Running into Cousin Matthew in the mountains definitely was not part of the plan.
Neither was the battle that was slowly brewing around us.
Serenity, however, was absolutely thrilled. Ever since discovering Matthew was family, she had been bouncing around inside my head like an overexcited pup. I finally had to tell her to calm down at least twenty million notches before she gave me a migraine.
Daniel and Beta Damon, on the other hand, looked completely confused.
Neither of them understood why I suddenly seemed so attached to Matthew or why I kept calling him cousin. I knew the questions were coming eventually, but for now I simply told them I would explain later.
As we followed Matthew deeper into the mountains toward his tribe, he began telling us about their history and why the Appalachian territory remained hidden from outsiders.
Then he told me something that made my entire body go cold.
The Moon Goddess' human body was buried here.
Alongside her mate.
Suddenly every dream, every pull toward these mountains, every restless night made perfect sense.
She had been calling me home.
Matthew continued explaining what happened after the Great Battle—the war fought to protect the tribe's greatest princess. According to legend, she had not only been blessed by the Moon Goddess but also by the ancient Gods of the land itself. She was considered heaven's gift to humanity and wolf-kind alike.
Because of her…
Werewolves existed.
As we entered the village, every person we passed bowed respectfully.
Mostly toward Matthew.
But Matthew immediately bowed back each time, clearly uncomfortable with people treating him differently because of his bloodline.
Then the villagers noticed me.
And everything stopped.
One by one, they dropped to their knees.
I nearly tripped over my own feet.
"Please rise," I said quickly. "You don't need to kneel before me."
Instead of listening, they stared at me like I had grown extra heads.
Matthew sighed softly beside me.
"My dear cousin," he explained gently, "they kneel because you are the exact image of our tribe's greatest princess."
I blinked.
"Wait… what?"
"The resemblance is undeniable," he continued. "The platinum-blonde hair, the diamond-blue eyes, the grace… and even the fire in your spirit."
I stared at him in complete confusion.
"You mean I look like her?"
Matthew looked equally shocked by my confusion.
"You haven't met the Goddess herself yet?"
I shook my head slowly.
"No. I've only ever heard her voice. The elders told me I wouldn't see her face until I turn twenty-one."
Matthew suddenly grabbed my hand.
"Come with me."
Before I could protest, he took off running.
Everything blurred past me in flashes of stone pathways and silver lanterns until we reached the center of the village.
The main house.
No…
Castle was a better word for it.
Inside the entrance stood portraits of every Alpha bloodline that had ruled the Appalachian tribe through the centuries.
But the very first portrait made my heart stop.
Great Alpha Chief Blake stood proudly beside his Luna, Rebecca Watson. Around them were their children—Jordan, the twins Alex and Aidan, Joseph, James…
And her.
Yuki Serenity Watson.
The Moon Goddess before her ascension.
I couldn't breathe.
She looked exactly like me.
Almost painfully identical.
The only difference was her eyes. Hers carried crescent-shaped irises that shimmered like moonlight itself.
Without thinking, I stepped toward the portrait.
The moment my fingers brushed the frame—
Darkness swallowed me whole.
—
"My dream child…"
The Goddess' voice echoed around me softly.
"You made it home."
I found myself standing within a glowing silver field beneath a sky full of stars. The Moon Goddess stood before me now, her long platinum hair dancing in the wind.
"You found my great-nephew," she said proudly. "But from this point forward, your journey will only become more difficult."
A sadness crossed her face briefly.
"The gifts you are about to receive will bring both blessings and suffering."
I tried to speak, but she placed a gentle hand against my cheek.
"For now, I must leave you in their care until we meet again."
She smiled softly.
"Serena will protect you… just as she once protected me."
Then everything faded.
—
When I finally woke up, the first thing I saw was Daniel pacing nervously nearby.
Matthew stood beside him while a young woman clung shyly to Daniel's arm. Little Valissa sat nearby watching me carefully.
"Hey, Yu," Matthew said gently. "You okay?"
I groaned softly while trying to sit up.
"Easy there, champ," Daniel said quickly, rushing over to help me.
Normally I hated people helping me with anything.
But for once…
I let him.
I glanced toward the girl attached to his arm and smirked weakly.
"Daniel, don't tell me you got beaten in front of your mate."
His eyes widened instantly.
"Hey! You don't gotta attack my pride like that," he complained.
Then he froze.
"Wait… how did you know she's my mate?"
I grinned tiredly.
"My wolf knows more than you think."
Matthew chuckled quietly while Valissa climbed into my lap without hesitation. I smiled warmly and brushed her blonde curls from her face.
"And who is this little angel again?" I asked softly.
Matthew's expression instantly softened.
"My daughter. Nia Lissa Watson. She wanted to make sure you were awake because she's determined to drag you to the Fall Festival tonight."
Valissa nodded proudly.
I laughed softly.
How could anyone say no to her?
"I'd love to go," I admitted. "But first I desperately need to change clothes."
Daniel suddenly straightened proudly beside the young woman.
"Oh right," he said. "Yu, this is my mate—Mia Jones."
The girl smiled shyly.
"And apparently," Daniel added dramatically, "she's coming back to Silver Lake with us on Friday."