Page 17 of My Only Luna

I clench my jaw. “I was just wary because I was the Alpha. It was my responsibility to be careful.”

“Maybe, but it was I who told you that you must welcome them because when I saw Jessica and the girls, I instantly knew that the special she-wolf was Scarlett. That defiance in her eyes, that unbroken strength. Even today, no matter what she went through, I know that strength will continue to burn brightly inside of her.”

“She has always been so strong,” Jessica adds. “You said to me once you felt as if it was the Moon Goddess herself who sent you that message, right?”

Amelia nods. “I truly believe so. I don’t know how, but I know it was her who came to me in my dream, and you both know Scarlett is special. Her abilities…”

She observes us, and I nod.

“Her Alpha aura and abilities.”

“Not only does she have the power of an alpha, something that is unheard of in our kind, a female with such an ability? It’s a miracle. But the ability to slow down another’s healing when she inflicts a wound… She is something special. Her large, silver-grey wolf that is so pure and unreal,” she continues. “Have you not noticed since her arrival to this village that the rogue attackshave decreased until recently? A blessing. She is special, and her coming tothispack, out of all others, all the way from up north, must mean something.”

“I don’t get your point,” I say icily.

“All I’m saying is we have the Goddess’s given gift amongst us, and she needs to walk whatever path she deems right. If that path takes her to Elijah, then you cannot stand in her way. Let the Goddess and the wolf she has blessed do as they deem correct. We are simply pawns in a bigger picture. Never forget that,” Amelia says firmly.

Our eyes meet, and for a moment that eerie wisdom she always held returns. One that always fills me with guilt. That night she said I couldn’t go on that mission and sent her own son in my place.Did she know he wouldn’t make it?I squash the thought.

“And if they do end up being mates?” Jessica asks quietly, looking at me. I frown,Things will become rather complicated.

“More like, if they are not mates, then I don’t think they should be together, and that is final,” I say, standing up, my tone clipped. I am beyond angry at Elijah and feel disappointed in Scarlett, too. How could she do this?

Jessica frowns slightly as she stands up, her heart thundering violently.

“This time, I won’t side with you. I don’t think you’re right, Jackson,” she says softly. I look down at her, not expecting that. Hurt flashes in my eyes as she slowly backs away and goes and stands beside Amelia.

“We met each other first. Why should we compromise that for them? They were raised as siblings! What is wrong with wanting to protect my family?!” I snap, making her flinch. Shegrips Amelia’s arm, but despite the tremble in her body, her eyes flash as she looks back into mine.

“Because you are being selfish.”

Jessica

“Jackson Westwood, you are onlythinking of yourself right now! I know they were raised as siblings, but look back at them! When did Elijah ever treat Scarlett as a sister? He didn’t. Yes, he and Indigo bonded, but there was never anything between the elder two. He never called me mother or anything close. Now looking back, he used to get angry with Scarlett calling you Dad as well! I heard him myself, threatening her to stop calling you Dad, not that she listened.” I try to get through to him.

Jackson simply shakes his head.

“My point is maybe he had feelings for her that he never understood long before now,” I reason. It’s all beginning to make sense to me now. Jackson frowns, glaring at Aunt Amelia as if she’s the reason behind my thoughts.

Jackson shakes his head. “I will not approve of this. Not now, not ever. I swear, Elijah can choose between his Alpha position and Scarlett because I will not allow him to have both!” he snarls.

Fear rears its ugly head inside of me as I stare at him, shocked, hurt flitting through me. Does what others think matter so much to him? Shouldn’t our children’s happiness come first?

Don’t they deserve to be loved? Doesn’t Scarlett deserve it?

But I’m too scared to say anything else and Jackson leaves the room, but for Scarlett, I have to try. I take a shuddering breath, telling myself I can do this as I run after him wanting an answer. My eyes are blurred with tears when I reach him, stopping him from leaving the house.

“Jackson, why are you doing this?” I whisper. “Does their happiness not matter? How can you be so heartless?” He looks down at me, hurt flicking through his eyes.

“Heartless? I thought you would understand, Jessica. I’ve raised the girls as my own. To me there’s no difference between the three. In my eyes, they are siblings, regardless of everything. But if you can’t see that or my reasons, then this conversation is over,” he says quietly before he walks away, leaving me standing there shocked.

Guilt fills me as Jackson leaves the house, slamming the door behind him. I run my hand through my hair.Why is everything coming undone?Amelia sighs, shaking her head, as she steps out of the lounge.

“Leave him. Alphas are prideful buttheads. You can’t get through their thick skulls. Come, let’s have some tea,” Aunt Amelia says. I smile despite myself. Aunt Amelia surely has a way with things. She is strong and so in control of her emotions. I admire her. “Now go drop some ice to Scarlett. I’m sure Elijah will help her with it.”

I nod, hurrying to the freezer, taking two large bags and then head out of the room. I knock on the door, mind-linking Elijah.

Umm, Elijah, I have brought more ice…

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