I Am The Luna by Moonlight Muse Chapter 36
A Past Forgotten
ZAIA. “Thank you, Alpha Hugh, for allowing Valerie to be ced here and for the warm wee,” Jai
says as he shakes Dad’s hand. “And for allowing me to stay at your pack, it is a great honour.”
Dad nods curtly. “Don’t take it for kindness, I only agreed because you have been a carer for Valerie.
You will be allotted an apartment and you may visit Zaía’s ce, but be aware, due to you still being a
part of that pack, a guard will apany you at all times. Do I make myself clear?” Dad’s voice is crisp
and curt as he looks Jai dead in the eye.
“Yes, of course, Alpha,” Jai says with a firm nod. “After dark, you are not to venture out around the
pack, save going to and from Zaia’s home.”
It had been a great surprise when Dad had asked if any family would be staying with Valerie and if so,
then he needs to know so he can have security enforced.
It was only jai who would be staying with her, something that Sebastian and Jai both thought was ideal,
having Jai closer to me, too. Although I made it clear, I am perfectly fine without them!
“Well then, have a good evening,” Dad says to the both of us before he nces at the house for a
second before he takes his leave. “Come on in,” I say.
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Valerie’s room was already arranged in the conservatory, and I had everything in ce for my hope in
this ritual of healing.
I know the omegas who helped set the ce up and Dad thought I was crazy, but they entertained me
anyway. I didn’t even care when I received side-eye looks when they brought in the supplies I asked
for.
I didn’t mind what they thought of us, as long as she got better by it. I’m willing to try anything for her.
I need my girl back. “So… can I meet them?” Jai asks me. He looks a bit nervous as he tries to hide his
excitement. The children…
I nod, smiling slightly. “Of course,” I say, leading the way inside. “I told you to have dinner with us. He
nods, “You were saying, I hope you cooked because I miss your food and I’m excited to meet those
little mini versions of you.”
Or one mini version of Bastien. Sebastian and I had arranged a time for a call tonight, and I won’t deny
that I’m a little nervous… It’s the one time we have arranged a timing, so there is a chance it won’t just
be a quick thing…
I have a feeling he’ll ask me why I left like that… and with me asking Atticus, which I did tell them, I’m
sure he might want details.
I lead the way into the lounge, pushing away those thoughts and smile, watching the twins who are
ying with building blocks.
“Holy…” Jai mutters. I look at him and back at the kids, realising they are building quite an impressive
structure.
“No Sia, like this see?” Zion says gently, showing his sister where to put the little piece she’s holding.
“Smart little buggers huh…” Jai whistles as the twins are so deeply immersed with what they are doing
they don’t realise we’ve entered.
“Children,e on over here, this is… Uncle Jai, a friend of mine.” I say, drawing their attention away.
They both look up and Zion is the first to spring up and hurry over, with Sia a few steps behind. “Hello,”
Zion says, holding his hand out to Jai.
Jai crouches down and I can see the emotions in his eyes. “Hey, Zion.” He says softly, taking his small
hand and giving it a shake. “Love your hair.”
He ruffles his hair before I see him touch his chest and lower his head ever so slightly.
He’s acknowledging him as his future Alpha. He nces up at me and for once there’s no smile as he
tries to contain his emotions, looking at Zion once again.
The look in his eyes is of someone given hope A pack that is still without an heir…
Am I selfish in keeping them here?
I want to protect them.
I remain emotionless as Sia clings to my leg shyly, peeping out at Jai. “Hello, princess,” Jai says gently,
holding his hand out to her.
“Hello.” She says, still holding onto me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. They are mini versions of you…”
He says looking up at me as he tugs her cheek gently.
He means both of us. “But I don’t look like a girl,” Zion says, pointing up at me and pulling a face.
Jai smiles and shakes his head. “No kiddo, it’s true you don’t look like your Mommy.”
Zion looks relieved at that. “Alright, dinner is ready! Jai, how are you?” Mom’s voice breaks the
emotional atmosphere, and I couldn’t be more relieved.
“Mnie! Oh wow! It’s been three years, but you still look as beautiful as I remember, if not younger
and even more ravishing.” Jai flirts as he stands up and hugs Mom.
I can’t help but smile, reminiscing on the past…
(FLASHBACK)
“Want to elope?” Jai teases Mom, earning himself a frown despite the smile on her lips. 2
“No. Now go find someone your own age!”
Mom scolds.
“Ouch, you look beautiful, though. How do you expect me to stay away?”
Sebastian’s deep chuckle from behind makes my heart skip a beat before his strong arms lock around
me from behind. “Want to escape for a bit?” He whispers, his lips
meeting my neck, sending a jolt of pleasure through me. My breath hitches as I look up at him. We had
recently found one another and would soon be married…
And although Mom disliked Sebastian, she was trying to tolerate him, although she kept telling me he
was a mistake.
I bite my lip, about to reply, when Mom looks up disapprovingly and calls us over to the table.
“Maybeter?” I whisper, leaning up and kissing his lips. His brilliant blue eyes sparkle before he
smirks. “I am going to hold you to that, My Little Fox.”
(END OF FLASHBACK)
I take a deep breath to calm my emotions as I head to the dining table and take my seat.
The dinner with Atticus was two nights ago…
and although I told him everything will continue the way it is between us, I do feel I need to put distance
between us. It’s the
only way he’ll ept it and move on to find someone else. “Oh, you made my favourite!” Jai says as he
helps himself to some pasta.
I raise an eyebrow. “Isn’t that always the case with anything I cook?”
“Well, if you cook it, I’ll eat it. And it’s an instant favourite!” Jai says with a wink at Sia. “Don’t you
agree?”
She nods shyly as she leans closer to me.
I observe her. She looks better today, but she has her good days… my heart squeezes and I give her a
gentle hug.
I can feel Zion watching me intently and turn my attention to him.
“Uncle Jai used to be my friend a few years. ago. We used to… work together.” I exin, not knowing
how else to put it.
“Oh, ok Mommy,” Zion says, but he looks lost in thought for a moment before diving into his te of
food.
“Are you alright?” I ask Sia gently, and she simply nods her head, giving me a beautiful smile.
The rest of dinner passes by smoothly and we are almost done when Mom asks Jai where he’s
staying.
“It’s not too far from here. I’ll be around daily, though.” Jai grins. “Nonsense! I told you, Zaia, to let him
stay here.” Mom says, unhappily.
“Mom, Dad said for safety reasons, and I know we trust Jai, but he’s not part of this pack. We have to
abide by Dad’sws.” I say quietly.
“I’ll talk to the Alpha myself. fai, unpack your things in the room upstairs. Putting him somewhere
else…. My foot.”
I stare at her in shock. She’s willing to talk to Dad? For Jai?
Well, I know she’s always been fond of Jai, but for her to actually talk to Dad…
“Please Mnie, there’s no need for that,” Jai says, waving his hand. “I appreciate being able to at
least be around you all. It’s not too far from here, and I respect that the Alpha is prioritising Zaia and the
children’s safety.”
She’s about to get up, but at his words, she sighs in frustration and slumps back in her seat. “That man
is far too arrogant and needs to learn he can’t boss others around.” Mom mutters.
“I love Grandad,” Sia whispers to me with a little happy smile.
Mom frowns. “There’s nothing to love!”
“He’s nice to me,” Sia says. “And that’s all that matters,” I say warmly, giving Mom a gentle poke of my
eyes as a reminder.”)
If Dad was good to them, then why shouldn’t they have a rtionship?
I look between Sia and Mom and realise that I should ask myself that question. Why isn’t Sebastian a
part of their lives?
My heart squeezes as I fall silent as we continue to eat our dinner. “Do you think that’ll work?” Jai asks
as he stares through the open roof of the conservatory, which was now set up as a bedroom for
Valerie. The moon shone directly down upon her.
It’s a whileter and the kids are getting ready for bed and Jai is about to leave.
I nod. “I have high hopes. This method surely worked, or we wouldn’t have such books in our
possession.”
“This is magic, or abilities long forgotten over time, Zaia. We have now be more man than wolf.”
Jai says, staring at the moon above.
I look down at the books that were treasures of this pack. Old books that Dad gave to me 10/10 without
even a care. Another sign he has no interest in preserving the past.
“And I think it is there that we failed as the creation of the goddess,” I say softly as I look at the glowing
orb in the sky. It always rxes me…
When he doesn’t reply, I nce at him to feel him watching me. Raising an eyebrow, I cross my arms,
“You think I’m crazy too?”
He shakes his head. “I could never think you’re crazy, I just… what you said kinda hit. It’s true, as
werewolves we don’t really
honour our roots. You know when I was a kid, I remember granddad telling me of their full moon runs,
everyone would shift, and they would run together as a pack under the full moon.”
His words make my insides fill with the warmth of a memory of a time long passed. “There was
something called The Full Moon 13/18 Hunt. They’d hunt and kill something together and then feast
upon it. There used
to be an award for the one who brings the biggest offering back. He said he never got to be part of one
as it was abolished before he even got his wolf, but as a child, he loved to see the youth go on these
runs.” Jai continues, sighing. “It’s crazy. I feel a sense of nostalgia, but I’ve never experienced that
time, but the stories.”
“No, but I understand, as a child, hearing those stories meant something. If I was an Alpha, I’d want to
bring that back to my pack. I would want us to train our young, to make sure their bodies are strong
enough to
shift. It’s disappointing that as the years pass, the number of those able to shift bes less and
fewer, although our packs are growing.”
“Yeah… wow, I never thought of it like that. When you put it like that… we’ll probably die out someday
and forget our gifts.”
I nod. “It looks to be so.” I say, picking up the two books I had brought down to show Jai, ”
Well, I’ll show you out. There’s six of our most trusted guards stationed right around the conservatory
and one of our trusted maids will stay with her.” I reassure him.
“Thanks. It’s kinda weird to be away from her.” He says, rubbing the back of his head as he walks over
and kisses Valerie’s forehead gently. She’s all hooked up to the machine, looking at peace under the
glowing moon.
Please let this work, oh goddess “I’ll talk to Father tomorrow. Maybe you can move here, especially
since I’ll be on a business trip next week.”
He nods. “Thanks, but don’t argue on my behalf. Like I said, I’m grateful he even allowed me entry.”
I bid Jai goodbye before I head upstairs. After tucking the kids into bed, I go to my own bedroom.
cing the books down on the bed, I lock the door and decide to go have a shower. There are still
twenty minutes. before our nned call…
I’m out pretty fast and after a long day, I’m ready to unwind. Dimming the lights and shutting the
curtains, I settle onto my bed, switch the phone on and begin drying my hair with my towel.
The phone rings a few seconds after 22:30 shows on the screen and I cock a brow as I pick it up and
ept the call.
“Were you in such a hurry to talk to me that you didn’t waste any time, Mr. King?” I ask,
feeling nervous for no reason as I run my other hand through my hair. “If you forget, Ms. Toussaint, I
am always the one on time. You’re the one who has a reputation for tardiness.” His arrogant reply
comes.
Crossing my legs, I roll my eyes and flip open one of the books distractedly.
“Oh please, we both know you were the cause of those dys…” I trail off, my heart thudding and not
because of what I had identally said.
“Guilty as charged… I can hear your heartbeat from here…”
I stare down at the page before me. It’s towards the back of the book, a lot further, past the healing
section…
“Zaia?” Sebastian’s concerned voicees.
“Zaia, is everything ok?”
“Yes… I just…”
What is this?
“Zaia? Zaia, Babe, you’re scaring me.” I don’t know how to reply as I stare at the symbol that mirrors
my birthmark, ring back at me from the page…