“That witch didn't disappear on her own,” growls Selena, “and we already saw your little necromancy trick. You know it was possible, at least partially, to bring your mate back. Something went wrong with that spell, which is why you didn't want Mara to see that memory.”
I see Luna step back this time. She glances at all three of us and growls a bit again, without much conviction this time.
“You won't understand,” she whimpers. “You can't understand…”
"Luna, we are not here to judge you or blame you. But there's something you've been hiding for way, way too long, and you have to let it go, now. You can hide the truth if you want. That's completely your call. But by doing so, you will also be burying any chance for change."
“Any chance to let go of your pain,” adds Nora with her gentle voice.
“...I am Luna,” she says. “I made no mistake. I tried to protect my family, my mate, and I failed. That witch was responsible for everything.”
“For Moon Goddess' sake,” growls Selena. “Everyone makes damn mistakes! You're not the Moon Goddess and you're not perfect! What is wrong with you?!”
"Selena..."
“No, Mara, I'm growing tired of this shit! We are here extending our hands to this selfish bitch while our mates and our packs are still fighting Moon Goddess knows what out there! It's too damn late to play the innocent gentle Luna soul now, so just fucking spit it out!”
Luna growls, furious, but... I can't say Selena is wrong. She may have said things a bit... too brutally, though. I take a deep breath and step forward, ignoring the loud growls coming from both sides.
"Luna, once you admit what truly happened, and face it... You'll be able to let go of all of this. I promise. I know it's probably... painful, and heart-wrenching enough that you would have rather held on to a centuries-old curse than to relive what happened here. But... once you learn to face the truth, no matter how painful it was, a lot of things can get better."
“...You can learn to forgive those who hurt you,” gently says Nora.
“You can also get stronger from it,” adds Selena. “Everyone makes mistakes.”
"...And from those mistakes, something better can be reborn," I finish. "...Luna, please. This curse has to end now. With the truth. We have made too many sacrifices already."
“...Alright,” she mutters, “but... promise me after this, I will be free to go. For... real, this time.”
"I promise," I say, standing back up, "but first, let Nora and Selena go, please."
“Mara? What are you talking about?”
"This is a time loop, just like the one I was in earlier. The concept of time is different here. If you don't get out quick enough... who knows how long we will really spend here? It might be days before we come back."
“But–”
"You have children," I say before they can protest. "You should go back to your mates, tell them we won. I will... stay here, and learn the truth. I'm the only one who can afford to stay."
They lower their heads, knowing exactly what I mean. My mate isn't waiting for me.
Chapter 40
The two wolves by my side exchange a look, and I can feel their hesitation. I take a deep breath, and nod.
"It's really alright, I promise. You two go back. There's no more danger now, nothing I can't handle alone. Go back to your mates and everyone. They need you."
“...We need you too,” whispers Nora. “You have to come back, Mara.”
"I know. It's okay."
“We're serious,” growls Selena. “You'd better bring your ass back as soon as you can. We do need you, and I don't want to lose anyone else today.”
"I promise I'll do all I can to come back... as soon as possible," I add as soon as she growls again.
I hear them sigh in my head, but I try to stay reassuring. I'm tired, but... at least, I feel like the final fight is over. This is... just part of the aftermath. We did it. Now, it's just up to me to get to the bottom of things and prevent it from ever happening again. Nora and Selena were a huge help, and I wouldn't have gone that far or even survived if it wasn't for them, but... this confrontation between me and Luna doesn't need to involve them. This is my cross to bear, and they don't need to shoulder that burden with me. I know they want to go back to their mates, and they deserve to. I turn back to Luna, still crouching in the snow blanket.
"Send them back. Please," I insist.
