Luna Rising: The Prophecy

Chapter 10: We've Met Before

Aeliana

"What are you doing here?" I asked, in astonishment.

August stared down at me in complete shock. "What are you doing here?" He shot the question right back at me.

"I'm here to see Violet," I said, blinking. "Do I have the wrong house?"

"What do you want to see her for?" August asked suspiciously.

I gaped at him. "I'm sorry?"

"August, did I teach you to be rude to callers?" The woman in question said, coming up beside him. "Please excuse my son, miss."

My eyes widened. "Your son?" I said faintly.

She beamed, looking happier than I'd ever seen her. "My pride and joy."

"Mother," August grumbled.

I was still trying to connect the dots between the two in my head. "Wait, but aren't you a..." I trailed off before voicing the full question, realizing it would be rude.

"My son is a Gamma, miss," Violet said softly, answering my unspoken question on behalf of August.

I nodded, knowing it would be impolite to ask just how they came to be living here as omegas. Children got their aura through their fathers, and I had always assumed that August was an extended member of Blue Moon's Gamma family. Whatever the story was behind their living out here as omegas, I was sure it was laced with tragedy.

"What brings you here today, miss Aeliana?" Violet asked. "Is something wrong?"

"Oh. No!" I said, too loudly. "Nothing's wrong," I said at a quieter decibel. "I just wanted to come and check on you after this morning to make sure you were alright. I also brought these," I said, suddenly remembering my bouquet and thrusting it forward, causing several petals to flutter to the ground.

"Oh, how lovely! Would you—would you like to come in?" Violet said, seeming to reconsider partway through.

"Yes, thank you," I said. I moved to enter the little hut, but August was still blocking my way. "May I?" I asked tentatively. The shock was wearing off, leaving me a little bewildered as to his attitude. Where was the Shy Boy I knew? I guess I didn't really know him, after all.

Reluctantly, August stepped aside, and I crossed the threshold and got my first look inside Violet and August's home. It was a single room, with a small wooden table with two rickety chairs, a tiny fireplace, and a single bed in the corner, half-hidden by a yellow curtain. But there was a well-mended floral tablecloth covering part of the table, a cast-iron pot bubbling merrily over the fire, and some pretty trinkets on the mantel. Overall, the effect was cozy, and I could tell that though they didn't have much in the way of material possessions, there was no lack of love or support in this home. Different as it was from how I grew up, it gave me the same feeling as being in the family room at Howling Rivers.

"Your home is lovely," I said, meaning every word.

Violet blushed. "It's not much," she said hurriedly, walking over to pull the curtain across to hide the rest of the bed. "But we never did need much."

"A happy home counts for more than owning material things," I said with a smile. "And I can tell you have that in spades."

Violet smiled happily, and it took years off of her face. "I'll say it again, you really are the picture of kindness, Miss Aeliana. Would you care for some tea?"

"If it's not putting you out, I'd love some," I said warmly.

"We can afford tea," August muttered from where he was standing awkwardly in the corner. My smile faltered. Had I inadvertently offended Violet?

"August!" Violet scolded. "I don't know where your manners are today, but you'd better find them quickly, young man."

"Sorry," he mumbled. When he received a sharp glance from his mother, he spoke louder. "I'm sorry, Miss Aeliana. Please forgive my rudeness."

"It's alright," I said softly, just wishing the whole thing would blow over. His demeanor was cold and wary, starkly different from our past interactions. It was difficult to reconcile Shy Boy with the August before me now.

"I'll be outside, mother," August said abruptly, ducking out of the house. He was so tall, he would have bumped his head if he tried to walk through it standing tall.

"I'm so sorry, Miss Aeliana, I don't know what got into him," Violet said, bringing a shiny brown teapot over to the table along with two mismatched mugs. She also placed a plain white vase on the table, now filled with my fresh-picked wildflowers.

"Yes, he does seem different," I said, taking a seat across from her. At her surprised look, I explained. "We've met before, on more than one occasion, and I've never seen him like that. Even yesterday when Derek and I ran into him, he was polite and cordial."

Violet's face became guarded as I spoke. "I'm glad he was polite in front of our Alpha," she said carefully, pouring the tea.

I lifted my teacup, which had a pattern of pink flowers on it, and took a sip. "This is delicious," I said, sighing happily. "Thank you."

"I make my own tea when I can get my hands on the leaves," Violet said proudly.

"Well, you have a gift," I said, setting my cup on the tablecloth. "Now, I did want to check in on you after yesterday's accident. How are you feeling? Has your hand fully healed?"

She sighed. "I'm alright now, and my hand is fine. I apologize for overreacting."

I tilted my head. "Are you sure?"

She nodded quickly. "Yes. Please don't concern yourself with my wellbeing, miss."

"I'm concerned for the wellbeing of everyone in Blue Moon," I said softly. "That includes you."

Violet looked as though she wanted to say something, but refrained. "That is very noble of you, miss."

I reached out and rested my hand on her arm. "I'm very serious, Violet. I grew up with the firm belief that everyone in a pack has value, since they all contribute something. Whether it's physical work or making people laugh, everyone has a purpose. As such, they all deserve to be properly cared for and supported. I fully intend to live by that philosophy once I become Luna here."

"I hope you succeed," Violet said.

"Why wouldn't I?" I asked quizzically.

She pressed her lips together and her face closed off completely. "Nothing, miss."

"O-okay," I stammered, confused by the abrupt end to the conversation.

She gave my hand a pat, then released me. "You are a special girl, Aeliana. Blue Moon is blessed to have you. If you'd like to visit again, please let me know." She was nice and polite, but the message was clear. Her walls were up, and I was not yet trustworthy enough to climb over them.

I stood up. "Of course. I do apologize for stopping by unannounced. I'd love to visit again, if invited. Thank you for the tea," I gave her a hug. This visit hadn't gone quite how I had expected, but I was determined to keep trying. If my reputation was bad, I would work hard until it was completely restored. I didn't want Blue Moon pack members to fear me. I wanted them to love me as I already loved them.

"Well, I'd best be going. I still have to finish settling in and there's much to prepare for over these next few weeks," I finally said, preparing to make my exit. I sensed that Violet wanted to be alone to process. Though what she needed to process, I had no idea.

Violet bade me a friendly goodbye and I left, shutting the door carefully behind me.

"Thank you."

I whirled around to see August sitting with his back up against a large woodpile. "You startled me!" I exclaimed.

He stood up and walked over, tapping his fingers nervously against his leg. "Sorry. About now, and before."

I looked up at him. I had to crane my head, since he was a foot taller than me. "I'm sorry if you feel like I encroached on your personal space," I said, apologizing too. "I had no idea you were Violet's son. I just came to check on her after the incident with the broken glass yesterday."

"Broken glass?" August asked, dropping his voice low. "What happened?"

"Your mother didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what happened," he repeated impatiently, grabbing my upper arms.

"She tripped and a glass fell off the tray she was carrying and broke," I said hastily. "She cut her hand while trying to clean it up, so I wanted to make sure she was okay."

"Does anyone else know about this?" August demanded.

"N-no? I told her I wouldn't say anything, and I haven't. Except to you, just now," I said, a little worried that even this was breaking her trust. I didn't want August to give her a hard time because of me.

He suddenly seemed to realize he was gripping my arms, and released me quickly. "Sorry," he muttered. "Thank you."

"May I ask why it's such a big deal to keep it a secret?" I asked. "It was an accident. Things happen."

"You may ask," he allowed, and I leaned in. "But I won't answer."

I stared at him, stunned. This was by far the longest exchange we had to date, and he was just as mysterious as ever. However, this time I couldn't classify him as shy. Angry, perhaps? Jaded? But not shy.

"Don't get too close to my mother."

His words snapped me out of my thoughts. "What?"

"Don't get too close to my mother," he repeated flatly. "You shouldn't get close to me, either."

"Why?" I asked, too surprised to properly comprehend his odd request.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Just don't."

With that, he walked away, leaving me hurt, bewildered, and alone.