Lemon-Flavored Drink
1321 Words
By the next day, the afternoon arrived faster than usual, and it was obvious throughout the Silverstream pack.
Amaris walked beside her parents, still staring at the territory with a hint of disbelief.
Everything had been rebuilt again in record time.
The damage from the previous night seemed almost nonexistent.
Greyton looked around with visible relief.
“I never thought everything would be rebuilt this quickly.”
Sabrina nodded emotionally.
“Alpha Kael kept his word.”
Daryl, who was walking a few steps behind them, let out a mocking little laugh.
“That Alpha Kael would be nothing without all the power he has.”
Amaris immediately turned toward him.
“Watch the way you speak about my husband.”
Daryl raised both eyebrows in amusement, though deep down he hadn’t expected that response.
“Look at you… already defending him like a true Luna of Crimson Moon.”
Amaris didn’t answer, but her expression made it clear she hadn’t liked the comment.
Daryl let out an exaggerated sigh.
“I should probably take you back soon. It’s going to get completely dark.”
“I’ll stay for dinner with my parents and then return,” Amaris replied.
Sabrina smiled immediately, her heart filling with happiness.
“Then I’ll prepare something quickly.”
Greyton looked at her joyfully.
“And I’ll help you.”
The two of them entered the house while Amaris remained outside for a few more seconds.
Then she looked at Daryl.
“Since you’re still here… help me set the table.”
He let out a small laugh. After all, he would’ve done anything she asked of him.
“As the Luna commands.”
An hour later, the four of them were having dinner beneath the moonlight in front of the main house.
The night was peaceful, and the atmosphere felt far more relaxed after so many terrible moments.
Amaris set her utensils down on the table and smiled.
“The food was delicious, Mom.”
Greyton let out a proud chuckle.
“Your mother is the best cook in all of Silverstream.”
Sabrina shook her head in amusement while beginning to gather some plates.
“You exaggerate.”
Greyton stood up to help her.
“I’d better go with you before you scold me.”
The two disappeared inside the house while Amaris remained seated, staring at the moon.
The cool wind gently moved her hair, and then she heard footsteps approaching.
Daryl appeared holding two glasses.
“I made this for you.”
Amaris looked up.
“What is it?”
“Your favorite lemon-flavored drink.”
She smiled gratefully. She loved that fresh, fragrant scent.
“Thank you.”
She took the glass and drank a little while Daryl sat beside her.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke, until finally he did.
“I’ve always loved you, Amaris.”
She closed her eyes for a moment.
“Daryl…”
“You should’ve married me.”
Amaris slowly lowered the glass. Talking about that made her uncomfortable.
“Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.”
Daryl let out a bitter little laugh.
“Because Kael appeared.”
Amaris quickly shook her head.
“No… or maybe yes, but I want you to know that my heart chose once… and forever.”
Daryl watched her for a few seconds before smiling faintly.
“You don’t have to tell me who you’re talking about.”
Amaris looked back toward the moon.
But then something strange started happening.
The dizziness came suddenly.
She blinked several times in confusion.
Her vision began to blur.
“What…?”
She tried to stand up, but her body immediately failed her.
Daryl caught her before she fell.
“Amaris.”
She tried to focus on him.
“I don’t feel well…”
Daryl held her tightly in his arms.
“I’ll take you somewhere to rest.”
Amaris could barely hear those words.
Everything around her was spinning too much.
Daryl quickly carried her inside the house and climbed the stairs with her in his arms.
He entered her room and carefully laid her down on the bed.
Amaris breathed slowly, trying to stay awake.
But she could barely keep her eyes open.
Daryl remained watching her for several long seconds.
His expression was filled with conflict.
“Forgive me…” he whispered softly. “But I have to get you back somehow.”
He sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her.
“You need to stay away from that Alpha,” he said, as though she could still hear him in that condition.
Slowly, he brushed the hair away from Amaris’s face and caressed her cheek.
Then he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
Carefully, he began removing part of her clothing while breathing heavily.
But when he looked at her again… he couldn’t do it.
He squeezed his eyes shut tightly as guilt crushed him immediately.
“Damn it…”
He stepped away for a few seconds, trying to steady his breathing.
Then he ended up removing part of his own clothes as well before lying down beside her.
Without touching her further.
Without daring to completely cross that line.
“At least I’ll sleep beside you the way I’ve dreamed of for so many nights,” he murmured quietly to himself.
Daryl stayed there watching her for a long time until he finally fell asleep.
The next morning, Amaris slowly opened her eyes.
Her head hurt horribly.
She blinked in confusion while staring at the ceiling.
That wasn’t her room in Crimson Moon.
She slowly sat up, and then heard a voice beside her.
“Good morning, beautiful.”
Amaris sharply turned her head.
Daryl was lying beside her, and both of them had very little clothing on.
Amaris’s heart nearly stopped.
Daryl smiled as he looked at her.
“Last night was incredible.”
Amaris felt the air vanish from her lungs.
“What…?”
Daryl moved slightly closer into her space.
“It was the best night of my life. I knew you wanted me just as much as I wanted you.”
Amaris’s eyes widened in horror, and she quickly backed away from the bed.
“No… that can’t be…”
She desperately looked around for her clothes.
Her hands were visibly trembling as she hurried to get dressed.
“No…”
Tears began gathering in her eyes.
Daryl quickly got out of bed.
“Don’t tell me you regret it after what happened.”
Amaris repeatedly shook her head while finishing dressing.
“Never come near me again.”
Her voice sounded broken.
Daryl tried to approach her.
“Amaris, listen—”
“Don’t touch me!”
She quickly ran out of the room, trying not to let anyone see her.
Her chest hurt horribly.
Everything inside her was guilt, confusion, and desperation.
She couldn’t clearly remember anything, but she was convinced she had betrayed Kael.
Hours later, she finally arrived back at Crimson Moon.
She entered the mansion, trying to go unnoticed, and quickly climbed the stairs.
But halfway up, Kael appeared in front of her.
Amaris froze, and Kael watched her silently for a few seconds.
“Where were you?”
Amaris’s heart began beating faster than normal.
“I… I stayed with my parents.”
Kael didn’t even change his expression.
“I don’t have time to pay attention to what you do.”
And without saying another word, he continued walking away.
Amaris watched him leave, feeling her chest slowly breaking apart.
She quickly entered the bedroom and shut the door behind her.
Then she covered her face with both hands in despair.
“What have I done…?”
The tears finally began to fall.
Because now she didn’t know how she would ever look Kael in the eyes again…
much less how she could ever be in his arms again.
- Writer
