Chapter 118

Nan’s POV

This was the moment I had been waiting for.

Mr. Holder had allowed us to go home and rest for a while. Correctly guessing that Lionel and I needed time to rest after that ordeal. Neither of us wanted to be far from each other that night.

Mr. Holder had requested for us to meet with him at a private Villa.

Normally Lionel would reject such a strange request for security purposes. But we had already trusted him thus far. It seemed pointless to distrust him now.

Villa was a…generous word for the place we came too.

It was more of an island. The island was barren and desolate. We came before an old ruin of an ancient stone temple.

My new powers allowed me to sense that there was something beneath the surface of this place. The ruin went further than visual. There were metaphysical wounds here…still silently seeping.

I shivered and stepped closer to Lionel.

Mr. Holder waited for us inside the crumbled ruins.

“Strange meeting place.” Lionel greeted him.

“But necessary for your explanations.” Mr. Holder said.

“What are we doing here?” I ask.

“I assume you have heard about the Moon clans in your research?” Mr. Holder guesses.

“Yes.” I confirm. “It’s mostly legend.”

He nods. “I am not surprised. Much information was lost in time.”

“I’m guessing these Moon clans have something to do with Nan?” Lionel theorizes.

Mr. Holder grins. It transforms his face. He looks more like a kindly older gentleman than a mysterious wizard.

‘It suits him,’ I note.

“It all began with the Moon clans.” He says.

“The Moon clans were the first children of the Moon goddess. Her most beloved. They led the ancient world for millennia upon millennia.”

Lionel lets out a deep breath. “I heard they were powerful. I had no idea they were so important.”

It’s food for thought. Much information from that time had been lost or distorted in time. I still found it hard to fathom that even those of noble bloodlines were not widely aware of that fact.

“If that’s the case…” I say out loud. “Then shouldn’t it be more well known?”

Mr. Holder shakes his head. “There is still more to tell.”

“This clan was also the first to receive special abilities. It was said that they could affect the weather. Bring rain where there was drought…one particularly powerful princess even called forth the Moon during daylight hours.”

I gasp. “A wolf from the Moon clan could cause an Eclipse?!”

It’s utterly mind boggling. The idea that there used to be wolves with such great and terrible powers walking the earth. It sounds impossible.

There is entrancing quality to Mr. Holder’s tone now. One that reals me in. I know Lionel is just as invested.

“In time these wolves with special abilities were revered. Sought out by everyone. They became known by one name.”

The answer comes to be unbidden. Something within me feels a deep connection already. I know it’s right.

“Lunara.” I say. Lionel’s arm tightens around me.

“Lunara.” He agrees.

“These Lunara wolves were naturally powerful. Blessed by the Moon goddess above all others. The men were stronger and the women were incredibly fertile.”

I feel a deep blush overtake my face at hearing those last words out of this man’s mouth. It feels like hearing your grandparents say ‘sex’ for the first time. Lionel’s chest shakes with silent laughter.

Mr. Holder’s twinkling, knowing eyes only worsens it. I am grateful when he does not comment any further. Small blessings.

His amusement fades.

“Then came the greed of other clans. They discovered that certain Lunara wolves could boost the powers of their chosen mates. Chaos and strife ensued.”

Lionel freezes. “The Blood wars.”

The Blood wars had been a series of endless disputes and wars between clans. It spanned nearly two centuries. The people and land were scarred irreparably by the end oceans of blood that soaked its soil.

Everyone knew this was the disaster that sparked the Great Calamity.

“Lunara wolves were no longer considered blessing by the Moon goddess. They were considered objects of power. The Moon clan was destroyed when they attempted to save their beloved wolves from slavery.”

I felt sick to my stomach. Everything I had uncovered had hinted at some dark origins. I could not have imagined anything like this.

I could imagine it in my mind’s eye. The betrayal from the people they had led. Blood and shackles their new fate.

“Only one clan remembered its original purpose. Only one remained true.” He said somberly.

“Who?” Lionel asks gruffly. I sense his outrage at these ancient traitors.

Nothing was so repulsive to an Alpha as wolves who broke their oaths.

“The inferno clan.” Mr. Holder says warmly.

“My clan?” Lionel exhales.

“The inferno clan took in the refugees. The Lunara wolves pledged their support in return. It’s that pact that allowed the inferno clan to become the powerhouse today.”

Lionel’s face is scrunched in confusion. I resist the urge to smooth the lines there. My own curiosity still at the forefront of my mind.

“That can’t be right. We would know. How could we not be aware of that?”

Mr. Holder grimaces. “Because part of the pact was suppressing information. Hiding the fact that there were surviving bloodlines of the Lunara wolves.”

“To protect them.” I conclude.

“Yes.” He replies.

“In time even the main bloodlines forgot the original pact. But the remaining bloodlines of the Lunara wolves never forgot. They passed their histories though stories kept in the families.”

“If they were kept in the family, how do you know?” Lionel challenges.

He smirks. “Not all wolves from the Lunara bloodlines have powers.”

“You…you’re one of them?” I choke out.

“So are you.” He admits.

“Then why do I have powers?” I ask. “Why don’t you?”

“No one knows for sure. However…the Lunara bloodline seems to awaken when they meet a possible mate from the inferno claim.” He says carefully.

“Because Lionel is my fated mate, I get powers?” I ask skeptically.

He shrugs. “I don’t know why. Some of us had guessed it’s the hand of Moon goddess.”

I stand there quietly. Taking all the information. Trying to filter through.

“What about my parents?” I finally ask. “My birth parents.”

“I can’t give you many details about them.” He informs me. “However…you might get some answers from another source rather soon.”

‘More riddles,’ I think. ‘I should have known.’

I decide to accept his answer for the time being. There is nothing I could do anyway. I also had a feeling he wouldn’t budge even if I did press.

“I know that is not the response you were looking for. Let me offer you something else.” Mr. Holder suggests.

“Like what?” Lionel cuts in. His business mind taking over.

“Nan’s powers go further than either of you know at the moment. They are the healing touch of the Moon goddess’ love.” He explains.

“I’m sure you’ve noticed that your powers have grown exponentially since your third trial.”

I nod. “Before there was only a tiny burst of starlight in my chest. Now it’s like moonlight trapped beneath my skin.”

“You can’t bring people back to life.” Mr. Holder says. “But you could resurrect nature around you.”

“Like bring wilting flowers back to full health?” I question.

“Exactly. But on a much larger scale.” He agrees.

A thought occurs to me then.

“Mr. Holder…what is this place?” I voice.

My suspicions are confirmed in his next words.

“This was once the home of the Moon clan.”

I feel Lionel tense next to me. Shock and horror bleeding through the bond. I know he has noticed the unnatural aura of the desolate island too.

I am not focused on that. No. I smile as I guess just why Mr. Holder is here.

“Tell me your idea.”

“It’s simple. Make a bargain with the pack. Let them think they are offering you an impossible challenge.”

“Like healing a dead island.” Lionel mummers.

Mr. Holder does not respond.

“Thank you.” I say.

“I think I have kept you long enough. I’m sure you’re itching to consummate your bond. Despite how it looks…this might be just the perfect place to do so.”

He winks at us. Soon we are left alone on this island. The intent clear.

It is time to consummate our mating.