I was in the dining room of my house, staring at Hunter with a mix of shock and disbelief. Just moments ago, he had revealed that I was chosen as his Luna by the Moon Goddess, a truth I had been waiting for six long years, since that fateful coronation ceremony. However, the revelation was wrapped in an even more painful plot: Hunter lied and chose Zora, the daughter of Alpha King Garnet.
The emotions inside me brewed into a silent storm as I stared at Hunter, trying to process everything he had just confessed. Six years of uncertainty and confusion unfolded in an instant, leaving me stunned.
Hunter tried to explain, saying that when he returned from Zora's pack, he was determined to tell the truth but found out that I had left. I felt overwhelmed by an avalanche of information and emotions, and my inquisitive gaze sought to understand what had really happened.
“This is a lot of information to process, Hunter,” I murmured, still trying to find my voice.
He sighed, displaying genuine remorse. “I know, Fierce. I'm sorry for all this. But you need to understand I never wanted to reject you.”
I stared at him, unable to fully believe the words he spoke. The wounds of the past were reopened, and I faced the harsh reality that, for six years, I carried the pain of rejection, the loneliness of raising my children thinking they were a mistake because I wasn't the Luna when, in fact, I was the chosen one.
I needed to understand, needed to know why he hadn't used the available resources to locate my children, to find the kids who were taken from me. Hunter was now my only connection to the little ones I loved more than life itself.
“We need to talk about the boys,” I demanded, my voice tense.
Hunter looked away, seeming uncomfortable with my intensity. “Fierce, I...”
“You have a Guardian, a protector,” I began, my voice serious. “Why the hell aren't you using her to find my kids?”
Hunter seemed surprised by the question. He swallowed before responding, clearly unprepared for the inquiry I launched at him.
“I... I didn't expect this question, Fierce,” he admitted.
I fixed my gaze on Hunter's eyes, without backing down. “What were you expecting, Hunter? For me to sit here dwelling on the last six years of a lie and a choice made by you?”
He took a deep breath, gathering courage. “I want to clarify everything, Fierce. From the beginning.”
“But I don't want to.” My expression remained unwavering. “Regardless of what happened six years ago, today, I only love three little boys who are somewhere needing me. I'll focus on the fact that their father has a Guardian, and you're not using her powers to find them.”
Hunter stared at me, aware of the gravity of my words. “First, I didn't know the children were mine. You told me that recently. And second, as soon as Alpha King Garnet passed away, Guardian Ignis came to the Rocky Mountains pack. One day, I arrived, and Zora informed me that Ignis had left.”
My expression grew more serious. “Left to where? And how does a Guardian detach from the pack, especially when she was destined?”
Hunter sighed, revealing a hint of unawareness about the events that followed. “Apparently, Garnet was Ignis's destined wolf. With his death, Ignis was released from the punishment imposed by the Moon Goddess. As for her whereabouts, no one knows, not even Zora.”
My brow furrowed in frustration, but the new information about Ignis explained her absence. Still, my attention was fully focused on the search for my children, a journey that would require more than explanations about the past. Ignis, the Guardian, was a key piece that could help find my children.
“We need to find Ignis,” I declared, realizing the importance of having a Guardian by our side, especially considering we had no idea whom we were up against.
Hunter's phone interrupted our conversation, revealing Zora's name on the display. He looked at me, and I nodded in understanding.
“Go answer it; I'll go to the kitchen to see if Caleb needs help,” I announced, leaving the dining room in search of something to occupy me while Hunter dealt with the call.
Entering the kitchen, I found Caleb focused on preparing something that seemed to be dinner. He looked up at me with a warm smile.
“Fierce, do you need anything?” Caleb asked, lifting his face slightly from the pot he was stirring.
I knew I couldn't share the whole truth with Caleb, but I needed his help. “Yes, Caleb, I need something important. Have you heard about Guardians?”
Caleb furrowed his brow, trying to recall. “I only know what Alastair told us when we were kids, but I've never had contact with one. Why?”
I took a deep breath, pondering how to approach the delicate subject. “Ignis was Garnet's Guardian, and she was destined to him. When Garnet died, Ignis left, and now I need to find her.”
Caleb stopped stirring the food, looking intrigued by my request. “Ignis... that's a name I haven't heard in a long time.”
“So, you have heard about Ignis?” I asked, surprised.
“Yeah, he was a wolf a long time ago. He told a few stories about Guardians, but Ignis seemed special to him. However, I wouldn't know where she is now, maybe some contacts can,” Caleb replied sincerely.
“I need to find out where Ignis is, soon.”
Caleb widened his eyes, realizing the gravity of the situation. “This is serious. Why do you need to find her now?”
I sighed. “Ignis is the key to many questions I need answers to, including the whereabouts of my children. I need her help, Caleb.”
He nodded, understanding the urgency of the situation. “I can ask my friends, and see if they have any information about her.”
I thanked him, acknowledging Caleb's willingness to help. “That would be great, Caleb. But there's one more thing...”
He looked at me, waiting for me to continue.
“I don't want Hunter to know about this. Can you keep it a secret?”
Caleb furrowed his brow, showing a slight discomfort. “Fierce, Hunter is the Alpha King. Don't you think he should know what's going on?”
I shook my head, insisting. “Not now. There are too many secrets and emotions involved. I need to sort this out first, and when the time is right, I'll tell Hunter. Until then, I need you to keep this between us.”
Caleb hesitated for a moment but finally agreed. “All right, Fierce. I'll see what I can find out about Ignis and keep this request to myself.”
With that promise, I returned to help with the kitchen, alongside Caleb, while eagerly awaiting any information that could bring us closer to Ignis and, consequently, my children.
***
The cold wind cut through the night, and the three boys, exhausted, walked along the roadside. Their tired steps were the only soundtrack on that deserted road. The full moon illuminated the path, revealing the barren landscape and the distant horizon.
Kane sighed, looking up at the stars. “How much longer until Seattle, Cassian?”
Cassian glanced at the dark sky, trying to gauge the distance. “Not much, Kane. We're getting there.”
Dorian, walking alongside them, rolled his eyes. “Cassian said that at least an hour ago, and we still haven't seen any sign of Seattle.”
Kane agreed, massaging his forehead. “We're all tired. Cassian, how long have we been on this road?”
Cassian scratched his head, trying to remember. “Since we jumped out of the van. Maybe a few hours, but it feels like an eternity.”
Dorian grimaced. “I need to use the bathroom. If I don't find a decent place soon, I'll use the bushes.”
“Seattle shouldn't be too far, guys. Let's keep going. Once we get there, we can rest and come up with a better plan,” Cassian suggested, trying to inject some enthusiasm into his words.
However, Dorian wasn't convinced. “I don't know how much longer I can walk.”
Kane, with a nod of agreement, added, “And I'm already dying of thirst. I think I saw a stream nearby. Can we stop to drink water?”
Cassian looked around, trying to visualize the location of the stream mentioned by Kane. He then spotted the glowing sign of a gas station a few meters ahead.
“Look, guys! A gas station! They should have drinkable water, and we can ask for information about how far Seattle is,” Cassian suggested, pointing to the sign that seemed like a promise of relief.
Dorian sighed in relief. “Finally! Let's go before I can't take it anymore.”
The three quickened their pace, the hope of imminent relief renewing their energy. They reached the gas station and were greeted by a welcome sight of bright lights and an illuminated store. The sign indicated that they were on the outskirts of Seattle.
Cassian walked towards the store. “I'll grab something for us to drink and eat. Stay here.”
Dorian headed straight for the bathrooms, relieving himself of discomfort. Sitting on a bench near the gas pumps, Kane tried to relax, but exhaustion weighed on his shoulders. That's when a female voice surprised him.
“You look tired, little one. Are you lost?” asked the woman, her black hair cascading over a large red overcoat.
Kane eyed her cautiously, analyzing the woman's eyes. “I'm not lost,” he replied.
The woman approached and asked, “Can I sit here with you?”
Kane shrugged, consenting, “Sure.”
The woman sat beside him and smiled. “What's your name?”
Kane hesitated for a moment, remembering his mother's advice about not talking to strangers. “My mom told me not to talk to strangers,” he said, staring at the woman.
The woman chuckled softly. “Your mom is right. But you know how people stop being strangers, Kane?”
He shook his head.
Extending her hand towards him, the woman said, “By introducing ourselves. I'm Ignis.”