Chapter 406 – Luna of The Mighty Alpha

Filed To Story: The Perfect Luna by Marissa Gilbert

“You’ve got it,” Warg promised.

“‘ll help too,” Salome joined them. “Whatever it takes.”

“Well then,” Forrest went to the huge fridge installed into one of the walls and produced a bottle of champagne, “I think we should celebrate our new alliance then.”

***

Niki finished unpacking and sat on the old couch, looking around. After Joran and Fenrir disappeared, she managed to slip into her Teacher’s old bedroom and found his briefcase with a stack of fake documents, money and cards. Altogether, it was enough for a small house in the middle of nowhere. Including making her traces disappear in case anyone was looking for her.

It was just perfect for her because all she wanted was peace.

Forrest helped her to cremate Bjorn’s body, and all she had now from that big, incredible love of hers was the urn with his ashes.

Better than nothing, but not nearly enough.

If only she didn’t ask him to returnIf only she’d thought of him more than Astrea back then… If only…

An ethereal light illuminated the room, making her jump to her feet.

Astraea knew she couldn’t count on a warm welcome, but the hate she saw in her friend’s éyes was still unexpected

“Nik-“

“Go away,” Nikiah said and turned away as if she wasn’t in the presence of a goddess.

“Niki, I am so sorry.”

The words would never be enough because of what was taken from her. If anyone in the entire world knew what it was like, it was Astraea.

“I am sure you are.” The Firstborn let out a bitter chuckle. “I still got visited second after your real sister, right?”

“Niki, it’s not like that,” Astrea tried to protest, but saw her friend clenching her fists harder.

“You know what his last words were?” The Firstborn turned to face her. “Do you even want to know?!”

The Goddess of Stars nodded.

“He said that gods cannot be trusted, and honestly, I think that Darius knew exactly what he was talking about! You-you use us for as long as we are useful to you, and then you are done and move on. While us mortals have to pick up the pieces after your divine intervention.”

“Niki, I came to-“

“You came to make yourself feel better, but you know what? Find someone else to ease your guilt. I’m sure you have others for that and, frankly, it’s not my concern anymore!”

“I am sorry you lost him,” Astrea said, locking their gazes. “1 still think you should know that he is finally at peace.”

Nikiah’s lips parted in shock.

“You saw him?”

“It will be a while until his soul is ready to “see” anyone, but he is in a peaceful place. He is not tortured anymore. Bjorn

-Darius is happy now.”

Niki didn’t know why it hurt her even more than before now.

“I have something for you.” Astrea broke the silence.

“I need nothing from you.”

“It’s not from me,” the goddess stretched her hands out to Niki and an old blue wooden box appeared in her palms. “It belonged to him.”

Niki recognised that box. It used to stand on a mantle in Darius’ old room on the Firstborn island, and she was never allowed to touch it.

Finally, she would have something of his. Something to remember him by.

“Thanks.” She took the box out of Astraea’s hands and turned away to conceal her teary eyes. Her anger faded slightly, but it didn’t change anything

“I just want you to know that if I could-“

“But you can!” Nikiah faced her again, her fury returning to ripple through her. “You are the most powerful goddess to ever exist. I did my homework. You can turn back time. Or you can give his soul a new host. You can do so many things, but you just brought me an old box with his old cr.ap!”

“Niki, things are bad up there. We can’t make big changes anymore.”

“And why is that?” The Firstborn laughed bitterly through tears. “Oh, yes! It’s because your true love and his brother entertained themselves with a mortal war, blessing everyone along the way and taking that opportunity from others. All of you gods – You’re all the same! And now I-have to live my life alone with my memories and dreams of a life that could have been!”

She finally let out a loud sob and covered her eyes.

“You are not alone,” Astrea said.

“No offence, but I don’t want you in my life anymore!” Niki announced, and although it hurt like hell, Astraea respected her decision.

“I am not talking about me,” she said, and Niki stopped crying, darting her gaze back at her former friend

“What are you-“

“Don’t you know it yet?” Astraea tilted her head. “You are with child, Niki.”

The werewolf’s hands slid down to her stomach. She was sure it was all the stress eating, but now, when she touched her slightly rounded belly, it felt so different.

Dariuss child. She would have his child. A piece of him was living in her. A piece of him would forever live in this world.

He wasn’t entirely gone.

“Niki, I know you don’t want to hear from me right now,” Astraea used the opportunity, “but know that I will never leave you. Not really. I will not be able to visit for some time, but I will always look over you and your little one.”

The Firstborn wasn’t sure how to reply to that. Too many thoughts were in her head.

All this… it wasn’t the end.

“As I have said,” Astraea cleared her throat, “I will not be able to be here for at least a few years, so I want you to have this.

She touched the young woman’s wrist, and a row of beads appeared on it.

“Use them for you and your son’s protection,” Astraea instructed, and slowly, Niki managed to offer her a nod Those beads were priceless. Those beads meant protection.

She would have a son. His son. With silver hair and the strength of a bear.

“Thanks,” the Firstborn brushed her fingers over the cold beads.

“Niki-“

“It’s not that I don’t want to forgive you,” she said, interrupting the goddess. “I just can’t. At least not now. Not any time soon. It would feel like betraying him.”

“I understand.” Her old mentor forced a little smile on her face. “You can call me anytime. I will come to help you, I swear. It’s the truth because-“

“The words of the gods are binding,” Nikiah finished for her.

“But also, they always have double meaning. Leave me alone. At least for now.”

This wasn’t how Astraea wanted their last meeting to be, but she had to accept it.

“I hope to see you again” she added before disappearing.

Niki was finally alone, her hand still on her stomach. She cried for weeks and now, for the first time since Darius’s death, her lips curled into a warm smile.

“Hello, my little cub.”

Now that she thought about it, she would never be alone again.

**

Bastian hoped to leave unnoticed. He hated long goodbyes, and knowing his friends, they would want to throw him another party.

So, his plan was simple. Just portal to the mortal realm and be done with it.

“Going somewhere?” His father’s voice startled him and he slowly turned on his feet.

“We really don’t need to do this.” He’d been by his parent’s side for centuries, trying to repay him for what had been done to him.

Bash knew very well that he wasn’t a product of love, yet his father still tolerated him. Fenrir was to be admired.

“Let’s agree to disagree.” The ruler of Asgard arched his brow.

“I just want a taste of freedom and independence!” Bash let out a chuckle.

“You were always free. I hope you know that.”

He knew, but also… he’d never really felt that before. The debt he’d placed on himself, the fault, the blame… they were too real and the nicer Fenrir was to him, the worse he felt.

Surely, he did not really think of him as his son. When Astraea gave him children, they would be his real family and heirs.

Now, his job was done, and he wanted to leave to give them peace and let them be happy without any reminders of the past.

“Anyway,” Fenir cleared his throat, “I have something for you, Skoll.”

“What is it?” He flinched hearing his old name, but tried to play it cool.

“You are going to look for the Hunters,” his father reminded him, “I am not one to prohibit you doing anything. You know that. After all, you’d come of age too long ago to listen to me. However, I can’t let my child go out there without some extra help.”

“Please, don’t make me take that mad flying horse!” he begged.

“I wish,” Fenrir rolled his eyes, “but Astraea wouldn’t part with that thing. However, I can easily part with something in my possession.”

He stretched his hand out and immediately, Odin’s spear appeared in it.

“You can’t!” Bash couldn’t contain his shock.

“I absolutely can,” his father insisted. “It is yours now. It’s about time I create my own damn divine weapon, and would feel better if I knew you had this one in your possession during your adventures. Use it as you see fit.

You have my complete trust, Skoll.*

The young wolf wrapped his fingers around the cold metal spear and felt electricity ripple through him as the power within acknowledged him as its new owner.

*Just- be careful when you pierce people with it” Fenrir warned him. “It may revive them. Just saying.”

“I’Il keep that in mind,” Bash smirked. “Thanks.”

His father placed a hand on his shoulder. “And now go. son. Write your own story”

—-THE END

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