Chapter 127 The Goddess’s Winter Blessing

Chapter 127 The Goddess’s Winter Blessing
POV Begay:

“I am tired of watching my children destroy one another out of greed and pride,” the Goddess continues, sounding furious as a hurricane. “The gift you received was not given so you could dominate, but so you could protect. Anyone who does not think that way is not worthy of being considered Lykae.”

More Alphas fall to the floor, and I pull Una closer to my body, horrified to witness such pure and brutal power up close.

“I have been far too merciful over the years, but I now see that I made a mistake. The Council I established so many centuries ago is contaminated. I will cleanse it.” A fierce light fills the basement, forcing me to close my eyes so I won’t go blind.

I hear desperate groans echo around us and release a small sigh when I feel Asher’s and Therak’s bodies pressed against mine, protecting me along with Una.

It’s impossible not to think this will be our end.

At least I had twelve days with my mates. Not all of them were as happy or peaceful as the last four days of heat, but I would still give anything to live them again, especially now.

“I will begin by correcting a mistake.” The Goddess’s voice suddenly turns gentle, and the blinding glow fades enough for me to peek at what happened in the room.

I’m stunned to realize most of the Alphas… are no longer Alphas.

Their kaylak is gone.

Their characteristic power has been reduced to… nothing.

Just as the Goddess gave the gift, she took it away.

“Moonclaw Ridge has had its Alpha for twenty years. I judged Therak and deemed him legitimate long before any challenge was issued. He is, and will be for as long as he lives, the rightful owner of the title and the seat on the High Council of the Lykae. This is my decision, and it will be respected until the last shifter draws breath.”

The silence that settles is absolute, even after the Goddess disappears in another burst of blinding light.

It seems everyone is afraid to speak and be punished.

“Hmm… Can we go back to our den now?” Una’s voice unexpectedly rings through the room, making many jump in fright. She blinks her beautiful golden eye and yawns, the only one who doesn’t look ready to shit herself. “My back hurts, and I wanted to take a nap. The conversation with Morana gave me a headache.”

“Morana? The Goddess of the Dead?” Asher chokes beside me.

“Yes. I met her along with Seline, the Moon Goddess.” Una lets out another yawn, followed by a pained grumble when she moves her body, which, although it has begun healing with Felícia’s help, will still need plenty of rest. “Can we talk about this later? I don’t want to stay here anymore. I want our den.”

I look at Therak, searching for guidance on what to do or say, but the blond looks as lost as I am.

In the end, I shrug and adjust the little fox in my arms as I stand, tired of remaining in this shadowed place full of hatred and pain.

I know we will still have many things to discuss, but for now, I also need a nap in my unfinished den.

Are you coming? I ask Asher and Therak through the mental bond.

I smile when I realize the question was pointless, because both of them are already at my side, as they should be.

As soon as we leave the house, we find so many Lykae staring at us with their jaws hanging open that I begin to think, somehow, they saw what happened inside.

“And they did. There was a camera recording for the ACS TV channel,” Therak answers my thought.

“Is it common to record trials?” Asher asks, frowning.

“No. But they wanted to turn mine into a spectacle. They were certain I would end up dead in the end.” The bear’s gaze falls on Una, who trembles in my arms now that we are under the icy wind.

I also look at the small naked female.

I still can’t believe she threw herself into the arena.

“We should have grabbed her clothes,” I murmur, only remembering it now.

“I found a blanket.” Felícia’s voice sounds behind me, and when I turn, I see that she and her males have left too.

Their faces show the same bewilderment we feel.

The Luna of Juneau hands the fabric to Asher, who places it carefully over Una, making our little fox purr.

The sound is adorable and warms my chest, but despite the happiness of all of us having survived that dreadful basement, I still feel a little bad when I look at Orion and realize I failed to bring his daughter back.

I didn’t even remember, with so many things happening at once.

“I’m very grateful you thought of doing that, Begay, but it was impossible,” the jaguar says, drawing my attention.

Orion’s smile is a mixture of sadness and acceptance.

“I didn’t tell you about the Goddess’s words, about the possibility of resurrection, because I wanted you to try to bring my daughter back. I told you because we’re friends.” He shrugs, casual despite the pain that will never heal in his heart. “Rosa won’t come back, and I’ll never get over her death. Even so, I managed to find my happiness, and now you’re going to find yours too.”

I hold Una tighter in my arms, afraid they might fail and I might drop her because of the emotion I feel.

“Now stop thinking you owe me something. We’re family. And family isn’t built on fictional debts. That’s an order from your Alpha!”

Orion’s words pierce my mind, erasing every trace of guilt.

The sound of Therak’s growl, along with the possessive grip of his hands on my waist, pulling me close to his blood-covered body, comes next.

“Your Alpha, my ass! This Beta is mine.”

“He still hasn’t decided which Alpha he’ll serve…” Orion teases, but it’s obvious it’s only a joke to lighten the mood, since he pulls Dalton and Felícia into his arms, reminding everyone that he has his own mates and there’s no reason for jealousy. “Think carefully, Begay. I’ll even let you sleep every day in Moonclaw Ridge.”

Therak’s growls deepen, and so does the grip on my flesh, making everyone laugh at his silly possessiveness.

And suddenly, I feel happy.

Happier than I have ever been in my entire life.

I have a family—not made of blood, but of bonds—willing to do anything to take care of me. And I found my fated mates, who truly want me.

What more could I wish for?

That’s when the scent comes.

Faint.

Sweet.

Spicy.

Addictive.

I look at Una, who squirms in my arms and begins to whimper indecipherable sounds.

Therak and Asher smell it too, because they lean toward the little fox, trying to confirm whether what we think is happening is really happening.

“Could it be…”

“The heat,” the polar bear finishes for me, shaking his head as if he can’t believe it.

“But how?” Asher asks, his blue eyes wide with confusion.

A strong wind blows between us, intensifying our mate’s scent and making the pine needles strike together in a magical, chilling symphony.

“They told me to stop interfering, but I couldn’t do that without first granting Una’s deepest wish.” The female voice, light and playful, very different from what we heard minutes ago, sings in my mind.

From Therak’s and Asher’s wide-eyed looks, I realize it echoed in their minds as well.

“Enjoy the rest of winter, boys. You deserve it.”

The Goddess laughs mischievously, and my heart races when I realize it’s… real.

Our heat has returned.

“Oh, and just a reminder: you have nine months to prepare for the… litter.”

The Goddess disappears the same way she appeared—a cold breeze that sends shivers over my whole body.

This time, however, she doesn’t leave cold behind.

She leaves heat.

Deep heat.

“I was looking forward to spring arriving soon, but I think winter can last a little longer…” I murmur, now truly happier than I have ever been at any other moment in my life.