The Last Moon

Chapter 9: Guts and Confrontation

Rahul POV

Today was not like any ordinary day, I woke up early and prepared myself to meet her. I can hear Baconava teased me as I went through the same morning routine and the only difference is the excitement inside me. I left home fifteen minutes after 7 am just like any other day but not waiting for Halea to come out and walk behind her instead I am now walking beside her. I saw her from afar probably waiting for me with her dog. I waved and called for her to get her attention while her dog kept barking at me. I know dogs can sense Baconava inside of me that's why I cannot get close to them. Even if my dragon is not out it intimidates dogs and its species. There is somehow an invisible rivalry between our species which I cannot explain.

I have lived a certain lifetime and met with different species of dogs, there are the Lobos (werewolf) and Thalon (Lycans), they have those sense of smell that can sense my other half. Over the centuries, since my dragon doesn't come out, I manage to blend in and hide its scent. But they still can sense how different I am with other humans. 

Halea was like a breath of fresh air, I know she is new in town but I somehow have this urge of wanting to know her more. Thanks to Baconava for checking out the new doctor, I met Halea and thanks to my Mom I had the courage to ask her to walk with me in the morning. I am totally having progress after I managed to get her phone number and get to walk her back to her house after class. After walking with her I decided to go on my way so she would have time with her friends. Walking and small talks with her are already good as a start, I was smiling at the thought of it all while I passed the library to the Science building. My first subject is Physics and I am still early so I decided to walk slowly when I saw Halea’s classmate waiting for me at the end of the hallway.

I am not sure if I was the one, they are waiting, or someone else so I just walk. 

“The dogs are waiting for you,” Baconava said

“Which of the dogs are they, and how can you be sure?” I asked him in my mind

“I can smell the Thalon, while the two dogs you’ve met earlier are just followers, I wouldn’t worry about them so much. If I release my scent they will just go running with their tails under their legs,”

“Don’t make a fuss, let’s see what they want. I don’t want to reveal who I am to them,”

“Don’t worry my scent would confuse them as they don’t know what you are. They will just smell your dominance and fear the beastly aura,”

“Alright, then release just a little dominant aura just to intimidate them,”

“I like that, I like to play a game. It’s been a while,” Baconava swirls in my mind. I can feel his excitement inside me.

As we come closer, I sense the boy’s uneasiness but the Thalon shows aggressiveness and dominance among them. Perhaps he is their leader, what could they want from me.

I stopped in front of them and they all faced me.

“Are you guys waiting for me?” I asked them

“So, you are Rahul? My friends here just told me about you and I was just curious to meet you,” he said

“They are right, I am Rahul and you are?”

“I am Caleb Ramos,” he said as he gives his hand out 

I looked at him and his hand, “Ahh the eldest son of the Ramos estate, right?” I shook his hand so he would feel and sense my strength. Ramos owns the biggest mountainous land in Vale, they are in construction and lumber business.

“Yes, you are correct,” he said

“So, what do you want from me?” I asked

“I am just curious to meet you since you were friends with Halea,” 

“And has your curiosity satisfied you?” I asked. “Dogs barks a lot when they are threatened,” Baconava speaks in my mind

“Well enough, I don’t have rights for now but soon I would establish it and I will come back to see you,”

I laughed, “You are a weird guy, but it was nice meeting the three of you. Go back to your class before you get late. I have to go as well if you don’t have anything else to say,” I said laughing

“Are you insulting me?” Caleb asked

“Did you feel insulted, I thought we are talking like men here or am I just talking to a boy,” I said looking at him without smiling.

His friends tried to pull him telling him it’s time to go to class but he seems to be a stubborn mutt. 

“Come on Caleb, you have said your piece we need to go to class,” Matthew said

“Pardon our friend he is just hard-headed,” Jason said

“I’ll see you around, I guess,” I waved at them and walked to my class. I saw some of my classmates including Veronica who seemed to be waiting for me.

“Those boys, what do they want from you? It felt like they were going to attack you or something,” Veronica said as she clutched her hands on my arms. I took out his hands and answered her.

“Nothing I cannot handle, so don’t worry. Another thing, don’t hold me like that people may think we have something between us,” I said, I don’t want Halea to see her holding me.

“Like what, this is not the first time I hold you like this,” she said while she wrapped her hands around my neck. 

I removed her hands and looked at her, “Stop that you don’t want me to make a scene here and tell everyone, we are not in a relationship,” I said it a little louder for her friends to hear and I walked away.

I need to do something with Veronica so she would leave me alone. I sat down as the teacher entered the room and the classes started.

Caleb’s POV

There’s something with this Rahul that makes my blood boil. At first from afar he looks like he is just an ordinary guy but as he gets closer, I can sense that strong scent that makes my stomach tremble. He has this strong presence that gives chills inside me, like a beast that would attack you at any moment kind of fear. And I cannot fight the fear inside me no matter how strong my will is. I should not feel this, I am a Thalon (Lycan), I fear nothing. He should be the one to fear me. 

“Caleb, what happened to you? Why did you lose control?” Matthew said as we walked back to class. We immediately went to see Rahul after seeing Halea come. I got curious about who the guys were telling me, who was with Halea on her way to school.

“I just got hot-tempered that’s all, I cannot stand his arrogance,”

“He was actually cool, you were more arrogant than him,” Jason said which irritates me, so I growled at him

“Easy man, we’re not your enemy,” Matthew said

“Who are guys siding with, I am your future Alpha, you should side with me,” I said in annoyance

“We are always on your side, we just told you what we feel,” Jason said, “But I am correct when I told you, he’s frightening, right?”

I guess that is what I feel, he may be right. This is what I am feeling.

“Let’s forget about him, classes will start,” I said as we all take our seats

I need to find out more about Rahul, I don’t think he is just a human with his aura although I don’t smell anything unusual other than the smell of the ocean. But I am sure that Halea is my future mate, otherwise, I wouldn’t have this kind of attraction towards her. I need to shift soon; my wolf should wake up so I can get answers to all of this.

During the first break, I went to talk to Halea. I brought some snacks from the canteen and went to Jurassic Park to see them.

“Hey, mind if we join you? I brought some snacks,” I said as Jason and Matt placed the snacks on the table. They were laughing at something when we came.

“Wow, what changed your mind to have joined us now?” Adrienne speaks

“Ooh, free snacks, Adie and Halea this is for you,” Amelia butt in, Halea just looked at them and they looked at me

“Thank you for the snacks,” Halea said.

“I’m just happy to spend the weekend with you and also to be friends,” I answered Adrienne

“Would you be friends with us even without Halea?” Adrienne asked while munching on the chips I gave.

“Of course, why not,” Jason said, “You know I like to be friends with you,” and he winks at her and we all laugh at the two of them as Adrienne rolls her eyes in response to Jason.

I looked at Halea who is now laughing at them. She looks good in her uniform; she looks at me and I smile at her.

Halea’s POV

I can sense the glance that Caleb is giving me, I know he wanted to get close but I am not interested in him. I also don’t like attention as much as possible. 

“Halea, are you busy this weekend? Will you visit Apong Estrella again? Caleb asked

I remembered Rahul and his offer of the beach but that was still not sure but I also don’t want to go back to Apong Estrella yet. I would rather explore the city by myself or with Aspin. “Yeah, I am busy this weekend. I have some stuff to do. I might visit Apong Estrella next time,” I answered his question.

“Oh, that’s sad, I wanted to show you around town. We can all go next time when you are not busy,” he said

“Or maybe the following weekend, it’s the start of the month-long celebration of the town’s fiesta. The carnival will already be set-up by then and a lot of shops will be opened selling different items from different parts of the region,” Adrienne said

“What do you do during this town’s fiesta? And what is the feast for?” I asked

“The fiesta is in commemoration of the establishment of the town, there are some old traditions which the people still do like the parade of the Deities and the creations of Battala, “Amelia answered

“People dressed up like Devatas, the first man and woman, fairies and so on and they have floats and parade in the city centre. The Mayor normally gives out prizes for best costumes and best floats. Then there’s the carnival and the night bazaars which is set-up for the whole month,” Adrienne explains

“So, do you want to explore the town with us?” Matthew asked 

“I’ll bring the Van so we can all fit, of course, if you are interested in joining,” Caleb retorted

How can I say no to this when it’s like a full force, “Alright, the following Saturday then, what time and where to meet?”

“Let’s all meet up in front of the campus, around 4 pm, what do you think?” Adrienne said

“That’s good for me,” I said

“Me too,” Amelia seconded

“Ok, that’s all set then,” Caleb said with a wide smile.

Come to think of it this furball has his own charm, but not enough to take me off my feet. I smirk at them while I chomp on the snack he bought. After discussing the plans, we hurried back for our next class. The day went by so fast and I felt like I am having a regular company with Adie, Amelia as well as the boys. After class, I asked the girls to roam alone away from the boys I told them we should have our own time away from them. We decided to unwind in the water tank, I like the view from above it. I feel at ease and like on top of the world, looking down at God’s creation from above. We can see all the activities down below, the sports activities that have been going on and those that just stroll and groups sitting at the grass. While I spent time with the girls, I felt my phone vibrate. It’s Rahul, I almost forgot about him. I looked at my watch to see the time, it’s half past 5 pm.

Rahul: I can see you at the rooftop water tank, I’m in the 4th-floor chemistry lab. I will be out at 6 pm how about you?

I answered back, “I will see you at 6 pm then,”

I felt that slight tingling while reading and answering his message. And I stood up and went to look at the Science building which was just next to the water tank, PE building. I see the people on the big window on the 4th floor. But I was not able to recognize their faces. Rahul must have very clear eyesight to have spotted me this far. I felt the phone vibrate again.

Rahul: I can’t wait to see you. with a smiley

I was awakened from my trance when I heard Amelia talk, “Who are you looking for?” she asked, glancing at the science building.

“Nothing, I was just trying to check if I can recognize people this far,” I said which is true, both Amelia and Adrienne tried to do as I did.

“Hmm, I think that’s your Rahul over there looking at us,” Adrienne said

“How can you recognize him from this far?” Amelia asked

“Yeah, how did you know?” I also asked

“Well, I remember his figure and the jacket he’s wearing,” she said. 

Come to think of it she’s correct it was him and he waved at us, while the girls waved back thrilled and giggling.

“OMG, he noticed us,” Amelia said twitterpated

“Hey, that’s not for you that’s for Halea,” Adrienne voiced out

“Halea, your beauty is really extraordinary. Two of the most handsome men in school is smitten by you,” Amelia said

“Who’s the other one?” I asked

“Who else, but Caleb,” she answered, “he never has spoken to us unless needed and I’ve known him like since I was a child but he didn’t even glance at me,” Amelia said

“Oh, I thought that was normal of him. Plus, Apong Estrella seems to know him just fine as well as Matt and Jason,” I said

“Of course, they normally visit Apong Estrella that’s why she knows them and that is of different level,” Adrienne added

“I don’t know what to say,” I said and then I sat down again. They both laughed at me and sat beside me. We stayed there for a few more minutes looking at the people who played down at the field. Around five minutes to 6, I stood up and told them I needed to go and we all went down the water tank and walked to the main gate. We separated ways as we all had different paths, as I walked to the Acacia tree I can feel a little nervous, what if he’s not there should I wait. I checked on my watch and it was just 2 minutes past 6 pm. And when I lifted my head I could see the familiar built waiting for me. He waved at me and I waved back and ran a bit to catch up with him.

“Sorry, did I make you wait?”I asked

“No, I just came a little early plus I know you’re coming I saw you with the girls a while ago,”

“You must have very clear eyesight,” I said and he laughed. While we started walking home.

“So how was your day?”

“Same old day, class, quizzes, homework,” I said

“But today was different, you’re wearing your uniform unlike last week,” he said, “there must be something different,”

“Well, you’re right. I felt like a real student now. And less attention from others since I was just one of the students,”

“See, I believe you feel more at ease now with your classmates and you must have established regular friends,”

“True,” I said, raising my eyebrow, “What about you, how was your day?”

“It was good because I get to walk with you,” he said. And for a moment there I felt my cheeks warm

“Your such a jest,” smirking with him

And he laughed at me, I like how he laughs. It gives me that jolt and giggles. I asked him about his last subject and what we were doing at the water tank. I also asked him about the upcoming fiesta.

“Ah about that, we normally have a competition for the biggest fish caught in the sea for the fisherman in the bay area, it’s our tradition. We give the fisherman a day in the sea, that’s 24 hours to try to catch the biggest fish. So normally the fisherman will already try to scout the sea to try to find the best fishing spot and this happens on the last 2 days of the festival,” he tells it with pride and joy in his eyes, “We also prepare the baywalk with delicacies of the sea, that one starts in the next 2 weeks, normally our company prepares the stalls for the wife of our employees to join. They can cook whatever they want and sell it during the month-long festival,”

“Wow, you do a lot for the people here,” I said

“My family does and I support them,” he said, “Would you like to go to the festival with me?”

“It’s a month-long celebration, let’s see,” 

“How about the awarding of the biggest caught fish? That’s the last Sunday of the feast around 9-11 am in the morning,”

“Okay, since I don’t have plans yet,” I said

“That’s a date then,” he said confirming it

“You’re good at this huh?” I said laughing and teasing him. And he laughs at me.

“Alright, it’s a date then,” I said.

“The feast day is my birthday, I am glad you will be with me,” he said softly and we were quiet for a moment. We are nearly in front of my house so I looked at him.

“I had a nice chat and stroll with you, this is my stop here. I’ll see tomorrow,” I said

“Me too, I’ll see you tomorrow! Bye Halea,” he said, it was so sweet or was it just my imagination.

I went inside our gate and I watched him go.