Chapter Ninety Seven

Chapter Ninety Seven
Keira's Pov

I walked quickly, the moon filtering through the trees that closed around me. The leaves rustled noisily as I ruffled past them, while the twigs snapped with such ferocity that you'd think the forest didn't want me there since I was going to shed blood that night. 

I was doing it all for Luna. You might be wondering what I'm saying, and everything is all confusing, but don't you worry, it's all going to be better because she found me.

Yes, Luna found me. 

FLASHBACK

“...surrender!”

The voice was painstakingly like mine, blending in the sharp echoes of the dark place, and I wondered for a moment if I was dreaming, or hallucinating. 

I couldn't see anyone, but the voice was everywhere, coming from not one particular place.

“Keira.” The voice came again, more urgently, “Are you there? Can you hear me?” 

“I… can hear you.” I replied, still uncertain…

“It's Luna.” She said, and my mouth dropped while an unexplainable joy filled me up like a fountain. The joy was radiating from within, from Maini. 

‘It’s Luna!’ she squealed.

“I'm Keira. How did you find me? Are you coming back? Did you find a way to return? Are you okay?” 

I found a way to return, Keira. Only when we let go of our memories can we actually find ourselves. Then the pathway in the river can open up and I can come home. You can also come home once the pathway opens, but it would only cause more problems, since I will be bringing your body to my world, and you will be taking my body to your world. 

“I will have to come, and we'll have to meet, so we can find out how to exchange souls. Your friends are with me, safe and sound. There is no problem here. Is everything okay there?” 

“No.” I cried out, my voice breaking, “Luna, I messed everything up.”

“What did you…!?” She began harshly, then took a deep breath, “It must have been tough. I can adapt well in this world, but you were thrust into a whole new universe. Strange humans with strange powers. I understand. Go on. Whatever problem it is, it won't be too hard to fix.”

A stream of relief washed through me.

‘What’s gotten into her? She ought to be really mad. Maini said from within, sounding really puzzled. 

“Zane figured out that I'm not you. He's so mad that I fooled him, and he wants to behead me. If he does, your body is gone, and I'll be gone too. I'll never meet the people I forgot, nor will they ever get to see me again. And Damien and Valerie are making moves to murder the Alphas using the concubines.”

“Damn. Damien? Valerie? What they did to me wasn't enough, yet they want to turn everything upside down? Well, I'm coming. Stay hidden from Zane. He won't listen to anyone except me when he's mad. And you must stop Valerie and Damien at all costs. How do they plan to kill Zane? He's way too powerful for them.” 

“Not just Zane. Ryder and Caleb too.”

“Ryder… Caleb? Who are those?” 

I gasped sharply. I really wasn't the only one losing my memories. 

“You've forgotten them, but they're also your mate. Powerful alphas.”

“Damn,” she sighed, “So how… how does she plan to kill these people?”

“Because I can't give birth, they're going for concubines, and the concubines would have poisoned vaginas. Once the Alphas come in contact, there would be no remedy. They would all die.”

“Shit. My selfishness.” She groaned, “If only I agreed to have kids. Damn! Well, that's all in the past. When do they plan to carry out this plan?” 

“The Festival. It's in two days.”

“Well, I'll be back before then. Make sure it doesn't happen. My men are mine, and no concubine touches them. You'll kidnap them, and should there be any problems, you have to ensure that I have a safe entry into the Palace, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Now, the only thing you have to do is go to the river where I was transported to the future, stay there, and allow my memories to overwhelm you. Don't do anything else. Just focus on me and my memories, and when they come, don't fight them. I'll do the same tonight, so you should also do it. Got it? When we do it together, the pathway opens up.”

“Okay. I'll do it. Thanks, Luna.”

BACK TO PRESENT.

I didn't have a specific time, but I knew I had to do it now. It would take a while for the guards to find me, so it had to be now or never. 

Finally, I got to the heart of the forest, and sat before the water, staring at it before leaning against a tree, letting my eyes close gently.

Then I began to let Luna's memories fill my head. I tried to accept all the memories that had been stored in my head against my wish, trying to channel them all in one place, and then more of her memories began to come in. 

More and more poured in dangerously, but I didn't stop them. This time, it felt so peaceful, letting them rush in, and finally I opened my eyes. 

The water was changing color from a calm blue to a gradual light. 

The portal was opening up. It was opening! I could see it. I could feel it. The energy around the whole place was getting stronger.

My heart was pounding hard, thumping the hell out of my chest as I waited. My fingers grasped the sand as the tension increased.

“Come out, come out.” I begged, finding the wait unbearable. 

This was my chance! I was going home!

The trees seemed to cheer for me, as they swayed from left to right, the breeze blowing my newly red hair across my face. 

And then finally, a figure burst out of the water with a sharp gasp, struggling to breathe as it climbed out of the water.

But… this… this wasn't Luna.

This was someone else.