“It has been eight hours now…”

“I shouldn’t have left her alone…”

“When do you think she will...”

Their voices floated around me, blurry and distant, like echoes bouncing inside a cave. My mouth wouldn’t move, my eyes felt glued shut, but I could hear every word.

“You should go rest, Ren. You’ve already used up all your energy on her.”

“No, I’m fine. Besides, I need to make sure she’s okay.”

“She will be…”

“Am…”

The word slipped out before I realized, my voice barely a whisper. It felt heavy in my throat, like I had been silent for years. My eyes flickered open, vision adjusting slowly. I still couldn’t say much, but I needed Ren to know I was alive.

“I…” This time my voice came louder, shaky but audible.

“Luna!”

Hands rushed to me, warm on my forehead, gentle at my back as they helped me sit up. The sudden closeness startled me.

“Am I… still here?” By “here,” I didn’t mean the bed, or this house. I meant this absurd world the goddess dropped me into.

Faces blurred into focus... Ren, Zayen, Mother, Father, Lily. Everyone staring at me as though my breath alone decided their fate. Everyone except Thorn. Thank the goddess. Maybe he had disappeared. Maybe they would all disappear one by one.

“Luna, are you okay?” Ren’s aquamarine eyes shone with desperation, like my words alone could either heal him or destroy him.

I pressed my lips together. “I’m fine. I just… need rest, that’s all.” My gaze landed on Ren, who looked as though the hand he pressed to the bed frame was the only thing keeping him standing.

“Ren, you should rest. I’m fine now.”

“But I can’t....”

“I’m fine. Really.” I forced a smile and touched his shoulder lightly. His muscles trembled beneath my palm. He sucked in a sharp breath, as though my reassurance was both a blessing and a burden.

For a moment I thought he would refuse, but instead he stood. The room tilted for him, his legs wobbling. My heart leapt into my throat as I threw the blankets off and started to rise but Zayen was quicker. He caught Ren with steady hands, holding him firmly.

“I’ll take him back, Luna,” Zayen said in a tone that left no room for debate.

I sank back down, watching them. Just because I didn’t want to be here didn’t mean I wanted either of them hurt.

****

It had been an hour since, and finally 'finally' I was alone.

Everyone had insisted on hovering, like overprotective hawks, but I managed to send them away. Now it was just me, sitting on the bed, staring at the dressing table across the room like it had answers carved into its polished wood.

Why did I feel that pain again?

Was it because of Elias?

Is he here too?

They called me Luna. Respected me like one. Was the goddess mocking me?

I was drowning in my own thoughts when the door creaked open. My head snapped up. Zayen stood there, his tall figure filling the doorway.

“Luna,” he said, bowing slightly before stepping inside.

I sighed. “Come sit here.” I patted the spot beside me.

For a moment, he hesitated, as though the bed might bite him, then obeyed. He sat stiffly, like a soldier awaiting orders.

“Can you explain something to me?” My voice wavered, uncertainty gnawing at me.

“Anything, Luna.”

“Why does everyone call me Luna?”

His expression shifted, his dark eyes gleaming like I’d just gifted him a kingdom.

“You’re pulling my leg, aren’t you?” His voice was smooth, almost too smooth, like a lullaby meant to trick me into sleep.

“No, I’m serious. I… I don’t remember anything.”

He inhaled sharply, then smiled. “It’s okay. This happens once in a while.”

I blinked. “Wait.... what?”

“It happens on every full red moon.”

I tilted my head. “Every… what?”

“The last time, you slept for five days. Another time, your hair turned pink. Once, your skin changed with your emotions. And....”

“Wait. Wait a minute.” I flailed a hand in front of his face. “Did you just say my skin changed color?”

He chuckled, unbothered. “Yes. What I mean, Luna, is that what’s happening to you is normal. This time, it seems memory loss came with it.”

Normal? Did he just say normal?

“But why me? Why does it happen at all?” My voice cracked.

He shifted closer, his hand 'large, warm, surprisingly soft' settling over mine. “Because you were chosen by the goddess. Everyone respects you for it. Even if you don’t remember, you saved us all—not just Arcadia, but the entire wolf race. But… it left you with a curse.”

“Curse?” My voice shot up an octave.

“Yes. Every full red moon, something happens to you. Fevers, changes, hibernation. Sometimes you even get stuck in your wolf form.”

I froze. My breath hitched. “My wolf form?”

Zayen nodded. “Eira. You named her Eira. Snow because she’s as white as snow.”

My chest tightened. A wolf. Me, Iris Devenwood the useless wolf-less girl had a wolf.

I giggled. Then laughed, the sound bubbling out of me uncontrollably. “I have a wolf,” I whispered. My throat burned, but in the best way possible.

Zayen tilted his head. “Are you okay, Luna?”

I grinned at him, cheeks aching. “I’m more than okay!” I squealed and collapsed backward onto the pillows, hugging them to my chest.

If this was true, if I really had a wolf, if I really was Luna here… maybe this wasn’t so bad after all. Maybe this was paradise.

****

A sharp knock shattered the moment.

Zayen was on his feet instantly, his movements sharp, trained. His hand slid into his pocket, gripping something I hadn’t noticed before... a weapon?

The door swung open. Two guards stood there, broad and armored, their presence heavy in the room. They bowed in unison, heads lowered.

“What brings you here?” Zayen demanded, authority dripping from his voice.

“We were sent to summon the Luna,” one guard said, still bowing. “The elders have gathered for an urgent meeting.”

Zayen’s eyes narrowed. “Tell them to wait. The Luna is resting. She is not to be disturbed.”

The guards exchanged glances. “We understand, sir, but they refuse to see reason.”

I couldn’t just sit there while they argued about me. I swung my legs off the bed and walked to the door.

“Luna!” Both guards dropped into deeper bows, their voices trembling. “We are sorry for disturbing you.”

“It’s fine.” I gave them a polite smile, then turned to Zayen. “I can go. Let me just get ready.”

“No. Luna, you don’t have to. Not now.” His tone was firm, protective.

But I shook my head. “I’ll go, Zayen. Besides, I feel… great.”

He stared at me, conflict flashing in his eyes. Finally, he exhaled, shoulders dropping in reluctant acceptance.

“Fine. But I’m going with you.” He turned to the guards. “Tell the elders to await the Luna’s arrival.”

The guards bowed deeper before retreating.

As the door shut, Zayen turned back to me. His eyes lingered, heavy and searching, like he wanted to say something more. But he stayed silent.

And me? I couldn’t shake the thought:

If I really was the Luna of Arcadia, then this wasn’t paradise.

This was power.

And power never came without a price.