I Am The Luna

ZAIA.

I know I should have listened to him, but I truly believed I was doing the right thing. I honestly didn’t think things would end up this bad. The festering thoughts aren’t easing up, and I feel mentally exhausted.

“Go with him. Show Atticus his room. I’ll clean this up. “I tell Valerie gently. She’s shaken by it all, and I know she’s going through a lot. I hope she at least realises she does love him.

Everyone deserves a second chance, right?

She nods and I give her a smile, watching Atticus lift him carefully. “You did amazingly. Now go with him.” I whisper to her.

She’s about to say something, but instead, she simply smiles and nods before she helps Atticus with Jai, supporting his head. She’s got blood in her hair and over her clothes, but like me, she has far bigger things to be concerned about.

They leave the room and my smile fades as I slowly drop into one of the chairs, my face falling. No longer able to keep the mask of strength on my face.

Everything went wrong tonight… This was not what I was expecting to happen.

I wanted to make things right between the rogues and us, to prove that they were just like us… But they’re not, and the painful truth is they don’t like us and never wanted to create an alliance of peace.

Then Jai, Jai shouldn’t have gotten hurt He almost died because of me… How many more people’s lives will I be responsible for in the war that I have created?

I’m terrified. Terrified of what I can possibly do… I killed someone with no hesitation and the most chilling part is, I know I’ll do it all over again if I have to. I look down at my blood-covered hands. Look at the blood behind my fingernails…

Who am I becoming?

Do I even recognise myself?

hating

I? I wanted him to pull me into his arms and tell me it’s going to be ok… or simply just an embrace, glad that

my hair back as I try to pull myself from my spiralling

There’s so much I

“Zaia…”

room and I quickly sit up looking away as I try to

“Hey…”

for the pain for

rest and it’s not safe.”

men are here.”

the ones who helped us escape and stopped those wolves that refused to pledge their allegiance to me. Even the rogues had run, clearly fearing their lives. It’s all a mess. I will have

many did we lose?” I ask softly. He looks down, smiling slightly, but it’s something I realise is a reflex to hide his real emotions. “Seven.” He says softly. There’s a sadness in his

sorry,”

they have families? Children?

More deaths…

my pack is ready.” He kneels before me and

was right. We all misjudge situations. You were incredible out there. I’m damn proud of you. Who would have thought the pregnant woman seeking a home in my pack would become this goddess? You are

my hair back,

up and takes his leave. The words are comforting… but they didn’t come from the man I needed them to

the blood. Once everything is done and I have rolled the rug away, not wanting the children to see any signs of this tomorrow, I mop

Once everything is clean and I’ve disposed of the bloody clothes and towels, I head upstairs. I pop into the children’s room, they’re both fast asleep and I smile softly, feeling warmth

blankets before I gently check

down at

will be ok, my angel. We are going to make you better. I peck them ever so lightly, not wanting to get this filthy blood on them and

he is… he’s going to be angry. I enter the room, and the first thing that hits me is the smell of smoke. Then I see him standing there. He’s only in a pair

a deep frown on his face and I don’t know what to say. I walk to my suitcase and take out some yoga pants and a tank top

when I’m about to

if I’ve just been

made a mistake, but I also handled it in the best way I possibly could. I’m trying.” I

memory of Olivan’s life fading before my eyes replays in my mind and the way I mercilessly flung his heart into the woods. I swallow as I look at the man I

tomorrow? I’m tired.”

just… want to

go anywhere with them and you did just that.” He

did, and like I said, I messed up, I

you stand in this twisted play of destiny and

have cost Jai his life. Your recklessness and your ego- “Please stop.” I plead quietly. My heart is thundering, and I look up at him. “I don’t

to hold me. He looks

“Zaia-”

much more in them as he grabs me by my arm and yanks me close, wrapping

course through me, but more than

tightly around his waist, never wanting to let go. His heart is thudding hard and so is mine as I hold on tight, as if he might just slip away. That maybe this is all a dream and I’m

my cheeks as he

don’t cry.” His voice

through the