Page 73 of The Wolf Moon

“I’m sorry I’m so late. It took me awhile to figure this out for you,” I said to her.

“What?” Diana croaked in exhaustion.

“Will you pray to Artemis with me?” I coaxed her, stroking her hand slowly.

“Pray?” Diana sounded slightly more awake. I nodded carefully.

“I’ll pray with you,” I said to her, “How does it start? Artemis, huntress of the moon…” I waited to see if Diana would continue. Life slowly grew more throughout her as she listened to me.

“…Make my aim true,” Diana continued for me, much to my delight.

“Give me goals to seek,” I said, moving closer to Diana.

“And the constant determination… to achieve them,” Diana spoke with renewed fervor. A deep prayer was echoing in her words; that she’d gain back what she’d lost. I could hear it in her prayer as though I were a Goddess listening to my own disciple. “Grant me communion with nature. Allow me to live surrounded by plants and animals…”

I reached to place my hand on her wounded stomach, a power different from my ability to control wildlife rippling through me just as I’d practiced. I knew it would work this time. I’d been trying to perfect it before bestowing the gift to Diana.

“…that I can grow, protect… and…,” A look of wonder was rising on Diana’s face as she watched me build the power within me, around me, and to my hand. “You’re her. You’re… you’re her.” She looked completely stunned.

I only smiled secretively.

“I’m your Queen Luna,” I said to her, the meaning laced in my words. I abruptly pushed my power into Diana and she jolted back, gasping for air. The power started with Diana, but then exploded outside the room, touching female wolf after female wolf from the Trinity pack all the way to the ends of Moirai. The curse of infertility was officially broken, starting with Diana.

I released her with my own gasp, panting heavily with exhaustion. Diana had sat up in her bed holding her stomach with wonder. For a moment, she didn’t say anything, but then she turned to look at me in bewilderment.

“I couldn’t give you back the child you lost, but I could give you the ability to have a family in the future… I hope this is enough. I wanted the curse to be ended with you,” I told her, a heartfelt sincerity in my words. The words barely left my mouth before Diana leapt towards me and wrapped her arms around me almost desperately.

“Thank you, Mila,” Diana said softly, bringing tears to my eyes. “Thank you, my Queen Luna. I will be loyal to you until death, I swear it to you.” I hugged her back, enjoying the warmth in her now lively and happier arms.

“I’ll send Beta Caleb in so you can tell him the good news,” I said to her, pulling away lightly. I brushed back her hair a bit, fondly. Then I released her before stepping towards the door where Roman stood.

Roman and I left the clinic in silence. When we were far enough away, Roman made a noise of frustration, catching my attention. I turned to look at him in confusion.

“You stole another wolf from me,” Roman said with a teasing tone of false irritation.

“Didn’t you know?” I asked him shortly, walking towards the outskirts of the village with him following. Roman tilted his head at my question.

“Know what?” He inquired curiously.

“They call me the Queen Alpha and you the King Luna,” I lied confidently.

“Name names and I’ll correct their mistake,” Roman growled dangerously, his tone implying deadly seriousness. I abruptly laughed loudly, imaging him spending who knows how much time in the future wondering if people actually called him a Luna.

“Catch me and maybe I will,” I said simply.

I shifted easily into my wolf form, running into the trees. Roman hesitated a moment too long and I could hear him curse behind me before shifting as well. With a feeling of freedom and joy never felt before, I ran with Roman close behind.

All that was left was the wind, the trees, Roman, and me.

The End