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Feminine perfume wafts toward me. Something outdated and heavy with a distinct floral smell. It’s no more familiar than the voice still calling to me.
This way, Tasha.
I put my hand out in front of me as a guide and move until I find a smooth surface. I let the wall lead me forward until it stops suddenly in a point and turns to the right. I follow the smell of perfume as I turn a corner and am suddenly blinded by bright white walls and a well lit, empty space.
There’s a vaguely familiar woman standing ahead of me, though she’s familiar mostly by reputation. I’ve never seen her in person myself. I never needed to.
“Luna.”
She turns at the sound of my voice and offers a warm smile. “Technically, that’s you now, dear.” Emotion wells up in my throat.
A thick curtain of gray hair hangs loosely around her shoulders. She moves toward me, a long, bright blue dress swirling around her ankles and framing her bare feet. Her old school, bohemian style suits her—and seems to confirm that the Luna Sovereign house is only decorated to taste.
“Where are we?” It’s a struggle to force my voice above a whisper. If I’m talking to a dead woman, what does that say about me? Most of us hear the voices of our ancestors, but I’ve never heard of anyone actually speaking to one in the flesh.
“Officially? This is only a dream.” Her smile falters slightly.
“And unofficially?”
“This is a warning.” She beckons me closer. “The Luna Sovereignty has been passed down for many generations. There’s never been a disruption to that power… until now. You were meant to be delivered to the Sovereign house the second the Sovereign Pack took possession of you.”
“What about training?”
“There is no formal training to be a Luna Sovereign, Tasha. You’re chosen for your instincts. History can be learned from books, over time. Instinct cannot be taught.”
All that time I spent politely sitting through agonizingly dull study sessions… that wasn’t necessary? “I don’t understand. Why did Waverly insist on so much training if that’s not the way things are done?” Because Waverly hates me. I can answer that for myself. “Why didn’t anyone else say anything?”
“Loyalties will be tested. Even yours.”
The former Luna breathes out a soft sigh. I don’t know what kind of magic allows her to come to me like this, but I can tell in the weary slant of her shoulders that it’s draining her to be here. I hate that this is taxing for her, but I’m desperate for her guidance and so thankful to see her. I don’t feel like I deserve to be Luna Sovereign, not when I’m still such an emotional, grief-stricken mess.
“What exactly does that mean? I think I proved my loyalty when I left my sister because the Sovereign Pack was calling for me. And if the Sovereign Pack’s loyalty isn’t to the Luna Sovereign, then whoarethey loyal to?”
“Some things are bigger than one wolf, Tasha.” She reaches out and pats my arm. I can actually feel her touching me, proving that this really is more than a simple dream. I struggle to swallow a nervous lump in my throat. This shouldn’t be possible, her speaking to me and touching me. “The Sovereign Pack has served its purpose, but their loyalties are being twisted now. They need to be dealt with, and you need to decide who you’ll trust to be loyal by your side. It’s no longer enough to live a life of solitude at the top. Maybe it never was…” She trails off wistfully.
“There was someone you missed.” I don’t have to phrase it as a question, I can hear it in her voice. The kind of loss no one can escape once they’ve faced it.
She nods once. “You should think carefully about what you’re willing to sacrifice. Being the Luna Sovereign does not mean you must be a martyr like I was. There’s a war brewing, and living alone means fighting alone. Don’t make the same mistake I did.”
“I’m not living alone right now. Paxton is here.” Until I decide what to do about that whole mess of a situation with him.
She pats my arm again. “Keep an open mind, Tasha. Your family could bring salvation or ruin. Every choice you make will count from this day forward. If you want to preserve our kind, you need to bring the family back together.”
Her eyes move to stare over my shoulder. I follow her gaze, but there’s nothing there. I squint to see if I’m missing something as I ask, “Which family?”
But when I turn back to her, she’s gone, and I’m all alone again.
13
Tasha
I wake up to a new day. Sunlight streams in through the open curtains, bathing my lap in light as I sit up. I fell asleep easier than I expected to, but I don’t exactly feel well rested. The heavy comforter has slipped off the foot of the bed, and the sheets under my body are disheveled, as if I’ve tossed and turned all night.
After my conversation with the last Luna Sovereign, I’m not surprised I was restless.
If I could, I would tell myself it was all a dream and not to worry about it. My mind is heavy enough without the warning of war and conflict weighing on it as well. But even if it somehowwasonly a vivid dream, I have to heed the warning the Luna left me with. The Sovereign Pack has proven itself untrustworthy and conflict in the shifter world has already revealed itself.
Doubly so if there are humans behind any of it. Peter’s words from when he dropped me off are still fresh in my mind, his warning that there could be a human after the land under me.
