Chapter 247

Chapter 247
Lewana POV

It's been a few days since the conversation with Mary about the Order of Light, but my mind hasn't stopped racing with questions. The care she is giving me is amazing and so specialized. To think that knowledge will be lost when she passes is devastating. I know it is needed in this world. What about when my daughter becomes pregnant, or when my grandson or great-grandson is blessed with a gift from the Moon Goddess? 

I am more part of the pack now, thanks to Mary's recommendations. I refused the wheelchair but did agree to Conrad carrying me up and down the stairs and leaving me to rest in one with a bathroom close by. Today I am in the kitchen with Mary, cutting food for meal prep. I know she doesn't need the help, but she knows I want to feel useful. 

I've been in the kitchen for about twenty minutes, silently chopping, when Mary breaks the silence. 

"So, what did you want to ask me?" 

I let out a nervous laugh. " Is it that obvious?" 

She smiles in return. "Only to those who know you well, honey. I am assuming this is about our chat the other day". 

She sure knows how to get right to the point. "The Moon Goddess only told me there was an order, and I might meet members as their duty is to protect her blessing in this realm. But she never told me anything else. How did they start? Where did they all go? Why does it have to end with you?"

"Well, to start with, that's not exactly our mission. Yes, it is to protect the blessing, but it was also to support the Royal bloodline. That's why most of us were trained as midwives and nannies. Some of the higher members were Royal advisors. Where they went is also another easy question. I was told that when the Royal family rejected the blessing, they also killed one of the High Priestesses. They declared the order as an enemy to the crown, and we became hunted. My family has always been in order, and by the time I began my induction, less than fifty remained, and we operated completely in secret". 

I think about what she said as I mindlessly chop a carrot with the last questions still on my mind. "This still doesn't explain why we can't start the Order again". 

"During the destruction of the order, the temples and records were also destroyed. I only know stories from my mother. The order was started by the first blessing after she had children with the Moon Goddess's son. There was a battle with the shadows where her first pup was the target. They both nearly died, but she was protected by her handmaids. She pleaded with the Moon Goddess for the pups to always have protection. The Moon Goddess stated she would if four she-wolves would sacrifice themselves for the future protection of the Royal bloodline. Her handmaids agreed instantly. They entered the lake on the night of a blood moon and rose again as the four High Priestesses. That's why we associated the blood moon with rebirth". 

This is amazing. "So that's one of the reasons you are always pushing me to have handmaids". 

She smiles again. "You have to realise at some point that you are important to all of us and we want to look after you. It's not just about getting help with your hair and picking clothes. A true handmaid cares for you. Make sure your clothes are ready for big events while you're handling politics. Make sure you eat during the busy day. Let's say you attack while caring for the twins. Who will sheild them while you're in battle, or are you going to leave them unattended?"  

She raises her eyebrows at the last comment as if daring me to admit that I would need the help. I smirk back and lower my head to stare at the vegetables, refusing to admit she has a point. 

I sigh as I know she is still avoiding the main question. "You still haven't told me why you can't start the order again". 

"Well, you would need four High Priestesses, or at least one to run it. Then they would have their Priestesses. Under that would be the Acolytes. I completed my Acolyte training, but was never inducted, so the order was deemed destroyed when the final members died in a raid to free you". 

We both have tears in our eyes at this point. 

"You should have left me. If you had the Order ......" 

She cups my face and forces me to look at her. "Never blame yourself for the death of Order Members, Lewana. It always has been and always will be an honour to die for the Moon Goddess's gift to our kind. Every member who has ever taken a breath will agree with me. They all knew the risk of that raid and knew they had to try". 

She sits down next to me, and I can see her start to fidget as if she is nervous. I don't say anything and let her continue. 

"I think they knew they were going to die that day. We were the ones who got your mother away from Blake". 

"What?" We both turn and see Arthur standing in the doorway. 

Mary quickly wipes her tears and stands up. "What are you doing here, Arthur? Let me make you something to eat". 

He is by her side in an instant and just holds her. "I came because I could feel your distress through the bond. Did you help my Luna, Lewana's mother?" 

Arthur held her while she trembled, and she silently nodded her head. He hugged her tightly and guided her back to sitting down. She looked me in the eyes and tried to continue. 

"One of the members of your pack was part of the order. They knew we were waiting for the next blessing. As soon as she did the math and worked out that you would be born on the full moon, she made the escape plan. She got the Luna to us and then traded clothes so she would have her scent. She then sacrificed herself to your father so we could get away. You look just like her. Same beautiful hair and eyes. We were betrayed by a member who made a deal to become Luna Ebony's handmaid in exchange for the location. I had left at this point to get supplies, as I had just done a rotation. Everyone there was slaughtered, and your mother was taken back. We thought you died with her and were waiting for the next potential blessing. When we heard you had been born and survived, we tried to rescue you. However, Blake had a list of all the members from the traitor. I was never inducted, so they didn't know about me and declared the Order dead to gain favour with Conrad's father. I also think that's who told him what you were. At least that bitch is dead now, so hope she's suffering wherever her spirit is".  

Even though Arthur and I have tears running down our faces, we both laugh at Mary's outburst. She never swears. 

I speak quietly to both of them. " I know nothing about her, not even her name". 

Arthur answers me. "Her name was Audrey".