Hearing that I wouldn't be allowed to return home after starting college felt like someone had ripped my heart straight from my chest.
The thought of having a younger brother excited me more than anything. I wanted to hold him, spoil him, and teach him everything Dad taught me growing up—especially how to tell when a girl wanted his title instead of his heart.
But now…
I wouldn't even be there to watch him grow up.
The worst part was wondering if he would even know who I was.
Hopefully Mom and Dad would tell him stories about his older sister.
The Moon Goddess had warned my parents long before I was born, which meant they'd been preparing themselves for this heartbreak my entire life. Still, knowing didn't make it easier. I couldn't imagine how painful it must have been for them to learn that once I left for college, I wouldn't truly be able to come home.
After the festival attack, I stayed within Cousin Matthew's territory for several more weeks helping train their warriors.
And Goddess above…
They desperately needed the help.
Matthew fought like a true Alpha—calculated, fierce, disciplined—but most of his younger recruits fought like reckless children swinging claws around without strategy.
It drove me insane.
One morning, while heading to speak with Matthew about improving their training structure, I heard music echoing softly from one of the large dance halls.
Curious, I stepped inside.
There, beneath silver lanterns and moonlit windows, little Valissa danced gracefully across the polished floor.
For such a young girl, she moved beautifully.
Almost unnaturally beautifully.
It looked as though the stars themselves guided her movements.
Matthew truly was blessed to have such a precious daughter.
"Unnie?"
She stopped mid-spin the moment she sensed me nearby.
I smiled softly.
"Yes, little moon. I'm here."
Her eyes lit up instantly.
"Little moon," she repeated happily. "I like that name."
She quickly rushed over before tilting her head curiously.
"Unnie… why did Granny come here for you?"
I nearly laughed aloud at her calling the Moon Goddess "Granny."
"Well," I answered carefully, "the Moon Goddess had something important to tell me. She wanted me to come here and meet her."
Valissa's sapphire eyes widened.
"So you're staying with us forever?"
I shook my head gently.
"No. I still have to return home first and finish my final year before graduation. But after that… I'll probably return here to help train new recruits."
The thought made my chest ache slightly.
"And unfortunately," I added dramatically, "I'll probably be under surveillance again so my parents can make sure I don't wander into danger."
Valissa giggled.
Then her expression suddenly turned serious in a way no child's should.
"Unnie," she said quietly, "we have to do what we must to protect our families."
The words startled me.
"We are true daughters of the Moon Goddess," she continued softly. "If we don't protect our people, who will?"
For a moment, she didn't sound like a child at all.
She sounded ancient.
Wise.
Dangerous.
I knelt in front of her slowly.
"You're right, little wolf," I whispered. "Our families are our greatest weakness… and our enemies know it."
I brushed a strand of blonde hair from her face.
"That's why we fight," I continued. "We fight until our enemies fear us more than they fear death itself."
Valissa stared at me carefully as if memorizing every word.
"But remember this too," I added gently. "Dancing is beautiful. It calms the soul. But learning to defend yourself is also important. Strength is a gift we sharpen every single day."
Her face immediately fell.
"But Daddy won't let me train," she admitted sadly. "He says battle training isn't proper for a moon princess."
I sighed softly.
Typical overprotective father behavior.
"I'll speak to your dad," I promised. "And if he agrees, I'll train you myself after my first semester of college."
Her eyes widened so much they practically glowed.
"Really?!"
"Really."
She suddenly began glowing faintly with silver moonlight.
"Easy, little wolf," I laughed gently. "Your gifts are still awakening. You need to control your emotions."
She quickly tried calming herself.
"Every gift has an emotional trigger," I explained carefully. "If you lose control, you could accidentally hurt someone you love."
That immediately sobered her expression.
"You never want that," I whispered.
She nodded seriously before racing out of the hall excitedly.
I eventually made my way into Matthew's office and explained everything—including Valissa wanting combat training.
Matthew leaned back in his chair with a long sigh.
"I had a feeling this day would come," he admitted.
"She needs training," I said honestly. "Especially if her gifts continue awakening this early."
He stayed silent for a long moment before finally nodding.
"Fine," he agreed reluctantly. "When she's older, you may train her."
I smiled triumphantly.
Hopefully by the time I returned after my first semester, little moon would still be focused on training instead of boys.
Teenagers became absolutely ridiculous once romance entered the picture.
Thankfully, my cousin Nita had stayed far away from boys until after high school and didn't have her little Alpha until she was twenty-six.
Honestly?
I hoped Valissa inherited that same level of common sense.