chapter 26
999 Words
AVELORA
It was walking away. Something was wrong, the footsteps weren't as heavy or frantic as they had been moments ago. Now, they sounded rhythmic, almost graceful. It sounded like a human walking, not a monster salivating at the thought of tearing us open.
"Do you know the Legend of the Moonson Monster?" I whispered.
Khyrix’s shoulder was bleeding heavily, the dark stain spreading across his shirt, yet he stood there with indifference, as if the wound didn't hurt.
"No," he clipped out.
Good. This would keep his mind off the thing currently hunting us.
"It’s a legend from my pack," I continued, my voice low. "About a beast that only emerges under the full moon."
He let out a dry, low chuckle. "Do you have any idea how many legends involve monsters and full moons? Look around, sweet pea. We are the monsters."
"Nope. I don't transform for anyone. I own this body, cupcake."
His eyebrow twitched. A ghost of a smile brushed his lips before it vanished. Two could play this game.
"The Moonson is different," I said, leaning in. "It’s said to feed exclusively on Alphas."
He laughed then, the sound rich and melodic, filling the cramped space in a way that made my chest tighten. I needed to get myself together.
"You won't be laughing if it finds you," I deadpanned.
"I do the hunting, sugarplum. I don't get hunted."
I bit the inside of my cheek. I had to admit, sugarplum was pretty funny.
"We’re hiding in a cave, Alpha. Your story doesn't quite add up."
He went quiet for a beat. "You never fail to surprise me with your insubordination."
My heart which had been racing for all the wrong reasons, finally began to steady. A small smile played at my lips. He wasn't as terrifying as I’d initially thought, or perhaps he was just keeping up with my uncontrollable mouth.
"Now, will you let me finish?"
He gestured with a blood-smeared hand for me to continue.
"The legend started a hundred years ago, at the height of the Great War. An Alpha was injured, trying to lead the remnants of his army back to their village. They camped in a cave just like this one. But because they had a wounded Alpha among them, the Moonson tracked the scent of his blood. It found him while he was unconscious..." I paused for dramatic effect, watching his eyes.
"...and it feasted on his body and soul."
Khyrix shook his head in disappointment. "Did the Moonson at least add some spice? Eating an Alpha raw sounds terribly bland."
I stood up to demonstrate, deciding to provide a visual aid.
"They say the Moonson doesn't just want your flesh." I stepped closer, pointing a finger toward his chest. "It kills the light inside you. Once it takes you, there is no afterlife. No reincarnation. You just disappear..." I let my index finger rest against the fabric of his shirt, right over his heart. "...as if you never existed."
His heart was hammering, fast, rhythmic. I looked up, meeting his gaze, proud of myself for finally getting a physical reaction out of him.
"Cute," he simply said.
My cheeks flamed. I immediately broke contact and stepped back. Cute? That story had kept me awake for a week after I found it in the court library.
"The rogue is gone," he announced, his tone shifting back to business as he stood up.
"How can you be sure?"
He shrugged. "It’s been gone for a while. Let’s move."
"And go where?"
"To your fitting. You can’t show up to the full moon party looking like you just crawled out of the Forbidden Forest."
Right. The full moon party.
Hours of pretending I belonged beside him while half the academy waited for me to fail. And after that? The council meeting.
Fantastic.
.......
Returning to his private dorm felt like entering a different universe.
"Take her," Khyrix commanded the moment we stepped through the heavy doors. He didn't even look at me, he just pointed toward the stairs. It was jarring how quickly his mask returned. "She needs to be ready in three hours."
"Yes, Alpha," a woman in a sharp uniform murmured.
I was whisked away before I could even protest.
I was scrubbed in a bath that smelled of crushed rose petals and citrus until my skin was pink. They brushed my hair until it glowed, weaving intricate braids at my temples to pull the hair back from my face.
When they finally brought out the dress, the lead stylist whispered, "The Luna must look her best."
The Elders hadn't even accepted me yet, but Khyrix had clearly made sure every staff member knew exactly what to call me.
The dress was a slip of midnight-blue silk. It felt like water against my skin, clinging to every curve and pooling at my feet in a way that made me feel taller, more like the woman they expected me to be.
An impatient knock echoed through the room. I stepped out into the hallway.
Khyrix was waiting. He was in a black suit that emphasized the sheer breadth of his shoulders. His hair was damp and pushed back, making him look elegant. He looked like he owned the spotlight and nothing else mattered . I glanced at his right shoulder, there wasn't a single hint of the blood from earlier. His healing was as terrifying as his reputation.
He stopped when he saw me. For the first time, the Alpha was speechless.
He stepped into my personal space, his thumb grazing my jawline. "You look..." He cleared his throat, his eyes darkening. "You look like you belong at my side."
"Is that a compliment, Alpha?" I asked, my voice steadier than I felt.
He offered me his arm, his expression hardening back into that impenetrable mask.
"Ready to play your part?"
No. Anybody ready to be verbally dissected by a group of rich bastards is just a masochist.
- Writer
