Moon Children

Blindsided (1)

Ezra’s POV 

It took a while for Dr. Murray’s words to set in. Events were firing off in rapid succession, barely allowing me the time to keep pace. It’s been 4 days since Darci and I had that conversation with the Doctor. Her heat would start in one week, and she has been very cautious about seeing me for too long at a time. The bond keeps pulling her back, though. I know she’s fighting within herself, still reeling from the information overload. Confused, scared, and angry. She resents me, and her family for lying to her all of this time and now she’s expected to become the pack Luna, my mate, and learn all about her new abilities that will protect and bless our pack with prosperity. Not to mention losing her virginity next week while possibly becoming pregnant with the person she just found out was her mate one week ago, or face excruciating pain for at least 5 days if she doesn’t. I’d be cautious too.  

Even still, Felix and I crave being in her presence. I find myself constantly seeking her out, and I know she’s having a hard time resisting the need to be near each other. Every day that goes on, I see her a little more, talk to her a little longer, and watch as she laughs with less and less hesitation. She is finally relaxing around me, yet still trying to understand it all. While I don’t think we are quite to the “comfortable” stage, Darci did let me hold her hand yesterday on the way to the pack meeting; which was more progress than I could have hoped for.   

Today, I plan to take her on a date. Joshua told me a little more about the whereabouts of this waterfall and as it turns out, it is outside of our border. My father reprimanded him by doubling his shifts on border patrol for the week, and giving him quite the lecture about the dangers of leaving the territory without notice. Alpha allowed me to investigate the waterfall, which I thought would be the perfect place to take Darci to really connect with her. I wanted to show her I could be everything she wanted in a mate. At least I hoped I could be. Straightening out the collar on my button-up, I took one last glance in the mirror. My white shirt contrasted against my tanned skin, while the dark blue fitted jeans I wore paired nicely with it. A squared jaw and green eyes stared back at me; a mess of dark curly hair tamed back slightly.  

I walked out the main door of the pack house, heading to the Delta family’s main door. I snuck over to the far wall by the East forest, where Darci’s balcony faced. It’s 9 in the morning so I imagine like any typical 18 year old, she’ll probably still be asleep. However, as I round the corner I hear the tiniest whispered voice, singing? I started searching for the source of the angelic melody and found I was staring right up at Darci’s open balcony doors. She sat cross legged on a pillow, in a small slip of a nightgown. Her unruly curls fell all around her body, clear they had not been combed yet, entrapping her in tendrils of fiery locks. Her eyes shone bright in the morning sun, while she quietly sang the most beautiful tune I’d ever heard. She also appeared to be painting a canvass that rested on a small triangular easel.  

“Good morning, gorgeous.” I said quietly as I stepped out of the shadows. 

I expected her to jump, or be startled, but instead she grinned. 

“I scented you almost 5 minutes ago, about time you stopped spying on me.” 

I admire her candor. Even in the worst of situations, she’s still so good-natured. Darci looked at me and felt my nervousness. Rolling her eyes slightly, she leaned over and pulled a small lever, releasing a ladder from her balcony that cascaded to the ground. 

“Well, come on then, get up here. You clearly need to talk to me about something. Just be quiet, everyone except my dad is still asleep, he’s already left for the day.” She spoke as she gestured to the ladder. 

I happily obliged, warily climbing as the ladder groaned under my weight. This thing was clearly not made for big boys, but my mate is willingly letting me be near her, on her bedroom balcony no less! I hear Felix purr in my head as we reach the top and take in Darci’s beautiful features, practically glowing in the morning light. I sat beside her with my long legs dangling off the edge. I couldn’t help but notice she was painting the sunrise on the lake in the middle of our pack, surrounded by trees. She must have caught me gazing cheekily at her work, as she pointed behind me. When I turned my head, I saw the view from her balcony was identical to her painting. 

“I’ve been trying to get this right for a few weeks now, but the sun rises too quickly to capture the way it’s rays shine across our land, the way it whirls through the trees and scatters on the lake's surface. So, each morning, I’ve gotten up especially early to try and replicate it, piece by piece.” She mumbled shyly. 

“It looks like you’ve got it damn near perfect Dar.” I smiled. 

“Thanks, Ez. I’ve been working really hard on this one.” She smiled back warily. 

That’s the first time she’s called me by something other than my full name, which only makes me smile wider. I look into her eyes while I rub the back of my neck anxiously. 

“So, I wanted to ask you... Are you up for an adventure today? Like, going out with me and visiting somewhere, together?” I barely squeaked out.  

Smooth, Casanova. Felix snickers in my head, forcing me to shut him out for the time being. 

I don’t know what it is about this girl but she makes it nearly impossible to think straight. I feel intoxicated whenever I’m around her. I knew everyone said the mate bond was amazing but I never imagined this, indescribable feeling I have for Darci. Her eyes widened as she realizes what I mean. 

“Like, A-a date? Uhm, I’ve never been on a date before... Well, why the hell not? I guess I’d like to go on a date with you Mr. Harrison.” She smirked in response, quirking one perfectly arched eyebrow up. 

“Perfect! Get ready, and wear sneakers. It’s a small hike!”  

I stand up and walk directly into Darci’s bedroom through the open French doors, taking in the sweet scent that covers every inch of it. As I’m noting my surroundings, I notice how different her style is from other 18-year-old girls' rooms I’ve seen. No pink, no stuffed animals, hair products, makeup or dirty clothes in sight. Her room looked like something out of a magazine, everything in its place and perfectly organized. I wonder if she keeps this kind of military type order because it’s her preference, or if it’s her father’s doing; being a Delta and all. I turn around to see Darcietta staring at me wide-eyed as I stand in the middle of her bedroom. 

“Are you crazy?! My brothers will smell you! My Mom, and my Dad! Oh god, my Dad!” She whispers, clutching her chest.  

She walks towards me and grabs my hands, in an attempt to pull me back outside onto the balcony. When she takes my hands in hers, a shiver runs down my spine, the magnetic attraction making me love the way her skin feels against mine. The orange light envelops us again, causing her to stop in her tracks. My eyes darken, swirling bright amber and emerald green. I pull her towards me so we’re only standing a few inches apart.  

“We’re both adults, and I’m your mate Dar. Breathe. Your family isn’t going to be upset, you’re literally about to become their Luna. It’s perfectly natural for our scents to be mixed.” 

“I haven’t accepted you yet, mate.” 

Darci beams a wicked smile, amusement displayed across her features. Her eyes, normally the lightest shade of blue, had darkened considerably, also swirling with bright amber color. It looks as though a stormy sea met molten lava and danced around each other in perfect harmony. I know the orange hue illuminating the air around us would dissipate when we mated, but it always seems to entrance us, gravitating us towards one another. Time stills as I stare deep into her eyes, allowing our souls to communicate without a word. I know she’s still bitter, and disappointed in me, but I can also feel the lust and desire, the urge to trust me; and claim what is hers. Underneath her defensive barrier she pastes on the surface, she is full of exuberance and fire. She is untamed power and strength, class and depth. I want to know her better, so desperately. 

“Get ready and meet me at the main gate in 30 minutes.” I whisper to her sweetly, timidly dragging my lips across her knuckles. Walking past her, I smile back at that beautiful she-wolf, and hop off her balcony landing on my feet effortlessly. 

Darci’s POV 

My heart pounds in my chest as I let out a breath, one I’d involuntarily held in. How does this man have this kind of power over me? I actually forget to breathe! 

Well he’s gorgeous, mate or not who would be able to catch their breath in the presence of such a fine wolf?   Vyra giggles aloud. 

You really aren’t very helpful lately, you know that? You’re supposed to be on my side!   I retort back.  

I’d be on your side if you were right. But our mate wants us, and we want him. Quit trying to deny it! We belong with him!   She snarls at me. 

Fate doesn’t get to decide my path, I do. I am SO not cut out to be mated with an Alpha, OR be the Luna of our pack. Are you out of your mind? I still have to learn about my powers. And he lied to me! My family, everyone lied to me. Don’t forget that. I snapped

harshly at Vy, feeling her retreat into the back of my mind. 

I begin getting ready for the day, by first combing through my wild mane, wetting it and putting some product in. Ezra said it was a bit of a hike, so I braided the front part of my hair and wrapped it towards the back of my head, pinning it down. I threw on only a small layer of lip-gloss and some mascara. Normally, I’d do a full face, but there’s really no point in wearing expensive makeup just to sweat it off in an hour. I grabbed a pair of thin grey yoga pants, and a plunging dark blue spaghetti-strap blouse with an x design across the back, layered on top of a regular white tank top. Paired with dark grey running sneakers, and my favorite necklace, I was ready for my first “date”.  

I sauntered out to the main gate only to be stopped short by Ezra’s presence. Even a white t-shirt and jeans made this man look like a literal god, so unfair. I felt meek standing in front of him, self-consciously caging my body within my arms.  

“You look perfect Darci. Ready to go?” He asks. 

“Ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose.” I gave him a shy smile in response. 

He picked up the duffel bag that had been sitting by his feet, and walked closer to me, extending one hand. I hesitantly took it, allowing him to hold my hand in his. Ezra smiled brightly at me. 

“We’ll also have a few friends going with us, I thought that might make you more comfortable.”  He beams, proud at his idea. 

“Who?” I question.  

‘Daaaaaar!” I hear the twins giggle my name in unison. 

Clara and Maria come running through the gate, wearing matching tracksuits. Clara’s is yellow, Maria’s red.  

“ Whoooo’s ready?” Clara giggles.  

“Let’s get the show on the road!” Maria exclaims. 

After 40 minutes of leisurely strolling and chatting away,   we start to reach an incline.  

“And so the hike begins.” Clara huffs. Vyra snorts in my head at her, questioning how she’s of Alpha blood and still so whiney. 

Another half hour goes by, and I no longer recognize our surroundings.  

“Uh, Ezra... Where are we? I feel like we crossed the border ages ago.” I question. 

“That’s because we did.” He grins in response.  

“But don’t worry, I know where we’re going and we have permission.” He adds, putting me slightly at ease. 

Crossing into unknown lands has always sent a shill up my spine, losing the protection of our pack once we reached the border meant we were completely defenseless aside from the 4 of us for at least 10 minutes.