The Cursed Alpha's Fifth Luna

Lady Emory stepped into the reception room, the heavy doors closing softly behind her. She stopped just inside the entrance, folding her hands neatly behind her back as her gaze settled on the woman standing by the tall windows.

"Luna."

Her voice carried the same quiet composure it always did.

Nina didn’t turn.

She remained where she was, her eyes fixed on the gardens beyond the glass as though she hadn’t heard the greeting. The only sound in the room was the faint crackle of the fire burning in the corner.

Lady Emory studied her for a long moment before a knowing smile touched her lips.

"I see you’ve changed back to your natural hair color."

Nina’s fingers twitched against the windowsill, but she did not reply.

"It might surprise you to know that this was your hair color in your former life as well."

At her words, Nina turned immediately, her eyes narrowing at the older woman. Instinctively, she glanced toward the doors before crossing the room. She slid the lock into place and only then faced Lady Emory again.

"I’d rather you not announce to the entire Vermont Pack that the witch responsible for their doom is their Luna, Lady Emory."

Nina spoke in a clipped tone as she walked toward the couch she’d been sitting on earlier and sat down.

Lady Emory inclined her head.

"I apologize, Your Grace."

Emory drew a slow breath and stepped farther into the room.

"You sent for me," she said. "I assume you have what we need?"

Nina pressed her lips together. Her eyes followed Emory as she crossed to one of the couches and lowered herself onto it.

For a moment, neither woman spoke. Nina did not trust this woman one bit, but if she wanted answers, Emory was the only person who seemed to have any.

Emory cleared her throat when the Luna remained silent for a long while.

"Luna, is there a problem?" she asked.

Nina smiled.

"No, not at all."

Her fingers drummed against the armrest as her mind raced.

Silence filled the room again.

Emory straightened.

"Then, have you found the book?"

"No. I haven’t."

Emory stared at her in surprise before tilting her head to the side.

"Then... why have you sent for me?"

Nina lowered her gaze, brushing her fingers absently over the armrest before looking back up.

My tongue is tied, Nina.

Her father’s words echoed in her ears as she stared at the woman sitting across from her. Whoever her mother was, and whatever her past held, there was something neither of her parents wanted her to discover.

Maybe it was best to leave out the fact that she knew her mother’s name until she learned more.

A moment of silence passed before Nina shifted in her seat.

"I did not call you here because of the Vothraki. I called you here for something else."

Emory nodded.

"Okay. I’m listening."

"I want to know what the earthstone looks like," she said.

A flicker of surprise crossed Emory’s face before she frowned.

"Why?"

"The Alpha purchased a stone at an auction. He believed it was the Earthstone, but it wasn’t."

She leaned back slightly.

"I want a drawing of what the earthstone looks like so I know exactly what I’m searching for."

Lady Emory regarded her for a long moment before a small smile crossed her face.

"You’re confusing the chronology of things, Luna."

Nina frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"You are meant to find the Vothraki first. Only then will your memories return. Those memories are the key to finding the earthstone and regaining your powers. Without them..." She gave a slight shake of her head. "You are searching blindly. You cannot find the stone until you reclaim your memories."

Nina’s jaw tightened.

Her fingers curled into her palms until her nails bit into her skin.

"The Alpha was convinced it was the Earthstone," she said, lifting her gaze. "He wouldn’t have fought so hard to obtain it if he didn’t have reason to believe it was real. Maybe someone found where the stone is hidden—"

"Annalise."

Lady Emory’s voice cut through her words with unexpected firmness.

The room fell still.

For the first time since their conversation began, the disappointment in Lady Emory’s eyes was unmistakable.

"Are you trying to avoid bringing the Vothraki to us?"

A quiet chuckle escaped her, though there was no humor in it.

"It is the only explanation I can think of for why you are avoiding it and trying to find the Earthstone first."

Nina frowned, but before she could answer, Lady Emory continued.

"There is no other path to reclaiming your powers, Annalise. If an entire coven made up of the strongest witches of their generation failed to locate the Earthstone after two decades of searching, what chance do you believe a mere lycan has?"

She held Nina’s gaze.

"The Earthstone was hidden by you. Only you know where it rests. Until your memories return, no amount of searching will lead anyone to it."

Nina looked away, her eyes drifting to the fire burning quietly across the room. The flames danced over the logs with effortless rhythm while her thoughts churned.

Every road led back to the same place.

The Vothraki.

She hated that Lady Emory was right.

Lady Emory watched her in silence before speaking again.

"Your time is slipping away."

Her voice was softer now, almost gentle.

"You don’t know how much longer your strength will remain with you. Every day that passes brings you closer to losing what little strength you still have."

A chill curled down Nina’s spine as she turned back to face her.

Lady Emory didn’t look away.

"You need to act quickly, Luna."

She paused.

"I’ll have you know it isn’t only the Alpha who wants the Vothraki."

Nina’s eyes lifted.

’’What do you mean?’’

"The Vothraki is the vault of forbidden magic. Spells so dangerous they were erased from history are contained it in. What do you think would happen if it falls into the wrong hands..."

She paused.

"You have no other way out, Annalise. You must find it before anyone else does."