Macy POV
I stare out of the window in my room. The iron bars are a new addition. I am surprised they had them installed so quickly. They made sure to place them on the inside so no one would know I am being held captive. The South Pack used to be a place that accepted everyone, but I guess a mythical creature from another realm is where they draw the line.
Nyx has never been away from me for this long, and it is painful without her by my side. It feels like I am missing part of myself, but it was necessary to send her after them. She was certain that she could find the twins and tell them what to do. They need to get to the Immortal Realm. They belong there. If I can't be safe, at least they will be.
I let the curtains fall closed, and wipe the wetness from my eyes. There are now two different cuffs on my wrists. One is silver, and the other is iron. The silver one is cold against my skin, but the iron one stings. The metal bites at my skin and is turning my flesh raw. It just confirms what I already know. I am not a werewolf. I am Fae.
A cold nose nuzzles the back of my leg, and I know Nyx has come back to me. "Did you find them?"
'I did,' she sighs.
"Did you tell them to leave without me?" I ask.
'I told them to go to the Immortal Realm,' she replies.
"What did you do?" I question as I spin around to look at her.
'I told them to find Cassian,' she replies. 'He will help us.'
"Who is Cassian?"
Nyx settles on the floor. She is tired from her journey away from me. I know it puts a strain on her magic. 'I don't know what Cassian is anymore,' she admits. 'When I was his warrior, he was a prince, but I have been away for so long, and I don't know what title he holds now.'
"Tell me why I am here," I beg. "I want to know the whole truth. Not just a half truth."
'I was Cassian's warrior. I was charged with his protection. He came through the portal to the Human Realm in hopes of finding his mate,' Nyx speaks with no emotion. 'Only when I came through the portal after him, Cassian wasn't waiting on me, but the Moon Goddess was. The Fae had done unspeakable things in the past, and she held a grudge. She cursed me with this life.'
"Where do I fit into this?" I demand. "I have a right to know."
'It took Cassian hundreds of years to find his mate, and when he did, she died in childbirth. With a human child and no mate, there was nothing left for him in the Human Realm. So, he went back to the Immortal Realm without me,' Nyx begins to choke on her words. This story is painful for her, but I need to know the truth.
"What happened to the baby?" I ask, but I think I already know.
'She was picked up by a woman named Narah and taken to an orphanage,' Nyx says in shame.
I swallow the lump in the back of my throat. "Narah took my mother."
'She was pregnant with Mae and didn't want another child,' Nyx explains. 'Her mate was an awful human. She had no choice.'
"Did you know I would be this way?"
'I knew eventually a Fae child would be born. I had no idea it would be so soon,' she admits.
"You chose me," I whisper. "Knowing what I would be."
'The Moon Goddess wants to keep you,' she admits. 'For the crimes that the Fae King committed thousands of years ago.'
"What crimes?" I want to know.
'Now isn't the time for that story,' Nyx deflects.
"When will be the right time?" I shout.
Before Nyx can speak, the lock on my door clicks, and I back against the wall. Mom slides into the room, and a glimmer of hope washes through me. She won't let Raven take me. I know she won't.
For the first time in a long time, I hold my arms out for her. As we embrace, she sobs gently into my shoulder. "I have done all that I can."
"It's okay," I tell her. "I am sorry for the things I said. I know you love me."
Mom squeezes me tightly before letting go. "They want to leave tonight once the twins return."
I shake my head. "They aren't coming back."
"What do you mean?" Raven's voice comes from the door.
Her arms are crossed over her chest, and I can tell she has been crying. I try to feel some sort of sympathy toward her, but I can't find any. She is the Luna Queen that I once knew and I doubt I can ever forgive her for the things that she has said about Nyx and me.
"I deserve a moment alone with my mother," I tell her proudly.
"Where have my sons gone?" She asks.
I try to lie to her. I open my mouth, but the words will not come out. My eyes dart to Nyx, and she groans. 'You can no longer lie. You will have to find a way to speak around the truth.'
"I sent them away," I tell Raven.
"Where did you send them?" Raven hisses at me.
"Where they belong," I attempt to growl at her, but without Nyx it comes out pathetic.
"They will not leave without you," Raven snaps. "I raised them to respect the mate bond."
I snort with laughter. She is so full of shit. Her sons never cared about the mate bond. "They are gone, Raven. You drove them away."
Raven's eyes flash with anger. She is not used to me challenging her, but I refuse to back down now.
"Don't bother to pack your things," Raven growls. "You will have an appropriate wardrobe waiting for you."
"Where are we going?" I ask. "I think I have a right to know."
"You will be going to the Royal Grounds outside of the North Pack," she tells me. "When my sons return, you will be ready for them. You will be introduced as their mate but you will not hold the title of the Luna Queen. I will find a suitable she-wolf for that position."
"Goddess, what the fuck has happened to you?" I whimper. "We used to be close. I thought of you as a second mother."
"Mistakes were made," she tells me.
"I hope they don't return," I admit. "If they do, they won't be alone and this world will burn."
"You are delusional," Raven sighs. "No one on the other side of that portal is waiting for you."