Chapter 569

Everyone spun from the grave to see Alannah bent over in pain. Her hands were clutching her heavy belly as she stared down at the barely filled grave. "No…it’s too soon. They aren’t ready." She turned to look at me, and I could see the panic there.

My mother grabbed her side. "I don't think they agree with you, Momma." She wrapped her arm around Alannah's back, and Wendy stepped up to my side, taking my place. "Baby?" My mother looked at me over her shoulder as she spun the groaning Alannah back towards the cabin.

"Yeah?" I felt my stomach clench as I watched as my friend was herded away.

"Finish here. Then come upstairs." She turned away as Rowan stepped up next to me.

"I don't think we have the time to stay for the birth." His voice was soft, but Toya came back to our side.

She closed her eyes for a second and shook her head. "All the mind links from my pack were severed." Her voice was soft but filled with worry. "I've been trying to reach my father since the battle."

I reached for her hand, and she shuddered as the skin of our hands brushed each other, and another flash happened. "What is happening?"

Rowan shook his head. "I don't know. But the fact that the Moon Goddess is showing her favor so much right now doesn't sit well with me." He grabbed the shovel he had dropped. "Let's finish here so we can talk to your mother."

Rick stepped closer, catching me off guard. He gestured with his thumb over his shoulder. "Shelly took the girls inside, but I feel something too." Everyone turned to me. "What do you feel?"

I took a deep breath and cleared my mind as I closed my eyes. I felt a steadying hand on my back, and I thought it was Rowan, but then I felt power rush through me.

Open yourself. That voice sounded familiar, but it wasn't my mate or my grandmother. I shifted, and I felt her tsk at me. Don't worry about looking at me, child. You have seen me before; take what I am giving you. You will need it before the end of the night.

What will I have to do?

You will know. The Moon Goddess pressed against my back. The twins will be born under the light of tonight’s moon, and I will watch over them for you, for the male in that cold dark hole. But you, and your trusted here, will need to take the pathway.

The pathway? As the power filled me, I felt the Goddess mark on my brow light up, and Rowan stepped closer, whether chasing the draw of the power or just trying to keep me close, I didn’t know for sure.

"What's happening?" His voice held a hint of wonder and worry in equal measure as his eyes danced over my face.

+15 BONUS

You know the way. Your pack needs you. The kingdom needs you. Darkness is creeping in around the edges, and it needs to be stopped. The power rushed in faster. You need to be full, or all will be lost. The power needs to be a last resort. If you abuse it, if you waste this gift, then you will lose everything.

Everything? My mind started to race as the power filled every inch of my body. The power flowed to my toes and slowly filled me. My feet filled quickly, and I knew I could run faster than anyone alive. Then my knees, and jumping became something I could do between breaths. High walls meant nothing to the power coursing through me, but my body slammed to a dead cold when the power reached my core.

Two howls ripped through my body, twining together until they ripped from my lips in a terrifyingly protective display. Rowan reared back from me, fear creeping in as he whipped around to stare out into the trees.

"What is it?" He spun in a circle, checking every dark shadow. "Is someone here?"

The king doesn’t know yet, not unless you tell him, which, if you ask me…he has the right to know. The Goddess seemed to pause, the power pooling in my stomach. This is not a guarantee but an offering. A prize, if you will. But heed my warning. Even for your babe, waste nothing I give you, or else you will lose it all. I will watch over the ones here. Save my people. And rise, Queen Amy. The power surged and filled the rest of my body, and then, like a cry on the wind, she was gone.

The power burned just under my skin. Any breath I took, I felt I would explode, shooting sparks, or maybe fire out with each exhale, but I pushed it away.

Rowan cupped my face. "Baby, talk to me…what's wrong?" He leaned in. "And don't lie to me."

I raised my hand and pressed his against my face. "Nothing's wrong." He lifted an eyebrow as I smiled. "The Moon Goddess revealed something to me." I pulled his hand away from my face and pressed it against my stomach. "She was giving me power for what's coming, and with it, she revealed that we…"

Rowan pulled in a breath. "What?"