2. Moon Goddess

CLARA

Everything goes silent, not like death. Worse, like the world forgets I exist.

The pain, the weight, the sound of my own blood—gone.

And then I’m falling, not down, not anywhere, just… through something endless and bright. Light surrounds me from every direction, soft and warm, like the air itself is breathing.

I don’t have a body or maybe I do, but I don't feel it anymore. I drift and drift until I see her.

A woman standing where there should be nothing. White hair, long and flowing like it isn’t affected by gravity. Her dress moves like it’s made of light itself, shifting gently even though there’s no wind.

How old is she? And what shampoo is she using to have that long hair?

“So you’re the one,” she says softly, her eyes suddenly on me.

Her voice isn’t loud, it doesn’t need to be, yet it fills everything anyway.

“You know, if this is heaven, it’s kind of underwhelming.”

“This isn’t heaven.” She smiles.

“Oh good,” I mutter. “Because I was worried this was going to be a guided tour.”

And honestly, for an afterlife waiting room, the decorating budget seems suspiciously low.

Her eyes narrow slightly.

“I am Selene. The Moon Goddess."

Oh shit. Moon Goddess? Of course she looks like this. That explains the dramatic lighting and the intimidating presence. Subtlety is clearly not in her skill set.

But I never believed in Gods, I'm an atheist.

"Well I think that should change then?" Her voice cuts through my thoughts.

Fuck.

"You read my mind?"

Is it like when wolves talk among themselves?

"No," she says, "I'm the one who gave them that ability."

You're reading my mind again, Selene.

She laughs. It’s soft, but it echoes everywhere.

"I don't have to, dear. I hear your thoughts."

Dead for five minutes and I've already lost the right to privacy.

Great. Now I can't even curse in my mind—my fingers shoot up to close my mouth but it's too late.

Selene gives me a pointed look.

"Sorry," I let out a slow breath.

She watches me for a moment before she looks away.

"Quick question—how long did it take to grow the hair? Because this looks like maintenance.” I ask.

I mean, mine takes effort and it never looks remotely that good. There has to be some celestial conditioner involved.

Her expression barely shifts, and I get the hint that she's not going to answer.

"You're different." Her voice finally breaks in, calm.

I shrug.

“Clara Vance.”

My name lands differently here and I don’t like that. I cross my arms instinctively, even though I don’t really feel them.

She watches me.

Then asks, “Do you think this is a place you were meant to arrive at?”

I tilt my head again.

“Depends. Is this heaven? Because if it is, I have complaints. First of all—”

“No,” she interrupts.

I pause.

“Okay, great. Then what is this? Emotional support service after death?”

“I am here because you have failed," she says.

Something in me shifts.

And for the first time since I woke up in this place, I don’t have an answer ready.

My voice comes out quieter.

“…Failed?”

Images flash. Chains. Blood.

My father on his knees, my family, Alaric watching, Emma smiling.

My breath stutters. The pain isn’t physical here. But it still hits. It still hurts.

That wolf, its teeth, tearing me...

The memories come too fast, jagged and sharp, like someone shoving broken glass through my chest.

“You were meant to be part of peace,” Selene says. “Between two races that have destroyed each other for centuries.”

Her voice sharpens slightly.

"But you let the men in your life dictate you."

That hits harder than anything else. I laugh once, but it breaks halfway.

“Oh,” I whisper. “So this is my cosmic performance review.”

My eyes burn. I don’t like that. I don’t like feeling like this.

“I didn’t exactly have great role models,” I say, voice shaking just slightly. “My father thought peace meant accepting quietly. My husband thought peace meant owning everything that breathed.”

My throat tightens.

“And I thought… maybe if I just stayed quiet enough, nobody would die.”

My voice drops.

“…Turns out I was wrong.”

Way too fucking wrong.

“You still think in their terms,” she says.

“Yeah,” I reply bitterly. “Sorry. I’m not great at becoming a goddess.”

Her expression changes, serious again. “I will offer you a choice."

My body tenses instinctively.

"A choice?"

“You may return,” she says. “To your life. Your body. Your timeline.”

My breath catches.

Return? Is that even fucking possible?

"Yes," she answers.

Yup, you can read my mind.

God she heard it too, but isn't she the Goddess?

"Clara," her voice cuts. “If you fail again… if peace is not achieved through you…”

The light around us darkens slightly.

“…then humans will never be free again. Not in this life. Not in any future.”

The weight of that hits harder than pain ever did.

Fuck.

No pressure, Clara. Just the fate of an entire species.

“So it’s not just my life I’m screwing up now."

Selene watches me.

“It never was.”

"Why are you doing this?" I ask softly. "Giving me a second chance."

"Because you all failed," her answer is blunt.

All?

"All—"

"So tell me what do you choose?" She cuts in.

"I get to choose?" I murmur in confusion.

"Yes, my dear." She smiles. "You can choose to end your life right here or rewrite it."

No.. I can't just let it end. I want justice, I want my revenge, I need to see him die.

I need him to know what it feels like to lose everything. To stand helpless while the world collapses around him.

"Good then," Selene snaps her fingers.

And all of a sudden I'm falling down again, into the abyss of light. Her voice echoing from everywhere.

"You won’t remember anything that happened here, but everything of your past. This is your last chance, trust yourself."

Oh, that's the fucking plan Selene