The Unwanted Luna

-POV

Ayame-

My mother.... The one woman that brought the three of us together who is forever silent and literally forgotten by all but the three people at this table. The only people who could confirm she even existed in the first place. Well...aside from the king. "This has to do with her disappearing...doesn't He gripped hold of the styrofoam cup in his hand. "Yes, it does."

it?"

I stared at the half-eaten pudding cup in front of me and forced myself to think. Why would he want to talk about her? Everything I've wanted to know about my mother that I didn't already experience came from my father telling me tons of stories. I don't know what else my uncle could possibly -. Then, it just clicked. It was him. It was always him. I tightened my grip on my hands and looked up at him. "Tell me why at least. I'm not angry though."

His eyes grew. "You...you know?!"

I shook my head. "I thought about what had happened and realized that it had to have been you who made my mother disappear. That's why the humans cannot find any record of her and neither could my triplets. If a Fae was involved, you really will disappear. Did you do the same to me?"

He sighed again and nodded. "Yes, I did. Since I maintain the defensive teams for the King Fae, I knew the minute you crossed our boarders and I thought it would be safer if you just disappeared. I'm also glad that you know she is not human. I know that is quite the misconception." I nodded in agreement, remembering Chaz's disrespectful comment. She was a Fae, just like her brother.

"And what of my mother? Where is she?"

He grinned sadly and turned to look at the two of us while my father's face remained vacant of emotion. I guess, now that he's a king, he really needs to control himself because he would have punched Rollo by now if this was a month ago. "She is back at my place on the alter with her mother. Please visit Job n Ib.com and search the book title to read the entire book for free. Both have been well taken care of and are surrounded by their favorite flora and fauna for all eternity. I even kept the urn you worked so hard to buy for her."

I giggled softly and walked around the table to hug my uncle. "She would have loved that, but I'm still really annoyed that you made us disappear. Now I have to start school all over again." I said before pulling away from him.

He looked between the two of us baffled. "I was dreading the day you came back to the King's castle so I could tell you all of this. It stressed me out so much that I came here to you instead and you're happy about this?!"

I nodded and turned to my dad. "I didn't have much money to bury my mom properly and I know she would have preferred the traditions of her people to send her off so now I can sleep peacefully knowing that she is well taken care of, even in death." Rollo sighed in relief and I went back to my seat. "And you, brother...? I hope you won't hate me for this. She was your everything."

Dad shook his head and turned to Rollo. "Thank you for protecting your sister and my mate when I couldn't, Rollo. I can never repay you for the sacrifices you've made for this family."

His eyes grew as he continued to be confounded by our responses. "O-Of course."

I giggled lightly and finished my pudding. "See, now that wasn't so bad, now was it?"

"Well, it did help that you already knew."

"I didn't. It was a lucky guess after I learned more about the sheer strength of your power. You really are quite the Fae, uncle."

He chuckled and dad patted his back. "Well, I don't know about that but, thank you."

"You're welcome. Now is there anything else we need to talk about?" I asked, giving him the opportunity just in case.

He chewed on his lip and glanced around the room before raising his hand and creating a box between the two of us. I looked up at him in shock at the pure white porcelain, glowing softly in front of me. "Wha...what is that?!" Dad asked, drawing a bit of attention.

We all nervously bowed to those nosey people looking our way before Rollo cleared his throat and they finally went off about their business. "It's the last thing I needed to tell you about, but be clear, if you choose to take this box, your decision is absolute and cannot be undone." "Cannot be undone?" I asked, now more confused than ever. It was easy to figure out he had something to do with my mother's disappearance, but I never thought he was hiding something else.

He shook his head slowly then took a drink from his small cup. "It's your werebear spirit, Ayame."

My breath hitched and I looked at the box, then back at my uncle and father as my heart ached to see her again. It's been so long. As if on instinct, I reached out for it and he raised his hand again, convincing me to wait a moment. "If you choose this box, you lose everything connected to the spirit you currently have...including your mates."

I dropped my hand on the table and whimpered softly. "Would it have made a difference if I chose the werebear spirit in the first place? Wait...I'm already marked that should be permanent whether I'm their mate or not. Our bond is sealed." I whispered, but also remembered all the times my bear spirit and I played in the woods as a small cub and chased the scattered dandelions behind our old home.

"No, it wouldn't have. This spirit was sealed away as your penance to the contract that kept you safe for all these years. It took myself and the King of the Fae to retrieve it for you. I'd hoped we would have neutralized the threat without you getting involved and, therefore, without you being in contact with anyone of the supernatural space before she was returned to you. However, that is not the case. Now, even though we were able to contain her, everything with magic comes with a cost. Sealed or not. I will hold onto her for now and if you decide that is what you choose, maybe you will get lucky and all three of them will be your mate again."

"So, the bond is attached to our spirit more than our physical attraction?" I asked curiously as the box continued to tempt me and my wolf began to whimper.

"Not necessarily." My dad said, chiming into the conversation. "Our spirits are part of our soul and once removed they take their part with them. Our mate bonds strengthen that part of our soul and feed it what it needs to maintain life and flourish. That is why when one's mate dies....its like part of you dies along with them. However, in your case, I've never seen a shifter be granted this opportunity, but I think it is something you should consider with your mates as well as your current spirit."

I bit my lip and looked away from him. I did still feel a little guilty that I didn't pick the werebear spirit, but at what cost would it bring me to change my mind now? I would loose master,...daddy, and sir all in an instant. Oh, and let's not forget my wolf spirit who has protected me through the hardest transition of my life.

A hand reached out and rested on mine softly. "Starlight, please make the best decision for your life and no one else's."

"But dad...you've made a ton of sacrifices for my life to be as it was. It may have been a bit bumpy for a little while, but because of you, I got to be there with mom throughout my childhood and meet my mates instead of being trapped in a cell. I got to experience life and college and it was an amazing experience." I winced as I watched his grip tighten on my hand. "Am I being too selfish? If I choose to bring back my bear spirit, that will help you too." I reminded him.

Only a true blood werebear spirit and Radavier can succeed the throne after my father unless he chooses another loyal successor, but again...it would still have to be one of werebear blood. "Your father is right Ayame. Please.... Think of your future. Your father and I have already lived in our prime and we are pretty much coasting from here on."

My father scoffed. "Speak for yourself."

Rollo huffed angrily and turned back to me, softening his demeanor. "What I mean by that is, are you really able to sacrifice it all to bring her back or are you ready to set her free?" Rollo raised his hand towards the box and it disappeared before I could think twice. "Let me know what you have decided and by all means.... Take your time." He nodded and left the cafeteria.

I turned to my dad and he nodded before taking his leave as well. I tucked one of my legs to my chest and rested my head on my knee. "Are you there?" I called out to my wolf and she whimpered back.

"You are going to choose her over me...aren't you? I won't feel any ill will about it if you do. Just know that I really cherished our time together." She said hurriedly, adding that last bit to comfort me.

I sighed and looked out at the stragglers leaving to head back to their shift. "To be honest, I don't know what to think. I may have had her when I was a baby, but I have you now. I have the triplets now. Do...do I really want to lose everything I've gained on my own for nostalgia?" I sighed again and two large frames came into view. They sat across from me and I glanced through my lashes to see it was Edon and Conri.

"What are you still doing here?" Conri asked.

I shrugged once and looked down at the table where the box used to be. "Uncle Rollo came by."

"Oh really, we thought you were still mad at us." I pursed my lips and he immediately straightened his posture while his eyes grew. "Uh, I mean, what did he want?" Edon asked, hastily. Yeah, knowing him, I'm sure he didn't want to make it two weeks. "He wanted to tell me about the things he was hiding from me."

"Like?" Conri asked hesitantly, and I don't blame him. I was expecting my mind to begin to spin and contort like when I got my memories back. But this time, instead of feeling my heart tightening. I felt more assured. More...in control.

I looked between the two of them and took a breath. "Daddy, master, can we please go to Sir's room and talk there. This is really important for all three of you to hear."

"You're scaring me, princess." Edon growled lowly. I knew I wouldn't be in charge for long, but it was fun while it lasted.

I chuckled and slid over to Conri. He scooped me up and rested me on his forearm while I wrapped my arms around his neck. "Nothing to be scared of." ...I think.