Chapter Seven

My mind is racing with so many thoughts and none of them are good. I don’t need to talk with the other council members to know what their answer will be, hell it would be mine too if only this were someone else. Right now, my battered and bruised heart is only calling out for its mate that it now knows didn’t leave us by choice. A giggle escapes as I let myself in my back door. The Rafe I know and love is still there. He didn’t leave me. I feel my cheeks push up into my eyes as I can’t hold in my happiness any longer.

“Mama?” I stop, startled that Jade is awake, sitting on the bottom stair of our staircase.

“Baby, why are you up so late? You should be sleeping.” I walk towards her after toeing off my shoes at the door and pick her up. She places her hands on my cheeks and forces me to look at her.

Unease settles in my stomach at the furrow of her brow and the seriousness in her young eyes.

“Mama, you can’t. This is about more than just daddy.”

I gasp and instinctively tighten my hold on her. “What did you just say, Jade?” my voice comes out in a harsh whisper that has no effect on her.

“The Moon goddess visited me in my dreams tonight. She told me what you were planning. And you can’t, mama. I love daddy so much too, but you can’t.”

Swallowing thickly, I slowly lower her to the ground as I drop to sit on the stairs.

Dammit.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen, sweetie, but I have to do something.” Sitting next to me, she takes my hand in hers. Looking down, I see her long hair covering half her face. At this moment, she looks older and wiser than her six years.

“I know you will do the right thing. You always do, so I have all the faith in you and so does the Moon goddess. She sees your pain and is with you.”

Clearing my throat I squeeze her hand, “okay squirt, you need to get back to bed. Head on up and I will see you in the morning.”

My eyes track her, heading up the steps and around the corner to her room.

“That’s low, Moon goddess. Sending my daughter to me like that. This is my mate, the one you blessed me with, so tell me, how are you here with me now?” I take a deep breath and lower my voice from the yelling I was just doing, “because I haven’t felt you for a while.”

I surge to my feet in frustration and grab water from the fridge, quietly going upstairs, I change and get ready to head back out to meet with the council.

“Vita, please calm down, we will hear from Raven as soon as she arrives,” Denton says inside the meeting hall. I should have known if the Moon goddess visited my daughter, then she did others as well. “Ah, see, here she is. Please take a seat everyone so we can begin.”

I stare at the ground as I approach the table and take my seat. My mind still trying to figure out every angle and option. This isn’t my area of expertise, though. This is something Rafe is good at and would have options A to Z lined up and ready.

The hall is quiet as I sit, and I feel all eyes on me. I feel roughly 20 pack members sitting across from us, but I have yet to look up.

“Raven, please begin,” Robert says next to me.

Closing my eyes on a deep inhale, I let it out and open them to see those that are here. Many that are here, I expected, as the Moon goddess visits some of them often. A growl escapes as I see Jade sneak through the door and slide into an empty chair in the back.

“When I arrived to relieve Billy for patrol, there was an odd scent that I followed and it led me to Duncan Michaels, he informed me he’s the one leading this charge against us, by being a hybrid, wolf, and witch he has the capability to manipulate minds. And he has done so with my mate, Rafe. That is why he is on Duncan’s side. He said he would release Rafe and end this charge in exchange for the Moonstone.”

An uproar fills the hall as everyone is now on their feet in outrage and protest. My eyes seek Jade as she remains calm in her chair, watching me, offering me a small smile.

“Calm down, everyone,” Robert’s voice booms as he bangs his mallet. He must have gone back for it when he saw the crowd, since we don’t normally bring out the mallet during our meetings between the council members.

“Raven,” Denton says turning to me, “what did you promise him?”

“Nothing. He told me I have until tomorrow night to hand it over, then he portaled out.”

He nods his head in thought as the crowd starts up again.

Some are calling out asking how he is a hybrid? Others, if he can mind manipulate how is anyone safe? And more valid questions. But the one that circles my mind is, why the Moonstone? We use it for our monthly full moon ritual, but as far as I am aware, it holds no actual power, so why is this so important to him he would start a war?

I look up to meet Phil’s eyes as he stares at me. Cocking an eyebrow, I question him. While Robert and the others are trying to calm the crowd, Phil leans forward and in a voice just loud enough that I can hear over the crowd, “I know what you’re thinking. Don’t ask about it now. We will talk without the crowd.”

I give him a nod, surprised he knew where my thoughts were, but then again, he is smarter than he looks and I give him credit for.

“Everyone, quiet. Vita, if you would like to start and tell us why you are here tonight?” Jules says diplomatically.

“Yes, well,” Vita stands up and looks at everyone haughtily then her eyes settle on me, “the Moon goddess came into my dreams tonight to warn me that Raven’s request can not by any means be allowed,” the rest of the pack members here all murmur in agreement.

“Is this why you are all here tonight?” Jules asks everyone.

They all reply with confirmation.

“Jade? I see you in the back dear. Are you here for your mom?” Serena asks, and I cringe. I had hoped they wouldn’t have noticed her.

Jade stands and walks down the aisle to stand in front of us. “The Moon goddess visited me tonight.” The gasps are loud in the near silence of the room. To be so young and receive a visit is unusual, but they don’t know this is not the first time for her, nor that I used to receive visits at a very young age. “She warned me of the upcoming fight and that there will be pain and heartache, but some decisions can not be brought to light, and that we all must stay strong and true to who we are as a pack and as the Moon goddess’ chosen.”

My eyes narrow at this child in front of me. She didn’t say that when we were home.

“She said what they have asked of my mother is one thing that can not grant. They can not get their hands on the Moonstone.” She turns and walks back to her seat without another word, as we all stare at her. It sounds like the others didn’t get as much information as the Moon goddess shared with my daughter.

The crowd talks over themselves again. “Quiet,” Robert yells as he stands. “I think we are all in agreement here, and seeing as Raven never posed the question, I think she understands the importance and severity of the request. So the Moonstone will stay with us. It is not something we would hand over.” Sighs and murmurs of relief sound from the crowd.

“We have much to discuss and still to figure out. As we know things, we will inform the pack. But for now, I ask you all to return to your homes. Have a good night. You are dismissed.” Robert says, sitting back down. The council stays as they filter out. Jade hoovers at the door. Giving her a small nod and a smile, she heads home, closing the door behind her.

I think in unison we all release a breath and relax back into our seats.

“They asked valid questions tonight. If we don’t give the Moonstone, there will be a fight. And if Duncan is gaining his army by manipulation, it won’t be an easy win as we expected, and we would hurt our own that are not making this choice of their own free will.” I say, running my hands through my hair.

Before this, I thought it to be an easy win. The Black Moon pack is the largest and most well-trained pack there is. We could take on one or two packs with no issue, but now the question is, how many does he have on his side?

“I know Raven, and I can only imagine how hard this is for you,” Denton says.

“I don’t think you can. This is my mate who is being used against his will, used against me. There has to be something I can do, we can do,” I stress.

“We will see if we can get an audience with the Moon goddess. Hopefully, she can give us some answers. Because this declaration of war until now seemed ridiculous. Duncan declared war against us and has yet to strike or make a move. And now his first move is requesting the Moonstone and saying it will end the war before it even begins?” Phil scoffs.

“So they wrapped this fight around the Moonstone that has been in our care since the beginning. A stone that outside packs really know nothing about since they’re not here during the rituals. So am I missing something about the stone? Does it do more than we think?” I inquire.