Moonlight Run

Eighteen

Nikolai’s POV

I immediately handed off my empty drink to a passing member of the catering staff as I made my way over to where Isadora had just entered the dining hall. But then I stopped and watched from a distance as she followed Lily and Dahlia. They were introducing her to the Beta, Mathis, and his Alpha, Gideon.

Thankfully her present company were both spoken for, but I knew I would have to swoop in soon before someone else noticed the stunning she-wolf dressed in red. I watched as she and Pipa set their purses down at Lily and Dahlia’s table. I debated going over and saying hi, maybe opening by offering my congratulations to Lily. I was slapped hard on my shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Hey, hey!” Cyrano through his arm around my shoulder. “How’s it going?”

Valric and Dimitri followed behind him, although Dimitri appeared to be looking at everyone else but at me. I greeted each of them, including him, but was only met with a curt nod.

Valric spoke first, “Cyrano and I just got off patrol duty. We’ve been trying to follow the scent of that wolf last night, but it seems to disappear at the highway. It’s like…” he hesitated. “It’s looks like someone pulled up on the side of the road and gave him out of town. We can’t track it any farther.”

I nodded, making a mental note to check the perimiter cameras later. Fortunately we had tree cams stationed all over the grounds. “Well, that’s an issue for another day, boys. Tonight, we drink.” I motioned over a passing caterer and we each took a shot glass from her tray. “To you three, I wouldn’t still be alive without you crazy sons-of-bitches. Likewise,I have almost died many, many, times because of you crazy sons-of-bitches. I guess that’s friendship. So, thank you.”

Valric and Cyrano each cheered, even Dimitri smiled, as we clinked our glasses and knocked them back together. Valric lowered his quickly and nodded past me. “My parents are here,” he said, “Looks like they’ve brought Becca and her husband, too.”

I looked over my shoulder, watching as Valric hugged each of his parents. After Becca had been married, his folks left our pack and moved in with her, so they could be around their grandchild more. I often wondered if they just didn’t expect Valric to give them one. He was few months older than me himself and still hadn’t found a mate. I was surprised to learn he hadn’t participated in the run last night, to which he’d replied that Lily was just “not his type”. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure who could be Val’s type.

I smiled as Val lifted his tiny nephew out of his mother’s arms, and began bouncing the baby, bringing out the giggles. I nodded politely to Becca, who gave a slight wave back before her husband led her away to the appetizer station.

Cyrano spoke again, “That man needs a woman to give him a baby, I swear.”

“Who, Val?”

Cyrano nodded. “Yeah. I’ve never seen anyone who’s better with kids.”

“Doesn’t he teach high schoolers?” Valric had been a science teacher at the school out in town. Most of the pack children had went to school there, like me. Others, like Isadora and Pipa, had been homeschooled on the compound grounds.

“Yeah, but it’s the little ones he’s all about. Dude should be a kindergarten teacher. Did you know he picks up crosswalk duty over at the elementary school?”

“I didn’t. That’s volunteer work, isn’t it?” Cyrano nodded, drinking from his glass. For a minute I considered the possibility that I’d overlooked some major character points in Valric as I had chose Dimitri to be my Beta instead.”

I looked over to the head table, where his place setting had already been set up for him. I guess it was too late now, as all that remained was the announcement I was expected to make in a short while. With no better timing imaginable, Phoebe and Bianca appeared.

“Hey you,” she took Dimitri’s hand and snuggled up against his shoulder. “How’s my big bad Beta feeling?”

He briefly met my eyes and I looked away, taking another sip from my drink. I gave a polite hello to Bianca, who then asked if anything more had happened with the rogue wolf from last night. I told her what Valric had told me, about losing his scent at the highway.

“Damn,” she said. “That whole thing was just crazy. The way he got fired up over Isadora… made me wonder if maybe he’s like her mate or something.” She looked to Phoebe. “Seriously, it was unreal.”

“We were there,” Phoebe reminded her with a roll of her eyes.

“Yeah, but you guys came out after the fight had started. You didn’t see him get out of the truck, the way he looked at Isa and Niko? Big time jealous vibes.” Bianca put her hands up dramatically. “I’m just so glad Isa’s alright. Honestly, I’m surprised to see her here. You slammed into her pretty hard,”

Dimitri glared at me a moment before saying to Bianca. “I think she’s feeling much better now, isn’t she Nikolai?”

I raised my brow, unsure how he could know about what I had done to heal her. But I narrowed my eyes back at him. “You know, I think she is. It’s so great that you still care so much about her, Dimitri.” I was feeling testy. “Isn’t it, Phoebe?”

Bianca covered her mouth and Cyrano cleared his throat to hide his laughter. I handed my empty glass to a wide-eyed Dimitri and said, “Hold this for me, would you? I’m going to go check on her.”

As I approached the circle of people Isadora was standing with, Dahlia and Lily stepped aside, smiling at me. Their expressions reminded me of gossiping school girls, and I got the impression they knew something I didn’t. “Ladies,” I nodded to them.

“Pipa,” I said, as she stepped in front of her friend, crossing her arms.

“Can I help you with something, Nikolai?”

I bit my lip. “I just need to steal away Isadora for a moment, if that’s alright with you?”

She glared up at me, and I could tell she was chewing the inside of her cheek, thinking of a reply.

“It’s alright with me,” Isadora spoke, pushing past her friend. She glanced over at Pipa, who sighed dramatically and shook her head.

“Still judging you.” She said over her shoulder as she stepped away with the Rhodes sisters.

“Judging you?” I asked Isadora.

She smiled. “I don’t think Pipa approves much of us… socializing, I mean.”

“Hm.” I c****d my head sideways, pointing back and forth between the two of us. “And did you tell her I don’t care, or should I tell her that?”

Isadora let out a soft laugh in reply, shoving my hand away. “Stop yourself. She’s just being a good friend.”

“Mmmhmm.” I said.

“Better intentions than you have for me,” she teased.

“You’re never going to let that comment go, are you?”

She shook her head. “Not a chance.”

I looked over at the dance floor. There were only a few people there, mostly older couples. The band had just begun to play Nat King Cole’s “Unforgettable” and I felt called to act.

“And what if I said my only intentions right here, right now, were to dance with you… would you at least let it go long enough to do that?” I extended my palm up to her.

She bit her lip nervously, concealing her smile. “I might trip in this damn dress,” she admitted.

“I might catch you,” I winked.

I saw a brief blush spread over her cheeks, but she placed her hand in mine anyways. I led her to the center of the dance floor, carefully sliding my other arm around her upper back. I held her at an appropriate distance, trying not to draw too much attention to us, but people began to look on just the same.

After a minute of dancing in circles, she looked up at me, whispering, “People are staring. You’re kind of the star of the show tonight. Being near you makes it hard for me to blend in, you know?”

I side-stepped away from her, still holding her hand, and gave her a spin before I caught her in my arms again. Looking her up and down, I said, “They’re not staring at me, I assure you.”

Isadora blushed again, and I pulled her closer. I let my head rest on top of hers and whispered, “You look absolutely stunning.”

I heard her murmur, “Thank you,” and I closed my eyes. When the band finished, the crowd clapped appreciatively, and I stepped back from her. She met my gaze and I said, “Another?”

She nodded, and I looked over to the guitar player and held up my finger. He turned to the band and they started up again. “Just the Way You Look Tonight” began to play.

As we glided across the floor together and became more comfortable, I got a bit more brave with my spins. She gasped as she spun out away from me and I stepped aside to catch her before she hit the ground. She erupted into a fit of giggles and I smiled down at her. I was pretty sure I’d just heard my new favorite sound.

As we straightened back up, she put her hand to her head. “Well that certainly made me dizzy,” Isadora smiled. “Although, I guess it could’ve been the wine.”

“Wine will tend to do that,” I agreed.

She nodded. “Among other things.” Isadora looked around the room, avoiding meeting my gaze. “I should probably grab a glass of water before dinner. It looks like they’re putting the salad plates out now.”

As a member of the catering staff walked past, I saw the trays they carried were covered in greens. “Well,” I said. “You should probably grab your purse, too.” I motioned over to where Pipa had taken a seat next to Lily and Dahlia.

“Why would I…” She watched Pipa, who seemed confused herself as she counted the chairs around the table. And then she looked back at me curiously. “What am I missing?”

“Your seat,” I said simply, nodding towards the head table. “It’s over there now.”

She clicked her tongue at me. “You moved me to your table? That’s awfully presumptuous.”

I frowned slightly, “Are you mad?”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m not surprised, and yet somehow still annoyed. I’m starting to suspect you don’t care much for boundaries.”

I closed in around in, and put a hand on each of her upper arms, leaning in. “I believe I make the boundaries now,” I said with a chuckle.

She leaned up against my ear, her lips nearly brushing my lobe as she whispered, “Not yet, you don’t.” And then she kissed me on the cheek before she stepped away.

“Thank you… for the dance.” She smirked.

“Are you going to join me at my table for dinner?”

She looked over to the table, seeing her mother and Leon taking their seats to the right of my father. “And sit with our parents? Mmm, hard pass.” She winked as she backed away from me.

I returned the smile, but my shoulders fell in disappointment. She was nice enough about it, but I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of rejection.

“Hey, that was progress,” I heard my father’s voice come across the mind-link.

I sighed, becoming aware that he had been listening to our exchange. “Twice in one day, father?” I referenced the comment he had made to me earlier.

I saw him chuckling at the head table, and I began to make my way over to him, sparing one more glance in Isa’s direction. Her hips swayed as she walked to her table and I groaned.

It was going to be a long night.

***

Isa’s POV

I returned to the table where Pipa and the Rhodes’ sisters sat looking at me expectantly.

“I don’t know why but we’re missing a place setting,” Pipa said.

“So I’ve heard,” I sighed. She c****d her head at me and I mouthed. ‘Nikolai’. She rolled her eyes. I took a water glass off the table and after a big drink I set it back down. “I’m going to go find the caterer so that I can fix this,” I motioned to the table, “and then I’m hitting the restroom.”

“I’ll go with you!” Lily quipped. “I have to pee something fierce.”

“And so it begins,” Dahlia chuckled.

Lily frowned. “I think it’s a bit early for that yet.”

She stood from the table to join me and we made our way out of the dining hall to the restrooms just off the entry hall. She stood next to me, reapplying her lipstick as I washed my hands. As I was drying them off, I heard my phone vibrate, and I pulled it out of my clutch. I had three unread text messages, and I gasped when I saw they were all from Jay.

“Is everything okay?” Lily asked.

“Um, maybe. I’ll be right back.” I returned to the bathroom stall I’d just come out of, and locked the door behind me as I opened the messages.

“Isadora, I wanted to say I am sorry to have caused you any distress or harm last night. Please know it was never my intention to hurt you. I want only to know you better. It is important that I meet with you today, before the usurper’s son Ascends tonight. Let me know when you are free. I can come to you.”

Another message followed.

“Isadora, I’m trying to keep you safe here. Please don’t ignore me. It won’t work out well for you. It is imperative we meet before the seven o’ clock hour.”

And then there was the one I had just received.

“I’ve waited as long as I can, but you leave me with no choice, Isadora. I can only imagine what you must think of me, and I dread how you will feel after what comes next. Never forget, I tried to spare you this pain.”

I looked at the message timestamp, 6:59pm. I looked at the top of my phone. 7:01pm. I emerged from the bathroom stall, where Lily waited for me patiently, scrolling through her own phone. She looked up, startled, and she said, “Isa, what’s wrong?”

“I need to get Nikolai,” I said, opening the bathroom door. “Get your sister and Pipa and get out of here.”

“Get out of here? What are you talking about?” She followed after me.

“The rogue wolf just texted me.” I said as I headed back into the dining hall.

“What? Wait, why does he have your number?” She asked breathlessly.

I didn’t answer her as I stopped near the edge of the tables, looking to the head table to see Nikolai wasn’t there. I frantically looked around the room and spotted him. He was at Pipa’s table, apparently putting my plates and silverware back at my chair for me.

“Nikolai!” I waved.

He smiled as I came closer. “Don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind now?”

“No, it’s not that,” I ignored his frown as I said, “Something’s wrong. I’ve been getting texts from Jay all day—”

“Who?” He raised a brow.

“Jay, you know, the rogue wolf,” He opened his mouth and asked me why he had my number, just as Lily had. “Look that doesn’t matter right now, it’s what he said, Nikolai. Look!”

I handed him my phone. He read the messages a few times, blinking. Then he handed it back to me. “Alright, ask him what he’s talking about. See if he’ll speak to you now. I’m going to check in with my father, and tighten up security.”

I nodded, my fingers beginning to type back as he walked off. But then a fourth message came through. “I’m sorry, Izzy. You’re too late.”

I gulped and looked around the room. He was watching me, I was sure of it. There were plenty of unfamiliar faces in attendance tonight, but none that looked particularly out of place. I looked over to where Nikolai stood speaking with his father, and as I walked past the table closest to him I was distracted by an alarming sound.

The man at the table next to me had just vomited all over himself. He looked queasy and I stepped back and watched as he continued to do so again. The people at his table gasped, grabbing tables and trying to help him. But in the meantime a woman’s scream could be heard from another nearby table. The man next to her had just fallen over. People gathered around and as they sat him up he began to vomit all over himself, too.

I looked over to Nikolai. He and his father had noticed the commotion and were watching it unfold. I met eyes with him and he swallowed hard. And then he looked past me, watching in shock and confusion as more people began to fall ill. Some of them seemed to be choking to death on their fluids, or falling over dead. It was surreal. Within minutes the whole dining hall was in hysterics. Some were tending to their sick loved ones, others were running from the room in fear. I couldn’t move from my spot, I was paralyzed watching it unfold.

Dimitri appeared next to me with Phoebe, and he grabbed my hand. Phoebe glared at him and opened her mouth, “What are you—”

“Nikolai’s orders,” he said, and he drug me away from my spot. He lead Phoebe and I out of the hall and up the stairway.

“Where are we going?” Phoebe asked, her voice whining in protests.

“I’m to lock you both in Nikolai’s old room until we sort out what’s happening. You’ll be safe here.” He pushed open the door and motioned the two of us inside. “Just stay here, and don’t think of going anywhere,” He looked to me. “Please. Because I know you’ll be the one who will try.”

“What about Pipa or my family…”

“My orders were to get you and Phoebe to safety, Isa. I have to go now.”

And he shut the door behind us, locking it into place.

Phoebe screeched, sitting down on the bed with her fists balled into the mattress beside her. “What the f**k? Why am I here with you? What is even happening right now?”

I rolled my eyes, ignoring her, going to the window. I took out my phone again. There were no other messages from Jay. I began typing back to him,

“Are you behind this? Why are you doing this?”

It immediately said Read. I waited for the dots to show he was typing back, but they never came. I sat on the window seat, staring out at the terrace below. I could see people emerging from where the dining hall’s exterior doors were. Others were shifting and heading off to the woods. Even on the grounds, the atmosphere was pure chaos.

Phoebe and I waited for what felt like forever in the room before I’d begun to notice that the manor had gone quiet. I looked at the time. It was nearly 8:30pm. I hadn’t seen anyone running out the window in a while. And I’d hoped things were beginning to calm down, and we would have answers soon.

I pulled up my messages to text Nikolai, “What’s going on? Is it safe yet?”

After a few minutes I received his short reply, that said simply. “Not safe.”

I looked over to the bed, where Phoebe had grabbed a throw blanket off the corner and wrapped herself up in it. I looked around the room, seeing no other blankets. I texted Nikolai again. “Phoebe’s in your bed with your blankets. Any chance you’ve got extras.”

He replied quickly again, “Some hooded sweatshirts in closet. They’d probably fit you like a blanket.”

I chuckled, and walked over to his closet door.

“What are you doing?” Phoebe sat up and narrowed her eyes at me, as I pulled back his hangers.

“Minding my business. Why don’t you try that?” I found a grey hoodie that had the local high school mascot on the front. It looked huge, and I thought it would do. When I’d dated Dimitri he had one just like it and I remembered it to be warm.

I emerged from the closet with the hoodie over the top half of my gown, which felt ridiculous. But at least I was warm. I slipped the phone into the hoodie’s pocket, and I returned to my place on the window seat.

“Hey,” Phoebe said. I looked over in her direction, and she tossed me a pillow from the bed.

“Thank you,” was all I could manage.

“Yeah, I’ll go back to minding my own business now,” she said as she rolled her eyes, wrapping herself back up in the throw blanket.

I kicked my heels off and curled up against the pillow in the corner of the window seat, staring out at the back lawn while I wondered if I could actually manage to fall asleep. The full moon illuminated everything now. It was still a cloudy night, and I watched out the window as the clouds passed over the moon. I always loved that as a kid. Sitting there, I remembered once when my brother Julius told me, “Look how fast the earth is moving, Izzy!” and how I believed that for most of my childhood, even after he was gone.

I suddenly sat up straight, pulling my phone out of the hoodie.

I gasped as I reread Jay’s final message.

“I’m sorry, Izzy. You’re too late.”