Chapter 53

Flora’s P.O.V

“We wish for Endymion to wake up.” I told her, shocking almost everyone around us.

Goddess Artemis tilted her head to the side, studying me. “You wish for Endymion to wake up? Why?”

“Because every time the Goddess Selene curses one of us wolves for rejecting the mating bond, it’s the pain that she herself has been suffering for centuries.” I explained. “Yes, she sees her lover every day, but he rests in an eternal slumber. She can never hear his voice again; never hear him tell her how much he loves her. We are vocal creatures and no matter how much a person shows us they love us…those three words can do so much more than just give us reassurance. Words. That’s why I want Endymion to wake up, so he can hold the Goddess in her arms and tell her from his own lips how much she means to him.”

The Moon Goddesses looked at me in stunned silence. They hadn't expected me to make such a wish, but I do not regret making it. If this is my last day on this planet, then I will make sure no other couple has to bear the same fate as me ever again. Everyone should have the right to choose the person they love and not be forced into a bond that makes you believe you were meant only for them. That choice, that feeling, should come from the heart.

I could feel almost everyone hold their breath, awaiting the judgment of the Goddesses with our hearts in our throat. Anything could happen at this point and I knew I was ready for it all to finally end.

“I cannot revoke a spell cast by the almighty Zeus, for he is far too powerful. And I cannot go against my Lord, my father.” Artemis said finally. “But I can create a loophole that should suffice.”

Artemis raised her bow high and closed her eyes. “From now onwards, on the night of every new moon, Endymion will wake from his slumber for the night and go back to his slumber in the morning.”

Artemis struck the end of her bow on the ground and thunder roared in the sky, causing a bright flash. I closed my eyes out of fear, but then the thunder stopped and the skies began to clear.

“Zeus has accepted the condition.” Artemis spoke to me when I looked up at her. “Your wish has been granted, little one. Now for the condition.”

I bowed my head and knelt on the ground in front of her. This was it…the moment that decided I lived or died. If I get to spend the rest of my life with Clay…or not.

“From now onwards,” Artemis spoke and I shut my eyes tightly, awaiting judgment. “Lindersay must have a Shrine dedicated to me as well and I must have my own worshippers, my Huntresses. Make sure my wish is fulfilled.”

My head whipped up at the goddess, my eyes wide in shock. “I get to live?”

“And what good would your death have done for me?” Artemis smirked. “You now have a greater purpose. Gods aren’t often this lenient, but you were able to win my heart with your wish. So live well, Flora. You have been spared.”

A flash of light fell from the sky and Artemis disappeared with it, like a shooting start returning back to the heavens.

Now, all that was left to do was face the Moon Goddess, Selene.

“You have some nerve interfering with the work of the Gods.” Selene spoke and it wasn’t directed to me but Malachi and Ezra. Clay was still beside them, helping support Malachi. “You called for Artemis in my Shrine and almost caused me to go into war with the Goddess of War herself.”

“Forgive me, My Lady.” Ezra bowed low, her forehead to the ground. “It was all my fault. Punish me, please. But let the others go. I take full responsibility.”

“Ezra.” Malachi tried to reach for her, but he was too weak. His hand dropped by his side and he looked at the Goddess helplessly. “Mother…please.”

“And now you want to take the blame and the responsibility for her actions?” Selene raised her eyebrows at her son, her almost translucent eyes filled with amusement.

And then the Goddess turned to face Andre.

His form was lying immobile next to the altar. At first, when he had been struck with lightning, I had thought he was dead, we all had. But now that I saw him closely, I found his chest moving at a steady pace. His breathing was shallow, but he was most definitely alive.

“My son had gone above and beyond to help me find happiness,” Selene spoke gently. “But no man should be so arrogant as to raise his hand against a woman. I failed in raising him properly, so now he must forget who he truly is.”

Andre’s body disappeared with a flash of light and I heard Malachi’s faint voice calling out to the Goddess.

“Fear not, he is alive.” Selene confirmed. “But from now on, he will have no memory of who he is or who he was. He will wake up in a peaceful pack, where he will learn to live all over again, and this time, I hope he is able to overcome his flaws.”

Finally, the Goddess turned to me.

“Flora, blood of my blood.” She came forward, her glorious white wings stretched wide before she pulled them back. “You…I am indebted to.”

“Goddess!” I shook my head immediately.

“You showed me what true love looks like and that it lies in sacrificing oneself for the sake of others.” She held out her hands for me and I took them hesitantly, rising to my feet to look up into here beautiful face. “You gave me my biggest joy. You gave me back my Endymion, even if it is for a few nights.”

“So to repay you for your wish…I revoke the law of the mating bond.” Selene spoke loud and clear. “Mates will still exist, but if your heart is truly taken by someone else, you will be able to reject the mating bond and live with your chosen mate, forming a new bond with them.”

I almost collapsed on the spot with relief. It felt like a mountain had been lifted from my shoulders and if the Goddess hadn't been holding my hand still, I would’ve indeed collapsed on the ground.

“All of you…,” the Goddess looked across the clearing at everyone present. “Go live your life the way you want, with who you want. Love shouldn’t come with conditions, I understand that now. Live freely. Love freely.”

Selene let go of my arm and stepped back and this time, the light coming from her spread across the field in waves, making us all close our eyes immediately.

When the light had disappeared and we opened our eyes once again, all of Andre’s men had disappeared, leaving behind only the wolves from Clay’s pack and Malachi and Ezra.

It was finally over. The war that we had fought for years had finally come to an end. And miraculously…we had all come out of it alive.