Successor

Quinn

Theodore and Isabelle were at my side, guiding me to their dying creator.

Sky, Zara, Alex, and my mom were huddled by the door, giving us room to talk to her privately.

As we neared Selena’s bedside, the twins bowed respectfully.

Their heads were lowered more than usual.

I could only imagine the sorrow that was heavy in their hearts.

They had been by Selena’s side for countless centuries, their whole existence dedicated to fulfilling her divine will.

“We’ve brought her to you, our honored Goddess,” Isabelle whispered.

“Thank you, dear twins,” Selena replied weakly. “You’ve been loyal and faithful servants to me.”

They struggled to hold back their tears as they bowed to their queen one last time and stepped back.

Isabelle sought comfort in her brother’s arms and they cried softly together.

I moved forward and looked down at the bed.

There was Selena.

Her face was lined with the thousands of years she had spent in Astria.

Her skin was pale and fragile. It looked like the slightest touch might break her.

If it weren’t for her wise, silver eyes, I wouldn’t have recognized her.

“So emotional for immortals,” she chuckled. Her laughter turned into a cough.

“Quinn. My child! I’m glad to see you’re okay!”

Selena’s weak excitement saddened me, but I tried to hide it.

“Yes, my Goddess. Thanks to your wisdom, and my mother’s love. I’ve been saved.”

“There are few things more powerful in this world than wisdom and love. If anyone knows this, it’s you and I.”

I nodded and tried to smile reassuringly.

“This knowledge will serve you well…as you claim your new stead.”

“New stead? What…what do you mean, my Goddess?” I asked.

Selena sighed. Her breath was heavy with exhaustion.

“My time is ending, Quinn. That’s clear. This means, whether you’re ready or not, it’s your time to face Matheius.”

I was shocked.

I couldn’t comprehend her words.

They were too big. Too heavy. Too unthinkable.

“But—how?” I asked. “I don’t know how to ascend to Astria on my own.”

“Soon, I’ll lose consciousness. But my body won’t decay like a mortal’s would,” she said, her voice starting to crack. “Instead, my form will harden and turn into the very thing you need to ascend—Moonstone.”

“Really?” I asked. But as I asked, I could already see her face becoming rigid. It wouldn’t be long until she became a statue of herself.

“But how will I defeat him?” I asked her, suddenly frantic.

Even if I found Matheius, what would I do? He had defeated me before and he would surely do it again.

“Goddess Selena…I…I…don’t know if I can face him. I can barely take care of myself. I was tricked into betrayal by my own aunt. I was driven to madness by Matheius without even realizing it. What if he takes control of my senses again?”

Selena chuckled at me.

“I understand your guilt and your fears, my child.”

“You do?” I asked her.

“Despite what mortals may tell you, even the divine make mistakes, my dear.”

“But you’ve ruled over werewolf kind with justice and kindness and love,” I said. “No one could do it as perfectly as you.”

“I’ve been many things in my centuries of existence, but perfect isn’t one of them. Many people die never seeing the broader impacts of their mistakes. But I die knowing them full well.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I was negligent, Quinn. I abandoned Matheius in his time of need. I created mates to bring harmony and then I left him without one for centuries because I didn’t want to interfere with the winds of Fate that had killed Gilly.”

Her eyes started to well up.

It surprised me.

I didn’t know Goddesses cried.

“And now…the results of my failings have come back to haunt me. In a way, they’ve killed me and left in my place the person whom I betrayed. It’s all rather fitting, I suppose.”

“I’m not telling you these things to upset you, Quinn,” she continued.

“To defeat Matheius, you don’t need to be perfect. You may not succeed this time, but please, no matter what darkness you face, don’t lose faith in the power of love. It’s all we have, in the end.”

I held her hand tightly as she neared the end she was talking about.

There was no telling what would happen when I faced Matheius.

But I would do my best. For Selena. For myself. And for all werewolf kind.

Soon, I felt Selena’s grip on my hand start to weaken and slip away.

Her breathing became more labored as her tired lungs gasped for their last breaths of air.

“I’m scared,” I confessed to her.

“Quinn! Quinn!” she croaked, desperately trying to relay one last message. “Don’t be scared. Remember—”

“What?” I asked her, trying my hardest not to cry.

“Lupus…Paulo…”

“But what does it mean? What is Lupus Paulo?”

She tried to say another word but couldn’t. The tired goddess’ silver eyes flickered one last time before they closed.

Time had won its battle with her. Her flesh hardened. Her body turned to moonstone. And surprisingly, her expression looked peaceful.

Isabelle moaned over her body. Theodore chanted a quiet ritual in some ancient language.

We all looked at each other in awe, unsure of what to do next.

The room was silent.

What was there to say?

Theodore and Isabelle turned to me.

“Selena put her faith in you,” said Isabelle. “We pledge our service, allegiance, and lives to you as you face the troubles that lie ahead.”

I was at a loss for words.

Everything had unfolded so quickly.

I glanced towards the door.

My friends and my mother were all looking at me, their faces filled with shock.

I knew I had to do something. But what?

Matheius

Finally, my revenge was complete.

The woman who had ruined my life, who had filled my days with endless suffering and misfortune, was no more.

I felt it the moment it happened.

Even from Astria, I could hear her final breaths leaving her body.

Such a sweet sound.

A tune I had longed to hear.

Seeing that twisted, cruel tyrant dead filled my heart with joy.

“I did it! I finally won!” I shouted.

My voice echoed through the stars and galaxies, announcing my victory to all.

~No way~ I thought to myself.

Now all I had to do was wait for Quinn to come to Astria.

It wouldn’t be long.

Soon, my absolute control over all werewolves would be complete and unchallenged.

~Come on, Quinn. Don’t keep me waiting.~

Quinn

I looked at my friends and family, all of them watching me closely, waiting for my command. “You all need to stay here while I ascend,” I said, surprising even myself.

I wanted their company and protection on my journey to Astria. But there was only one person I truly needed right now. ~Jax.~ And he was nowhere to be found.

“Are you sure you don’t want us to come with you, my liege?” Isabelle asked.

“We have a sacred duty to protect you. I would feel much better if we could accompany you,” Theodore added.

“We’re going too,” Alex chimed in. “No questions asked.”

Zara and Sky nodded in agreement with his determined statement.

I gently declined their offers of help.

“Listen,” I said, “I know you all mean well. But this isn’t your fight. It’s mine.”

As much as I liked the idea of not facing Matheius alone, I couldn’t ask my friends to join me. It would be a suicide mission.

“We all helped fight Jodie and Anthony,” Sky pointed out. “This isn’t the first time we’ve gone into battle with you.”

“But none of you have ever faced Matheius,” I said. “I did once and barely made it out alive. This time… I can’t even promise that.”

“Please,” Theodore insisted. “You must at least let me and my sister come with you.”

I sighed deeply and put a hand on his shoulder.

“Thanks, Theodore. But if I don’t come back, the werewolves will need strong leaders to stand up to Matheius. You and your sister are the only ones I know who can do it.”

The twins looked at each other, considering my words.

“You know best,” Isabelle said. “We will stay here, waiting for your triumphant return.”

They both bowed respectfully.

I turned to Sky, Alex, and Zara.

“You three should stay too. You’ll be safe here.”

“I still don’t like the idea of you going without backup,” Alex said. “As Beta, it’s my duty to protect my Luna at all costs.”

“No,” I said. “I won’t allow it.”

Alex nodded solemnly.

“If anyone can do this, it’s you,” Zara said, looking me in the eye.

I smiled back at her and then turned to my mom.

“This is going to be dangerous, Quinn,” she said, holding my hands. “You know you can always come with me. We can move to the city. New York…Chicago… You can have a normal life there.”

I smirked at my mother and kissed her on the cheek. “After everything I’ve been through, normal sounds a little boring. Besides, these wolves are my family. And so are you.”

“Your father would’ve been so proud of you,” she said, holding back tears.

We hugged, warmly and tenderly.

I looked around at my friends gathered in the parlor.

Few werewolves were lucky enough to have such loyal and true friends.

I hoped that I would be back here soon, celebrating my victories.

But nothing was certain.

“Well,” I said, taking a deep breath. “Take care of this place while I’m gone. And if Jax comes back… Tell him I love him.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, the sound of strained grunts echoed down the hallway.

Everyone in the room jumped into a defensive stance, fearing the worst.

Soon, a familiar figure appeared in the dim light of the hallway.

“Harper!” Sky shouted, relieved.

She ran forward to greet her.

But as she got closer to Harper, she recoiled in horror.

Harper stepped into the light of the parlor, grunting with exhaustion.

Her face was marked with claw scratches, and cuts ran down her exposed arms.

On her back, she carried a mass of matted, blood-soaked fur.

“Harper! What happened to you?” Sky asked anxiously. “And what…what is that?”

Without a word, Harper gently laid her burden on the stone floor.

My heart sank.

I would have recognized that wolf anywhere.

~My mate.~

“Jax!” I screamed and ran to his side.