I was in my room, feeling refreshed after taking a bath. Deciding to catch up with Luke and get an update, I gave him a call. On my first attempt, he didn’t answer the call, so I tried again. Finally, I saw his handsome face on the screen!
"Hi," he greeted me, his voice carrying a breathy tone. "I missed you," he said sweetly, his words nearly melting my heart.
I could imagine him biting his lip as he spoke. "I missed you too," I replied.

His voice felt like home, as if we had been separated for an eternity. The longing to be with him grew stronger with each passing moment. I yearned for him deeply.
"What were you doing? Were you alone? Did you eat? Was Xavier by your side?" he asked in rapid succession and I could sense the excitement in his voice, as if he was holding his breath after uttering those words, though I knew he was only teasing.
"You don't sound too excited," I teased, playfully and he chuckled.
"If only you knew how much I yearn to be with you. Ahh! I'm so jealous of Xavier. I wish I could be in his position, going on adventures with you instead of being stuck here dealing with the pack," he said, trying to release some of his stress.
"That's your priority. You are the Alpha of Lancaster, and I'm genuinely proud of you," I reassured him.
"How's your mission going?" he changed the subject, the tone turning serious.

"I've retrieved the first two powers of the Pillars,” I shared.
"Are you okay? Did you have to fight them?" he asked, genuine concern lacing his words.
I was touched by his concern, and then I took a deep breath. “Yeah, I tried to avoid confrontation as much as possible, but it was inevitable. I ended up killing many of them and I am so guilty right now,” I complained.
"Stop feeling guilty for what you've done. You know they deserved it. They killed innocent people for their ruthless plans," he reminded me firmly.

“I know but sometimes, I wonder if they are just using me or not. Magnus said the same to me, that I was just a pawn in a game,” I mumbled, and I heard his loud intake of breath at the other line.
“You met Magnus? For real?”
“Yes, Luke, and he called me by a different name. He called me Diana but I am not sure what happened back there because when I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, I looked different!”
“Magnus must have been playing with you and that bastard had caused so much suffering. Speaking of which, we've already taken down some of his warehouses, just as you predicted. He's been kidnapping people and werewolves, forcing them to become his loyal, lowly dogs," he informed me. “Anyway, how are you my love? Did Xavier and his group give you more workloads?”
"Not really, but we have to go to Vegas later. We need to retrieve something that will help us unlock the path to the next pillar. Honestly, I am still confused about everything, but I have to do what’s necessary to take down Magnus.”
"Sounds exciting! I wish I could go with you," he exclaimed, his enthusiasm shining through.
"Don't worry, we'll meet soon. Our mission has just been completed.By the way, can you do me a favor? Can you check on my parents please? I wonder if they’re doing okay now that I am away.”
"Okay, don’t worry about anything, okay? I love you," he expressed.
"I love you too," I replied wholeheartedly.
Then, with a sigh, we ended the call. I missed my mate so deeply, left only with the scent of him lingering on his used clothes as a reminder of his presence. My heart ached for Luke Skywalker and I couldn’t explain the reasons why I couldn’t let him go despite our circumstances.
I hoped he was safe and well without me by his side. I had to be cautious, ensuring that Magnus never discovered his true identity as my mate. The consequences would be dire, and I couldn't bear the thought of having to choose between him and the fate of the world.
After changing into fresh clothes, I realized it was already evening, the darkness enveloping the outside world. Alexandra insisted on buying us a meal while Xavier rested. He looked sleep-deprived and utterly exhausted, deserving of a proper rest.
He had also warned me to be wary, as we were still unsure of who the traitor among us was. I knew it couldn't be Xavier, as his loyalty was unwavering. Even though our time together had been short, having met just a month ago, I could sense his genuine desire to assist me. He was a loyal and trustworthy ally.
As I pondered the identity of the traitor among the five individuals involved, Alexandra, Xavier (who wasn't a choice), the human hunter, Selene, and the witch, Alexandra returned with the take-out meal, placing it on the table. My hunger intensified, and I eagerly expressed my gratitude.
"Thank you, I'm famished and will dig in now."
Alexander inquired about Xavier's whereabouts, concerned for his well-being. I informed her that he was currently asleep on the bed, exhausted from our relentless excavation of the pillars. Not to mention our encounters with an elite pack warrior and an alpha.
"It sounds incredibly tiring. In that case, we might have to reconsider booking a plane ticket. We'll need to come up with an alternative plan," she suggested.
"What do you have in mind?" I asked.
"A portal. While it's convenient, it's also very challenging because we need to maintain a delicate balance. We know that altering space and time defies the Keeper of Time. As a witch with the power of an ancient warlock, I can create the portal, but I'll need your power to assist me tomorrow,” Alexandra said.
“Is it really possible? I mean, such a thing exists here?” I asked in disbelief and she just nodded. “Just how powerful could you be?” I inquired but she just grinned without responding to my question.
The following day, she prepared for the ritual to create the said portal. She swung a metallic rope in the air, forming a circular portal with its motion. When it was finally created, my eyes could only widen in disbelief. Just who were these people? Why was I being grouped with them?
"Come on! Hurry and go through the other side! I can only sustain this portal for a minute," Alexandra said so we sprinted into the round portal.
Suddenly, we found ourselves in an entirely different place. I couldn't believe where we had ended up! It was a bustling, vibrant city, but one that could only truly be enjoyed with substantial wealth.
First things first, we needed to address the weakened state of Alexandra, who had exerted a great deal of power. Defying the order of time came with consequences, and now she would have to face the penalties.
We managed to find a small room where we could rest for the remainder of the day. We still had time to gather our resources. We gathered information about the upcoming auction house where the Divine Feather would be sold. It was baffling to consider how such a powerful and legendary item had ended up in the hands of humans.
“Why is he here?” I asked upon recognizing Jimuel’s Dad on the guest list.
"It seems he's aware and also interested that the Pillars have resurfaced. He'll try to obtain the only key and locate the next pillar," Xavier informed us as he was acquainted to Jimuel’s Dad.
“But why?”
“Because he is one of Magnus’ loyal men,” Xavier replied. “This man is evil, Isabella. He even fed her own family to the greatest warriors of Magnus just to be accepted into the clan,” he informed and then I realized that Jimuel had been angry at the wrong group of creatures. All along, it was his Dad’s doing.
"He can dream on. We won't let him have his way," I declared, determined to thwart his plans especially when I recalled that Jim’s sister was interested in my man.
So, the day of the auction arrived, and we anticipated heightened security. However, we never expected that even the Mayor, in his disguise, would have his men surrounding the auction house, aiming to seize the crucial item. Fortunately, the security wasn't flawless, allowing us to create an opening.
Xavier would pose as a waiter within the auction house, using his illusion-based water power to disguise himself. Meanwhile, I would remain outside. I knew I was their primary target, so I couldn't afford to be caught. It would spell the end of our mission.
Alexandra had created a fake feather, and their objective was to steal the real one and replace it with the counterfeit. I sat inside a rented van, feeling somewhat helpless as I waited. Though I wanted to assist them, they insisted on handling the situation themselves. I trusted in their capabilities.
They employed a potent concoction of concentrated magic, derived from sleeping dust, capable of inducing even the mightiest of gods into a deep slumber. With Alexandra’s ability to manipulate time, she could execute the exchange of the counterfeit feather for the genuine one.
All we needed was the perfect timing and a well-thought-out strategy. I waited nervously inside the van for what felt like an hour, fully aware that our enemy was no ordinary foe. Though he may have been stripped of some of his divine power, he was still powerful compared to me.
Another hour passed, and my anxiety grew. I contemplated stepping outside the van when suddenly, the door swung open, revealing Alexandra and Xavier. It appeared that we had successfully accomplished our mission. However, the real battle had yet to begin.
Xavier took the wheel, assuming the role of our driver, while Alexandra shared her plan with us. Our original intention had been to secure the feather and proceed to the Pillar the following night. Yet, circumstances had changed, and time was of the essence. We could not afford to waste a single moment from here on out.
We made a stop behind a museum, where Alexandra’s magic enabled us to infiltrate the premises without triggering any alarms. Inside, we stumbled upon a boat. I couldn't help but feel perplexed as to why we needed a boat at this particular moment. She produced a small pouch, and with her enchanting abilities, transformed the wooden boat into a miniature version, fitting it neatly inside the pouch.
"You never cease to amaze us!" I exclaimed in excitement, my voice inadvertently loud enough for Xavier to hurriedly cover my mouth.
"Sorry," I whispered, realizing my mistake.
We stepped outside, faced with the challenge of maneuvering the large boat through the streets.
"Now for the trick!" Dian announced with a mischievous grin.
We boarded the boat, and as we activated the power of the feather, it levitated effortlessly. Ascending into the air, the experience captivated onlookers, but I couldn't deny a twinge of fear. It seemed that my unease extended not only to the sea but also to the sky. Was there such a thing as sky sickness?
The Aladdin-like ride carried us for a thrilling 30 minutes until we finally landed on the floating island. Relief washed over me, but as I turned to check on Xavier, I noticed him pale and retching on the other side. It appeared that he struggled even more with acclimating to heights. We both seemed to have developed acrophobia.
"Pathetic. Try riding a broomstick you'll get used to it," Alexandra taunted with a smirk playing on her lips.
We continued our journey, though Xavier appeared pale and visibly apprehensive. He struggled to walk on his own, so I offered to carry him piggyback-style. Despite his towering height compared to mine, an unexpected surge of strength enabled me to support his weight effortlessly.
The floating island boasted a miniature forest, resembling any ordinary woodland, yet emanating an immense divine power. As we ventured further, we arrived at the heart of the island, where a temple stood.
Guarding the temple were demigods, resembling statuesque Centaurs. Their hostile stance and charging attacks indicated that facing them with our current abilities would prove challenging, if not impossible.
"Stop!" a commanding voice suddenly echoed, seemingly from nowhere.
A brilliant white light materialized before us, revealing her presence. She appeared as a petite goddess, riding her favored star. Though she had existed for over a million years, her youthful form resembled that of a five-year-old child.
“Moon Goddess?”