Beyond The Blood Moon

CHAPTER 4: EXPOSED

Elian trekked through the forest, his feet were aching from the long walk. He had been visiting Lyra every day, and he couldn't wait to see her again. As he was almost getting home from the forest, he saw Lilian waiting in front of his yard with the look of unwanted concern etched on her face.

"Where have you been?" she asked, her voice was tinged with worry. "I've been looking all over for you." And I have been waiting here for hours

Elian hesitated, and was not sure of how to respond. He didn't want to be rude to Lilian, but he couldn't muster up the enthusiasm to talk to her. He was not feeling it, he didn't feel the nee to tell her about his movements, he wasn't interested in her romantically, and he didn't know how to let her down gently.

"I was just... uh... out for a walk," he stammered, trying to sound nonchalant.

Lilian raised an eyebrow, her eyes watching and scanning him uspiciously. "A walk? For the entire day? You?" She asked him

Elian shrugged, feeling kind of guilty while he responded "I lost track of time."

Lilian's expression softened, and she smiled. "I was worried about you. I thought something might have happened to you, you should know I wouldn't like that and there's someone who will be worried about you."

Elian forced a smile, it was Asif he grinned, he then felt a pang of guilt. He didn't want to lead Lilian on, but he didn't know how to extricate himself from the situation.

"Okay, thank you Lilian. But why have you been looking for me?, any problem?" He asked, pretending to be curious.

"Well...., I was worried about you" Lilian voiced out

"But why should you be worried about me?, why should I be a reason to worry about?" He said, wanting her to say her mind so he could get it done with her once and fall all.

" I like you Elian,.... For few years now I've been in love with you" Lilian finally voiced out, couldn't hold it in any longer, she was having the feeling that if she should waste time, it wouldn't work between them again.

"Hhummm .. Lilian, actually, this is surprising, I must say I like you too, but I don't have any romantic feelings towards you" Elian turned her down blatantly.

"How could you say that?, this is Lilian, just look at me" she turned around to show how endowered she was.

" You're a very beautiful woman, but I wouldn't want to deceive you" he said again

"But, you don't have any woman with you, you know what, we'll get to know each other I don't mind. Elian I like you so so much and I can't leave you for anyone else" Lilian begged.

" I am sorry, can I rest now please?" He beckoned

"Okay, you need to rest, I'll come see you again"

" Please don't say No" Lilian said, rushing out and feeling shy.

"What is wrong with you? How could you be straightforward with a man" she muttered, giving herself a knock on the head.

Elian's heart was with another woman, he had never seen anyone as a woman before except Lyra, how then could he betray her? He was so faithful.

Over the next few days, Elian found himself sneaking away to visit Lyra whenever he could. They would spend hours together, to gist and have fun

One day, Elian arrived at Lyra's cottage, his heart was pounding with excitement. He knocked on the door, and Lyra answered, with a smile on her face.

"I've missed you," she said, with a low voice

Elian looked at her Asif falling in love with her for the first time again, his heart was racing with desire at the sound of the words she muttered .

"I've missed you too," he whispered, while his voice was barely audible.

They spent the rest of the day in each other's arms, their love growing stronger with every passing moment.

"I think I am having a baby" Lyra suddenly broke the silence

"What?, you're what?" Elian said feeling surprised

"Pregnant " she responded

"I'm gonna be a father?" He jumped up joyfully.

Lyra was few weeks gone before she realised she was having a baby, she wasn't expecting Elian to be this happy but all the same she felt glad. But as they were having the conversation , Alpha Tyler walked in

"What did you just say Lyra?" He suddenly roared

Elian stood up in fear, for a second, he seemed to have forgotten he was with werewolves

"Alpha Tyler, you didn't tell me you were coming" she said.

"Hunter Elian, right?" Alpha Tyler asked, while transforming into a human.

"How did you get to know me" Elian asked

" My pack told me how much you spare them whenever you came across a werewolf and I've wanted to meet you personally ever since I saw you release one of my pack member from afar.

"But why are you here" he asked again.

" Alpha Tyler, em...humm... He came to see me" Lyra stuttered, fearing what her brother might say.

Just then before she could explain, Alpha Tyler knew they had a thing together and he could see her sister's body appearance changing because she was expecting a baby. He had no choice and since Hunter Elian seemed to be a very good being, he decided to let them go.

As the sun began to set, Elian reluctantly told Lyra

"I have to go," he said,.

Lyra nodded, "I'll see you tomorrow," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Elian smiled, his heart filled with love. "I'll be here," he promised, before turning and disappearing into the forest.

Lilian watched Elian from a distance, she was looking around suspiciously. She had been following him for days, trying to figure out where he was going and what he was doing. And now, she had finally discovered his secret. He had a thing with a werewolf woman.

Elian walked into his cottage, relieved that Lilian wasn't waiting for him. He thought to himself, "Finally, she's gotten the message." But not knowing his relief was going to be short lived.

Just as he was about to sit down, he heard a loud knock on the door. He opened it to find the town leaders, their faces frowned in anger.

"What's going on?" Elian demanded, but no one replied.

The leaders grabbed him, overpowering him as they dragged him out of his cottage. Elian struggled, but they were too strong for him.

As they reached the town square, Elian saw the entire town gathered, their faces were filled with hatred and anger. The town leader Thorne, a tall, imposing figure, stepped forward.

"We have discovered that Elian has been consorting with a werewolf woman!" he said

The crowd erupted into chaos, with people shouting and throwing stones at Elian. He tried to defend himself, but no one listened.

Just then, Lilian stepped forward, wearing a sly smile on her face. "I'm the one who discovered his secret," she said, her voice was dripping with malice. "I saw him with the werewolf woman. And since he didn't give me his heart, I won't allow him to give it to anyone else."

The crowd's anger reached a high pitch, with people shouting and throwing more stones. Elian knew that Lilian had betrayed him, and he felt a deep sadness wash over him.

The town leader stepped forward, his eyes filled with anger and pity, although he's veen friends with Elian but he's so into the traditions of their town and wouldn't want to be biased.

"We vow to hunt down the werewolf woman and bring her to justice!" he finally declared.

Elian looked up in fear . "No, please!" he begged. "Spare her! She's innocent!"

But no one listened. The crowd continued to throw stones, and Elian felt his strength was fading. He knew he was going to die.

As he took his last breath, he pleaded with the crowd to spare Lyra's life. "Please, don't hurt her!" he begged.

But it was too late. Elian's body slumped to the ground, and the crowd cheered.

Lily was watching from behind a tree in the forest, her eyes were streaming with tears. She had wanted to rush forward and stop the crowd, but Kael had held her back.

"You can't save him," Kael who happened told Lyra what was going on, had whispered. "You'll only endanger yourself and the baby."

Lyra nodded, feeling deeply sad. His last visit was a goodbye message to her.

She had lost the love of her life, and she knew she would never forgive the town for what they had done.

As the crowd dispersed, Lyra watched from the forest, her eyes were fixed on Elian's lifeless body. And she collapsed to the ground, weeping uncontrollably, and falling into a premature labour.