounces free.

“Holy shit, look at that—where’s that even going to fit?” Nova quips in my mind.

“Oh, we’re definitely finding out,” I shoot back.

He eases me onto my back with gentle hands and kneels between my spread legs.

His face dives into my core, his tongue lapping flat and firm along my entire slit. Then he latches onto my clit, sucking with perfect pressure that arches my back clean off the mattress.

He drapes a heavy arm across my waist to hold me steady.

“Easy there, little mate—I’m gonna savor every bit of you,” he murmurs against my skin, drawing out another desperate moan.

He plunges back in, sucking my clit harder while sliding two fingers deep inside me, pumping them in sync with his mouth’s relentless rhythm.

The building pleasure, amplified by those wild sparks, coils tight in my belly. Everything else fades out. Not in a scary way.

Just him—his voice, his hands—keeping me right here.

“That’s it, my queen—cum for me,” he commands with a growl that shatters my control.

My orgasm rips through me in powerful waves, and he keeps licking, drinking every drop as I ride it out.

Finally, he rises, lining his cock up at my entrance.

“Please, my king,” I whimper.

His hands clamp onto my hips, and he surges forward in one powerful thrust, burying himself to the hilt.

I cry out at the stretch, and he freezes, concern flashing in his eyes.

“It’s okay, my love—just give me a second,” I assure him, rolling my hips to encourage him.

A guttural moan escapes him as he grips me tighter, starting with slow, deliberate strokes that drag against every sensitive spot.

“Fuck yes, my king,” I gasp, and he ramps up the pace, slamming into me with fierce intensity.

I buck my hips to meet him, our bodies syncing perfectly.

“Shit, princess, you’re gripping me so fucking tight,” he snarls.

In a blur, he flips me onto my hands and knees.

His claws rake lightly over my skin, breaking it just enough to sting deliciously and make me hiss in ecstasy.

I shove my ass back against him, chasing every thrust.

“Gods, my love, you’re handling me like a dream,” he praises, delivering a sharp smack to my ass that echoes through the room and pulls a throaty moan from me.

His hand snakes around to rub firm circles over my clit while he hammers deeper.

The pressure builds unbearably fast, and my second climax explodes, waves of bliss crashing over me.

“Not finished with you yet, princess,” he warns huskily.

He withdraws and stretches out on the bed, hauling me atop him.

I straddle his hips effortlessly, grinding down as his hands guide my movements.

Soon, he’s thrusting up hard to match my rhythm, our bodies colliding with wet, urgent slaps.

My palms press against his chest, claws digging in as I impale myself on his cock over and over.

“Yes, my king—just like that,” I cry out.

“Mark him,” Nova insists fiercely in my head, my canines lengthening instinctively.

“You okay love?” he asks low. Not stopping.

Just making sure I’m still with him.

I draw him upright, my tongue tracing his marking spot before I bite down hard, claiming him as he does the same to me.

Our shared release hits like a storm...Something in me settles right after.

Not just the bond. Something deeper locking into place. His hot cum flooding me in thick spurts as I slump forward onto his heaving chest.

We lay there in each other’s arms. I don’t move. Don’t overthink it. My body just… relaxes. For once.

“I’m sorry, my love, for not telling you about the prophecy. I just knew you had a lot on your plate,” he says, rubbing small circles on my back.

“It’s okay, my love,” I reply.

“So, what are we going to do about Summer and the rest?” he asks.

“You will see,” I say. And this time, it’s not a guess—it’s a decision already made.

“Mason is mated to your sister,” I tell him.

“I figured he would be. She did too. She wanted to reject him because of you, but I told her not to because he was a good guy. It was just circumstances,” he responds.

“Good, because he deserves someone who will love him completely, and I know she will,” I say.

“Winnie, can you please bring me clothes again? I’d like to go home,” I link Winter.

“Winter is bringing me clothes so we can leave,” I say.

“Okay. You know we have to keep Nova hidden for a while, and when we go to the palace, it will be a challenge. I won’t lie—there are a few she-wolves I had relations with, and some the council had picked as my mates who are still there,” he says.

I look at him. “My mate, a she-wolf, can try to touch what is mine, and they will see what their Queen is made of,” I reply. No hesitation. No insecurity. Just truth.

There’s a knock at the door, and Winter pops her head in, eyes on clothes.

“Is everyone decent?” she asks.

“Yes,” I say, laughing.

She walks in, followed by Dom, both freshly marked.

“Hello, my beta female,” I say.

“Hello, my Queen,” she responds, bowing.

“I’m going to get dressed so we can blow this pop stand,” I say, heading into the bathroom.

“Everything is going to change now. They know we have awakened,” Nova says.

“I know, and we will be prepared—especially after we deal with Summer,” I reply. Because healing didn’t mean forgetting. And there’s no fear behind it anymore—just resolve.

I come out of the bathroom, and Cole’s eyes darken instantly.

“Later, my king,” I link him.

“It’s not soon enough, my love. Your ass looks perfect in those shorts,” he responds.

“Okay, you two, save it for later,” Winter says.

We both laugh as we head out. But underneath it, I feel it—something bigger shifting into place, like the world just noticed me, and it’s not going to look away.