“In fact,” the Queen begins as the entire room falls into an expectant hush, “today is not only the best birthday I’ve ever had… but the happiest day of my life.”
I look up at her, my vision already blurred with tears..
“Because I’ve finally been reunited with my daughter.” Her voice cracks, and she takes a moment to look at me before continuing. “Our lovely Maya–she was taken from us so cruelly. Branded a blood–born omen by ruthless elders. They claimed that if she wasn’t sacrificed before the next red moon, our kingdom would fall. They predicted plagues, droughts, death. And so, they demanded her life.”
The fire in her voice sends a chill down my spine.
“I don’t know who masterminded it,” she says. “But let them hearine now: your days are numbered. Now that I’ve found my daughter–my strength–I will make you pay. You will bleed for every tear I cried, for every night I roamed these halls screaming her name.”
She turns slightly toward the King, whose jaw is clenched tight.
F
“Many of you know I withdrew from my duties,” she continues, her tone softer. “I wasn’t strong like the King. I couldn’t move on. I refused to accept the lie. I wandered the palace at night like a ghost. Whispering her name. Searching for her in dreams.” Her voice cracks completely. “I never accepted Celestia… because deep down, I knew she wasn’t my child. I couldn’t pretend.”
The crowd is silent, breathless. I’m shaking, my chest rising and falling with broken sobs I can’t contain.
“And now…” She lifts her head proudly, her eyes shimmering with tears. “Now that I’ve found my daughter again, I swear by the Goddess herself–I will never let her go. And those who stole her from me will pay. Not just them but their children, and their children’s children. I will burn them from memory.”
The crowd erupts in thunderous clapping and murmurs of awe and sympathy. But I can’t move, my heart is pounding so hard it feels like it might break my ribs. My mother’s voice raw with pain and fury strikes something deep within me.
She truly suffered because of me. I saw it in her eyes–the same eyes that are only now beginning to shine again. And just like her, I will find the ones who tore me away from her, from my true family… and I will make them pay.
It’s painfully clear now–I was kidnapped. Taken to the witch’s hut to be sacrificed. If my adoptive mother hadn’t found me in time, I would’ve been dead by now. Just another forgotten child lost to superstition and fear.
And yet, this is the first time I’ve heard the full truth. That they called me a curse… a blood–born omen. That they believed my death would save the kingdom. I don’t even know how to feel. How do you process being labeled a threat to everything you were born to protect?
I stand, I don’t even realize I’m doing it until I’m already on my feet. My eyes are wet. My cheeks are soaked. My hands tremble at my sides.
I take one step, then another, descending from the throne. A few eyes follow me, but thankfully, not all. I can’t bear their attention right now. I feel like I’m coming undone.
I glance around quickly, searching for my source of strength. My eyes scan the gathering–alphas, guards, guests- see him. I frown, panic rising in my chest.
Where is Jack?
He was just here… I need him. I need his arms around me to calm the storm raging inside me.
don’t
Before,I can go any farther, a warm hand gently wraps around mine from behind. I pause, instantly comforted by her presence- my mother.
“Maya,” she says softly, her voice still trembling with emotion, “are you alright? Do you want to rest? I’can have your chambers prepared. A warm bath… anything you need.”
1/3
t
I turn to face her, my heart tightening painfully. Her eyes are full of concern, her grip tender. And I hate what I’m about to say because I know it will hurt her but I can’t lie.
I blink back tears and shake my head gently. “I’m not staying in the palace….yet. I’m going back home with my mate.”
She stiffens “What…?”
“I’m not leaving forever,” I quickly add, squeezing her hand to softly. “But I can’t be here right now, not without Jack. He still has responsibilities at Bloodfang as Alpha. Until then, I need to be by his side as Luna.”
