The Lunar Queen Chapter 94

Lyric POV

It’s been two months since everything with David and Mason and it’s been interesting to say the least. We discovered that the triplets already have their powers and their wolves. We have been trying to keep that a secret but hard to do with two month old pups. Imagine the shock when your two month old baby shifts into a wolf during bath time.

“That was funny” Nova snickers.

“Yeah for you” I reply.

Hunter and Felicity decided to stay in Hidden Moon and Alpha Liam happily agreed which meant he had to find a new Beta. So now all of my siblings are together again and I know my parents would be happy. Aria and Joshua are perfect together and Logan is having a hard time with Ivana but I seen their future and it will get better.

“He just needs to be patient with her, David put her through a lot” Nova says.

“I know that” I retort.

A knock on my office door gets my attention.

“Come in” I say and Winter walks in her belly looking ready to explode. She has one hand pressed into her lower back and the other wrapped around a pickle jar like it personally offended her.

“what are you even doing up right now?” I ask her as I walk to help her sit on the couch.

“I’m bored Dom is working and well everyone one is pregnant and boring except you” she whines.

I laugh at her dramatics. “well I’m not pregnant but definitely boring” I say sitting next to her.

“What are you working on?” she asks me.

“A few things, I want to make it easier for wolves to get help when they are being abused in their packs someone they can call when nobody in their packs can or will help. Cole wants to revamp the council and have 1 council that represents the entire supernatural world and they act as consultants to the royals of all species who are represented especially during moments of conflict and they are to stay neutral” I say.

“See not boring that sounds fun and exciting” She says.

“You’re dramatic” I say.

“Okay seriously, how are you going to make sure they stay neutral?” she asks.

“He wants to gift them a portion of the faction magic but with a fail safe, pretty much being that if any of them does anything to go against any of the supernatural creatures represented the magic will be taken and they will die as a result” I say slowly.

Winter’s brows pull together. “That sounds terrifying actually.”

“Okay so why does it sound like you have your doubts” She asks.

“It’s not that I have doubts I'm just thinking about it from a deeper political standpoint, the point of the werewolf council was to keep the King from being all ruling or a tyrant and to help him fairly take care of the packs within the kingdom” I say pausing to make sure she is following me.

“But the wolves are not ruled by one King there are four regions and each region has It's own King with his own kingdom and it’s own council, so if we are going to have a supernatural council that is supposed to represent everyone those kingdoms should be included in that and Cole and Tobias seem to think otherwise because apparently they aren’t good Kings, well one of them. Cole said the King of the southern kingdom is an evil bastard and the King of the western kingdom has not shown his face since he took over, he said they had a trade agreement but he never tried to renew it when it expired so he doesn’t even know what that kingdom looks like” I say.

As soon as the words leave my mouth a strange feeling crawls up my spine.

The western kingdom.

Nobody hearing from them suddenly doesn’t sit right in my chest anymore.

“Damn that sounds like a lot” she says.

“It is and I don’t want to just jump into that without considering those kingdoms and Cole is being stubborn about it and has been kind of moody” I say rolling my eyes thinking about his attitude.

“Lyric the triplets are up and we only have 2 bottle left” Rhea links me.

“Okay I will be right there” I link her.

“time for a feeding” I say to Winter helping her stand.

“You are so lucky that witch sped up your pregnancy because this has been torture” she whines as we walk out.

Cole is walking down the hall as we come out of the office and he smiles. The second his eyes land on me the tension leaves his shoulders like I’m the only thing keeping him sane lately.

“I was just coming to see you” He says.

I raise a brow at him. “Were you now?, you finished with your tantrum?” I ask him walking towards the nursery.

His eyes narrow slightly. “It wasn’t a tantrum.”

“It absolutely was.”

Winter snorts beside me.

“Traitor” Cole mutters at her making her laugh harder.

“Where are you going?” he asks.

“Rhea said we only had two bottle left so I have to go breastfeed” I say.

“Zach is always still hungry after which makes sense he is the one who will be taking over” he says smiling.

I roll my eyes and walk into the nursery. The triplets start getting excited the moment we walk in. Tiny squeaks and little kicks immediately fill the room and warmth spreads through my chest so fast it almost hurts.

I pick up Eloise and walk over to the rocking chair and Rhea hands me Zachariah while Cole takes Adonis. I settle them both and lean back in the chair.

“I’m going to go find Ellie for lunch” Rhea says walking out.

Winter settles in the other rocking chair rubbing her stomach. “I can’t wait for this pup to come out, I miss being active” she says.

“Yeah I don’t miss that” I say adjusting Eloise in my arms. She immediately grabs onto my finger with surprising strength and Cole chuckles low beside me.

“Well soon all of you would have given birth and back to driving us crazy” Cole says.

Dominic walks in the nursery. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you” he says looking at Winter.

“Well I wasn’t hiding and you could have just linked me” She says moving to stand and he rushes to help her.

The second she winces his whole face changes. Panic. Concern. Guilt.

“We will see you guys at dinner” she says walking away from him.

“She’s so moody lately” he says annoyed.

Cole and I both laugh.

“It’s called being pregnant” I say as he walks out.

“Have lunch with me?” He asks.

I smile. “Do you really have to ask?” I ask.

“Normally no but I know I’ve been making you upset” he says placing a sleeping Adonis into his crib.

His fingers linger on Adonis’s head for a second longer than necessary before he walks back over to me.

He grabs Eloise from me, burps her gently before laying her into her crib. I burp Zachariah before Cole takes him and places him in the crib. I grab the baby monitor and we walk downstairs to the patio.

There’s a table set up under the gazebo in the garden that he leads me to. The weather is warm, flowers blooming around us, servants moving through the gardens and for the first time in a long time the palace actually feels peaceful instead of tense.

He pulls out my chair and I take a seat, he sits across from me and takes my hands in his.

“I’m so happy we get to have these moments” he says.

There’s something almost desperate in the way his thumbs rub over my knuckles. Like he’s still scared one day he’ll wake up and I’ll be gone again.

A few pack members walk by and they wave at us as we do.

“Princess we really need to talk about this council” he says sounding exasperated.

“Why are you in such a rush?” I ask him.

“Because we need a council” he says.

“for what?, why do we need one right now?” I ask.

“The King and Queen always had a council” He says.

“Okay so send a messenger to the western and southern kingdoms and then we can discuss a council” I say.

He groans in frustration. His jaw ticks once. Twice.

“Why are you pushing so hard on this?” he asks.

“Because they are wolves just like us and they deserve a voice just like us” I say. “You can’t have a supernatural council without the entire werewolf community.”

“Fine, I will send a messenger to both kingdoms” He finally agrees.

I smile wide. “Thank you my king” I say.

“Have we heard back from the scouts about Dark Valley Pack?” I ask.

The mood shifts instantly.

Cole’s fingers stop moving against mine.

“Dominic said they never returned so he sent two more scouts out and we are waiting again” He replies.

A cold feeling settles heavily in my stomach.

“I don’t like how that sounds” I say quietly.

He nods his head in agreement. “Yeah me either but until I know it’s something it’s not” he responds.

But even he doesn’t sound convinced.

“Okay” I say.

“I want to go to Mason’s grave” I say to him and he stiffens and growls low.

“Lyric” he says voice tight.

“Cole he’s dead and I killed him” I say voice cracking. “I just need this” I say lower this time.

He shakes his head. “Princess I know you feel guilty but it’s not your fault.” He says.

I look up at him eyes blazing. His possessiveness crashes into my guilt and suddenly my chest feels too tight.

“I was telling you because you are my mate but I wasn’t asking for permission Alpha” I say before standing and walking away.

The silence behind me feels sharp enough to cut.

Joshua falls into step with me.

“Should I get a car to go to Moonveil” he asks.

I smile at him. “Nope, I have a easier way” I reply as we walk to my office.

“Henry I'm stepping out, there is milk in my fridge in the office for the pups” I link him before I close the link and put a block on Cole.

Joshua winces. “You know he’s going to be pissed.”

“I know but I don’t care, he shouldn’t be jealous of ghosts” I say.

Even as I say it guilt twists in my chest because I know this isn’t really about jealousy. Cole died because of Mason. Even if it was temporary. Even if Selene planned it. My mate still bled out in my arms because of him.

I open the closet in my office and recite the spell Tabby taught me and I step through. Stepping onto the burial grounds at Moonveil.

Cold air wraps around me instantly. The temperature difference alone sends chills across my skin.

“I will never get used to this” He says laughing. “I will be over here.”

I nod and walk to the Alpha family’s section. I take out my candles and light them before reciting the spell.

“Spirits beyond the veil, hear my call. By the goddess and the blood in me, reveal yourself.”

The wind blows before I hear his voice.

“Sunny” he says.

My breath catches painfully in my throat.

I look up and he is standing in front of me smiling.

I rush into his arms. “Mason” I say hugging him tightly.

He feels different. Not cold exactly. Just... lighter. Less angry.

“I miss you so much Mase” I say tears falling.

“I miss you too Sunny” He says.

“I’m so sorry Mason, I never wanted you to die” I say as he wipes my tears.

“I know Sunny, you did what you had to do and I deserved it” He says.

“You seem different” I say.

He laughs softly. “Well being dead will do that to you, and I been spending a lot of time with your dad he’s been helping me come to terms with everything. I was very angry at first” He admits.

“I’ve been watching you and Aria. She looks good and your guard over there has been good to her” he says regret lacing his voice.

I smile. “Yes he has been good to her and your son who will be here any day now” I say smiling thinking about the pups.

Pain flashes across his face so quickly most people would miss it. But I don’t. I know him too well.

“I’m happy for her, what’s going on Sunny you know your mate wouldn’t be happy you are talking to me like this” He says.

“I miss this Mason, the Mason who would talk to me, and was there for me. Not the Mason I seen when you died” I say.

“I know Sunny and I’m sorry. I couldn’t get over losing you when I dreamed of you being my mate my entire life and I regret all of it. Hurting you, hurting Aria, hurting my parents and Winnie. Being dead really gives you perspective” he says.

I chuckle softly. “I have been thinking about you since the funeral, I have been carrying so much guilt and nobody blames me and I can’t understand it” I say tears falling freely.

“because everyone knows this isn’t your fault Sunny, my death was a reaction to me killing your mate, or thinking I did. Selene helped me come to terms and I got to watch myself back and see how I was behaving. I’m sorry Sunny” he says.

“I have to go Mason” I say standing and moving to hug him.

“I know Cole will not be okay with this often no matter how long you are dead for but I will be back” I say.

“Even if you don’t I understand and I love you Sunny” He says.

I smile. “I love you too Mason, and I really do miss you” I say.

“I know” He says smiling as I blow out the candles sending his spirit back to Selene.

“Lyric” I hear a familiar voice behind me.

I spin so fast I almost fall.

My entire body locks up.

The sob that escapes me sounds so broken. “Daddy” I say in almost a whisper.

He smiles and I fall into his arms and break.

“Daddy I'm so sorry for everything. You died because of me” I say tears falling freely down my face.

“This was not on you sweetheart, this was on David and he got what he deserved” he says.

“How are you here?” I ask.

He smiles. “Selene felt you needed one of us right now” He says.

“I wish one of you were here everyday, I need my parents” I say through tears.

He hugs me tighter. “You don’t need us you are strong and you have your mate and my beautiful grand pups” he says. “you are doing great and I love you” he says.

His voice sounds exactly the same. Warm. Safe. Home. And somehow that hurts worse.

“I love you daddy” I say before he disappears.

The burial grounds go quiet again.

Too quiet.

I wipe my tears and walk back to where Josh is standing. He pushes himself off the wall.

“Ready?” he asks.

“yup” I say as I say the spell to get us back through the portal.

When we step into the office Cole is sitting waiting for me.

His eyes immediately go to my face. The dried tears. The red around my eyes. His eyes drag over my face slowly, like he’s checking for something he doesn’t want to find.

He looks upset but he will get over it. I chose him and I always do and that should be enough for him, but the quiet hurt sitting behind his eyes makes my chest tighten anyway.

The second I lower the block between us emotion slams into me so hard it almost knocks the breath from my lungs.

Not anger.

Hurt.

Deep, quiet hurt.

And for the first time since Mason died, I realize my mate isn’t scared of losing me to a dead man.

He’s hurt there’s still a part of me grieving one.