Goodbye, My Mate

Chapter 171

Lucas' POV

"Alpha, we’ve found a woman lurking around. She demands to see you. She claims she has something you really need to know," a soldier reported to me, his voice tight with urgency.

"Bring her in." I set the phone down and exhaled deeply. I had exhausted all my resources. Leah was nowhere to be found, and she wouldn’t respond to my mindlink. Time was slipping away with only ten hours left.

I hadn’t slept in three days, and without Leah by my side, my focus was shattered.

"Alpha Lucas," a woman entered my office, cloaked in a voluminous medieval hood.

"Who are you, and why are you here?" I demanded, narrowing my eyes as I tried to pierce the shadows concealing her face. Despite the obscurity, she felt oddly familiar.

"Every werewolf knows my name. I have come to answer your call," she intoned, bowing slightly before throwing back her hood, revealing silver-white hair that glittered like stardust. Her skin shimmered like moonlit silver, casting a soft, ethereal glow.

My pulse quickened. You’ve got to be kidding me. I rose from my chair, my mind racing. This woman... she looks exactly like... the Moon Goddess?

No, this is impossible! I shook my head, battling the notion that I was losing my sanity.

She continued, her voice smooth and haunting. "I know what you want, Lucas. But to achieve it, you must sacrifice something."

I scoffed, "I don’t need to sacrifice anything. I could just tie you to a pole, set you on fire, and then you'll tell me everything."

She smirked, an enigmatic glimmer in her eyes. "Ah, the famous White Walkers method of interrogation. But, I’m afraid it won’t work on me."

With that, she began to levitate, her silver hair floating as if carried by an invisible current. Silver beams cascaded from her like moonlight, bathing everything in a ghostly light.

What is this? A sorceress's trick? Could she really be... the Moon Goddess?!

My experiences had never prepared me for something like this. Rumors spoke of the Moon Goddess's appearances during times of impending catastrophe. She glided towards me, lowered her head, and gently touched my face, her touch like the cool caress of night.

"Lucas, you were once my favored creation. That’s why I chose you as Leah’s mate. Never did I imagine you would dare to betray me. Do you think you can defy me without any consequences?"

I met her gaze, my voice steady. "I have always been taught to respect you, and I do. But you have no right to manipulate an innocent girl’s life. Lucian, Leah’s biological father, wanted her dead so he could be the next Lycan King. If I hadn’t intervened, it would have been another Lycan family tragedy. I wasn’t trying to betray you; I was trying to save my mate, my wife, who is pregnant with my cub. If someone needs to be blamed, blame me. It was all my idea. Leave Leah out of this."

"Interesting," the Moon Goddess mused, a mysterious smile playing on her lips. "A werewolf who negotiates with his creator. Quite fascinating. You truly are destined to be the Lycan Queen’s husband, aren't you?"

I stayed silent, my resolve unwavering.

The Moon Goddess stepped back, her gaze icy and unyielding. "The only reason I’m sparing your life today is because you are Leah's mate. But don’t mistake this for tolerance of your betrayal. You must be punished. I am taking something from you."

"What do you want?" I demanded, desperation in my voice. "I'll give you anything."

She withdrew her hand, her eyes narrowing. "People always say that. But they never comprehend the weight behind those words."

"What do you mean?"

"You'll see."

Suddenly, a searing pain ripped through my chest. I looked down in horror as my chest seemed to split open, a blinding white light piercing through me.

"Werewolves of old used to sacrifice their hearts to me. It has always been my favorite ritual," the Moon Goddess said, her eyes glowing a terrifying red as she reached into my chest and pulled out my heart.

Instantly, a hollow emptiness consumed me.

"But how can someone live without a heart?!" I collapsed, writhing in agony on the floor, my voice a guttural cry.

"You’ll manage. Look at the Lycan King; he was doing quite well until you ended his reign," she said, her voice laced with cruelty.

"He was a cruel, ruthless tyrant who murdered his own brother! I don’t want to be like him!" I yelled, choking on my own blood, rolling in my pain and my own crimson pool.

"I’m afraid that’s not for you to decide. Live the rest of your life without the ability to love. When your merciful death comes, we’ll meet again. As for Leah, you’d better hurry to the Court now," she said.

Then, she vanished into thin air, leaving only her hood behind.

My chest felt like it was being torn apart from within, each beat of my heart reminding me of its absence. The Moon Goddess had taken more than just my heart; she had stolen my ability to love, leaving a gnawing void that consumed my very soul. The pain was unending, a burning agony that left me gasping for breath. Every breath was a struggle, a silent scream against the cruel fate thrust upon me.

I could still feel the phantom echoes of a heart that once beat with passion and desire, now replaced by a cold, hollow sensation that chilled me to my core. I was a werewolf without love, a creature destined to roam the earth in eternal solitude. The goddess had branded me with her curse, and as her silver light bathed the world in an ethereal glow, I knew that no matter how much I yearned, I would never be whole again.

"Alpha! What happened?!" Jorah’s voice broke through the haze of agony. "Can you hear me?!"

I opened my mouth, trying to speak, but blood filled it, choking my words.

"Take me to the Court. Now," I managed to swallow the blood and croaked out, the urgency in my voice unmistakable.