Moon Children

THE MARKED (3)

I gulped audibly. I was definitely not expecting that. Poisoned, seriously? Was it wrong to hope that maybe he just wanted to be my friend? He’s always been very attractive, but he’s a w***e too. Wait, what should that matter to me? This man’s never shown me an ounce of compassion in his life, now he’s at my bedside and says he knows what I am? 

“Poison? And how do you know...” I trailed off quietly. 

As if reading my mind, he says “It wasn’t your parents, Darci, or even your siblings. I knew there was something different about you when I saw the markings of your wolf. My parents didn’t have a choice. There’s a threat to our pack, and it’s because they want you, and your power. I had to know what you were in order to best protect the pack.” Ezra spoke so confidently, but I sensed he was hiding something from me, specifically. I furrowed my brows. 

“And that’s all?” I paused. He looked at me, puzzled. 

“I just thought, never mind. So, someone knows I’m the female Moon child of the prophecy, and they want to take me to use my power for their territory?”  

I scoffed and let out a wry laugh.  

“I don’t even know how to use my power yet, and my mother always told me not to worry because my power would only affect Black Brook. My mother never lies to me, so how would it make sense that someone wanted my powers when I haven’t even used them?” 

Ezra sighed and stared into my eyes for what felt like minutes. He was searching for something, of what I’m not certain. Slowly, he placed his large hand over my very small one and rested it there. I felt compelled to stay still, even though my head was screaming to pull away from him, I couldn’t. This is my future Alpha, and big brother’s best friend. He should not be showing this kind of compassion towards me. But I couldn’t look away, I couldn’t even move. I was mesmerized for absolutely no reason at all. I felt an unbelievable amount of relief just being near him. 

“I can’t give you all the answers you want, not yet. Maybe another day. But for now, you need to rest.” He removed his hand from the top of mine and I instantly missed the warmth radiating off of him. Ezra abruptly got up and walked out of room, so I took the moment to mope. I lay back and turned over, my nostrils immediately filled by the Ezra’s scent.  

Okay, weird. What was that about? 

Darci, he’s going to be Alpha someday. He’s comforting a pack member. Stop overreacting. Vy retorts in my head.  

True. I sit back up, to hear the door of my room open and my father appear from behind it. 

“You worried your mother sick, you know.” I could see the relief on my father’s face, even when scolding me, he was so happy I was okay. 

“I’m sorry Dad, that she-wolf was shady. I definitely didn’t expect to be poisoned, with mercury no less! Ha!”  

My father instantly bristled. 

“What did you say? You were poisoned with ... mercury?!” My father's eyes glazed over, most likely linking with someone.  

“We're going home, NOW." My father boomed. 

“Wait, you didn’t know? EZRA!” 

Ezra comes racing back into the room when he hears my scream. It’s only then I notice my father is directing all his anger at him. 

“Why the f**k didn’t you tell me, Ezra?! Mercury?! Do you even understand what that means you insolent f*cking pup?” Henry bellows. 

“Henry, I couldn’t. Not until I was told everything. I know now what she is, and she knows that I know. As the soon to be Alpha, I couldn’t be releasing vital information until our current Alpha advised me on how to handle the situation. And I am NOT A PUP!” Ezra was trying to reason with my father, HAH! Good luck, puppy. Wait - soon to be?   

“She’s MY daughter and I should be informed of EVERYTHING that has to do with her. You haven’t protected her your whole life, I HAVE! You ran like a coward!” 

Ran? Dar, what is he talking about?   Vyra speaks in my head. 

I wish I knew! I am utterly confused, and voiceless. 

“QUIET!!” The room grew silent, as Luna Gretchen walked through the door. I bowed my head immediately and greeted her with a submissive smile. Her long, glossy, pin-straight, dark chocolate-brown hair glided across her entire back as she entered. She smiled warmly in my direction, then turned her attention to my father. 

“Henry, my son is right. It was our decision not to speak of the circumstances surrounding Darcietta’s attack. We need to analyze our threat before letting word get out about this. There are 2 rogues in the dungeon waiting for interrogation on the matter, and you are more than welcome to take out your frustrations on them with Edgar and the others. Do not waste your energy on being angry with Ezra. It was not his decision.”  

Her warm demeanor and sparkling green eyes turned dark and dangerous in an instant. Her presence was dripping authority, her voice cut through the air like tendrils of smoke. Everyone, Ezra included, nodded their heads in respect. I may have “legacy blood” or whatever, but that women came from a long line of powerful Alpha’s, and ended up mated to one herself. She oozed power from every pore. 

“Henry, I’ll take Darcietta home, I’m long overdue for a visit with my best friend anyhow.” Her usual sweet tone back to her voice. I hated that she used my full name though. Darcietta was only my name on paperwork or if I was in trouble – with our Luna being the only exception. Everyone else has always called me Darci, and amongst my siblings and close friends many referred to me as simply, “Dar". 

“Very well, please tell Loralie I’ll be home after dinner tonight. And Darci, rest for the day, you can go shopping for your party in the morning. I love you to the Moons and back.” Henry smiled and exited the room.  

I look over to see Luna and Ezra, both watching me intently. I never noticed how similar Ezra is to his mother. He too has a beautiful head of dark, chocolate-brown hair and sparkling emerald orbs, complimented by a stunning, sweet smile. Ezra however, is much larger than his petit framed mother, standing at 6’5, and also has more volume to his hair like that of his father’s lighter wavy brown locks. His nose was perfectly chiseled at the tip, with a squared jaw-line. Oomph, and that man’s body. Huge arms that could suffocate you with one squeeze, thick thighs that could be seen through his dark blue jeans, and a lean, muscular torso sculpted by the goddess herself. WHOA, why am I checking him out right now? I shook myself away from my thoughts and cleared my throat. 

“Shall we get going, Gretch?” I asked the Luna confidently. Ezra looked a bit shell-shocked, but he forgets how close our entire families are to each other; not just him and Luca. 

“Right away, darling.” She sang. 

We made our way to my house, Ezra still trailing along quietly behind us. When we reached the door an over-zealous Stella, Eve, and Gray sprang through it, nearly tackling me in the process. Luca and Harvey hung further back smiling at me, my mother standing between them. I hugged every sibling and when I got to Luca, I thought he’d nearly crush me, before hearing a low growl from the doorway. 

“CAREFUL.” Ezra seethed. 

Wow, seriously though what is his problem?   I asked my wolf.  

I could practically feel her roll her eyes at his outburst. I shot him a quick glare and turned to hug my mother before trudging to my bedroom upstairs. Mine was the third room to the left. I opened the old, cherry mahogany door and shut it tightly behind me. I looked around and sighed. My room is my safe space. While it’s not incredibly lavish it is still tasteful and all rooms in the house have the same general set-up. A big bedroom with a fireplace, a small balcony outside the French glass doors, and one large window with a cozy reading nook in front of it, facing the forest. To the left is a full-sized bathroom, and a door inside leading to an impressive walk-in closet. My entire space has been carefully arranged with plants, crystals, geometric patterns, and abstract paintings I’d made through the years. The walls are a light grey, with pops of bright green and yellow throughout. The bathroom was tiled with white and grey marble, while the closet matched the bedroom. My curtains were black, however, because I cherish my sleep. They matched the black and grey design of my queen-sized bed set. My room, however, was slightly different from all the rest. There was a small ladder hanging down one wall, and when you climb it there’s a cozy quarter-loft that I turned into my hide-away area. Clara, Maria, and I frequently go up there when we want to have a drink and/or vent to each other. Since it was barely noon, I closed the curtains before I pulled back my comforter. I crawled into bed, to try an attempt at resting for the day. 

Ezra’s POV 

Felix couldn’t contain himself when Luca hugged Darci that tightly. She was still healing from her injuries, and we were slightly overprotective. I had to refrain from laughing at the way she glared at me afterwards though. When she went upstairs, the other children began to disperse to various parts of the house. My mother took the opportunity to pull Loralie into the kitchen.  

“We need to speak privately Lora. Ezra, myself, and you.” Gretchen whispered in a hushed tone.  

We all walked outside to the terrace by the small garden they had on the side of their house. It was growing wild with dozens of different flowers, and it was gorgeous; reminding me of my mate.  

My mother faced Loralie and stared into her best friend’s eyes. 

“Ezra knows about Darci and the prophecy, her future inheritance of powers, all of it. Tomorrow she will know what he is as well, and we will have a lot of explaining to do. But Loralie, someone outside of the pack knows about her too and sent the army of rogues last night as a warning. She is in extreme danger.”