It was a gold stone, shiny and glimmering.
Harry held it up so I could see it and then studied it again.
“It’s actually pretty impressive,” Harry was saying as I faced him in anger, “This little stone actually had the ability to take away your powers. Huh.” He continued in a taunting tone and anger rushed through my mind.
I watched the stone, needing to somehow steal it back.
“And now that I have them, I’ll be the most powerful person in the world.”
“What? That wasn’t that plan!” Aria screeched from behind him and I was caught off guard. I didn’t think she’d be here.
Harry smirked, “You didn’t actually think I’d give her powers to you, did you?”
“But you said-”
“I said I’d help you, and I am.” Harry shrugged and Aria huffed in anger.
“You fucking liar.” She growled and ran at him, reaching for the stone. But with one toss of his arm, Aria crashed against the wall a few feet away.
No matter how much I wanted to hate Aria, I could only remember the happy memories.
“Aria!” I shouted in fear of her getting hurt. Her eyes instantly shut as she hit the floor.
“Now that that’s over.” Before I could react, Harry crushed the gold stone in his hand and absorbed all of the power.
No!
The bright light that had been absorbed out of me had gone into Harry’s body. He dropped the remains of the stone on the ground and it shattered into dust. I watched helplessly as he became even stronger than before.
Harry now had my powers.
“Wow, that feels. . . great.” He mused and I waited anxiously as he made his first move.
Suddenly, four people entered the room, sleep still on their faces. The first two who entered the room were Alpha Ares and Luna Alex, and behind them was Ken. . . and Even.
“What’s the emergency?” Ares asked.
“Go before-” I cried but Harry interrupted me, using the Alpha command to control them.
“Alpha Ares, Luna Ellie, Even, Ken; please, sit.” Harry gestured to the chairs in the middle of the room and everyone obeyed except Alex.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Alex demanded, noticing Aria laying in the corner.
“Oh, right, you’re a human. Well, this can still work,” Harry shrugged and looked at me, “One move and I’ll tell them all to kill you.”
I nodded silently.
“Good,” Harry turned to Ares, “Alpha Ares, I want you to kill Luna Ellie for me, please.”21
“What?” Alex and I shouted in shock.
“Alpha Ares, kill her.” Harry used the command and Ares looked wide-eyed at his mate.
“No.” He refused as he tried to fight the will of the command. His body shook as he tried to reject it but he finally stood up.
“Harry, what the hell are you doing?” Ken yelled while Even added,
“How are you doing this?”
“Do you remember the sun stone? A famous legend about a little stone that could capture the Moon Goddess’ powers? Ring a bell?” Harry asked and I tensed as everyone stared at me.
“Harry, how could you? We’re your friends.” Alex narrowed her eyebrows as she edged closer to the wall.
“I don’t have any friends.” Harry retorted.
Ares came closer to Alex, and I watched as his whole body shook.
“I can’t control myself.” I’d never seen the Alpha so vulnerable, so utterly helpless.
Even and Ken growled, both viciously trying to resist the hold Harry had on them. But they had no choice but to obey.
Ares battled with himself but ultimately, he couldn’t deny what he had to do. Alex braced for a blow as he raised his hand.
I sucked in a breath and pushed Alex out of the way, Ares hitting the living daylights out of me. My back hit the hard wall and I choked on my own blood. But I quickly stood up and shoved myself between Alex and Ares.
“Hazel!” Even yelled in horror as Ares’ punch opened up all of my sore wounds.
I bit my lip and tasted blood.
“Get out of the way!” Ares yelled but I stubbornly stayed where I was.
“You’ll die,” Alex told me softly but I shook my head as Ares hit me again.
But I could take the pain.
Ares’ fist connected with my cheek as I collapsed onto my side. His punches felt like brick walls.
I felt like I was falling and couldn’t stop myself. I felt the pull into the darkness and I let a tear slip as I awaited my fate.
But suddenly-
My body regained consciousness. My mind regained my thoughts.
And my soul regained the powers I thought I’d lost forever.
Energy returned to my body. I felt rejuvenated, a new glow running through my blood. I was engulfed by a bright glow, taking me in and healing me.
My wounds disappeared in seconds, my body whole again. Nothing hurt, everything was back in focus.
“Impossible!” Harry spat but the grow grew stronger until I was strong enough to stand and what I saw stunned me.
Auras surrounded them, reflecting who they were.
“That’s impossible!” Harry repeated but still I rose.
“Your powers are gone. Actually, they were never yours to begin with.” I announced and made my way over to him, intent on killing him.
Hazel, you can’t kill him, Alex’s voice rang in my head and I hesitated.
Even though I wanted to end his life for everything he’d caused, I didn’t think I could really do it.
“Harry Turner, I never want to see your face ever again. You’re banished from this pack and any pack you ever hope to join. Leave forever.” I used the command and Harry scowled but he had to listen.
Exile was worse than death. Werewolves needed a pack; without one, they’d never survive.
Harry spun on his heel and stalked out of the room. It would be the last time anyone ever saw him.
I suddenly remembered the others and hurried over to Even.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Are you okay?” Even touched my face and kissed me softly. My heart fluttered as he kissed me with so much passion. I blushed when I realized everyone was probably watching us. . . especially his parents.
“I think I am.” I murmured against his lips and as he kissed me again, I remembered Aria.
“Ohmygod, Aria,” I broke apart from him and ran to my sister.
I shook her by the shoulder and she opened one eye, still faint.
“Thank God.” I breathed out and she started to apologize.
“Hazel, I’m so sorry. I was so stupid, I can’t believe I actually listened to him, I-”
“It’s okay,” I soothed and it really was. Despite everything, the backstabbing and the betrayal, I chose to forgive her.
Not many would but she was my sister, my best friend, and my family. We were two sides of the same coin, derived from the same blood.
“Hazel, thank you,” Ares bowed to me, along with Alex, “We owe you our lives.”
“No, it’s okay.” I shook my head. “It’s what anyone would’ve done.”
“I’m not so sure about that.” Aria interjected as Ken tried to help her stand. She clutched her head as she leaned on him for support.
She gasped suddenly and I cocked my head.
“We’re missing graduation, we need to go.” Aria grabbed my hand and tried to pull me along but I stood my ground.
“You go,” I said firmly, “I’m staying.”
“What? Why?” She opened her mouth to object but I talked over her.
“Because I’m the Moon Goddess.”
I needed to be there for my pack. Maybe once in my future I’d go to my graduation but there was something else more important.
I chose to become the Moon Goddess. I had to leave my human life behind. We were as different as the sun and the moon; we were in the same galaxy but never crossed paths.
Aria gave me another look before Ken spoke up, “Come on, I’ll drive you.”
Ken took my sister’s hand as they ran off to a future I almost had.