Beyond The Blood Moon

CHAPTER 2: CRUSH

Lilian took extra care in dressing, she chose a flowing red dress that accentuated her curvy body She styled her hair in loose waves and applied a subtle layer of makeup. As she looked in the mirror, she smiled, as she was really satisfied with her reflection.

She made her way to Elian's residence, a small cottage on the outskirts of town. The door creaked as she pushed it open, and Elian looked up from the book he was reading.

"Lilian," he said, looking surprised at his unexpected beautiful guest.

"What brings you here?"

Lilian's heart skipped a beat as she looked at Elian's rugged features once again as if she had never seen him before. His dark hair was mussed, and his eyes crinkled at the corners, as if shy as he smiled.

"I just wanted to see you," she said, in a whispering voice almost romantically.

Elian's heart melted at her response and he set his book aside.

Come in, then. I'll make us some tea."

As Elian walked himself to the kitchen, Lilian took a seat by the window, her eyes were scanning his body seductively. She loved watching him move with quiet confidence, and watch his muscles rippling beneath his shirt.

"So, what's new with you?" Elian asked, handing her a steaming cup of tea

Lilian took a sip, still giving her eyes on him, trying to send him a lover message

"Just the usual. Helping Mother with her herbs, and...thinking about you."

Elian's expression didn't change, but Lilian detected a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

"Thinking about me?" he repeated.

Lilian's heart pounded as she leaned forward.

"Yes. Wondering what you're doing, if you're safe...if you're thinking about me too."

Elian slightly drifted away, and he cleared his throat.

"Lilian, I...appreciate your concern. But I'm just doing my job, protecting the town."

Lilian felt disappointed, but she forced a smile. "Of course. I understand."

The conversation flowed easily after that, but Lilian couldn't shake off the feeling that Elian was holding back. He didn't seem to notice her flirting, or maybe he just didn't care.

As the sun began to set, Lilian reluctantly stood to leave. "I should get going," she said, her voice tinged with disappointment.

Elian walked her to the door, his hand brushing against hers. "Thanks for visiting, Lilian. Be careful on your way home."

Lilian's heart skipped a beat at his touch, but Elian didn't seem to notice. "I will," she said, smiling up at him. "Take care, Elian."

As she walked away, Lilian couldn't help but wonder if she'd ever be able to break through Elian's reserve.

Meanwhile, Elian watched Lilian disappear into the twilight, a mix of emotions swirling in his heart. He cared for Lilian deeply, but he didn't feel the same way as Lilian

He couldn't explain why, but he felt a pang of guilt for not reciprocating her feelings.

As soon as Lilian left, Elian's face turned serious. He knew the Blood Moon season was a time of heightened danger, and as a hunter, it was part of his duty to protect the town.

He gathered his gear and set out to meet the other hunters at the edge of the forest. The group consisted of seasoned hunters, each of them with their own motivations for participating in the hunt.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, the hunters spread out, so as to cover more ground. Elian moved stealthily, his four senses on a very high alert for any sign of werewolf activity.

Suddenly, he heard a faint rustling in the underbrush. He drew his knife, creeping closer to detect. That was when he saw her, a magnificent werewolf, struggling to free herself from a trap.

Elian's instincts screamed at him to attack, but something about the werewolf's desperate struggles stopped his act of attacking. As he watched, the werewolf managed to break free from the trap but not before Elian saw her.

She was indeed a pulchritudinous being, even in her werewolf form. But as she transformed back into a human, Elian's breath got a hiccup. He was stunned. It was like he felt he has never seen a woman that beautiful before in his entire life.

She stood before him, tall and lithe, with porcelain skin and curly brown hair that dropped down her back like a waterfall. Her eyes which were a deep, piercing green one fixed on Elian was fiilled with gratitude and wonder.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice seeming sensual.

"I owe you my life." She continued.

Elian felt his heart stutter, his mind reeling with the implications of what he'd just done. He'd saved a werewolf, a creature he'd been taught to hate, fear and kill.

But as he looked into her eyes, he saw something there that stopped him, Something that made him question everything he thought he knew.

"I'm Elian," he said, wondering why he introduced himself to a werewolf he needed to kill

"I'm...Lyra," she replied, with a hesitant smile

As they stood there, the forest around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a moment of pure connection.

But as the silence stretched out, Elian's training and instincts began to reassert themselves. He took a step back, realising what he had just done

"What are you doing out here?" he demanded, his voice harsher than he intended, trying to instigate fear into her

Lyra's smile faded, and she took a step back, her eyes began to flash with fear.

"I...I was just out for a walk," she stammered.

Elian looked at her, searching for any sign of deception. But all he saw was fear and vulnerability.

And something else. Something that made his heart skip a beat.

"I won't hurt you," he said, his voice softer now. "But you need to tell me the truth. What are you doing out here?" He asked again

Lyra's eyes kept rolling, , and for a moment, Elian thought he saw a glimmer of trust there.

But then, her expression changed and she turned to run.

Elian reacted instinctively, chasing after her, the forest seemed to grow denser, the trees closing in around them like sentinels.

Just as he was about to catch on Lyra, a rustling in the underbrush caught his attention. Elian's head snapped towards the sound.

It was Ryker, another hunter from the town. His eyes scanned the area, his look sweeping over Elian and Lily.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Elian's heart stopped beating, his breath caught in his throat. He knew that if Ryker saw them, it would mean disaster. They weren't friends. And he would do anything to reveal what he had seen

Without hesitation, Elian grabbed Lyra's arm, pulling her into a nearby thicket. They collapsed on the ground, their bodies were wrapped together as they rolled down to the earth. After they eventually stopped rolling, they both unconsciously left each others arm and struggled to catch their breath.

Lyra wondered what just happened "But, what happened?" She asked, curiousity catching a glimpse of her.

Elian's face was inches from Lyra's face, their lips were almost touching. He could feel her warm breath on his skin, sending shivers down his spine.

For a moment, they just sat there, their hearts were pounding in unison. Elian's eyes never left hers as he felt there were something filled there and he needed to calm her down

It was fear, but also something more. Something that looked almost like...trust.

As they sat there, the sounds of the forest grew louder, the rustling of leaves and snapping of twigs were filling the air. Ryker's voice echoed through the trees, his shouts growing fainter as he moved away from their hiding spot.

"Who are you! Reveal yourself?" He shouted

Elian let out a slow breath, his body relaxing as the tension dissipated. But as he looked into Lyra's eyes, he felt a new kind of tension building inside him.

"What is this within me? Is this love?" He muttered within himself

It was a tension that had nothing to do with danger or fear. It was a tension that was purely, utterly human.

Without thinking, Elian reached out, his fingers brushing against Lyra's cheek. Her skin was soft and warm, like silk beneath his fingertips.

And then, without warning, Lyra's eyes snapped open. She stared up at Elian, looking slightly worried

"We have to get out of here," she whispered, her voice seemed urgent.

"Now."

Elian nodded, his mind snapping back into focus. He helped Lyra to her feet, and together they stumbled out of the thicket, voluntarily holding hands in order not to lose each other in the thicket.

As they walked into the bright sunlight, Elian felt it had an effect on Lyra, looking at her rubbing her body in discomfort, he rushed to her and stood very closer to her, backing the ray of sunlight against her. For a minute, they were both lost in their emotions as they looked into each others eyes figuring out what's happening to them.

"Are ... Are.. you okay?" Elian stuttered.

Instead of a response, Lyra drew him closer and gave him an unconscious kiss on his lips. Elian stood there, looking lost.

"I'm... I'm sorry... That wasn't intention...." Lyra said

But he didn't allow her to finish her statement before he judiciously rushed at her to give her a deserving and erotic kiss, Lily wrapped her arms around Elian's neck as she patiently enjoyed his lips. Asif Elian was expecting her, he pulled her up to his waist, devouring her lips with passion and excitement