Chapter 209: Merger

Chapter 209: Merger
\[Apple\]

After the initial fear wore off, and my people started to relax around the witches, they began traveling through the portals in small groups, to relocate them to witch towns across the country. Because the existence of the witch towns is limited to the witch community, they are the safest places for our people to hide. 

“Humans can’t cross the threshold–not enough inner spark,” Araminta explained as she went over the plan with me and Hawthorne, “And wolves cannot enter without an invitation. Even then, they can’t use their natural strengths within the borders. This means that neither the humans nor the rogues they are using as weapons can get in.”

“And most tech fails too,” Hawthorne pointed out. “Their drones won’t be able to enter either.” 

“This bunker can do the same, to a smaller extent,” Araminta added. “But the witch towns can keep the protective field up indefinitely.” 

As Luna Queen, I can command anything of the wolves under my care. It only takes a trickle of power through my connection to them all for me to communicate to all of them the need to remain calm. “The witches are here to help. Please follow their rules. No shifting.This is to keep you safe.” 

There were a few who didn’t agree, but none argued. As the fated mate of the Alpha King, his abilities, his strength, are also my own.

“We will bring you home when we know it’s safe,” I promise.

It may have taken a few nudges from both sides, but seeing the wolves and witches working together as a unit is heartwarming. It’s a shame that the only times we come together this way is in times of fear. We would be wonderful allies if we could just get along and come together against a common enemy. 

Harlem, Araminta and Sylvester have been working together during the months when i was in a coma to get the Children of the Moon on the same side. Because of them, treaties were signed between several packs and covens, agreements for mutual aid until this human threat was neutralized. 

Even so, there was still doubt in our hearts. There was no guarantee that Harlem and Araminta would succeed in sounding the alarm and getting the witches to keep their promise and come to our defence. 

But they did. 

Thank the goddess. 

“How many more families do we have to transport,” I turn to my beta, who has been supervising the transfer between locations. 

“25 or so,” Hawthorne speaks across the room. “2 maybe 3 more shifts.” 

I nod, looking at the gathered witches. Taking people through a portal is exhausting–only the most skilled witches can open them for more than themselves, and it takes a phenomenally powerful witch to take groups of people in a steady stream. For the sake of conserving their energies, they have been working in shifts, taking turns carrying the burden.

I wish there was more that I could do. I am a powerful witch, and a strong wolf when I need to be, but unless I’m pushed into an impossible position, I have a hard time bringing either sets of abilities forth. I am the Luna Queen of the continent, a hybrid. I should be more powerful, especially with Sylvester’s powers bolstering mine. 

“You need to work without Alpha,” Astrea explains. “Together you are stronger. You know this.” 

She shows me a memory, one of me crossing a battlefield glowing like a star, my arm outstretched to take my mate’s hand. As our energies merge, the battlefield clears, leaving our people and little else. 

“This is the power you have at your fingertips, Apple,” Astrea assures me. “You just need to let go.”

“Let go of what?” 

“Everything,” her eyes glow lavender in my mind. “You need to let all of your walls come down.

“But what if I can’t,” I insist. “I’m not her. I’m just…me.” 

“They are the same,” my wolf laughs. “We are one in the same. I am just a part of you. Let me in fully, let me take control, and you will be able to make miracles.” She assures me. 

“I just need to be willing to give up myself,” I finish for her. “But then I won’t be me anymore. I’ll lose my sense of self.” 

I will cease to exist.

“No, you will not lose yourself–You will become more fully who you were always meant to be. We are supposed to be one soul, Apple. I hold your memories of all your past lives. I can give them back to you. You can become Astrea reborn, and use your knowledge to save us all.”

“Are you ready to go, Luna,” Samantha, one of the baby’s nannies, taps my shoulder and it feels like waking up from a strange dream. “The Coven Mistress is holding the portal for us.” 

On the far side of the room, near a large dark hole, my great-grandmother holds my son, Aspen, while my daughter, Arden, bounces in the arms of Eliza, our other nanny. She looks nervous as she gazes overhead, most likely seeing the battle above us through the layers of earth and concrete. 

“Apple, we need to get you safe,” she insists, turning her attention back to me. “The surface might not hold much longer. They’ll be past our gates soon.” 

My heart sinks. 

Sylvester is on the surface. I can’t leave him here to die alone. 

“I can’t come with you,” I insist, my steps becoming bolder as I cross the room. “I need to be here, with Sylvester. It may be the only chance we have to save everything.” 

“He’d want you safe,” Araminta places her free hand on my cheek. “The Alpha King won’t be able to fight back the humans if he’s worried about his mate. And once you’re through and safe, Hawthorne can come back and fight as his beta. They will have a better shot together.”

I wish I didn’t feel so helpless–I hate being strong but not skilled enough to use my strength. 

“But you can,” Astrea reminds me. “We can.” 

I gaze over at my two sleeping babies. They are so little, still new to this world. I would sacrifice anything to give them a future. 

Even my sanity. Even my sense of self.
And in that moment, I make up my mind. 

“You’re wrong,” a deeper voice speaks through me, one that is a blend of my own and something far more powerful. “My mate needs me and I need him.” 

Araminta tilts her head and inhaling asks, “Am I still speaking to Apple.” 

My lips curl upward. “Yes, and also Astrea,” my smile widens. “The Witch Queen. And I am not leaving my Alpha King behind. He needs his fated mate.” 

“Then we cast the spell on another day,” Araminta stands firmly, glaring at me, and through me my wolf, “If you leave now, you’ll still be around to protect your pups and fight another day.” 

“If I don’t stay, there won’t be enough left to save.”

Araminta stands very still, her eyes wide as if struck by a vision of what will come. 

“Grandmother.” As I reach out to touch her shoulder, my voice takes its usual timbre, no longer heavy with the power of two souls. “I know you’re frightened for me. I’m frightened too. But you need to let me go. This is what I’m here for, why I was reborn at this moment–to set things right. Please don’t fight me on this.” 

“Stubborn, just like your mother,” my great-grandmother takes a step back. “Go on, I’ll keep them safe. Just come back. Please.” 

Nodding, I promise to do my best as I walk across the room. Nodding at my beta, he follows me out, leaving the witches to handle the rest of our people. 

Taking one last look back, I see my grandmother and babies walk into the darkness of the void. 

And all the portals close. 

“Let’s go save our alpha,” I laugh, taking Hawthorne’s hand. 

“Apple, what are you doing?” he asks, confused. 

“Have you ever tried flying,” I ask as an encyclopedic knowledge of spells and enchantments bounce through my mind, cataloged by life lived by the part of me that is my wolf. 

“That’s a myth, Apple. Witches don’t…” 

Before he could finish his sentence, we floated to the top of the stairs. 

“Cover your eyes!” I shout as I let my glow burn as bright as a comet, my energy focused on the glass ceiling above us. 

And then we’re free, the moon rising behind us, floating above everything. 

“There he is,” I point, my mate glowing like a beacon calling me forth. “Let’s go.”