The cursed Moon.
Chapter 22

“Ronan, how? What?” Moon whispered as she opened her eyes.

“Not a word to anyone, this stays between us.” he growled.

“But Ronan.” she started.

“I said not a word, do you understand?” Ronan looked at her with desperation.

“I understand.” she said as she nodded her head slowly.

“Good.” he replied as he stormed out the door, pushing pass Atlas as he entered the room.

“I see I am not that only one that has angered Ronan today.” Atlas said as he stepped further into the room.

“He isn't angry with me.” Moon whispered.

“He certainly looked angry. Hey are you okay? You look pale. Maybe you should get some rest. I can take over here, go wash, get some sleep.” Atlas remarked, taken in Moons appearance.

“I will be fine. I need to be here when he wakes up, he will need my power to ease the pain.” Moon spoke as she pulled her chair closer to Reid's side.

“I can mind link you when he wakes, and I also have that power too.” Atlas pushed.

“I need to be here, it's my fault.” Moon said sadly.

“It is not your fault Moon. I knew Kat was venom, but not even I thought her to be capable of this. How could any of us have known.” Atlas looked at her with sincerity, guilt, he should have known too, he should have been suspicious when she put her walls up.

“You know Zion has had his doubts about her the last few days, I saw it, read it in his mind. He thought she maybe working with Titus, I ignored his doubt Atlas. I should have done more, not to mention I could have killed her in the woods the night I shifted, instead apart of me led her to him. I did this.” Moons guilt filled the room, it was overpowering, it consumed her.

“You need a break Moon, give yourself a break. Zions just got back from patrols, he needs you too.” He hated to use her mate against her, but she was crumbling in front of him, only Zion could fix that.

“You promise you will alert me the minute his eyes open.” Moon pushed.

“I promise.” Atlas said sincerely.

“Thank you Atlas, you are getting pretty good at this brother thing you know.” she said with a faint smile as she spoke.

“I thought I was always pretty good at it.” he replied as he sat and watched her leave the room.

••••••

Moon stepped into her room. Zions scent filled the air, calming her nerves. She felt somewhat peaceful for the first time in days.

“Moon, you are here.” Zion said with relief as he stepped out of the washroom.

He walked towards her, pulling her into his chest, breathing heavily. She felt the sparks spread through her. She was safe, in his embrace she was home.

“Zion....” Moon looked up at him as he tucked her hair behind her ears.

“I know Moon, you dont need to say anything. It will be okay, we will be okay.” he sighed.

He led her to the bed, they both lay down, his arms wrapped around her. With her body relaxed, and her mind calmed, she found peace in him, she could rest. She continued to breathe him in until at last she drifted into sleep.

Moon woke startled, Zion was no longer by her side. Atlas's voice was echoing in her head.

“He is awake, Reid is awake.”

Moon shot up from the bed, nearly tumbling down the stairs in her haste. She needed to know if she did the right thing, if he could forgive her, not just for Kat, but for the cure. She had seen the sincerity in his eyes when he said he didn't want to come back, she needed to know she had done the right thing by him.

“Reid, you are awake.” she panted as she stepped into his room.

“He has you to thank for that.” Lilith smiled as she entered behind her.

“Reid, I just want to check over you, make sure everything is healing as it should. Would that be okay?” Lilith asked gently.

“Do your worse.” Reid replied with a husky tone.

Lilith's hand reached for his pulse, Moon watched on as Lilith quickly pulled it away, before returning it and checking his vitals.

“Have you noticed any strange side effects Reid?” She asked nervously as she checked his closed wounds.

“You could say that.” he said as his eyes fixed on Moon.

“Mena had complaints of the tingles after she woke, is that something you are feeling?” Lilith asked, as her cheeks reddened.

“Now that you mention it, I do feel them.” Reid replied, his glare relaxing a little.

“Moon, can I have a word with you privately in the hall?” Lilith asked, as she finished checking over Reid.

“Of course.” Moon said warmly.

Moon stepped out into the hallway, Lilith close behind her, pulling the door shut as they exited.

“Does Mena not know either?” Lilith asked in a hushed tone.

“Know what?” Moon asked, confused.

“Of course she doesn't. If you don't, then how could she?” Lilith breathed out heavily.

“What about Mena, I was told she is healing well, is she ok?” Moon asked.

“She has mate bonded Moon, Ronan is her mate. That is why she felt the tingles when she woke, Ronan was holding her hand, it's not a side effect. Reid just lost his mate, she tried to kill him no less, he is not ready for another one. He needs time.” Lilith spoke with frustration.

“I know, wait are you telling me Reid has bonded, that his symptoms are not a side effect?” Moon asked with curiosity.

“You said it, you said that he would get a second chance, and believe me I am thankful that I too was given a second chance to, but he cannot know, not until he has recovered. Not just from his injuries, but from Kat.” Lilith said with concern.

Moon was putting it together in her head. The pieces fell into place, all of them. How had she missed so much? The mate Ronan refused was Mena, Reid's second chance was Lilith. The realizations hit her all at once and left her reeling from her ignorance.

“Your Reids mate? That means she allowed me to choose.” Moon whispered.

“Who allowed you to choose what?” Lilith asked.

“Ria, she allowed me to choose.” Moon said softly.

“I do not understand. Allowed you to choose what?” Lilith asked gently.

“Reid's mate, yesterday, when you came to and healed him, when we spoke, I felt a warmth coming off you. You are a gentle, kind being Lilith and you lost your mate. I wished then that Reid could have a mate like you, I wished it more than I wished for anything before. If I think it, then I can create it, even mate bonds.” Moon said with astonishment.

“Moon, as I said, I am so deeply grateful, but Reid he needs time. You must not tell him anything.” Lilith pleaded.

“I am already keeping secrets, what's one more.” Moon replied.

“Thank you, aside from that, he should be fine to leave tomorrow. Please can you let me know when he is ready, I will wait for as long as it takes.” Lilith added.

“I will of course. I knew you be the right one for him.” Moon smiled before re-entering Reid's room.

“What was that about, is everything well?” Atlas asked as she stepped closer to Reid.

“Um, Lilith was just explaining the side effects Mena has had. She wants to hear if Reid has any of the same complaints.”

Atlas eyed her suspiciously before shrugging and turning to Reid.

“How do you feel Reid?” Moon asked as she placed herself on the edge of his bed.

“Physically, fine, emotionally, defeated, how could I have been so blind? I cant believe I am saying this but maybe Ronan is right, perhaps the mate bond makes us weaker, certainly dumber.” Reid said.

“None of us saw it coming, not me, not Moon. We were all fooled. In the history of our people no shifter has ever killed their mate, never. Not one of us should dwell on not seeing it coming.” Atlas replied.

“Do not listen to Ronan either, Zion strengthens me, my powers. I have them because he found me, I shifted because he found me.” Moon didn't want Reid to give up on the mate bond, she wouldn't let Ronan either.

“The doctor, she seems nice enough.” Reid said casually.

“She's a healer actually, from Reign's old pack. She closed your wounds for you, you may not be here if not for her.” Moon explained.

“So did she mention any of the side effects Mena has had, tingles aside?” Reid asked as he sat.

“Just that they mimic the mate bond.” Moon hated lying, but Lilith was right. Reid was not ready.

“Huh, that would explain a lot, how long can I expect it to last?” Reid asked with concern.

“I am unsure, you and Mena are the first to be healed with anthora. I just want to say, I am sorry…for everything” Moon needed to apologize, she could feel despite his brave face, he was struggling with what had taken place.

“You are already forgiven Moon, could you please do me one small favor?” Reid asked.

“Anything.” Moon said with a smile.

“Could you get me some water please? I am so parched.” he said dryly.

“Consider it done.” Moon replied.

She had just gotten down the halls and to the water urn, when she felt a pull on her arm.

“What is it you think you are doing?” Atlas asked with a stern voice.

“Getting Reid some water.” she replied innocently.

“Not that, you and I both know that Ronan is Mena's mate, not a mimic, they are mates. You cannot be in just as much denial as him, so again I ask you what are you doing lying to him like that?” Atlas asked.

“Why do you have to be so clever?” Moon sighed.

“Answer the question, or I will get into that head of yours.” Atlas threatened.

"No need, I cannot keep this all to myself forever. Reid didn't want to come back to us, after what Kat had done. He wanted me to let him die, he practically begged me. I did not want that Atlas. I made a desperate promise, one I didn't expect I could keep, I didnt know it was possible, but I did it. I created a mate bond, a second chance for him and for Lilith.” Moon said with a hushed voice.

“Nobody gets a second chance, how did you do it?” Atlas said with surprise.

I don't exactly know how, I just knew I had to keep my word. When she came yesterday, told me her story, I knew she deserved a second chance to. Then I just wished for it, when I went home and lay in Zions arms I thought of them both, never experiencing that again, it killed me. And so I wish some more, I willed it to happen.” Moon explained.

“It is truly amazing, it really is, but he is not ready.” Atlas reminded her.

“I am aware of that, I did not think it would happen Atlas, how could I? Lilith knows that too, that's why I had to lie to him. I feel awful, I do not lie, I do not keep secrets, this is not me, it's not who I am.” Moon exclaimed.

“Moon you are doing it for him, for the people you love. Only you would lie to help others, not to help yourself. Stop feeling so guilty all of the time! You are every bit as good as Reign, and as Lilith. You need to understand that, say you understand?” Atlas pleaded.

“You did not see what I did to Kat.” Moon looked down in shame.

“No, but I see what she has done to Reid, he will suffer for a long time. We are going to war sister, tell me you can handle that, tell me you can let go of that guilt, if you cannot, it will destroy you.” Atlas looked at her with concern, he was afraid for her. She was not just punishing herself, she was hurting him, hurting Zion. She had to let it go, for them she would do anything.

“How? How can I?” Moon asked.

“You cannot let the destructive emotions win Moon, acknowledge them, feel them, then let go of them, let it all go” Atlas replied.

“If it is that simple, then I am sure, for you, I can do it.” she replied with confidence as she inhaled deeply.

“I know you can." he smiled.

“Did I tell you today that you are a remarkable brother?” She smiled back.

“You can tell me again.” he laughed.

Atlas had always been there for her, for everyone. He was the voice of reason, the calm in the storm. From the day he saved her from Grey until now, she was not sure if she would have made it through it all without him. He was more than her brother, he was her rock, her twin, her other half.

“I can take this to Reid, you should go see Mena, she needs you.” Atlas said gently.

“Thank you.” she whispered.

“Anytime.” he said as he turned back down the hall.

Moon entered Mena's room, surprised to see Ronan on the chair close to her, his body slumped over Mena's bed. Both of them relaxed, sleeping soundly.

He could not possibly fight it forever, not Mena, she was every bit as stubborn as Ronan and once she figured out the reality of their bond she would fight it harder than Ronan, she would win, they would both lose out on each other.

“I thought I may find you here somewhere.” Zion whispered as he closed in behind her, wrapping his hands around her waist.

“They are mates you know?" she sighed.

“I had a feeling.” Zion smiled.

“How are you better at this than I? You had your suspicions of Kat, and this, I should of known, I am her sister.” Moon gestured to the sleeping mates on the bed.

“I am an Alpha, it's my job to suspect everyone aneverything.” he replied as he spun her round in his arms.

“He is fighting it Zion, I worry about her.” She sighed.

“He will not last, I know I did not. The mate bond is inevitable, fighting it was the hardest battle of my life so far.” Zion admitted.

“You tried to fight it?” Moon asked.

“I did, I could not figure you out, I thought you were human, that alone was reason enough in my mind. That and you terrified me, the bond terrified me. When I began sneaking into your room to watch you sleep, I knew I had already lost the fight. I just could not bring myself to believe I deserved you, I still struggle with that. Ronan, he is not so different than I, he knows he is fighting the inevitable. A few sleepless nights of Mena consuming his every thought, and he will cave.” Zion said with a smile.

"You snuck into my room?” Moon asked with amusement.

“Almost every night after we collided in the woods.” he admitted.

“I felt you. I thought I had imagined your scent, your presence, but you were there all along.” she smiled.

“You do not think it's deranged?” He asked with humor.

“I think it's wildly romantic.” she replied.

“I think I am going to be sick if I am forced to listen to much more of this.” Ronan said as he lifted his head.

“Ronan you're awake? How much did you hear?” Moon asked, embarrassed.

“I woke around about the time Zion here admitted to stalking. Just for the record, you are deranged my friend.” Ronan smirked as he sat back in his chair.

“If you say it, it must be so, you know deranged more then anyone. Have you got it covered here?” Zion asked Ronan.

“Do I have a choice?” Ronan asked sourly.

“There is always a choice, but correct me if I am wrong, I have a feeling you want be leaving her side anytime soon. Now if you will excuse us, Moon and I are going to bed, to enjoy the benefits of the mate bond.” Zion winked.

“I am not caving that easy, I couldn't care how good the sex is, it is not worth turning into you.” Ronan chuckled.

“I guess you will never find out.” Zion teased as he playfully ushered Moon from the room.

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