CHAPTER 362: THE FATE ALGORITHM

Natalie~

I stood there in our private chambers, my chest heaving with fury, the echo of my yell—"Mom!"—still bouncing off the stone walls like springs. The air felt thick, charged with that familiar celestial hum, the kind that always preceded her arrivals. Zane squeezed my hand, his blue eyes flicking to Jacob, who stood serenely with his arms crossed, that knowing smirk playing on his lips. My brother always knew more than he let on, but right now, I was too angry to care.

A few heartbeats passed in tense silence, and then it happened. A blinding light erupted in the center of the room, so intense it forced me to shield my eyes, like staring into the heart of a supernova. The glow pulsed, warm and overwhelming, filling every corner with ethereal brilliance. Zane let out a low growl, instinctively stepping in front of me, but Jacob just chuckled softly. "Easy, brother-in-law. She’s here."

The light dimmed gradually, softening to a gentle, moonlit shimmer that bathed the velvet drapes and the crackling hearth in silver hues. And there she was—my mother, the Moon Goddess herself, materializing in a flowing gown of stardust and silk, her hair flowing like liquid night sky, dotted with twinkling stars. Her eyes, those infinite pools of silver, sparkled with mischief and love, as if she hadn’t just been summoned by my outraged scream.

Before I could utter a word, she turned her gaze to Zane, her face lighting up with that maternal warmth that could melt even the fiercest Lycan King. "Oh, my dear Zane," she cooed, gliding toward him with open arms. She pulled him into a soft, enveloping hug, her hands ruffling his blonde hair like he was a pup rather than the Night Alpha. Then, she planted affectionate kisses on both his cheeks, lingering just a moment too long to make him squirm adorably.

Zane’s tough exterior cracked instantly. A deep blush crept up his neck, turning his olive skin a shade of crimson I’d only seen when he was truly flustered. But he grinned—a big, genuine smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes—and hugged her back with surprising gentleness. "Mother," he greeted warmly, his voice gruff but laced with affection. "Always a pleasure. Though, uh, maybe warn us next time about the light show?"

She laughed, a melodic sound like wind chimes in a starry breeze, pulling back to pat his cheek. "Where’s the fun in that, my son? You’ve grown even stronger since last we met. I’m so proud."

Next, she turned to Jacob who stood there with his trademark smirk, arms still crossed. She approached him gracefully, cupping his face in her hands before leaning in to press a tender kiss to his forehead. "My wise one," she murmured, her voice soft and reverent.

Jacob’s smirk softened into a genuine smile, his eyes twinkling. "Mother," he greeted, bowing his head slightly in respect. "Impeccable timing, as always. We’ve got quite the puzzle here."

"Indeed we do," she replied, giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze before finally turning to me. Her silver eyes met mine, filled with that endless love, but I was still fuming, arms crossed tightly over my chest, my celestial magic simmering just beneath my skin like a storm about to break.

She stretched out her arms toward me, her expression pleading and playful all at once. "Come now, my Second Moon," she said, using that endearing nickname that always made me feel like a child again. "Don’t leave your mother hanging. I need one of your hugs—they’re the best in all the realms."

I sulked for a few seconds, my lips pursed, feet rooted to the spot. Part of me wanted to yell more, to demand answers right then and there. But she looked so hopeful, so loving, and damn it, she was my mother. Like a little girl throwing a tantrum, I finally relented, shuffling forward into her open arms. The moment her embrace wrapped around me, all the tension melted away—or at least, most of it. She smelled like moonlight and wildflowers, a scent that transported me back to simpler times.

"Oh, there she is," my mother whispered, holding me close. She showered me with soft, motherly kisses: one on my forehead, lingering and warm; then on each cheek, light and reassuring; and finally, on the top of my head, as if sealing in her love. "My beautiful Mara. I’ve missed you so."

I pulled back just enough to look up at her, still sulking a bit, my voice coming out in a petulant whine. "Mom... why? Why did you have to pair Katrina and Nicholas with demons, of all supernatural species? And the worst part—you blocked my powers of sight and prophecy when it comes to those two, Vincent and Winter. If those are even their real names! How am I supposed to protect my children if I can’t see what those demons are plotting against them?"

My words tumbled out, laced with hurt and frustration, my eyes—mirrored in Katrina’s—welling up with unshed tears. Zane stepped closer, his hand on my shoulder for support, while Jacob nodded solemnly, urging me on.

"And that bond!" I continued, my voice rising. "What’s with this strange connection between Katrina, Vincent, Nicholas, and Winter? How come separating them—even just temporarily—could kill them? It’s not like any mate bond I’ve ever seen. Mom, why are you punishing Katrina and Nicholas like this? They don’t deserve it!"

My mother’s face softened with sympathy, her silver eyes glistening. She pulled me into another hug, tighter this time, rocking me gently like she did when I was small in another life. "Oh, my Second Moon, please don’t cry," she begged, her voice a soothing whisper against my hair. "Shh, it’s alright. Let me explain, darling. I promise, it’s not a punishment."

I sniffled against her shoulder, the tears threatening to spill, but I nodded, pulling back to wipe my eyes. Zane hovered nearby, his blue gaze flicking between us, concern etched on his face. "Yeah, Mother," he chimed in, his tone protective. "We’ve seen mate bonds before, but this... this is intense. Hearts stopping from just being apart? That’s not normal."

Jacob leaned against the wall, arms crossed again. "And the power block on Natalie—clever move, but it’s got her worried sick. Spill it, Mom. What’s the bigger picture?"

My mother sighed, a sound like a gentle night wind, and gestured for us to sit on the plush velvet chaise by the window. The moonlight streamed in, creating ethereal patterns on the floor, as if the stars themselves were listening. She took my hands in hers, her touch cool and comforting. "First things first, Mara. You know how mate pairings work—it’s not me whimsically pointing fingers and saying ’you and you.’ It’s an algorithm in the Fate Libraries, ancient and precise."

Zane blinked, confused. "An algorithm? Like... some cosmic computer program?"

She chuckled softly, the sound light and a bit funny in the midst of the drama, easing the tension just a smidge. Zane snorted, trying to hide a smile. "Sounds like something from one of those human sci-fi movies Kat loves."

"Exactly, my dears," my mother continued, her eyes twinkling. "I created it eons ago, infused it with my blessings so it never errs. Now, it runs on its own, flawlessly. It selects the best match for each soul—the one who completes them in every way. They share souls, you see; each carries half of the other’s essence. It’s why true mates feel so... inevitable."

"But you check them personally?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "Before they’re joined?"

She nodded, her expression turning serious. "Every single one. And Mara, my love, I’ve never seen matches as perfect as Katrina with Vincent, and Nicholas with Winter. Not since... well, you and Zane."

Zane and I exchanged a glance, his hand finding mine again, squeezing reassuringly. The memory of our own bond—turbulent, passionate, unbreakable—flooded me. But still, demons? "Mom, they’re demons," I protested, my voice cracking. "How can that be perfect?"

She placed a hand on my cheek, her touch grounding. "Because the algorithm sees beyond species, beyond prejudices. It sees souls. If you split them—force new mates—it would doom them to loveless lives. Remember your own story, Second Moon. With Griffin."

The name hit me like a punch to the gut. Griffin—my first assigned mate, suggested by my brothers in a misguided attempt to protect me from Zane’s wild reputation. I remembered it all too vividly: the rejection, the hollow connection, the nights of quiet despair where I felt like half a person. Our bond had been a shadow of what true love should be, leading to pain, betrayal, and ultimately, our tragic end. I shuddered, tears finally spilling over. "I... I remember. It was hell. Empty. I felt so alone in the world when he was supposed to be my fated mate."

Zane pulled me closer, his arm wrapping around my shoulders. "We don’t talk about that time much," he murmured, kissing my temple. "But yeah, it nearly broke her."

My mother nodded solemnly. "Exactly. Listening to your brothers’ suggestion back then... it was a mistake I regretted. Griffin was kind, but he wasn’t your completion and that made him come out as wicked. And there is no one else in all the worlds who could complete Katrina like Vincent does. The same for Nicholas and Winter. They’re halves of the same soul, my dears. Perfect in their imperfections."

I was lost for words, my mind reeling. The thought of Katrina enduring what I had with Griffin— a loveless existence, constant ache, losing hope and thinking I would never be loved by anyone—twisted my heart. Nicholas, that brooding, cocky boy who was like a son to us, suffering the same? No. I couldn’t wish that on those beautiful children, not for anything. But the tears came anyway, hot and unrelenting, as I buried my face in my hands. "Why, Mom? Why fated to demons? Everyone knows demons aren’t... good. They’re chaos, darkness. How can that be right for my baby girl and Nick?"

She knelt before me, wiping my tears with gentle thumbs. "Oh, Second Moon, demons are not monolithic evil. Vincent and Winter... they have their heritage, yes, but souls are more than bloodlines. The algorithm chose them because they balance Katrina and Nicholas—light with shadow, strength with vulnerability. It’s not a curse; it’s harmony."

Jacob walked up to me, caressed my face, his voice steady but emotional. "She’s right, Little Moon. Look at Sebastian and Cassandra—Vampire and werewolf. Worlds apart, but perfect together."

Zane chimed in, his tone thoughtful. "And the bond’s strength... that’s what worries us most. Why is it so intense that separation could kill them? Normal mates hurt, sure, but this? It’s like their lives are tethered on a razor’s edge."

My mother stood, her gown shimmering as she paced gracefully, the room’s lavender scent mixing with her ethereal aura. "Ah, that. The bond is amplified because of their heritages—celestial, lycan, vampire, werewolf, demonic, divine. It’s a convergence of powers rarely seen. Separation isn’t just emotional; it’s soul-rending. Their shared essences are so intertwined that distance literally pulls them apart, stopping hearts, fading breaths. It’s not punishment, my loves—it’s the depth of their perfection. But fear not; with time and acceptance, they’ll learn to navigate it."

I looked up at her through blurry eyes, my voice a whisper. "But why so strong? To the point of danger?"

She smiled sadly, pulling me to my feet for another embrace. "Because true completion comes with risks, Second Moon. But trust me—it’s worth it."