Fated by Moon and Sea

Chapter Nine: Lunaris

Chapter Nine: Lunaris

Savannah POV:

I should be scared to cross the portal. I've never left Aetherium; I'm pretty sure I never left the borders of the Luminara Clan since the territory was massive enough and had practically anything anyone could think of or dream of. I feel like a sheep being sent into the lion's den. I have no clue how the twins will react to me claiming to be Alicia's sister; they are most likely unstable due to losing their mate, literally the other part of their souls. But then again, they know I can't fake it. When paranormal beings share blood, they can smell it, and if that's not that, a simple DNA test would do as well, but I was hoping not to go through that whole shebang with them. All I wanted was to pay my respects to my late sister and beg, if I had to, to be part of her children's life.

Not befitting of a queen to be, but I was past caring. I had gained and lost someone who I knew in my heart that would accept me with open arms. I have nothing against my brothers and Selene, but I always felt like the odd one in the family. Not that I would ever say that aloud and hurt their feelings. They loved and cared for me like no other, but there was this feeling in my soul that I didn't belong there. But that changed with Orion's declaration that I belonged to him. With him, it felt right and complete, but at the same time, there was still something missing. Maybe it was Alicia; I wasn't sure, but I would get to the bottom of it.

"Laasya, Aurelia," I whispered, already feeling their comforting presence before they flanked me. Laasya's dark hair was tied up in its usual braid, her silver eyes locked on mine, sharp with concern. Aurelia's golden hair practically glowed under the portal's soft light, her silver eyes shimmering with worry. Her translucent wings fluttered lightly behind her, a telltale she was nervous.

"You okay?" Laasya asked, her voice low but firm. She didn't need to say more; we'd been through enough for her to know when I was spiralling.

"Yeah," I answered, nodding a bit too quickly. "I'm fine."

Aurelia's lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn't push it. They both knew I was lying, but I wasn't ready to break down right now. There wasn't time.

We kept walking. The weight of what I was about to do hit me harder with every step. My dress—a simple yet elegant number in shades of soft black—whispered against my skin, and the pearl earrings Orion had given me caught the dim light. My deep indigo hair, streaked with lighter blues and purples, fell in soft waves over my shoulders. I felt the weight of my status with every step—the daughter of the Prime Alpha, the future queen, yet here I was, unsure if I even belonged in the world I was about to step into.

Behind us, the four guards carried my luggage with steady hands. Their silent presence wasn't comforting, just a reminder of how serious this was. I could feel the eyes of everyone in the courtyard as we approached the portal, the glowing archway that separated Aetherium from Lunaris. Even though I wasn't looking, I knew they were bowing as we passed. Everyone recognized me as their future queen now, which scared and thrilled me simultaneously.

My heart hammered as I took the final step toward the portal. The glow seemed to pulse with energy, and for a second, I hesitated. I'd never crossed into Lunaris before. Hell, I'd never even left Aetherium, and now I was heading into a place that could eat me alive. The twins—Alicia's mates—had just lost the love of their lives. What was I supposed to say to them? "Hi, I'm your dead mate's half-sister"? It felt wrong in every way, but there was no turning back now.

Taking a breath, I stepped through.

On the other side, Lunaris hit me like a slap. The air was cooler and heavier, and the magic of the place immediately wrapped around me like a cloak. It wasn't like Aetherium; this place had a darkness as if mourning the loss of its female ruler. The trees here were tall and ancient, casting long shadows across the forest floor, and everywhere I looked, guards stood at attention, their eyes sharp as they scanned the perimeter. They must have known someone was passing, though. The portal lay dormant unless either multiverse leader allowed it to be opened.

I stiffened, pulling myself up straighter as one of the guards approached. He was massive, even by werewolf standards, his dark eyes assessing me with suspicion.

"I'm here on royal decree," I said, my voice sharper than I felt. I handed him the scroll from King Oberon, the official seal gleaming under the overcast sky. "I need to be taken to the Supreme Diamond Pack. The funeral's being held there."

The guard opened the scroll, reading it with a quick, practiced eye. His expression shifted as he glanced back at me, this time with a touch more respect. "Understood, Your Grace." He turned, motioning for his men to lead the way.

Laasya and Aurelia stepped beside me again as we moved through the thick forest. I kept my chin up, but my stomach was twisting into knots. The twins—Isaiah and Josiah—were most likely at the end of this journey, and I had no idea how they'd react when they found out who I was. I wasn't just a guest, not just someone paying their respects. I was Alicia's blood. Blood they had no clue about unless Alicia told them, but I doubt that I would have been notified of her death then personally.

The trees began to thin as we approached a clearing, and that's when I saw it: the Supreme Diamond Pack's estate. It was massive, a dark stone mansion that looked more like a fortress than a home. Mourners were already gathered on the grounds, dressed in black, their heads bowed as they silently moved toward the entrance.

"Do you think the twins are here yet?" Aurelia asked softly, her wings fluttering nervously.

"They have to be. It's their mate's funeral," I said, though the words felt heavy in my throat. It was hard to picture these alphas—these legends—reduced to grieving men. But grief could change even the strongest souls.

We reached the gates, and the guards there opened them without hesitation. Everyone was staring now. They didn't know who I was yet, but they could feel the tension in the air. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as we walked inside.

The estate loomed ahead, a dark, imposing structure that seemed to swallow the light around it. I could already feel the weight of eyes on me, the tension thick in the air as we neared the front of the packhouse. The Supreme Diamond Pack didn't just govern a piece of Lunaris—they were its backbone, and this place felt like a fortress.

As we approached the entrance, something shifted in the atmosphere. The power in the air intensified, heavy and thick like a thunderstorm rolling in. My skin prickled, and I felt Laasya tense beside me. I glanced at her, and she was already lowering her head, a slight tremble in her shoulders. Aurelia's wings twitched as she shifted, her silver eyes wide and full of caution.

And then I saw them.

Three massive figures stood at the front of the estate, identical in every way. The triplets. Tristan, Lucas, and Hayden Whitlock. Orion had mentioned them—Lycan kings of Lunaris, cousins to the Supreme Alphas. But seeing them in person? That was a whole different level. Intimidating wouldn't cut it for them. I wonder how their mate, Queen Aurora, dealt with them. Father had mentioned she and Alicoa were best friends. Doctors worked together as much as they could. Maybe, just maybe, she knew of my identity. A girl could hope.

Each of them stood close to seven feet tall, their dark hair grown long toward their shoulders and tied back neatly at the nape of their necks. Their faces were chiselled and strong, their jaws set with authority. The power rolling off them in waves made the air feel almost too thick to breathe. Even standing still, they radiated dominance in a way that made my friends falter.

Laasya bowed immediately, her head lowering to the ground as if she couldn't stand the weight of their aura. I hated seeing my friend like this, but I understood she had no control these were the kings of all lycans and werewolves, and their alpha aura was enough to have even the strongest alpha, if it was lycan or werewolf, drop to their knees. Aurelia followed, her wings pressed tight against her back as she dropped into a deep curtsy. I felt the pressure, too—like something was pushing down on me, making me want to submit.

But I didn't bow. I was a future queen.

I straightened my spine, keeping my head up as I met the eyes of the closest triplet—Tristan, I was pretty sure. His dark eyes were sharp, assessing, and for a moment, they flicked with something like curiosity.

"Savannah Viotto," he said, his voice deep and commanding, even though it wasn't loud. "Future queen of Aetherium."

The other two, Lucas and Hayden, watched me just as intently, and I could feel the collective weight of their power surrounding me, pressing down but not breaking me.

I bowed, not because I wanted to, but because I knew it was expected—Royal protocol. Orion had drilled it into my head over and over again. These were Lunaris's kings, and while I didn't answer to them, there was a level of respect to be shown.

"Your Highnesses," I said, dipping my head low in acknowledgment. "It's an honour."

They nodded, clearly pleased with my compliance. The tension lightened just a fraction, though my friends were still trembling beside me.

Tristan stepped forward slightly, his eyes narrowing just a touch. "Why have you come to Lunaris? Attending a funeral personally is unusual for someone of your status. Funerals here are private affairs. You're a long way from Aetherium."

I swallowed hard. I couldn't tell them the real reason—not yet. I needed to speak to Isaiah and Josiah before the rest of Lunaris knew who I was and why I was here.

"My presence was requested," I said carefully, keeping my tone respectful but not overly formal. "As a gesture of goodwill between our realms, I'm here to pay my respects on behalf of Aetherium."

I could see the triplets exchange glances, and for a brief moment, I wondered if they believed me. Their gazes were sharp like they could see right through me. But then Lucas nodded slightly, I was hoping that was Lucas, expression softening just a touch.

"A gesture of goodwill," which I thought was Hayden, echoed, his voice lower, rougher. "That's honorable."

I breathed a little easier, though my heart still pounded in my chest. "We believe in unity between our realms," I added, trying to maintain the lie. "Especially in times of loss."

The triplets seemed to buy it, or at least they didn't push any further. "Very well," Tristan said finally, his tone still carrying that unmistakable authority. "We'll escort you and your companions to the funeral grounds. The ceremony will begin shortly."

I nodded in gratitude. "Thank you. "

They motioned for us to follow, and the heavy tension lifted just enough for Laasya and Aurelia to straighten up, though I could still feel the lingering discomfort rolling off them. We moved in silence, the triplets leading the way through the grand estate as mourners moved quietly around us, heads bowed and voices hushed. The entire place felt like it was holding its breath. I expected, nonetheless. Lunaris was divided into two parts, which the people from this realm knew as the wolf multiverse and the Lycan multiverse. Whenever anyone from Aetherium traveled to Lunaris, it would be to the Lycan multiverse, directly to the triplets. So seeing a fae, a werewolf, a royal siren, and Triton was probably giving them the hibibbijibbies

As we walked, I could feel the triplets' eyes flicker toward me occasionally, like they were still trying to figure me out. And I couldn't shake the feeling that, even though I had passed their test, they weren't done with me yet.

But for now, I had bigger things to focus on. The funeral was just ahead, and Isaiah and Josiah Stark were waiting somewhere in the crowd.