CHAPTER 3

**Laura POV**

My eyes suddenly sprung open and in shock, I slapped my hands across my entire body expecting to feel the excruciating pain from the multiple stabs, but surprisedly I felt nothing.

“What is happening?” I whispered to myself, looking around the empty void i was now engulfed in. Even Alex and Sonia were nowhere to be found.

“Is anyone there!?” I screamed, but my voice echoed back to me, which made me realize I was truly alone. ‘How did I get here?’ I muttered to myself. From a distance, I could hear a shuffling sound from a distance moving in my direction.And when I spun round, I saw the most beautiful female I have ever laid eyes on.

She had long straight dark hair that pooled down to her back, her skin was as smooth as porcelain. Her emerald eyes glimmered in the dark and was a stark contrast to her plump red lips.

One thing was quite strange about her though. She was sitting on the moon.

“Hi, where am I?” I called softly, looking up at her radiant face. As soon as she caught me staring, she smiled at me.

“You’re in the abstract world, a point between life and death. At this point, you aren't alive or dead until I proclaim it so” she replied, making me gasp in shock.

Her voice was the most beautiful sound I have ever had. It was so soft, it felt like a group of orchestra playing melodious tunes. Soon it occurred to me. “I was stabbed to death” I quivered in fear.

“ I know,” she replied, beaming a smile at me. When she got up to move, to my utmost surprise, she glided through the skies towards me . I felt a wave of nausea wash over me.

“Who, what are you?” I asked in astonishment. Moving away from her imposing figure which towered over me.

“You really don't know who I am? Well child, it's me Selena. The moon goddess and I'm here to take you back.”

“I don't want to go back” I deadpanned.

“Has it occurred to you that Sonia could have the throne if you don't go back?”

In an instant, the thought of Sonia ascending my throne filled me with so much rage. I had no choice but to nod my head in agreement.

“I'm going back,” blurted out.

“Now come here child” she said, spreading her arms in order for me to embrace, her arms were many feet wide apart. I was skeptical at first but soon summoned the courage to walk towards her.

“I will give you this opportunity to go back child, to mend your wrongs and you, you have the right to choice between good and bad and an edge over every other mortal that would cross path with you.” she said in a chant-like manner. I immediately felt an electric surge coursing through my body, I felt empowered. In shock I looked up to her, about to ask why I had felt that way when she pushed me back into the void.

***

I jerked uncontrollably for a few seconds, making a lot of people sitting around me stare with a look of both pity and shock. Seemingly confused myself, I surveyed my environment when I realized I was at a funeral and Sonia’s hand was clasped against mine. “Fucking bitch” I muttered to myself. I was about to pull my hand from her firm grip when the priestess voice rang in the air, quickly snapping me from my reverie.

“We are gathered here today to pay our tributes to this loving family, the family of Alpha and Luna Carlson Blackstone.” I quickly snapped my head in the priestess direction when it dawned on me that this was my parents' funeral.

But how is this possible? My parents died two years ago. My gaze trailed off to the pyre that had been created up front, I discovered that a lot of my parents' pictures were scattered on top of it as a show of respect. I couldn't breath, I felt suffocated. I felt like I was reliving the moment. Everything seemed the same as it all happened before. With swollen red eyes, Sonia asked” Are you okay?” “I am fine,” I answered with a smile.

“Laura “ she started but was immediately cut short by the priestess voice.

“ Receive blessings children ,” “May the Moon goddess bless you, protect, keep you safe and grant you peace.”

The crowd roared in unison. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Alex, as he stride into the hall. That was where I first saw him two years ago. Sonia had introduced him to me as her only cousin, who had wanted to come see life from a different perspective. As they two made their way towards me after speaking with a few elders . Sonia led the way and Alex followed behind her. I could smell the mating bound emanating from his body; but whenever I looked into those dark eyes of his, all I saw was the love flickering in his eyes when he first saw me and how he gagged and stabbed me countless times.

“Hey Laura, wait up!” Sonia waved her hand in my direction. “ Sorry, I wanted to introduce you to my cousin Alex”

I rolled my eyes and muttered to myself ‘Dear Moon Goddess, why are you letting me relive my past?’.

“Oh , nice to meet you,” I furrowed my brow towards him as he spewed out his name. “Alex”

“Alex, nice to meet you” I smiled at him.

“I am Laura'' I said. As we shook hands, I felt a jolt of shock wave go through my body. But I paid no attention to it.

“My cousin says you two are mates!” she yelped in excitement. I looked at her with resentment etched in my gaze.

“Yeah, I just felt it.” I deadpan my face glazed over.

“Laura , you used to be overly excited and crazy about finding a mate” she said as her jaw dropped.