"Are you alright, Commander?"
I raised my head. I nodded and smiled at Colette. "Yes, I am fine. Why do you ask?" I asked while we were getting to the forest after we passed by the borders of the kingdom.
"You seem a little strange today." She looked at me, worried. "A little gloomy, I mean."
"Sir Claude is absent today, Commander.""I'm aware," I said coldly as Colette, Benedict, and I were on our way to the borders."Isn't he going to leave soon?" Benedict asked.
"Grand Alpha King is already here, My Lord. I will call some servants to bring your luggage," I informed Earl Ephraim the moment we stopped at the work area of the Grand Alpha King. I even called one of the servants and told her to take the Earl's luggage.He nodded and turned his head. He looked at something behind me and slightly smiled before he returned his gaze back to me. "I shall see you again, Commander Simon." He tipped his hat off, looking at me before the royal guards opened the door for him.I blinked so many times when he was out of my sight. He was a very surprising nobleman. He looked so strict and aggressive earlier when he arrived but a while ago was different. All I thought was he could barely smile but I was wrong. He is indeed a charming earl but very keen on his surrounding.
"Cairo? Wow! You're here now!" Benedict exclaimed and chuckled. He met him halfway through the hallway as I was taking him back to the headquarters.General Cairo grinned and made a weird handshake with Benedict. "So long, partner. 'Thought you all missed me so I have to run away from million miles to come here."I rolled my eyes as I couldn't help the smile flipping on my lips. "Geez! You never change! Full of an airhead, General." I couldn't believe that he was still like this even though a year just already passed. "But kidding aside, how's Auritaurie? Is it stable now?"General Cairo's mischief smile slowly disappeared then he sighed. "I came here to report this to His Majesty and all the Fleet Admirals."I furrowed my eyebrows up
Sighing, I sensed some panicking in the palace and I don't know what could have been the reason. I locked myself in the headquarters and just do some paperwork. I was alone and some of my comrades are doing rounds to their privates.I am totally stressed out from last night. There was a rouge attack happened. Luckily, our team was there, guarding the night as well as the royal guard and some royal soldiers that are in position. I managed to kill more than five rouges. After our shift, I was ordered by Benedict to make a report and sent it to him. He has to make a report as well as to what happened and told me I need to make my support details for him.I placed my cheek on my palm after I placed my elbow on the desk, feeling sleepy. I just got done with my reports and need to send them right away but I was feeling tired. Maybe I would just grab some coffee before I will have our rounds later at night.I decided to stand up and brought the reports with me as I sto
"You are now dismissed."I released a nervous sigh after answering some unnerving questions from the higher-ups. I even had to summarize the report orally. It was the usual thing that they won't have to read the reports but instead, they want to hear it."Commander Rachelle, you can have your day off today. Take some rest and heal first before you set off first thing in the morning," said Fleet Admiral Tybur Gallstones.I nodded my head. "Your wish is my command, Fleet Admiral." That was a relief to know that I would get to have a rest for today. It would mean I wouldn't have to worry first about what will happen for tonight. They have tightened the securities so I am pretty sure they won't do any reckless actions. They were deeply trained with sweat and blood so it was a great payoff for taking them.As soon as I stormed out, I didn't head to my quarters first. I had to inform my colleagues that I won't be available tonight. Of all people who almost inju
"Sir Claude is departing today."I stayed silent upon hearing their loud whispers and murmurs when I arrived in the dungeon. I settled myself in the corners and made myself busy by taking a book from the shelf.I knew that today Claude is going to leave. It was making my heart ached. I was not supposed to feel this but I couldn't help. I bit my lower lip when I felt a stinging sensation near the corners of my eyes. I blinked and snapped out of it."Commander."I raised my glance to see Karen that was in front of me. "Yes?" I asked."Sir Claude wishes to have your presence upon his departure later. In hopes, you will appear. Also, he needs you to see him in Sir Abraham's office to discuss some matters."Confused, I closed the book I was reading. "Is it necessary to have my presence there?" What is Claude's plan again and he has to drag me out from his departure? Couldn't he just leave me alone?Karen stretched out a gentle smile. "And
One year later..."Commander, you can't just go to the front lines. The rogues are not easy to deal with especially they have made such a great number. We can't lose a commander!""I can't lose my troops either. End of discussion." I continued removing my uniform right in front of my colleagues and some soldiers inside the tent as I dressed up in my combat suit. "You know well that I don't just sit around." I glared at Commander Walter, giving him a meaningful stare.He sighed and nodded. "Pardon us, Commander Rachelle." He turned at the newly appointed 20th commander, Morris Highgate who just spoke out of nowhere. "Don't stop her. She'll come back in flesh. No need to oppose her, Commander Morris."But Morris just snorted and shook his head but he already stayed silent. I continued attaching the daggers I need with wolfsbane and inserted them into my holster. "Just wait for me to come back here, Commander Morris and you will see that I am more c
I recovered after a week had passed. Thanks to the medicinal herbs of the kingdom's scholar and notorious herbalist, Cyan Riley as well as one-week rest. I'm almost suspended for another week for defying orders from the higher-ups.I would give my regards to my mentor and like a father to me, Fleet Admiral Jose for speaking up and giving the reports. If only they didn't know that I almost annihilated half of the rogues' population, for sure that they would detain me."General Rachelle!"I stopped in my tracks and spotted Captain Ylea dressed in her military uniform with a beret on her head. Her heavy boots were almost grounding as she came to run in my direction."Captain," I addressed her. I'm proud of her that she was promoted three months ago.
The palace was in a chaotic situation right now.It was not because of the war. The war has been long gone and turned into history.It was because of the—"Your Majesty, Luna Queen Rachelle, where are you?""Prince Cloud.""Prince Claus.""Prince Clyde."I looked at my three sons as I hushed them not to make a sound as we were hiding at the back of the greenhouse garden. We silently laughed as the knights and palace guards were panicking all over the palace.'Hush,' I said through mind link to Clyde, seven years old, when he was about to speak. I gently pointed to his head. 'Use mind link to communicate with me, alright, darling?'I heard his giggle from the mind link. 'Yes, Mommy.'I turned at Cloudy, eleven years old, who was our lookout. He giggl
Claude nervously stood up as he bowed his head before my mother. "I-I..." He cleared his throat and looked at Her nervously. "M-Moon Goddess Lunaria, I-I am Clau..." He cleared his throat again when his voice cracked causing me to chuckle softly. "I'm... Uh... Claudian Alexander IV. I am..." He gulped. "I am Rachelle's mate," he said as he chuckled nervously. I chuckled and covered my mouth seeing how nervous Claude was right now. After we both shared a kiss earlier, Claude realized that we did it in front of my mother. Judging by the expression of my mother, I could surmise that she was raising her eyebrow, scrutinizing Claude up and down. (I know you, human. Your mother, Beatrice, always told stories about you and your sisters, Claude.) Claude gasped. "D-Do you always talk to my mother?" Mother nodded. "H-How is she? F-Father misses her so much. We also missed her, too." His voice croaked be
<Rachelle, my love...><Please wake up...><You promised me...><Don't leave me alone here please...><I need you...><Rachelle, our son... He needs you, too. Don't leave us, please...>I gasped and opened my eyes as I coughed and held my neck. "Claude...?" I creased my forehead when I was in a familiar... lavender field. Again? My eyes widened upon the realization. I even noticed that I was wearing a white flowy dress. "Mother!" I immediately turned my head when I felt Her presence.In an instant, She was already beside me and I felt suffocated because she embraced me in Her arms.(How have I long to hold you, my dear, Ragriel,) she said in her godly female voice. It was like there was another voice, an alto one, jo
"No, no, no. Claude, don't do this to me," I said as I held his face as he coughed more and looked into my eyes.He smiled faintly before he told me, "Please remove them. Quickly..." he demanded as I nodded to remove them.It was a good thing that Doctor McKenzie spared us a few antidotes in case something like this would have happened. Claude immediately took the vial and was about to bestow me the other one when someone shot it. Gasping, Claude quickly shielded me when we heard footsteps from where we came from."Well, well... I did not know I had a guest tonight."Claude and I growled a warning when my father, Magnius Lothim, appeared with a sinister smile plastering on his lips. His hands were smeared with blood and I was horrified upon seeing that he was holding the... decapitated head of—"Doctor McKenzie..." I mumbled his name as I started to feel disgus
"H-How did you get here?" I asked as soon as I realized what was happening.Before Claude could answer me, he cupped my face and immediately crashed his lips into mine. My eyes widened at that unexpected action from him before he broke our kiss. His expression softened upon seeing my surprised one."I have missed you, Rachelle... I was so worried when you were abducted..." His voice croaked."Your Majesties, we must get to the infirmary now." It was Doctor McKenzie.I turned to him. "But I do have chains. I cannot simply walk properly—" I almost shrieked when I felt being scooped by the familiar touch only to find Claude who was so near to me right now that was raging my heart so wild."I shall bring this," Doctor McKenzie said while he was bringing the metal boulder which wasn't heavy enough for us since we were werewolves. "Be quiet for now, Luna Queen Rachel
That time, I was left dumbfounded and thought it over.Ragriel, the Goddess of Mate Bond... That was me? I have the capability to connect and break a couple's mate bond?Then it hit me.Which reminds me, about Claude and I... I knew we uttered the words of rejection against each other. It was already known that there was no way that a broken mate bond could be able to interlace again.Unless that was the Moon Goddess's works Herself.But that was a rare case.Since I am the Goddess of Mate Bond, then did it mean that I... used my ability? Unconsciously?Was I the reason why Claude and I's mate bond reconnected?I looked up at the ceiling to see that the moon shone my way. It was an open ceiling yet there was moisture that came from the dew which was why I could see the moon and the stars in the sky. I sta
"Now, come, come, Rachellian. Dine with your father," Lothim said with a welcoming tone as he ushered me while my hands were being clasped with tight metal bondage in front of me.Hesitant, I only nodded and didn't dare to say anything. I didn't dare to fight back as I was saving my energy.I decided not to be a hard-headed one and must do what it takes not to annoy my father. He had already done some abusive actions to me as it drained me. This time, his behavior changed and he didn't dare to take drastic actions to hurt me.It was as if he suddenly changed after that night."How's... the situation outside... um... F-Father?" Damn it! It was hard to even call him that. I even had a hard time calling Claude's father like that as well as Storm's father. Now that myrealfather was here, Lothim informed me that I must start addressing him as my father.
I screamed at the top of my lungs as soon as the hot iron rod was pressed to the flesh on my back, creating a searing pain that made me want to pass out immediately."I do not know how to communicate with Her! I only have done it one time with the former Luna Queen Beatrice's painting! That was only one time!" I said through gritted teeth, hissing as I felt the flesh from my back was slowly healing.I heard Lothim's snort behind me before I screamed again when he pressed the rod again to my back. "My apologies, my dear daughter, but I am not going to accept that as an excuse!" he said angrily. "I want to speak with your mother!" he demanded."Halt! Please..."...Father. I wanted to say it but that word couldn't come out because until now, I still couldn't believe that... Magnius Lothim was my... father.When he didn't hear anything from me, I was coerced to return back to t
Claude"Your real name is Isabella Ashdown, right? How come you have a different name as a goddess of healing and hunting?" I asked after Lady Isabel was done healing my injury on my face. Smiling, I sighed in relief after seeing that I looked perfectly fine now.I was impressed as I didn't feel any pain anymore. So, this was the power of a deity... I already imagined meeting one of them but somehow, I was still in denial."Iseldis?" Lady Isabel asked to confirm her deity name and cackled. "Father explained before to me that Iseldis is my deity name and Isabella is my mundane name." She shrugged her shoulders. "I thought that he was jesting when he told me about it. But when I grew up, I think it was starting to make sense," she explained.I kept nodding my head taking interest in her father and how he became associated with the Moon Goddess and had a daughter with Her.