Lunar Legacy: Rise Of The Beastlord
Chapter 97: Queen Penelope

Chapter 97: Queen Penelope

Penelope rested her hand on her chin, eyes narrowing in thought. "Hmm, Beastlord, huh? Can’t say I’m familiar with the title... but I know someone who might be. I’ll ask for you."

Jayden’s face lit up instantly, like a switch had been flipped in his chest. "Really? I’d appreciate that. Thank you, Penelope." he said, too excited to hide it. And the moment the words left his lips, he regretted how they sounded.

Penelope grinned slowly, eyes gleaming with amusement. "So... you finally had the balls to say it."

Jayden swallowed hard. "I... it came out subconsciously. I didn’t mean—"

"Hahaha!" she burst into a carefree laugh, tossing her head back. "I love it. You’re such an adorable little thing."

Jayden’s cheeks flushed, a quiet red blooming across his face, but he kept quiet, biting back the bashful smile trying to surface.

"But, I’m intrigued." she said, leaning slightly toward him, "What made you so curious about this Beastlord anyway?"

He shrugged lightly. "It’s nothing really. Just saw it in a myth and got interested."

Penelope arched a brow, intrigued. "Oh? You read myths? What kind?"

"Gods and celestials. Mostly Greek mythology," he replied with a casual nod.

She smiled warmly. "That’s good. So.. that means you know the story of Lycaon?"

Jayden nodded. "Yeah. Still having a hard time believing it, though."

Penelope chuckled softly. "Understandable. It’s hard to believe a tale from dusty myths could hold any truth. But who knows? Maybe lycans didn’t come from Lycaon. Maybe they came from something... different."

Jayden nodded slowly, eyes lost in thought. "Yeah. Perhaps."

Penelope’s tone shifted, her voice soft but searching. "Tell me, Jayden. Do you believe in the other myths? Do you think the gods are real?"

He shrugged again, a small smirk curling at the edge of his lips. "I don’t know. I only read them because they’re fascinating. If they’re real, then it’s not my concern. I’d rather not get involved with a bunch of celestials." he chuckled.

Penelope gave a wistful, almost knowing smile. "Oh, is that so?"

Jayden leaned back, relaxing into the seat. "Yeah, cause from what I’ve read, they made life harder for everyone. A bunch of overpowered troublemakers."

Penelope laughed. "Yeah... you’re not wrong. They are jerks. But surely you’ve got a favorite?"

Jayden’s face lit with a boyish grin. "Hmm... I’ll say, Apollo and Artemis. The twin gods."

"Oh?" she teased. "Is that because you’re a twin too? Sounds a little biased."

He laughed. "Yeah, maybe. Guess I’ve always felt drawn to them."

Penelope looked thoughtful for a moment. "I think I’m more drawn to the heroes," she said, her voice suddenly softer, distant. "The ones who fought despite their odds. The ones who stood for something."

Jayden smiled. "Yeah. Heroes were cool. My favorite as a kid was Hercules. Though... I think I just liked him because he was strong."

Her smile faded into something faint, wistful. "Strength alone isn’t enough for a hero... They should be brave, loyal, compassionate. Willing to sacrifice. And maybe..." her voice wavered slightly, "Maybe be a bit more considerate."

Her eyes darkened. Her tone dipped.

"Considerate enough not to leave the ones who love them," she whispered. "Considerate enough... not to betray the trust of someone who believed in them."

The car’s atmosphere shifted in an instant.

Penelope’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. Her aura flared.. wild, radiant, and hot like wildfire bottled under her skin. Her breaths grew shallow. She trembled.

"Sometimes it’s better not to trust. Not to love at all," she said through gritted teeth, her voice cracking like ice under pressure. "Because betrayal feels worse than death."

A powerful heat bloomed in the car, her aura pressing into the space like molten air—suffocating, thick, and laced with anguish.

Jayden’s instincts kicked in. Calmly, he activated his aura, shielding himself from the emotional onslaught.

Then gently, without a word.. he reached forward, placing his hands over hers on the steering wheel. Penolope shuddered. Slowly releasing her hands from the steering wheel, as the car automatically landed on the ground.

She turned to him, startled, her glowing purple eyes shimmering with tears.

Jayden’s voice came low, steady, warm.

"It’s going to be okay, Penelope," he said. "You’re one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. You’re beautiful. Powerful. And filled with love. And I know you were hurt in the past. But you need to let go of the past completely and move on."

Her fingers twitched beneath his.

"Whoever hurt you... they wanted you to stay broken, sad and alone." he said softly. "Prove them wrong. Show them you’re stronger than that. Prove that you don’t need them to be happy."

"Show them that even without them, you’re not alone. You’ve got Cassie. And now... you’ve got me too." he added with an assuring smile.

Penelope’s expression softened as her breathing calmed. The heat of her aura receded like a tide pulling back. Her eyes dimmed.

"You’re right," she whispered, staring deeply into his eyes. "I don’t need him. I have Cassandra... and I have you."

Jayden smiled, and his hand moved without thinking. He cupped her face gently, thumb brushing away the tears trailing down her cheek.

Her breath hitched. Her eyes widened slightly. And for a second... neither of them breathed.

Jayden’s heart pounded like a drum in his ears. He quickly pulled his hand back, clearing his throat, flustered beyond belief.

But what he didn’t know... was that Penelope was just as shaken.

They both turned away, each trying to pretend the moment didn’t just happen.

Penelope glanced at the duplex in front of them and smiled faintly. "Would you look at that. We’re here."

Jayden looked up, his eyes widening. "Wait... that’s my house?!" he exclaimed. The car was sitting directly beside his house. His actual home.

He turned to Penelope in awe. "I thought you were driving to your house."

She smirked. "And what kind of adult would I be if I let a 17-year-old walk home alone in the middle of the night?"

He laughed, relaxing. "Thanks. But.. how’d you know this place?"

"I used to drop Cassandra off here when she and Tasha were still friends," she said, her voice distant. "I never really understood what happened between them."

Jayden blinked. "Cassandra and Tasha were friends?" he thought, as the memory of their hostile standoff at school flashed through his mind. Them being buddies was hard to picture.

Penelope waved a hand. "Off you go now." she scooted. "Don’t want Harleen worrying."

Jayden stepped out, turning back. "Thanks again. For everything."

"Oh, Jayden," she called before he shut the door. "If you want to know more about me... look up, Queen Penelope."

Jayden chuckled. "Queen Penelope? Like from The Odyssey?"

She nodded. "Yes, actually. We have a lot in common. I was... named after her."

Jayden smiled softly. "No wonder you’re so beautiful. I heard she was, too."

Penelope froze. Her face flushed pink. She quickly turned away. "Get going before I drag you back to my place and make you walk all the way back here."

He chuckled again. "Alright, alright. Goodnight."

Penolope sighed in relief as he left, but she couldn’t help but feel a bit of joy when Jayden called her beautiful. Many men had called her beautiful before, but she never took it to heart.

But hearing it from Jayden made her feel special, it made her happy. It was a feeling she hadn’t felt in a very long time. And she didn’t want that feeling to stop. Ever.

She knew it was a ridiculous thing, but at that moment, she didn’t care.

As he walked away, Penelope sat still in the car, her heart fluttering with a feeling she hadn’t felt in years. Not from compliments. Not from looks. But from him.

Many men had called her beautiful before, but she never took it to heart. But hearing it from Jayden made her feel special, it made her happy. It was a feeling she hadn’t felt in a very long time. And she didn’t want that feeling to stop. Ever.

She watched him from the window, her chest aching with an odd desire.

She didn’t want him to go.

She wanted him to stay. She wanted him to hold her. To... kiss her.

And as if possessed by a force she couldn’t deny, she opened the car door and stepped out.

"Jayden!" she called.

He turned, just about to open the front door.

Before he could speak, she was already in front of him.. eyes shining, breath shallow, lips parted.

"What’s happeni—" he began.

But the words never finished. Because her lips were already on his.

She kissed him.

And for a moment, the world went still.