Chapter 46

Beryl:

My heart swelled with joy as my mates, these powerful werewolves, expressed their desire to mark me as their mate. The bond we shared was strong, and I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging with them.

Without a thought, I wholeheartedly accepted the mark, knowing that this union would be forever cherished.

The triplets wanted to included Armand in the planning of the marking ceremony, and despite the tension between us, I completely agreed. Without Armand, I wouldn’t be where I was today.

Armand was ecstatic at the prospect of finally witnessing his sons' mating and being a part of the special day. However, amidst the preparations, I caught him watching Amy, and wondered if Armand had noticed a change in her.

She was pregnant with his child but seemed to have distanced herself from him and was her usual negative self towards me, but on occasion, she was now turning her bitterness on him as well. The triplets and I watched and waited, fully expecting him to unleash his wrath upon her, but for now he just watched her.

“Why does he let her get away with that?” Cheney wondered one evening. “If anyone else acted that way towards him, he would have eaten them for breakfast. It doesn’t make any sense. He can’t really love her can he?”

Nicholas grunted in reply, “I doubt it. He doesn’t treat her the way he treated Mother.” This was one of the few times they had ever mentioned their mother, and my curiosity was piqued. “You don’t talk about your mom much.”

I didn’t want to push, because I sensed she was a tender subject between the three of them, but I had to admit I had always wondered. “She was nothing like Amy.” Brian almost whispered.

Cheney laughed. “She would have hated Amy. Called her a gold digging whine bag. She was the most vibrant, happy person. Not an ounce of negativity inside her.” He was smiling at a memory, and I could see the light shining in his eyes.

I looked to Nicholas, who I found watching me. “She was like you, Beryl. She was just good, beautiful. Inside and out. She made everyone around her better. Even our dad.” He smiled at me, and I could tell they all loved their mother dearly.

As the planning progressed, though, we could see Armand's irritation with Amy grow. He couldn't comprehend why she harbored such animosity towards me, he’d never given us the chance to explain.

I was someone he’d taken in and cared for, who had done nothing but bring happiness and unity to their pack. We knew without proof he would never see who she really was. We had to find the proof that Amy was plotting with Armand’s brother, Bob, to overthrow him and seize control of the pack.

The day of the marking ceremony finally arrived, and it was a sight to behold. The pack gathered to witness the sacred event, we could feel the charged air, brimming with excitement and hope. As the moon shone brightly overhead, I felt a connection to the moon goddess, an experience unlike any other I’d ever felt.

I’d heard the myths and religious beliefs of the pack, and the moon goddess was prominent among them, but I had never really considered her to be a part of me. Here in this moonlit place of happiness and hope, I felt her deep within me.

I closed my eyes and breathed in the scent of the blooming flowers in the garden, soaked in the dying warmth of of the day, and I began to hear a whisper. “Beryl, dear, open your eyes.”

I did as I was instructed and gasped at the sight before me. She was more beautiful than anything or anyone I’d ever seen. Her skin like milky glass, eyes of grey that shone with a luminosity I couldn’t comprehend.

“Who…” I began to ask, but I knew her. Deep down within me, I knew her like I knew myself. She smiled, understanding. “This day is special, my dear. You are special. Do you know why?”

I tried to find the words to answer her, but my mouth was dry with the shock. She smiled again and continued. “Because you’re a daughter of mine. That necklace you were has been passed down for centuries among our kind.”

I reached up and touched the moonstone hanging at my throat. “Yes, that tiny stone is an actual piece of my home, beyond the moon. Long ago, I fell in love with a man. Our connection changed him, and that is how werewolves were born. I gave the daughter we created this necklace, to pass on through our lineage, to remind them of our history.”

As she spoke, I saw images flash through my mind of women and werewolves that came before me. I saw mothers passing this very stone down to their daughters and could feel the connection in my heart.

“You are mine, sweet girl. And that child will be mine as well. You are both precious, and we share a connection and a powerful link. I will always be here if you need me.” With her last words she began to shimmer and fade away before my eyes.

“Wait, don’t go! I have so many questions.” I reached out for her, and she took my hand. It was firm and cool in mine, and rush of emotions ran between us. “I will be here, always. Ask your questions. The answers are out there.” And she was gone.

The unexpected, but wonderful, visit by the moon goddess caused a stir among the werewolves, leaving them in awe and admiration. I could hear murmurs about us speaking to one another, and realized only I could hear her.

I turned to find my mates, the triplets, staring at me with awe and love in their faces. “We knew you were special, but…” Nicholas didn’t finish his thought, but Cheney took over. “Wow, just… wow Beryl.”

Brian was just beaming at me, tears of happiness in his eyes. He winked. I walked towards them, and we began the marking ceremony.

It was mostly a formality, since we were mates in our minds already, but standing before our friends, a family, and even our enemies, showing our undying commitment to each other was a powerful message to the pack. We were united, and we wanted to being unity to the pack as well.

Amy:

The appearance of the moon goddess was shocking of course, but it only served to fuel my envy and resentment. I could not bear the spotlight being on that worthless piece of garbage, Beryl.

I made a vow of my own, to do whatever I could possibly do to ruin her. I wanted her banished from the pack, from the earth. I hated her, and I wanted her gone forever.

Armand:

I began to sense that something was amiss with Amy. I couldn't ignore the warnings and revelations shared by Beryl and my sons about Amy and Bob's treacherous plot against me, but it just seemed so unfathomable.

When the moon goddess appeared, though, and everyone else was in awe, I saw the hatred and anger in Amy’s face. Pieces started falling into place, and my trust in Amy waned.

Our relationship began to unravel as I distanced himself from her, feeling betrayed and hurt by her actions. I knew I had to prioritize the safety and well-being of my pack, and Beryl had become an integral part of that.

With the moon goddess on their side, Beryl, and the triplets had to also have the truth on their side as well. Would the moon goddess really bless those that lied?

As the days passed, the pack was filled with a light and hope that we hadn’t had in a long time. The moon goddess’s blessing of my sons and Beryl’s mating had everyone in high spirits. Everyone except Amy.

Beryl:

Under Nicholas’ instructions, Amy and Bob were gradually isolated, while we tried to find the proof we needed to take to Armand. We could tell he was distancing himself from her, but we knew he still cared for her, and didn’t want to risk an unnecessary confrontation.

We had to move with haste now, because we knew that whatever it was that Amy and Bob were planning, they were planning it soon. If they sensed that we were getting close to figuring out what their plans were, we had no idea how they would react.