Tish POV
Raven is still recovering from childbirth, and I am doing my best to help her and complete my Luna duties. By the end of each night, my body is exhausted and aching, not to mention the waves of nausea that seem to appear at the most inconvenient moments.
Right now, I am sitting at my desk, trying to make sense of the paperwork Luna Scarlett left behind. As far as I can tell, she had several secret accounts. She has been hiding millions of dollars from the pack and her family.
"Luna," someone calls through the door as they knock.
"Come in," I call out.
One of the Omegas walks in with a terrified look on her face. She slowly steps to the side, and I have to do a double take. At first, I am sure Mae is standing in the doorway. I have forgotten just how similar they look.
"I am sorry, Luna," the Omega whimpers. "She demanded to see the Luna Queen but..."
"It is fine," I sigh. "You can leave her with me."
The Omega looks at Narah and sucks in a sharp breath. "Should I alert Alpha Kaden?"
"No," I groan. "She won't hurt me."
The Omega hesitates to leave but eventually meshes out of the office when Narah chants nonsense. As soon as she is gone, clarity returns to Narah's eyes and she smiles evilly.
"That wasn't very nice," I grumble.
Narah sits down across from me and smiles. "It's more fun to be crazy."
"I see you are coherent today," I joke.
"Nyx and I agreed this visit would be less alarming if she stayed hidden," Narah explains as if I know what she is talking about.
"Why are you here?" I ask. "I thought you couldn't leave the North Pack."
"I am not confined by rules," she scoffs. "I need to see the babies."
"You NEED to see them?" I snort. "That is up to Raven."
"You address the Luna Queen so informally," Narah cocks her head and gives me a strange look.
"We are friends," I try to explain.
"No," Narah snaps. "It is more than that. The bond was formed at birth."
I squirm uneasily in my seat. No one was told of Raven's prophecy, not even my mates. I don't like that Narah knows. I don't care that everyone else has forgiven her. I can't. I still see the crazy, homeless woman who darted in and out of Mae's life.
"You don't like me," Narah echoes my thoughts.
"Stay out of my mind," I groan.
"I don't have to be in your mind to see that you don't like me," Narah frowns.
"How I feel about you is no consequence," I say, clearing the papers from my desk.
"I would like to die knowing that Nyx will be in good hands," she says.
"Who is Nyx again?" I grumble.
"Nyx is my wolf," Narah replies, her eyebrows furrowed together in confusion.
My mouth drops open. I have questions. In fact, my questions have questions, but there is no time for me to ask them. My office door flings open, and Raven comes inside with the twins.
Edward is screaming as usual, and Raven looks like she is at her wit's end. Winston is sleeping silently, not caring about the noise his brother is making.
"Right on time," Narah smirks.
Raven doesn't seem to notice Narah as she strides across the office and thrusts Edward into my arms. He instantly cuddles close to my chest and makes a cooing noise. My face heats with embarrassment. I am the only one who can settle Edward like this. I can see the pain that it causes Raven, and I hate it. I gently pat him on the bottom until he falls asleep, and then I try to hand him back to Raven, but she refuses to take him.
"He hates me," she cries. "Why does my child prefer you?"
I pull my lip between my teeth and chew on it nervously. I don't have an answer for her.
"It isn't Luna Tish," Narah speaks. "It is the child she carries within her."
Raven's Eyes finally land on Narah, but she does not look surprised to see her. She does look pissed, though.
"You said one dark child," she hisses at Narah. "Not two."
"I cannot be correct all of the time," Narah responds.
"So, my children are the dark ones?" Raven sobs.
"Only if they are not tamed by her child," Narah nods in my direction. "The bond between them is already strong."
"How is that possible?" Raven mutters. "They aren't even close to eighteen. How can they be bonded to a fetus?"
"That is not a question for me," Narah shrugs. "Only the Moon Goddess knows why she does these things."
"This is a lot of pressure to put on babies," I say my thoughts aloud, but neither of them are listening to me.
Suddenly, Raven looks at Narah with a sense of clarity. "How are you here?"
"I left," Narah replies simply.
"Why?" Raven demands to know.
"My time on this earth is nearing the end," she says like it is no big deal. "I would like to die in battle."
"Battle?" I shout. "What battle?"
"The enemy ascends," Narah replies, her eyes flashing a strange color of blue.
Raven hands me Winston as well and kneels down in front of Narah.
"When are they coming?" She asks Narah gently.
"The forces to the ready," Narah replies, and I know she is no longer lucid.
"When?" Raven shouts at her.
"To die in battle so Nyx can have a new life," Narah says.
"What does that mean?" I ask in a panicked voice.
Raven looks up from Narah with tears in her eyes. "We need to find our mates now."
"What does she mean when she says she is giving her wolf a new life," I demand to know.
"We can discuss that after we make battle plans," Raven scolds me.
"A new life," Narah chants quietly.