The twin moon goddesses and their wolves had no idea how long they had been in the state they had found themselves. They had discovered through Lucifer's memories what had happened and why their souls were held by Lucifer. Now that they had all of their memories restored, they were trying to decide what the next step would be. Do the two of them return or do they simply let go and move on? It would be so much easier not to return and go to the land of the dead gods.
"Selene, really what is there for us if we go back? Why can we not just let go? We have lived for an eternity already and given enough of our hearts and souls." Katia said to her sister.
Selene looked at her sister and asked, "What of your mate? Don't you think he deserves another chance? What of your new pack?"
Katia grumbled, "Ah yes, my mate, maybe he just deserves someone better than me—someone not damaged. Being a goddess does not keep the abuse from changing you. It does not stop the hurt and the pain from rearing its ugly head at the most inopportune times. Maybe you got it wrong with this one, too. Maybe I am not meant for this gift bestowed to us."
"Titi, you messed up. We are only goddesses, we are not perfect. Your mind was a mess and it did not help that Uranus was using his magic to control individuals around us." Selene argued.
"If we go back, do you still want me to pick your mate?" Katia asked her sister.
"No, I think I will forgo that part of life in the earth realm with our wolves. Let them enjoy that part of life. I would like to focus on the new pack and saving those who are kidnapped, raped, tortured, sold, and whatever other evil is done. You know like we planned." Selene answered truthfully.
"We could mate Nathan to another and erase our mate bond altogether. I mean, they are our babies, and we can give and take." Katia responded.
"No, no, no. You girls must return and honor your mate bonds. You have much more to accomplish in that earthly realm than you know." Gaia's voice boomed around them. "Both of you asked for this species to be created, and for good reason. I granted Zeus the power to do so. I was so proud of you for wishing to create instead of destroy. Although you were infants, you knew what you wanted, and it was granted."
"But grandmother, I am tired. I want peace." Katia tried to explain.
"Selene, what about you? What are your thoughts?" Gaia asked of the other goddess.
"I wish for peace also. It is tiring trying to match the correct mates together." Selene told her grandmother.
"Grow up! Both of you wanted your wolves. That is why creating and nurturing life is tiring but so rewarding when it works out. Your wolves need both of you. Selene, you will not always make perfect matches, and Katia, neither will you with humans and wolves. However, you help them to survive and give them the tools to become more." Gaia sighed and continued, "Have you not paid attention to what just happened? To what had occurred in our own lives and realm? I have not created perfectly either. My own children had to fight their father. My grandchildren have had to hide from their grandfather and be the focus of his evil. That is my creation."
"But grandmother, you could not know these things would happen. It is not your fault." Katia whispered.
"Exactly, I could not know, and even with the bad, there had been good. Look at all that I have created. Not all are evil. There will always be good and bad. There is no way around that. It is what you do and how you handle the situations. There was a reason I suggested that Zeus ensure your powers could not be used for evil; it is because your births were prophesized, and now is the time for you to fulfill." Selene informed the two girls.
If Selene and Katia had their eyes they would have rolled them. "Great, another freaking prophecy. Who makes these things up? I would like to have a word with them." Katia interjected. Selene gave her two cents next, "What do we have to do now, ensure the vamps have mates too? So, what is this new prophecy?"
Gaia laughed and once again disciplined their bratty attitudes, "I said grow up, I was not kidding. Enough of this, poor me. I have had it so bad. Katia and Selene, knowing what happens to those who are treated the way you two have been is why you wanted Moon Touch and with that is going to come more responsibility. You both will return, honor your mate bonds, and help your wolves with what comes next. It is the only way they will survive. Your grandfather is gone and is not coming back. I have removed his evil magic from everywhere he had hidden it to hurt you, girls. Your hurt and pain will remain with you, and yes, certain things will trigger unwelcome reactions, but those who love you will be there with you. You will have each other and you will have what Zeus wanted for you. Use your life lessons to help those in the same hell you lived. Get them out and love them."
Katia, Selene, Loza, and even Aza, felt ashamed of themselves but did not realize they were acting so awful. They did not see past their own hurt and how they were letting others down. Katia wanted to ask her grandmother a question because she was pretty sure the old woman would be honest.
"Spit it out, granddaughter, and watch who you are calling old." Gaia surprised her granddaughter and heard her gasp.
"Grandmother, do you believe Nathan was right to do what he did? Now that you pointed out I was acting badly and using what happened to me as an excuse, I am thinking maybe he had a right to do so." Katia could barely speak the words for they made her feel like she was a terrible person.
"Katia and Selene, my beautiful, sweet girls, both of you have faced things no one should have to live through. You were both traumatized by those things. Trauma like that is horrible to live with, but you have to use it to find the strength to heal and live a better life. Katia, my precious, you needed someone to make you see what you were doing, but your mate went about it the wrong way. He could not control his feelings from the mate bond and Zeus' blood activating in him. That is no excuse, though he had many tell him to stop, and he did not. He went too far. Violence should never be used to control someone." Their grandmother told them. She added, "Although at times it is unavoidable when dealing with a fool who wanted to rule all realms."
Katia and Selene both spoke at the same time, "We have all mishandled so much."
Gaia smiled at her grandchildren and instructed them, "So, you go back and do better this time. If you need me I will come. I will always be watching over you. Please keep creating and keep your playful, curious ways. You girls have so many people and new things awaiting your return. Now go and be good girls. Your powers are returning now that your full memories are returned. I cannot wait for you two to discover what you can do for those good people that will surround you."
"Thank you, grandmother," both girls said to her. Gaia could not help it. Just as Zeus and Hera had fallen in love with these two, so had she. These two girls just had something about them that pulled you to them. "Now I am going to join Aza and Katia together again. Then your wolves will start healing your bodies and minds. It should not take long; you will know when it is time to return to your body. Your souls will strengthen as your bodies and minds heal. Remember, the trauma will follow you forever, but you can use it to help you through the tough times."
Gaia did as she said she would, and Katia immediately thought of Wolfie. She had missed her being there, and Wolfie was just as happy. As the grandmother departed, Katia heard her say, "Katia, you did well. I like the choice you made for your sister's mate."
There was laughter and one last departing word, "I bet that scared the hell out of those wolves."