Chapter 37 - Ronald

**Lily**

"Lily."

"What?" I sit up and rub my eyes, groggy. What is this? How am I here?

It looks like a forest. With the exception that it looks like the forest in The Forest Spirit but more majestic.

What was I doing before this? This doesn't look like home. I forgot how my home looks like but I know it doesn't look like this.

"Lily."

I'm not alone.

I whip around and crack my neck. Don't trust a book by its cover... or something like that. Majestic or not, I don't want to die here.

"Lily."

"Aha!" I turn around.

No one.

"Lily."

I cross my arms and crank my neck a little to the side, trying to catch a glimpse of life.

Nothing.

"Lily."

I cross my arms angrily. "What?" My voice causes a couple of birds to fly out from the trees.

Woah.

"That's not a proper way to address the Moon Goddess."

I whip around, widening my eyes at the scrawny, red head in front of me.

An ugly old man who is probably around sixty or seventy.

The old man's eyebrows furrow in annoyance. "I'm thirty-eight. And it's Ronald." His bottom lip twitches, his eyes rolling to the back of his head. "You're a rude one." He grunts, bringing a clipboard closer to his face and scribbling something down.

I blink in shock. He's a wizard.

"You're a racist." He grunts again. "Wizards don't all look the same."

He's... translucent.

"And I fly."

"Really?" I feel a sudden rush of excitement through my bones.

"No." He rolls his eyes.

"Oh." I feel my smile drop. "What are you?" No human or werewolves is translucent. And he doesn't smell like a werewolf or vampire.

"Not rude." He scribbles something in his clipboard.

I cross my arms and tilt my head as an attempt to appear threatening. I bring out my fangs and hiss with a cross my of arms.

"You look stupid." He waves a hand of dismissal and walks further into the forest. Calling out behind him, he speaks. "Follow me."

I laugh humorously. "I'm not following you. What if you murder me or something." I widen my eyes, freaked out.

He looks easy enough to beat but I can see through the man. It's a scary thought to throw a punch and touch nothing. I'd fall over and maybe crack a finger or wrist.

He laughs dryly. "Honey, look at me. Do I look like the type to beat off a person?" He moves his hands away from his body.

I can see his bones and thin skin. I think his bones might fly off if I attempt to punch him. He might fly off.

"Not all Angels fly." He gives me a flat look and keeps on walking. I roll my eyes and stuff my hands in my pockets, walking behind the old man cautiously.

"So Lily Alvarez, what's your story?"

I scoff and look at our surroundings. Just beautiful trees. "I'm not saying anything to you, weirdo."

You can read my mind.

"Your first deduction was that I'm a wizard and I'm the weirdo?" He scoffs, shooting me the stink eye from the side of his face.

"They exist!" I say defensively.

I've seen one!

"That's not true." He shakes his head as he raises his foot over a huge log. "He was a normal senior citizen... who dresses like a wizard."

"What?!" He had a wand, long pointy hat, and a robe with stars! "How do you know that?" I halt in my steps, raising my palms a fraction.

He sighs and bring the clipboard to his face, eyes scanning the document attached. "Lily Alvarez. Stolen from the Royals then adopted by the Alvarez family as a baby." He hums in concentration. " You were abused and bullied by the Red Dawn Pack. Found mate Chase Parker, he rejected you and you ran away the same day. Found the Dark moon Pack. Were accepted and have become like family. Fell in love with Jeremy - "

Fell in love?

"How do you know all that?" I stare at him in astonishment.

"I'm an angel."

Not helpful at all.

"I help the Moon Goddess with errands. Part of my job is knowing every werewolf created by her and previous Moon Goddesses." He rolls his eyes, huffing out in annoyance.

Previous Moon Goddesses?!

"Yes, stupid."

Jerk. I look him over again, this time making sure my face is full of distaste. "I thought angels were younger." I retort.

He scowls. "And you are supposed to be nice. Not all of us are perfect." He walks ahead.

I match his steps. "I am respectful. I just don't remember what happened..." I trail off, trying to rack my brain for an answer. I know who I am but I can't explain why I know.

"Surprise, surprise." He waves his hand away. "The Moon Godess will explain all."

Moon Goddess? Am I dead?!

"Did I not say the Moon Goddess would explain?!" He turns around to yell in my face.

I blink and nod, frightened by how his aura turns red. He pats his white gown and nods stiffly before resuming his walk to a clear field inside the forest. On the plus side, if I get lost, I can just follow the red glow.

I exhale and follow close behind him, passing trees and a crystalline river. I can see my reflection, it's like a picture.

Could it be a fountain of youth?!

"Idiot." The old man shakes his head. "Don't you dare jump inside," He warns as his eyes narrow the more he notices the distance between the river and my feet.

I pout, suddenly feeling upset. "Why?" I sound childish but the water looks so good, so pure.

And if it's a fountain of youth, I won't get wrinkles.

"Because I said so."

I gap at his retreating back. What a jerk. I move my feet behind his.

"Lily."

"You aren't forgiven." I mutter, glaring at his retreating back."

Girls just wanna have fun. And he doesn't let me.

"That wasn't me, idiot." He motions his head to the right. "It was the Moon Goddess."

"And I'm hades."

"I can see that." His bottom lips sticks out, face resting in acceptance.

My face falls. I don't think I'm that close. "So where's the 'Moon Goddess'." I make finger quotation marks. I know she exists but seeing her in front of me is a long shot. I've never even heard of that ever happening.

"Here."

A wind moves the hair out my face.

Oh no.

I lift my head from the ground and slowly follow the body line that leads to the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Her body is just as translucent as Ronald's but her features are superior. She's sitting on a large rock to my right, a harp on her hand.

My mouth opens in shock at how yellow her hair is, just like the sunshine.

And her skin glows.

Her eyes are the lightest blue I've ever seen, hell, probably ever see.

She smiles at me, her perfect teeth practically creating its own light.

"I'm not normal, right?" She cracks a grin, running her hand over the golden harp delicately.

"Well I'd say not human but sure." I try to act nonchalant but I just want to ask about her beauty tips.

She laughs lightly. "You've always been so funny."

I narrow my eyes suspiciously. "That's not creepy at all." My answer comes out bitter.

"It's my duty to watch over future queens and make sure they work their way up to the throne, just like any other werewolf on this planet."

I try to look interested in her words but I find it hard with all the bright on her face. She's brighter than a light bulb.

She pats the space beside her. "Come sit, Lily."

"Give me a good reason." I cross my arms stubbornly.

"I'm the Moon Goddess?" She sounds unsure of her answer.

I shrug. "Good enough." I sit a few inches away from her, facing her. "So," I awkwardly cough. "Why am I here?" I'm excited but kind of terrified.

"You're dying." Her voice turns hard.

"What a relief?" I feel my face scrunch up.

She giggles. "You can live or die, I'm letting you decided." Her smile is wide and pretty.

I shake my head, more confused than before. "I don't understand. If I'm dead, is this heaven?" If it is, I'm staying.

"Beause you're suppose to be the future Moon Goddess"

I stare at her blankly.

"Debra injected you with poison." She sighs, smile falling off her face. "Joanne tried to change the injection but she got caught."

Joanne tried to help me? I bite my lip to hide my smile.

"It's your time to govern. I didn't know how to tell you." She sets the golden harp on the rock. "I know it's hard for you because of all you've been through. But if you decide to live, you'll live out your life until it's time." She smiles.

I blink. "I don't know why but death sounds amazing coming from you." I smile at her in wonder.

Her smile widens, teeth shining. "You can decide to die and stay with me. You and Ronald will keep tabs on the people I assign you to. You'll be free, here." She waves her arm, showing me the beautiful scenery. "It's all peace and quiet." She lovingly whispers.

I can't find anything wrong with what she's staying. It's so peaceful, I feel free as if nothing could get me here. I could forget about my childhood. I could forget about my dumb uncle and start anew.

A shiver goes through my body. "That sounds like work." I cross my arms.

"Call it whatever you like." She nods, face full of understanding. "You don't have much time though. You have to decide to live or die."

"You make it sound easy." I bite my lip nervously.

"It is, just follow your heart." She offers me a reassuring smile.

"This isn't a Disney movie."I sass. Though it's a facade so I don't show the fear I feel in my bones.

She chuckles."I know, but you know what you want. I know so."

"So what, you used your powers and looked at my heart?"

"You'll make a great Moon Goddess." She winks.

The corners of my lips lift at the corner. I think I want to kill my uncle. That's all I know at this moment. But I don't think it's worth it to leave this paradise.

"Jeremy isn't dead."

"What?" A flutter goes through my heart.

"Your uncle made it up to scare you. I think it might help with your decision. " She frowns for a moment. "I want you to stay but you have the right to decide what you want to do with your life."

"I don't know... anything." I downcast my eyes to the ground.

"Do you want to know your power?" She suddenly changes the subject, her eyes gleaming.

"I have a power too?" My voice comes out pitchy.

"I had a bit of trouble deciding on your power. I wanted it to be something that could help you. Something rare. Something no other Moon Goddess has given a werewolf." She grins. "Replication."

Repli - what?

"You're able to copy the ability of others by a small touch, even a poke when you wish. This power allows you to fight fire with fire, literally."

My mouth falls in amazement. "That's my power? Wow, I don't know what to say this is - "

"You're welcome." She beams. "You deserve it." I beam back at her.

"Well." She stands up to her full height. "It's time for you to go back."

"Already? I haven't asked for your hair tips." My face burns in embaressment. Her hand lands on my shoulder. How the hell does her hand smell like roses?

"Listen, you'll always have a special place in my heart. No matter what you choose." Her smile is reassuring.

"Why?"

"Because I used to be you." Her voice is distant as she stares at something behind me.

I look back and gasp as a greek god and gorgeous children run towards us, the biggest smiles on their faces. I take a step back in shock. It's like a magazine page that doesn't need photoshop.

"That's my family. My husband and children." Her eyes are brighter.

I try to refrain from showing the confusion on my face. "But you're the Moon God -"

"I used to be you. A life of disappointment and sadness but it turned out better than I expected. If you choose to stay on earth, when the time comes, you'll become the new Moon Goddess."

Is that an insult?

I gasp. "So my mom is the next Moon Goddess?"

She smiles at me. "No, it's you. Even if you don't want to be on earth, after me, you'll be the next Moon Goddess when the time comes."

"But why?"

"Because that's what my heart tells me." She giggles as the two little girls wrap their arms around her legs. The other two boys grab the hands of the husband, faces almost as beautiful as his.

"Again with Disney." I sigh.

"I'll see you. You'll make the right choice." She nods.

I bite my lip. "How will I know?" She's not being clear.

She smiles. "You will."

I smile back, closing my eyes.

What do I choose?