Chapter 86 86
Draven's POV
I lay in bed, Hazel's head resting gently on my chest, her soft breaths creating a soothing rhythm. The moonlight spilled through the curtains, casting a gentle glow on her peaceful face.
It was moments like these that I cherished the most, when the world outside seemed to fade away and it was just the two of us. But tonight, my mind was troubled, and my thoughts were consumed by what Hazelhad told me earlier.
She spoke of an encounter with the moon goddess again. Hazel's connection with the moon goddess was unsettling to me, as it was getting more and more bemusing.
The more this matter with the moon goddess persisted, the more uncomfortable I felt. It was clear that the moon goddess cared deeply for every member of our kind, but her intense focus on Ashe still left me uneasy.
What was it about our baby that intrigued her so much? Why do I have a certain feeling that she is somewhat connected to something involved in Ashe's future?
I sighed, my fingers gently tracing circles on Hazel's back as I contemplated the mysteries that surrounded me and this baby. Whatever it was, I felt unhappy that Hazelwas caught in the middle of it all.
The truth was, I had no idea what exactly was going on in the moon goddess's mind. Her intentions remained a mystery, and that uncertainty gnawed at me.
I was both curious and scared of whatever it was that had captured her attention so fiercely to be too close to Hazeland monitor the baby.
But for now, I decided to push those thoughts aside and focus on the present, on protecting Hazeland our child from the looming threat of Zac and the Blood Moon Pack.
I have to stay one step ahead to outwit them and ensure the safety of my pack and new family. Just as I was lost in my thoughts, Hazel shifted beside me, her eyelids fluttering open.
Her sleepy eyes met mine, and she whispered, "Draven, are you still awake? Why?" I smiled softly, my heart warming at the sight of her.
"No, I just woke up," I lied, not wanting her to feel worried. "You stirred in your sleep, and it woke me. Go back to sleep."
As if a spell had been cast upon her, Hazel's eyes grew heavy, and she settled back into my chest, her breathing slowing once more. I held her close, feeling the rise and fall of her body against mine.
In the darkness, I whispered to the moonlight, "Please, moon goddess, whatever it is you have planned, I only want a peaceful life for Hazel, Ashe the pack, and me."
With those words hanging in the air, I closed my eyes, and then it all went dark. I blinked my eyes open once more, only to find myself in a dark and deserted place.
A sense of deja vu washed over me, as if I had been here before. I knew this place, or rather, I knew what it represented. It was the place I had been trapped in once before, in my mind.
In the distance, I spotted a familiar tunnel, the same one I had gone into the last time I was here. Without hesitation, I made my way towards it. I had met my mother there the last time, and I hoped I would meet her again.
I ventured into the dark, quiet tunnel, and after running for a few seconds, I saw her. A figure appeared before me, moving towards me with a grace that was both mesmerising and otherworldly.
At first glance, she resembled Jasmine, Adrian’s mum, but there was something different about her. Her aura radiated power and wisdom, and her smile held a depth that seemed to contain centuries of knowledge.
I knew, without a doubt, that this was not Jasmine. I called out to her, my voice filled with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. "Hello?" I greeted her, my eyes locked with hers.
She approached me, her steps light and ethereal. "Hello there, Draven," she greeted, her voice carrying a melodic quality. "I'm sure you've already figured out that I am not your mother."
I nodded, my mind racing to make sense of the situation. "Then... who are you?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
She smiled knowingly, her eyes filled with timeless wisdom. "Take a guess, young one," she encouraged me.
I took a moment to study her appearance. She was dressed in a flowing white gown, adorned with gold accents. Her presence exuded an air of ancient majesty, and I couldn't help but think of stories I had heard about ancient Egypt.
"You're... the moon goddess," I said, my voice tinged with surprise and awe. She nodded, her smile widening. "Indeed, you are perceptive, Draven. I am the moon goddess."
My heart raced as the realization sank in. I was standing before a deity, a being of immense power and significance. It was both overwhelming and exhilarating.
"Why... Why have you brought me here?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly. The moon goddess's eyes softened, and she extended a hand towards me.
"I brought you here because there are truths you must just have to face, Draven. Secrets that have been hidden for a purpose and should remain hidden for a while longer"
"Secrets about Ashe and me, isn't it?" I asked already, knowing my own answer. "My dear child," she whispered, her voice filled with a tenderness that mirrored a mother's love.
"You carry a great responsibility within you. Ashe is no ordinary being. And you should only think about protecting her until she is able to protect herself."
I gazed at the moon goddess, my eyes filled with questions and hope—hope that she would be willing to answer all my questions.
"Is this connected to me being a smoke werewolf?" I asked, my voice filled with curiosity. She paused for a moment, her gaze drifting into the distance. It seemed as if she was lost in thought for a while, gathering her thoughts.
Then, with a gentle smile, she turned her attention back to me. "Yes, Draven, being a smoke werewolf is indeed a part of it all," she replied. "But there is something more, something unique about you.”
“That is why you have been chosen to be the father of Ashe even if she belongs to someone else."
"But what about Ashe? The powers she may possess could make other packs seek to eliminate her, especially with this prophecy my father told me... Should I be worried?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.
The moon goddess's eyes sparkled with a comforting light, and she reached out to gently touch my cheek. "Do not fret, dear Draven. Ashe's powers are a gift. They are meant to bring balance, not imbalance. Everything will work out as it should."
Seeking her guidance, I mustered the courage to ask, "What about Zac and his pack? They pose a threat to Hazel, Ashe, and me. What should I do?" The moon goddess's smile widened, and she shook her head gently.
"Ah, Draven, if I were to provide you with all the answers, where would be the joy in your journey? And that would be unfair to Zac now, wouldn't it?"
As her words echoed in my mind, she began to fade away, slowly disappearing back into the depths of the tunnel. I reached out, yearning to hold on to her presence for a while longer as I still had many questions, but my fingers grasped only air.
And then I blinked my eyes open, my senses slowly returning to the present. Hazel's face was so close to mine; her eyes were filled with concern. I couldn't resist teasing her a little, a mischievous grin playing on my lips as a thought popped in.
"Why are you so close to my face, Hazel?" I asked, a hint of accusation in my voice. "Were you trying to kiss me in my sleep?"
Her cheeks flushed, turning a shade of crimson. She quickly turned away, avoiding my gaze. "Draven, don't be silly," she stammered, her voice betraying her embarrassment.
I chuckled, enjoying her reaction. "Oh, come on, Hazel," I teased, nudging her playfully. "Do you need me to pretend to be asleep so you can complete your secret mission?"
She couldn't hide her smile as she playfully swatted my chest. "You're impossible, Draven. I wasn't trying to kiss you!" She yelled, sounding quite frustrated.
I feigned disbelief, widening my eyes in mock surprise. "Oh, really? I find that hard to believe. It's not your fault you've fallen for this face; it's totally understandable. You don't have to hide it."
She huffed, crossing her arms in front of her. "Fallen for what face? Yours? Impossible! Well, believe what you want, then!"
She got off to leave, but I couldn't let her just leave like that, not when there was an opportunity to make her blush even more. I grabbed her hand, pulling her back towards me. She stumbled and fell onto my chest, her eyes widening in surprise.
As she looked up at me, her face was so close to mine. Without thinking twice, I closed the small distance between us and kissed her softly on the lips.