Liana paced her quarters, her irritation bubbling just beneath the surface. Kaelan’s refusal to accept her as his Luna had been a blow to her pride and plans. She clenched her fists, her mind racing for a way to regain control. When Gareth entered, his usual smirk firmly in place, she stopped mid-step, her expression dark.
“He said no,” she snapped. “He told his father he hadn’t seen a sign from the Moon Goddess yet.”
Gareth raised a brow, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Kaelan’s always been annoyingly devout. He won’t move without some divine confirmation.”
“Which he won’t get,” Liana hissed, her frustration boiling over. “I’ve done everything. The pack sees me as a hero. His father is practically handing him to me, and still, he resists.”
Gareth’s smirk widened, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “Then perhaps we give him the sign he’s looking for.”
Liana frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Gareth straightened, his tone turning serious. “If Kaelan needs a message from the Moon Goddess, we’ll give him one. A carefully crafted vision—one so convincing he won’t question it for a second.”
Liana’s eyes widened as the realization dawned on her. “You want to stage a message from the Moon Goddess?”
“Exactly,” Gareth replied, his confidence unwavering. “We’ll make him believe the Moon Goddess is telling him to choose you as his Luna. He’ll have no choice but to accept it.”
Liana hesitated, the weight of the deception giving her pause. “That’s… dangerous. If he ever finds out—”
“He won’t,” Gareth interrupted firmly. “We’ll make sure of it. I know someone who can help—a witch skilled in illusions. She can create the perfect scene. Kaelan will never know the difference.”
After a moment, Liana nodded, her determination returning. “Do it. Whatever it takes, make it happen.”
***
The journey to the witch’s dwelling was shrouded in secrecy. Gareth led Liana deep into the forest, far from the pack’s prying eyes. The path was narrow and overgrown, the air thick with an unnatural stillness.
When they arrived, the witch’s hut was barely more than a hovel, its crooked roof and sagging walls giving it a foreboding appearance. The air around it seemed to hum with latent energy.
The witch greeted them with a knowing smile, her piercing eyes seeming to see straight through them. She was draped in dark, tattered robes, her gray hair wild around her face.
“You seek a vision,” the witch said, her voice rasping like dry leaves.
“Yes,” Gareth replied, stepping forward. “We need the Alpha to believe the Moon Goddess has spoken to him. Can you make that happen?”
The witch studied them for a moment before nodding. “It is possible. But such things come at a price.”
Gareth and Liana exchanged a glance before Gareth asked, “What kind of price?”
The witch’s smile widened. “That remains to be seen. But for now, bring me something of the Alpha’s—an object he holds dear. It will help anchor the vision to his mind.”
“We’ll get it,” Liana said quickly.
The witch gave a slow nod. “Return when you have it. Then we will begin.”
As they left the hut, Liana felt a shiver run down her spine. She had always been willing to do whatever it took to achieve her goals, but this plan felt darker than anything she had attempted before. Still, the prize was worth the risk.