Eighth-Born Luna (Emily and Nathan) novel Chapter 54

My blood turned to ice. “You lied to Nathan?”

The witch nodded slowly.

Chapter 54

“About what?”

Her gaze traveled over me, but she wasn’t looking at my face. She was looking through me.

“About what I find out from rogue.”

The world seemed to shrink. The greenhouse, the flowers, the sunlight–it all blurred until there was only Zynair’s

Toice.

“What did you find out?” I demanded.

Her eyes darkened, turning almost black. “The Rogue King isn’t looking for some random girl, Emily. He’s earching for someone rare. Someone whose power lives in the oldest blood. Someone who can break the balance.”

My stomach twisted into a knot. “That has nothing to do with me. I’m nobody.”

Zynair didn’t blink. “Doesn’t it?”

“No. You’re wrong.” But even to my own ears, I sounded like I was lying.

“I saw what the rogue was hiding before he died,” she said, stepping closer. “Only a flash. But it was enough.”

“What did you see?”

She glanced at the greenhouse door, then back at me. “The wolf. The pure White wolf”

I stopped breathing. I forced myself not to move, not to show her how wrong she is right about the color of Nyx.

My mouth went bone–dry. “What do you want?”

“I want you to live.”

The answer was so simple it was terrifying.

“If I had told Nathan what I truly saw,” Zynair said, her voice dropping so low I had to lean in to hear her. “He would have been forced to tell his father. The Alpha King doesn’t keep secrets from the High Priestesses. And those women? They would have locked you in a silver–lined dungeon before the sun even came up.”

I recoiled as if she’d slapped me. A cold shiver raced down my spine. “He wouldn’t do that. He’s my…”

I couldn’t finish the word. Mate. My heart bled just thinking it.

“Nathan might want to protect you,” Zynair challenged, her eyes flashing. “But the Priestesses? They don’t care

L

“But why?” Lwhispered, my voice shaking. “I’m just me.”

“Because of the old legends, Emily. The White Wolf is a myth, and myths are dangerous. The prophecy says the White Wolf can save the world or burn it to the ground. If the Rogue King gets his hands on you, it’s the end of

every pack.”

37

She stepped closer. This time, I didn’t back away.

“An Alpha protects what he’s afraid to lose,” Zynair said, her voice hard and cold. “But the High Priestesses and he Alpha King? They won’t see a girl. They’ll see a weapon. They will try to control you, Emily. And if they can’t control you… They’ll remove the threat.”

The words felt like lead in my chest. “You’re making me sound like a prize.”

Her expression twisted into something dark and haunting. “You’re worse than a prize, Emily. You are a reason for

war.”

The bucket slipped from my numb fingers. Thud. The sound cracked through the quiet garden like a bone

breaking.

Zynair didn’t even flinch. “I didn’t tell him because the secret is still yours. For now.”

“For now?” I whispered, my breath hitching.

“The moon doesn’t stay hidden forever, Emily. Soon, everyone will see what you are. Secrets like this don’t stay

buried. They claw their way out.”

I shook my head, backing away until I hit the greenhouse wall. “No. I’m not what you think. I’m not dangerous.”

“I didn’t say you were dangerous,” she corrected.

“You just said I could start a war!”

“No,” she said, her voice barely a breath. “I said others would start a war over you.”

My chest tightened until I couldn’t breathe. In my dream, Stella had looked at me and screamed: “Kill her.”

I gripped the edge of the barrel to keep from collapsing. “Why are you telling me this?”

Zynair’s face softened, just for a second. “Because every man in that hall is going to make a decision about your ife the moment they find out. Nathan. The Council of Alphas. The Rogue King. Even Stella.” She paused. “But you

should be the first one to decide.”

I stared at her. The sunlight felt cold on my skin. “What am I supposed to do?”

“Decide who gets to own the truth,” she said.

From inside the greenhouse, I heard Jessie laugh. I heard Poppy saying something back. Their lives were so normal, just a few feet away. But I knew, with a sinking certainty, that I could never go back to that. I was no longer just Emily.

nair turned to melt back into the shadows.

“Wait!” I called out. She stopped. “Does Nathan know you lied?”

“No.”

“And if he finds out?”

Her mouth tightened. “Then he’ll come for you before anyone else can. And he won’t let go.”

My heart gave one hard, painful throb. I thought of Nathan’s hands on Stella. I thought of how he chose the pack over me. I thought of his voice in the dark, telling me he couldn’t choose wrong.

I lifted my chin. My fear was still there, but it was being pushed aside by something hotter. Something stronger.

“Then I won’t be here when he does,” I said.

Zynair looked at me for a long beat. Then, she gave a single, slow nod. She had expected me to say that.

‘Good.”

“Good?” I asked, confused.

She looked toward the dark treeline.

“To survive what’s coming, Emily, you’re going to need more than a mate.” She stepped back, disappearing into the vines. “You’re going to need yourself.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify