Chapter 46: Chapter 18

DAMON

Natalie is already asleep when I get to the pack house. I wrap her in a blanket then scoop her off of the couch.

“Who is she? I’ve seen her around.”

I don’t bother turning around. “Not your concern, Owen.” I grab her shoes and jacket.

Owen opens the door for me, but he’s too close to my mate. I rumble a warning growl. “I wasn’t alone with her. I can’t be.”

“I know.” I stop for just a moment. “Owen. Do you know of Realta?”

He shakes his head. “No.”

“Thanks for getting the door.” I leave him standing in the doorway and lay Natalie in the passenger’s seat then buckle her in. Owen nods as I drive away.

A bright light near the greenhouse catches my attention. I pull up and step out of my jeep. The light gets brighter and I have to squint to see.

“Alpha. I’ve been searching for you.” A high-pitched sing-song voice whispers through the air. The static charge begins to flare around me. I fall to my knees, only the strength of being an alpha keeping me from passing out and falling into darkness.

“Are you the Goddess Realta?” I manage to breathe out. I put my hand up to block the light, but it really does nothing.

“Do you not recognize me after what you’ve done to me?” Her words are quiet, but crystal clear and full of resentment. Her sinister hold tightens its grip like a vice.

“I’m sorry, Goddess, but I’ve done nothing to you. I’m Alpha Damon Ramirez. I challenged Alpha Roberts for the pack. If I can, I would like to help you. I know you were under a spell.”

The sinister energy dissipates and is replaced with a calm stillness. I lean forward on hands and knees as I catch my breath. “Then you have already helped me. The spell was tied to the life of the Roberts alphas. I was destined to be imprisoned as long as their blood held control of the pack.”

“Alpha Declan Redd killed Alpha Roberts. His son was alpha for only a short while. I defeated him, but I showed mercy, he still lives.”

“I will decide his fate based on what lies in his heart.” I get up from my knees slowly so as not to insult her.

“Goddess, are you able to return where you belong?”

“I am, Alpha. The curse was lifted also.”

“You were cursed?”

“My mother, the Moon Goddess, took my power when I fell in love with a mortal. He betrayed me when he found his mate.”

Realization hits me hard and everything begins to make sense. “He took your daughter and hid her away from you. You were in the dungeon. It was your power that I’ve been feeling since I became alpha.”

“Yes, Alpha. I wish to have my revenge on the mortal.”

“Goddess. I understand your desire for revenge, but my pack, they’re innocent. Please, I must ask that you stop sending them into darkness.”

“They were not meant to be in darkness. Only the first begged for death, the rest were stopping me from seeking my revenge.”

I close my eyes at the loss of Charlotte. “I knew she wasn’t ready. Her death was my fault.”

“You are not to blame, kind Alpha. She sought death and would find it elsewhere had I not been merciful. Such is the power of rejection.” Deep down I know the Goddess is right, but I still feel her loss. She was rejected by her mate for no reason other than he had a human girlfriend. “You seek answers, young Alpha.”

“Yes, Goddess. You said you are the daughter of the moon?”

“Yes, Alpha. I am a Starlight Sister. I wish to return to the heavens after I find my daughter and take my revenge.”

A cold chill shakes me to my core. “You seek revenge on your daughter?”

“No, Alpha. I seek revenge only on the mortal that betrayed me. My daughter is innocent. I wish only to find her.”

I let out a breath of relief. “I have found her, Goddess. She’s nearby if you would like to meet her, although your light is very powerful.”

The light dims and the Goddess Realta steps forward in a white long sleeve top, dark blue jeans, and black boots. Her silvery blond hair stops at her shoulder blades and her face is youthful and heart-shaped. Her eyes are the same turquoise as Natalie’s. “Take me to my daughter.” Her voice is more human-like, but still high-pitched.

“She’s sleeping, but she wakes easily,” I tell the Goddess as she follows me to my jeep. I open the door then step aside. The Goddess caresses Natalie’s cheek and a tear falls from her eye.

“My daughter. She’s beautiful.” She looks at me, but never removes her hand. “Her name?”

“Natalie Mason. She has had a hard life. She ran away when she was twelve because her stepmom used to hurt her. Her dad locked her away and kept her hidden. Even I didn’t know of her as a pup.”

“He betrayed his own daughter and allowed her to be hurt. I will ensure he is held accountable for his actions. What of his mate? Where can I find her?”

“She was killed, Goddess. Her death was one of pain and fear.”

“That brings me little comfort.”

“I’m sorry, Goddess. I wish I had better information for you.”

She looks to me again. “You are my daughter’s mate.”

I nod. “Yes, ma’am, but she is unaware.”

“You broke the curse when you found her.”

I shake my head. “The Moon Goddess told me she was mine. She said that she would need help to control her gifts.”

“Has she learned them?”

“She’s trying, Goddess, but it takes time. She can only control small amounts at a time. I’m trying to help her, but I only have information from a book.”

The Goddess touches her hand to my face. “You have a kind heart, Alpha. I know you will be good to my daughter. You will treat her with the love she should have had all of her life. She is special. Only a good man is deserving of her power.”

“Goddess, Realta. I should inform you that Richard Stewart was banished from my pack yesterday. I told him to leave my territory. I don’t know where you’ll find him now.”

She turns back to Natalie. Her palm glows red and she glides her hand across Natalie’s forehead. “Thank you, Alpha. I will leave your pack now. May I visit in the future? I wish to know my daughter.”

“Of course, Goddess. She will return to her pack soon, but once the Moon Goddess allows her to know that I’m her mate, I’ll bring her back here.”

“Realta is appropriate in this form. What pack?”

“She found a family in the Redd pack. They love her and are good to her.” She nods then touches Natalie’s hand. She places a soft kiss to her hair. She steps to me, gets to her toes, then places a kiss to my cheek. “Goodbye, Alpha Damon Ramirez.”

“Goodbye, Goddess Realta.” I watch her walk back the way she came from, then fade from my vision.

I let out an astonished breath. That was incredible. I spoke to a Starlight Sister in the flesh, the true mother of my mate. No wonder Stewart’s mate hated Natalie; she wasn’t her daughter. That’s no reason to hurt her though, no pup deserves to be treated as she was.

I think Mrs. Stewart got a death fitting her life. I check on my still sleeping mate. Her face has tear tracks and her blanket fell. I tuck her back in then wipe her cheeks. The red glow has me curious, but I close the door and head home. Once Natalie is tucked in bed, I write everything down before going to sleep.