Moon Children

EVE (3)

Ezra’s POV

My heart froze in my chest. We’d been scouring the Southeast land for hours with no results. My mate’s voice rung in my head, and I could feel the sorrow and fear in her voice. I looked to my team to see everyone heard the same message. I nodded to them, and took off as fast as we could.

Upon arriving, I could see we were one of the first teams to make it to Darci’s. I ran up to her, not caring about her declaration of undecidedness and crushed her into a hug. It’d only been less than 12 hours and my soul yearned for her touch. She in turned melted into my arms, much to my dismay. She pulled away lifting her hand between us, silently showing me a little yellow hair ribbon. I slowly leaned down and sniffed it, confirming for myself that it was indeed from a pack member. A very small, adorable pack member.

Darci’s eyes held unshed tears she refused to allow fall, blinking her eyes rapidly to clear them. Slowly, all the teams started arriving to the little clearing. My father and Darci’s among them. I looked at my father, nodding once to confirm to him that Eve was in fact, here.

“We need to rest for a few hours, allowing our wolves to regain their strength. Everyone can set up here, we will rest for 5 hours, 3 teams will stay awake at all times and patrol in rotating shifts by the hour. Our team, Ezra’s, and Beta Michael’s will take first patrol shift. Everyone else, get some rest.” Our Alpha bellowed.

I sighed, looking down to Darci’s doe-like eyes. I could tell she was tired. I gave her one more squeeze before planting a kiss on the top of her forehead.

“Get some rest, don’t fight me on this. You need it.” I said to her quietly.

I know she’s worried, but I could also see how exhausted she is. Unexpectedly, she nodded her head once into my chest, inhaling deeply before turning away and slipping her pack off her shoulder. I watched as she carried it in her hand over to her team, who was setting up near a tree. I admired her as she made her way around to ensure each of her teammates were settled in and comfortable before making her own bed up, silently thanking the heavens she chose to sleep on the end next to Maria. I really couldn’t stand Nate and Alec. She really will be an excellent Luna and mother one day..

Darci’s POV

I settled in for what I expect to be a quick nap, no doubt in my mind that my team will be called for patrol at some point, seeing as how it consisted of 4 warriors and 2 ranking members.

Next thing I know, I’m waking up feeling like I was glued to a furnace. I slowly lifted my head, realizing I was no longer sleeping on the cold, earth floor. Instead, My face had been cuddled up on a rather large arm, my body draped over an also exceptionally large torso. It then dawned on me I was numb and tingling from an overload of sparks, causing me to look up at the face of this body. Ezra. Sleeping silently, one arm behind his head for support, the other draped around me. He looked ethereal, the moonlight at its peak had highlighted all of his stunning features. Not to mention, we were literally GLOWING from our physical contact.

I’ve been so confused, and hurt. How could this man treat me this tenderly, insist that he wants nothing more than to cherish me, when he’s been the sole cause of my torment for over 4 years? The Goddess must have thought it’d be comical, making this man so beautiful, nurturing, and kind towards me after everything he’d done. I silently cursed her, as I admired his sleeping form for just a few more seconds before gently pulling away from him. Nearly everyone was asleep, just a different 3 groups patrolling. Judging by the sky, it’s been nearly 3 hours since I fell asleep, as the sun would be rising soon.

I quickly walked in the forest away from the patrols, acting like I need to use the restroom. I still had Eve’s hair ribbon wrapped around my wrist. I looked around once more to ensure no one was watching, and dropped to the ground. I placed my hands deep into the earth and closed my eyes, focusing on my baby sister just as I’d done previously.

I opened my eyes, surprised and overjoyed. These prints weren’t my sisters, they seemed much bigger.. But I was thinking of Eve, they have to be related.

Maybe these are the tracks of her kidnapper. Vyra suggested.

That wouldn’t make sense, Vy. I didn’t see them before. I countered.

Maybe... Maybe because you know Eve’s scent, but you didn’t scent the rogue until after you’d used your abilities and reached the log? She remarked.

That’s a lot uncertainty, but she’s a very smart wolf. After all, she is a part of me. I grinned to myself. The foot prints headed West, towards Blue Brook Pack. It is possible they’re someone else’s, but Vyra insists we follow our gut. When everyone woke, I’d suggest we head towards Blue Brook.

I noticed my father sitting on the edge of a boulder, scanning the horizon in search of threats.

“Daddy.. Shouldn’t you be sleeping?” I asked quietly.

He nodded slowly.

“I can’t. Not when my baby is out there, alone. You go rest by your mate, my little moon. I’ll cover your shift. ”

“Okay, but Dad.. We need to head West at first light. Towards Blue Brook Pack.” I mumbled quickly.

“Why?” He questioned suspiciously.

“We’ll talk about it after we find Eve, I just feel it. A gift is telling me she went that way. I know she is somewhere near their pack.” I pointed to the West.

“Very well, I trust your gifts. As long as the scent leads us that way, we will go. Now, rest. You have a little over 2 hours to get another nap in.” He nodded over his shoulder, towards the tree my team and Ezra were sleeping soundly under.

He didn’t need to explain himself any further, I understood. Eve was the miracle child. We never thought we’d get another sibling. Mom and Dad always wanted a whole brood, but settled for 4 after Mom suffered a very difficult pregnancy with Stella. We were lucky they both made it. She was 30 when she had Stella, and Dad broke her heart when he insisted he couldn’t lose her, so there would be no more little Moon’s. We all knew it was for the best, we couldn’t lose the matriarch of our family. Eve had other plans. When Stella was almost 5, Mom found out she was pregnant with Eve. We were all terrified and overjoyed at the same time.

I hugged him tightly, and he returned the gesture before I pulled away to go lay down for the last couple hours. When I reached the tree I froze, realizing 1. I was sleeping cuddled up to Ezra, and my father just told me to continue doing so and 2. Ezra is awake and watching me through hooded eyes.

I’ve reached a dilemma; if I go sleep elsewhere, he’ll know and most likely be upset. If I decide to sleep next to him I can’t pretend I didn’t consciously make that decision, as he is clearly seeing me right now, awake and not next to him. I silently stare at him, pondering my next move. I enjoyed his presence unknowingly, but I did not consent to sleeping next to him in the first place.

On one hand he is my mate, regardless of everything he’s put me through. On the other hand, it should be my decision who I love, and I can’t imagine falling in love with the man who caused me excruciating pain and lied to me about something so huge. Although, he’s been making it very, very hard to deny him. He didn’t know he was hurting me, but he still knew what I was and that he was being unfaithful. He’s a liar, and he was a cheater. But the way he’s treated me the past 8 days, has been nothing short excellent. Any chance he gets, he is by my side, begging for my attention and acceptance. I am so f*****g confused.

“So, have you decided if you’re going to come lay back down with me yet?” He whispers to me with a smirk, as if he had read my mind.

He chuckled softly, extending his arms out towards me with a mock puppy eye face. Cheesy, but adorable.

“This doesn’t mean I’ve accepted, all of this.” I whirled my hand around between us at the last part.

Ezra’s eyes lit up, as he watched me slowly walk back towards him before sitting down. I looked at him, seeing nothing but hope and adoration in his eyes. I placed me hand tentatively along his jawline, and did something I never thought I’d even want again. I leaned in, gently kissing him on his supple lips. I was clueless, so I held my lips to his for just a few moments, relishing in the sparks I felt course through me, the warmth that enveloped every fiber of our bodies and glowed a beautiful, deep amber around us.

He was shocked, entirely frozen for a moment before pulling away just enough to part our lips from one another, before tenderly capturing mine with his once again. I pulled away slowly, gently laying down against the tree in his arms, resting my head on his chest.

Before I know it, my eyes are fluttering open to the sound of voices and rustling all around. The 20 teams were rolling up their sacks, getting prepared to leave. There’s a few fuzzy faces standing in front of me, I blink my eyes rapidly in an attempt to gain clarity. My father, the Alpha, and Maria were all staring at me, smirking.

I gathered my bearings, and realized I was still snuggled in Ezra’s arms, glowing all around us. I separated from him quickly, blushing profusely.

“That whole glow-y thing is going to take some getting used to.” Maria laughed.

“Hopefully not, once they mate and mark it’s supposed to go away.” Alpha Chad replied to his daughter with a snicker.

“Watch what you say next Chad, that’s still my baby.” My father growled half-heartedly, smirking as well.

Ezra had startled awake, and was taking in the scene as well.

“Guess we’re a freak show now, Dar.” He smiled.

I elbowed him in the ribs, my face the color of beets at this point.

“Let’s get ready, Dad, you talked to Alpha right?” I looked to him, and then Alpha. He nodded.

“Yes, we are heading West towards Blue Brook Pack. Be ready in 10 minutes.” Alpha replied to me, glancing over at a confused Ezra.

“A gift.” I said to Ezra, who now cast me a knowing glance.

“Let’s get going then, no time to waste.” He stated.