Filed To Story: Luna Riannon and Alpha Brayden Novel
“Excuse me?” Astrea arched her brow up. “Should I talk differently to you after how you acted during those months?”
“You killed Emma!” Dominica snapped, her full lips trembling. Astrea had no snappy retort for her. Dominica used to be Emma’s ward. They had a connection similar to what she shared with Niki. She was probably the only one Astrea didn’t expect different behaviour from. The youngest Dragonfly had her reasons to hate her.
“She tried to kill me first,” Astrea admitted dryly.
“And we should believe you because. what?” Adisa let out a snort, brushing her hand through her short curly hair as her ebony skin glowed, reflecting the moonlight.
“Of course, she wanted to kill you! She probably realised you were a traitor! She had to at least try and stop you!” Dominica narrowed her brown eyes, her black outfit unapologetically embracing her generous curves. If she could kill Astrea here and now, she absolutely would.
“Ladies, we can leave all this for later,” Lenora took the role of the leader. The role that was always Astrea’s. They were letting her know the new place she had here.
“Yes, I have some news you should pass to the Teacher,” Astrea prepared to distract them, but the redhead raised her hand, motioning for her to stop.
“Later,” she said in a strange tone, and they all exchanged discreet looks. As if they couldn’t wait for something important.
“I think we should-” Astrea was testing her luck again.
“Dragonfly Circle first!” Lenora interrupted her. “What if we are attacked soon? We need to recharge our powers.”
Astrea hated this. Recharge wasn’t the word she would use for the ritual.
The snake tattoo on her neck tingled for the first time in a while, making her shiver. She was probably too close to the border.
Just then, she remembered Fenrir’s words again…
ASGARD
Fenrir had been waiting at least two hours since the guards announced his arrival in the wing designated for the Moon Goddess
He wasn’t going to rush it, though. It was nighttime, and she was probably busy with her work. Once again, he couldn’t believe his own luck. No Asgardian would be in his way to speak to Selene. Most were probably drunk or asleep by now, his own father included.
“Please, follow me.” A warrior in golden armour bowed to him and led the way through the white marble halls, sheer curtains swaying gracefully in the breeze. It was funny how the guests made this familiar place seem so foreign and ethereal.
She was standing on a large balcony, looking at the moon in the sky, her pale blue hair cascading down her silver open-back dress. Selene didn’t look any older than her daughter, yet when she turned to meet his gaze, Fenrir saw countless memories etched across the expanse of time.
The Moon Goddess was an old soul. There were no doubts about that.
“My apologies for interrupting your evening.” He bowed his head in respect, and the woman’s lips curved slightly. To his relief, she radiated warmth.
“No need for formalities, my boy.” Selene stepped closer. ” You know I have a soft spot for you. Why did you want to see me?”
This was a good start, yet still, Fenir couldn’t help but swallow nervously. One wrong word, and he could ruin it all, losing Astraea forever.
“I don’t want to seem disrespectful,” he started, immediately cursing himself inwardly. He didn’t want to look like a barbarian to her, but it wasn’t like he was taught how to handle such matters. Most of his education came from Tyr, and Tyr only knew war.
“You are not. Come in.” Selene walked to a long table, gesturing for Fenir to join her. A servant moved a silver chair for her and then helped to arrange the fabric of her dress so that she looked regal. Something deities here in Asgard didn’t bother to do.
The Asgardian took his seat in front of her, and immediately goblets of wine and all kinds of snacks appeared on the table before them out of nowhere.
“Thank you.” He took one of the goblets and tasted the drink that was as sweet as mead yet so different.
“It’s my and Astraea’s favourite.” Selene also took a sip, closing her eyes just for a moment, enjoying herself. When she opened them, her interested gaze fell on her guest. “I am glad that you visited. This is a safe space for you, my boy. Actually, I wanted to speak to you too.” This was a pleasant surprise. Maybe his father was right after all, and he had a shot because of who he was. For once, being a wolf shifter was playing in his favour.
Rumours had it that Selene not only loved wolves, she was creating shifters similar to him, sending them into Midgard, the human realm. Of course, he didn’t know which of the rumours were true.
“You probably know that I was helping Astraea with her garden.” Fenrir was choosing each word carefully, not wishing for the woman in front of him to misunderstand what they were doing. He teased Astraea and was crazy about her but didn’t want his actions to taint her gleaming
reputation. He wanted her to become his wife and had nothing but respect for her.
“I had no idea,” The Moon Goddess looked slightly surprised, but then the corners of her lips tilted upwards. ” Well, it may be for the best. After all, I wanted to ask you to spend more time with my daughter.”
Fenrir’s heart skipped a beat. Maybe this was all a dream, and he was about to wake up. He hated to lift his hopes up for nothing, but his dream was now so close.
“It would be my honour,” he cleared his throat, unable to hold back a smile. “Astraea and I-“
“She will need help once she lives here,” the Moon Goddess continued, sadness lacing her words. “I hate to be separated from her. I’ve already lost so many people dear to me-“She hesitated briefly, lost in thought.
“Nevermind. After Astraea gets married, she will stay here in Asgard, and she will need a friend on her side. You can be that friend, Fenrin. “
The realisation hit him so hard that it felt like a dagger pierced his heart and was twisting, twisting, twisting in his chest, enveloping him in agony.
Friend. The Moon Goddess wanted him to be Astraea’s friend.
Which also meant she had someone else in mind as her husband.
“I will always be her friend,” he said dryly, but Selene was not in a hurry to grace him with a smile. She could feel that something was wrong.
I am glad-” Her discerning gaze studied him cautiously.
“But her and I, we are more than friends,” he announced boldly, his resounding voice echoing through the marble room.
There was a hint of puzzlement written over the goddess’ face.
“I-“He was about to explain, but she lifted her hand to stop him, all pleasantness drained from her features.
“How dare you imply such things!” She stood up from her seat and clenched her fists tight. Like any deity, she was a warrior, and now he saw it.
He knew that this was the most important moment of his life. Here and now, his fate was about to be decided.
“I know why you brought Astraea here,” he started, confidence growing with each second. He would fight for her if he had to. “Your realm is dying, and you hope to unite with Asgard to prevent it.”
The Goddess watched him for a few moments, not saying a word to confirm it but not denying it either.
“This is the reason you want her to marry an Asgardian.” Fenrir did not allow his voice to tremble. It was all or nothing. “You need a powerful alliance to defend yourselves. I- I can be that Asgardian for you.”
“Oh,you foolish boy-” She sighed and massaged the bridge of her nose. “If this is how you see this, you will not bring her anything good. Just forget what we talked about.
Let’s pretend this meeting never happened. And don’t go to see her in that garden ever again.”
She was about to walk away when he gave her a reply she didn’t ask for.
“No.” His voice was like steel. Unyielding. Almost a threat.
And Selene felt that because now she was glaring at him.
“No?” She let out a little cruel laugh. “Boy, I think you are forgetting who you are talking to. This is not up for negotiation.”
“I am sorry if I come across as rude,” Fenrir stood up too. ” This is not my intention. But ‘Astraea and I have something special. I- We are in love. I want only the best for her, and 1 am ready to fight to the death for her if I have to. Her light awakened something in me that I had no idea was even there and-“
“This is a nightmare!” The Moon Goddess covered her face with her hands.
“At least think about it,” Fenrir offered, ready to drop to his knees and beg her. “I know l’m not the perfect candidate for
“Do you?” Now Selene was mocking him, an icy smile stretching her lips. “I don’t think you understand what you’re doing at all! You don’t understand what kind of place you have here.”
“I fully understand,” he said, knowing far too well how the others treated him. “But you love wolves, and I happen to be a wolf deity myself. There will never be anyone bigger or stronger than me. I thought that maybe-“
“Stop it!” The goddess screamed, stomping her foot. The moonlight that illuminated everything inside became duller.
“Even talking to you about it can bring us trouble!”
“I am ready to give any oath to prove my intentions are pure!” He insisted, not ready to give up.
“An oath is not going to help here!” Selene was getting angrier. “Who do you think you are to ask for her hand? She is the Goddess of Stars, for goodness sake! Do you know how pure her blood is? How strong is she going to be when she reaches her full potential? She will control the stars, Fenrir! And everything is made out of stars! Even you and me. What do you think someone like you can offer my daughter?”
“Protection, love, happiness,” he stated what was most important in his opinion, but it only made her laugh.