Their Warrior Luna
Chapter 65

Harley:

I ran into the chaos of gnashing teeth and screaming. Metal clanking and shattering bones and the only thing hanging in the air is the smell of iron and fear. I stepped over body after body with sweat dripping down my brow in search of only one thing… well… three things.

They were fighting the troops that Alistair had spent so much time and effort on, and he was fighting his own people to protect mine. I was sideswiped by an ogre and the blade of his sword dug deep into my leg, cutting into my thigh from h*p to knee, but I couldn’t feel the pain for the fear that was coursing through me. Something was coming from the back of the troops and whatever it was, it was big, and it was heading right for my men.

I gripped my sword tightly, it was so full of my b***d that it felt as light as paper and I knew by the warmth coursing through it, it was ready to do whatever I asked it to do. I don’t know if it is the b***d loss or the sword, but everything went quiet, the battle went into slow motion, and I watched as the people I grew up with sacrificed themselves for the protection of the home the generations before us had worked so hard to create for us. I took in Alistair and thought about how he had walked the realms for goddess knows how long and I thought about the kingdom he had built. Both of those things are a part of mine now. My hand wrapped around my throat, and I felt the warmth and love I had for them tingling in the skin covered by their marks and I knew one thing without a doubt. This must stop.

“End this Harley, before we lose anyone else.” My wolf said, as strongly and as confident as I felt at that moment.

I made my way to the stage that typically is used during pack meetings and would have been used in my Luna ceremony if I could ever replace time to have one and slowly, I limped up the steps. I dug the blade into the wood of the stage to get my composure. My head swam from the gash in my thigh that I was starting to think would end me. Even with my wolf healing me rapidly, I had fed so much of myself into the sword I was struggling to recover.

“Termine esto.” I whispered to the sword to end this. I am so tired of the destruction and never-ending chaos.

All these people are my people. I am their Luna and their queen. From this day forward, I will make sure they are equal, and together. I drew the sword back high over my head and slashed through the air. It was like the heavens had opened, letting through a blinding light of blues, greens, and purples, slashing across the universe. In my mind, I pictured the two realms I belong to merging into one and, just like in my mind, the realms did as I asked. I was so caught up in watching the scene before me that I hadn’t realized my men were at my side holding me up. My head was spinning, and my heart was ready to explode. It was thudding so hard. I stood up straighter to address the people before me, the fighting had stopped, and their heads were turned upward staring at what was once a normal night sky but now it looked illuminated by the goddesses.

“This is how it was supposed to have always been. Together, unified, and stronger because of it. This fight was senseless and because of it, good people died. You were tricked by a witch who was starving for power and didn’t care who got hurt in the crossfire. I am your Luna, your queen. I care about your well-being and your future growth. You don’t know me yet, but you will.” I stepped back into the embrace of my mates as the crowd took in each other and a low rumble of applause started between them.

The realms were one now and I like to think that, because of the sky being illuminated with dancing lights, the goddesses approved of my decision.

“I knew you could do it, Harls.” A familiar face rang from behind me, and I stilled. No… it is b***d loss, it couldn’t be.

Axel and Atlas’s laughter sent blissful tingles across my spine, forcing me to turn and look in the direction I was sure I had heard… Denny.

I ran as fast as my injured leg would allow, crashing into my bandaged and tender brother who was sobbing as hard as I was.

“How is this possible?” I sobbed into his still mangled chest.

Doris stepped up with a man I had never seen before. I somehow knew I owed this to them.

“When I heard what was going on, I knew exactly where your brother’s heart was. I went and got it for you and this kind man right here, did the magic required to, ya know… sew him all together again. good as new.” Her rosy cheeks chuckled and if I weren’t covered in b***d I would hug her and never let her go.

“Come here, little bird. There is something we need to do.” Axel pulled me up. Denny wrapped my other arm around his neck and, with their help, I hobbled back onto the stage and back to being surrounded by the four men I love the most.

“If you missed the queen’s speech, I pity you. It was as spectacular as she is. If you missed the battle, something miraculous happened in the middle of the madness. By the grace of the goddesses, we were blessed with an incredible mate. With her magic, she decided to mesh the two realms that needed her the most. From now on, there will be no separation of the damned and the light. Everyone in attendance here, I would like to introduce you to the amazing, incredible, Harley Grace Ashwood.” Atlas turned to me, and the crowd erupted in laughter and applause. We were all covered in b***d and there was a group of both Clearwater and Kingdom cleaning the bodies of our lost.

“Is this really the right time to do this?” I asked them.

“This version of you, that is standing before them right now, is the real and true you. You will never be the queen or Luna who plans parties and plays house and it is only right that the people you will lead see you as the fierce and graceful warrior that you will always be first.” Alistair kissed my forehead tenderly and the twins surrounded me. The three of them plus Denny took me in a bone-crushing hug and, for the first time since the chaos began, my body, mind, and soul… were at peace.

I let them surround me in their warmth as the lights continued to shine. The crowd had cleared in an attempt to see where their homes and lives were going to be now that the two realms were one.

I sheathed the sword that had used most of my b***d energy to cause the merging of realms. I took the steps to the elevator as the boys and even Denny ensured everything ran smoothly and I collapsed in the elevator in exhaustion. I kept thinking about how this merger would work and if everyone would be able to exist peacefully. I thought maybe after time they would live peacefully, even though I knew it would take time.

My mind flashed to the old woman and how her heart had turned to dust when I ripped it out. Suddenly my body jolted alert, and fear filled me. Her body had turned to dust with every cut I made on her skin and bone… I was so naïve to not have realized it sooner. That old b***h used a clone…

I tried so hard to struggle to get onto my feet but my legs just weren’t having it. The twins pried the elevator door open as I panicked over my legs not working.

“What’s wrong? We felt you through the bond, are you okay?” Axel scooped me up, making me wince at the pain slicing through my leg.

“I’m great. A couple of things though: I have lost too much b***d and my wolf is having hell healing me. The second thing is, I think the old hag used a clone. I don’t think I actually killed her and… I kicked Adoria into The Nothing. Axel, this isn’t over. If I’m right, that old b***h and her pathetic daughter will be back.” His beautiful eyes were looking deep into mine, probably trying to see if I was tripping because of b***d loss or if I was just delusional. I saw the exact moment he knew I was firm in my realization. He clutched me tightly against him while the three of them took me to the hospital in silence.

We won this time… but was this a battle or a war?