TWENTY-FOUR

Luna Amanda

Knox visited his father alone.  He requested me to look after the Luna Queen since she is not feeling well.  I went to see Lyanna and the moment I opened the door I could feel negative vibration.

"It is so nice of you to stay with me, Luna Amanda.  Doctor Martin could still not trace the source of my discomfort.  I am honestly scared for my pup.  I am glad, though, that you are here."  Lyanna held on to my hand.  I was moved by her words.  I guess at my age, being needed is a big thing, that I still hold some purpose and light in this world.  However, I share her fears.  I too, am worried about my unborn grandchild.  There is something strange about her sickness.

"Let me bring you a cold towel for your forehead.  It may soothe the headaches, "  I offered.  As I stood from her bed, Lyanna started churning and grunting.  She was in utter pain as she clutch her stomach.  Instantly, I thought of Knox.

Knox, son! Come quick, it's Lyanna!  I mind-linked my son.

I embraced Lyanna as she trembles and curls in pain.  Moon Goddess help us.  I kept saying this.

The door banged open and Knox came rushing in with Rhett, Nadia, Vino, Harper, and the re-hired omega, Myla.

"Lyanna, I am here, my love.  How can I remove this pain from you?"  Knox asked helplessly.

"Ly, I love you.  Get well soon, okay?"  Harper is crying now.  I took Harper in my arms to console her.  I could almost imagine her fear.  If anything happens to her sister, this angel will be left all alone in this world.

"Rhett, call all the top doctors from the ten nearest packs here.  Please!"  Knox summoned.

"It hurts so much!  My precious baby!  I can't loose our baby!"  Lyanna said in tears as she appeals to her mate.  It breaks my heart to witness my family deal with heavy blows of life.  Blow after blow after blow.  How can life be this testing on us?  We can only survive by standing next to each other, by being together.

"We will get through this, my children.  We have to keep hope.  There is always a way, I promise."  I tried to uplift their spirits somehow.

"I have seen this before,"  someone whispered at the back.  We all turned to look at the one who spoke.

Myla, Harper's nanny, looked at us and uttered, "My King, I have seen this before.  If you will allow me, may I look at her tummy?" She asked.

"Yes, go ahead, please,"  downright Knox consented.

Myla approached the Luna Queen, nodded for permission to lift Lyanna's blouse, as the male wolves looked away.  When Myla lifted the clothing she gasped.  We all got nervous.  Knox and I took a closer look.  And there on Lyanna's already bulging tummy are rune marks that looked like the roman numeral II.

"The dilemma curse!  I knew it!  It's the dilemma curse!"  Myla trembled and cried.  My Luna Queen, I am so sorry.  My King, I am so sorry...."

"What is it?"  Lyanna's panicked voice echoed in the corners of the room.

"A witch!  We need a powerful witch.  A witch can tell if this is really the dilemma curse and she may have knowledge on how to deal with this."  Myla supplied.

"Son, if you can trust me, I know the best witch to call.  She has never let me down before.  I believe in her prowess and gifts.  She may be what we need,"  I said.

Knox approached me and embraced me.  My heart burned for him.  Knox fears for his mate and pup.  I held my son tight.  My tears fell but I have to be strong for him.

"I do not know what to do if you and father did not come back.  Please help us, mother.  Call the witch quickly so that we may have hope,"  he beseeched.

I released him and nodded at him.  I went to Lyanna and kissed her head.   "Hang in there my Queen, my child.  Help is on the way,"  I promised.

"Myla, come with me outside," I directed her towards the door.

I led Myla to the library.  "Myla, do not ever disclose what a dilemma curse is.  Let the witch tell them.  We are not even sure of it yet.  I just want to spare my children of hearing the bad news early on. "  I explained.

"Yes, Luna, I understand.  I hope I am wrong, but I have seen it before with my cousin and it did not end well."  Her voice was laced with despair.

I went to my room to concentrate.  To summon a witch needs a focused and attuned mind-linking.   I calmed myself and breathe out slowly.

Genoveva, I summon you.  Come to the palace the quickest.  Bring answer to a dilemma curse.  Genoveva, my dear friend, we need you.

I went to Magnus' room.  There my beloved mate continues to slumber.  He remains unaware of the family woes.

"My darling, Magnus, come back to us, your children needs you.  I miss you.  Wake up, please."

***************************

After 4 hours, my friend, Genoveva finally arrived.

"Do not tell me that it is the Luna Queen!"  Genoveva feared.

I did not reply and her fear came true.

"Luna Amanda, the road will be hard and dark form here on.  Let us not waste time, let us lay down the choices to the royals."

I led her to the King's chamber.  Most beloved family and friends are still inside and never left Lyanna.

"My son, Alpha King, I want to introduce to you the most powerful witch I know, Genoveva." I started.

"Alpha King Knox, I wished we have met at a different circumstance, but I am honored still to stand in your presence," Genoveva revered.

"My Queen and I are glad you came as fast as you can.  I rarely beg for anyone, but now, I beg you, please save my wife and baby."  Knox humbly appealed.

Genoveva bowed and moved closer to a very weak Lyanna.

"My Queen, if I may?"  With a nod, Genoveva lifted the clothing to expose the tummy.  She attempted to touch one rune but immediately took her hand off as if burned.  She sighed.  She closed her eyes, chanted a prayer with her eyes closed as she wave her hands above the Lyanna's tummy.  A strong gash of air swooshed.  She stood and composed herself.

"Is everyone in this room a trusted person of the King and Queen," she asked.

"Yes, they are,"  Knox answered.

"Well then, listen and be guided.  I do not bare good news but the information I can give you may lead to salvation.  My Queen, a powerful witch casted the dilemma curse on you.  I felt her motives.  It is jealousy.  She is not pleased that the King finally fell in love and it is you.  With this, we can assume she is a past lover of King Knox.   To end the curse is to end the life of the curse bringer.  The witch must be identified, killed, and her blood must be rubbed on the Queen's abdomen.  Only by that will we save both the mother and the child.

If it turns out you fail to find the spell caster, as she is aware her life is the cure, she will surely hide herself well, then the dilemma truly starts.  The dilemma curse  is a curse where in after  3 days when the runes first appeared on the skin, a life must be chosen over the other.

In three days, Alpha King, you must choose and declare to the Moon Goddess the one you choose to live.  It's either your mate or your heir.  If the sun sets on the third day and you did not choose, both will die."  Genoveva said seriously.

"My pup must live!  Knox, promise me, you will choose this child!  I am begging you!"  Lyanna was hysterical now.

We remain in shock.  I, myself, never knew the gravity of this curse.

"Leave us."  Knox, who was holding his crying mate, solemnly commanded.

We all obeyed.

Genoveva gathered us outside the castle because she needed to say more.

"Finding the spell caster is our only hope.  Exhaust all means to find and terminate her.  I have seen this first hand.  When the husband chooses the wife, the wife turns crazy with grief over the child.  If the husband chooses the child. the husband turns crazy for losing his mate.  The child grows up without a normal family.  Any choice leads to destruction.

The one who cursed the Queen is a past playmate of the King who declared love for him.  She never hurt the other playmates because she knew the king did not love them.  Find the one who has relatives in the castle, for the information she needed can only come from those close to the royals.  Find the one who kept asking about the Queen and how the King treats her.

And now, I offer this tiny hope, whether she is masking or cloaking herself as another person or as an animal, I saw her witch brand.  She hides her brand on her left shoulder.  If the brand is touched by others her true form will be revealed.

I will stay with you all until this is over."

Genoveva assured us.