Love And Betrayal | ✔️

58. Truths and lies

No sacrifice,
No victory.

⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️

K I A R A

IT DOESN'T TAKE much to ruin a perfectly good day.

Aden had left last night. With all the unresolved issues with his father, my commitment to my pack, we decided it was better if things stayed the same as before. At least for now.

He knew without speaking that I was reluctant to rejoin the Dark Wolves and was wise enough not to push it, because as much as I liked him, going back wasn't an option I would ever entertain. Sometimes there's just too much hurt to be forgiven.

I'm at my desk minding my own business like any good Luna when Remus and Romulus drop in. Hands tucked inside the sleeves of their long billowing cloak, they wait with faces so serious as though they've carved out of stone.

"Good morning, Luna Evergreen," They speak unison. "We need to talk."

Four words that never bode well.

I sit up straighter and motion towards the two chairs across the mahogany desk. "Please. Have a seat, Custos."

"I assume things are going well with your mate." Remus remarks as he settles into the plush chair.

I merely smile.

"This hasn't distracted you from your duties, I hope." He adds further.

If he thinks I'm going through to drop all my responsibilities less than a fortnight before the battle, he doesn't know me at all. "May I ask is this why you came? Have I missed a deadline? Not done something you asked of me?"

They cast each other fleeting glances.

"No."

"Then we've established that whatever happens in my personal life needn't be mentioned in my workplace. With all due respect, I don't appreciate my superiors and colleagues commenting on aspects of my life that are none of their business."

The way they had belittled my points about relocating when I had put them forward and instead treated me as a lovesick girl pining for her ex two months back was still fresh in my mind.

Radio silence.

I smile sweetly. "Why don't we get right to the point?"

Romulus clears his throat.

"Right. What we're about to tell you is in strict confidence." He starts, "It must stay within the confines of this room. No one, not even the people closest to you must know."

I observe them for a long quiet moment. Until, I nod. "You have my word, Custos."

He seems satisfied. "Chosen wolves are rare. Even rarer when four are born in the same era. Your birth, your existence itself is the fulfilment of a prophesy."

"Two years ago, when you turned eighteen the Moon Goddess blessed you with ability. Every gift has a reason—a significance—it cannot be used for evil. I'm sure you know already."

Unease roils in my stomach.

"A time will come when you'll be crossroads. Choices will have to be made. The hard and the easy will both lie before you." His eyes grow sombre as he continues. "When that happens, choose wisely, Luna Evergreen. The fate of our world rests on the choices you make."

The words cut like a jagged blade. Underneath the table, my fists clench and knuckles turn white.

But on the surface, my expression betrays nothing. "Why are you telling me this?" I ask, in a voice that sounds foreign to me.