Under A Gilded Moon Novels & Stories

|| Lilac’s POV || The Moon Garden was a vision of opulence, bathed in the soft glow of twinkling lights and the silvery radiance of the full moon. The air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers and the hum of excited chatter. Everywhere I looked, guests were dressed in their finest, their laughter and animated conversations filling the night. Kael and Coco stood at the center of it all, their smiles wide and their eyes gleaming with triumph. It was a spectacle designed to remind everyone of their power and influence, and it was working.

The garden was unrecognizable beneath the silvery gaze of the full Hunter’s Moon. Once vibrant flowers now drooped and curled as though wilting under the weight of Erika’s apprehension. Clouds rolled sluggishly across the sky, dimming the moonlight. Rows of darkly clad Lycans gathered, their golden eyes gleaming like embers in the shadows. The air was thick with expectation, and Erika’s skin prickled with an uneasy awareness of every gaze trained on her.

Even the bedding, the bed itself, and all the daily necessities had been blessed by the Moon Goddess during the full moon. Not only that, but Shane even arranged for an Omega named Leah Allen to take care of me. No one mentioned what had happened before I left. It was as if everything had returned to the way it once was. Shane and I were still the model couple of the pack. One day, I saw Shane kissing that Omega in the living room. That very night, my breathing turned chaotic. My emotions spiraled out of control, and my water broke early, and I gave birth to my daughter.

We all heard Maranda clarify the answer. “To be honest, the moon goddess gave us these gifts, which makes perfect scenes for having her take control over her gifted children again if she sees it’s necessary. Now, let’s go. I’m dying to see how my Goldilocks can fight and use her silver powers!” She clapped her hands and then opened the door when Dad closed the door of the room to stay.

Just this. Under the full moon, finally whole.

“Your home is lovely.” “Thank you.” He turned, gesturing broadly at the cavernous banquet hall. Our hall in Nightshade was large, but this was on another level. The vaulted ceilings were painted with ornate frescoes of gods dancing under the light of the full moon, and the stained glass windows depicted wolves howling. The largest window was of the Moon Goddess herself in all of her resplendent glory, clad in shining armor with a feathered helmet tucked under her arm while she lifted the first moon into the sky with one hand.

All 1200 Silver Moon wolves looked up despite themselves. Hundreds of moons. Small, bright, each one different in color and size. One over each wolf who’d ever felt trapped by the old laws. One over each outcast. One over each wolf who’d dreamed of another way. The army gasped. Some fell to their knees. Not to Luna. To the sight. To possibility. The High Elder refused to look up. “Trickery! Blood Moon illusion magic!”

He hadn’t apologized either. He’d left me questioning myself. ⸻ I didn’t go home. Instead, my feet carried me down familiar streets until warm light spilled onto the sidewalk. The Half Moon Night Café glowed softly against the dark, its sign etched in silver and gold—a crescent moon cradling the word night beneath it. It wasn’t loud or inviting in the usual way. It felt like a secret you were meant to stumble upon. The bell chimed gently when I stepped inside.