A Luna's Power

Chapter 6: A Sister Bond

-Lara-

I mimicked the queen’s stance as we sized each other up. I was a little surprised she had come here to defend my sister. After all, they had once fought over the same male.

“You think I haven’t tried?” I asked. “You don’t think I’ve given her countless chances to be my sister?”

The queen raised an eyebrow, clearly unsure of how to respond.

“Selene was the perfect daughter. I was the disappointment. Yet I still tried to bridge that huge gap between us. She continued to be the perfect daughter, and we could only be sisters when no one was watching. I tried, my queen. I really did, but do you know how many times she called home after moving here to be Valerio’s queen?”

She waited for me to continue, her silver eyes locked on mine.

“Zero. She only came home after the Moon Ball, where I know you were hurt. She never told me the truth, but I know she was involved in some way in your accident. Even when she came home, we barely spoke. It was only after she cut ties with Valerio and my father was gone from power that we started to work on our relationship. And still, we were strangers. I tried for years, but I was never like her. I was never good enough. So forgive me if I don’t jump at the chance to have a close relationship with my sister. In truth, I’m probably just waiting for her to ignore me again.”

“She has changed,” the queen said.

“So have I.”

“Yes, Valerio mentioned something about you joining the council shortly before dinner. Do you think that’s a good choice?” she inquired.

“I would think you of all people would be supportive. You’re not the kind of queen those snobby, big-headed alphas want, and you don’t care what they think.”

“You’re right. I don’t. But I don’t have to deal with them all the time, like you will if you’re part of the council.”

“I’ve made up my mind. I will change this world… even if I have to do it alone,” I declared.

“You don’t have to be alone, Lara. I know your sister has her flaws. She’s worked on them, and now she wants to try again.”

“Yes, but now I’m the luna of the pack she abandoned. Even when she was there, she wasn’t truly its luna. I did all the real work, and I’m not about to put that on hold just because she wants to be sisters now.”

“She always wanted to be your sister. She even brought you back home from that… alpha,” she said, spitting the word.

“You’re right. She did. Selene did come to rescue me before I got stuck with him. But then everything returned to normal, just as I had hoped for more.”

“I understand,” she said. “But life will be very lonely if we push people away just because we’re afraid of getting hurt. Have you even met the twins?”

“I hear they’re doing well,” was all I replied.

“Yes, they are, but have you met them?”

To be honest, I didn’t want to.

“I saw them at dinner,” I said.

“But you didn’t try to get close or even acknowledge them,” she pointed out.

“You’re right. I didn’t. And while I appreciate everything you’ve done for my sister, given your past with her, I would prefer it if you didn’t push me on this, my queen.”

Her silver eyes narrowed slightly, but she eventually nodded. “Very well. I just hope you see past everything and maybe… get your sister back.”

“I never had her in the first place,” I said, turning away.

I had always admired Octavia, but when it came to my sister and our relationship, I didn’t appreciate her perspective. I would handle it my way.

I stepped outside, the sun slowly setting, but I didn’t stop to admire it. Instead, I halted a few feet away at the sight of something lying on my bike. Was that a… cat?

Its yellow eyes were locked on me, and it was quite large, to put it nicely. Its tail swished back and forth. So the rumors were true. They really had a cat. I glanced over my shoulder at the castle before turning back to the cat.

“Go on!” I said, waving my hands at it. “Go back inside. I’m sure they’re missing you.”

It narrowed its eyes slightly, looking at me almost… smugly?

“Did you not hear me?” I asked, growing irritated.

It continued to stare, and I groaned in frustration. I needed it to get off my bike so I could leave. I had a lot to prepare for the next council meeting, and I certainly didn’t have time to argue with a cat.

“You! Orange fatball, get off my bike!” I sneered.

“Meow!”

It clearly didn’t appreciate my words, but the cat could definitely use some exercise!

“Yes, you!”

“Meow!”

“Get down!” I ordered.

The smug look on the cat’s face only intensified, and its tail swung back and forth, almost taunting me as if to say, Why don’t you move me yourself?

I sighed, leaning my head back and placing my hands on my hips. “Okay, listen, I’ve had a weird day. Can you just… move?”

The tail stopped swinging, but it still didn’t budge.

“I seriously don’t have time for this!” I said, striding over to it.

Its eyes remained locked on me as I approached. When I scooped it up by its round belly, it meowed in displeasure, but I gently set it down on the ground. Instead of leaving, it walked a short distance away, turned around, and sat down, watching me with those intense yellow eyes.

“What?” I inquired, climbing onto my bike. “You could’ve just moved!”

“Meow!”

“I have to go, and you wouldn’t budge. You don’t have to be so mad about it.”

Am I really arguing with a cat?

“Meow!”

It certainly wasn’t pleased with me, but I didn’t have time for this. I reached for my helmet and put it on, then turned on the bike. The cat continued to watch me, even as I revved the engine and turned the bike around. Its intense yellow eyes gave me a strange feeling. Why was it watching me like that?

I paused mid-turn, realizing I was being ridiculous. It was just a cat. There was no reason for it to look like it was waiting for me—waiting for me to do what, I wasn’t sure. I assumed it wanted me to follow it, but it was probably just hungry. It was silly to think this cat wanted anything more from me.

Shaking my head, I felt foolish. I drove away, leaving the cat, the castle, my sister, and everyone else behind.