Rejected Under the Moon

Chapter 13

I focused on each light footfall, the soft crunch of gravel beneath my feet, as we left the house. My aunt led the way, her steps gentle, while I trailed behind, a mix of nerves and uncertainty swirling in my stomach like a restless storm.

I would meet Alec and his parents. My parents would meet Alec's parents. The weight of all the negative outcomes hung heavy in the air, thick as the scent of blooming jasmine that wafted from the garden.

The exiled Christina would have to go back to the Celestial Moon pack without answers. My aunt's voice broke the silence, "Rowan, my, you are still here?" She sounded surprised, but a hint of warmth laced her tone.

"Yes, somehow I am." Rowan smiled, then frowned, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took me in. "Is Christy okay?"

My aunt's head turned back gently to study me, her gaze piercing, before she threw the question to me. "Christy, are you okay?"

Was I okay? My heart hammered against my ribs, a painful thump. A thousand what-ifs paralyzed me, and I felt faint. What if I got a bigger punishment than being exiled?

"Christy?" Rowan called, concern etched on his face, a deep crease forming on his brow. My aunt's eyes lingered on me, expectant.

So I gave them a comforting lie. "...yes." It sounded fake, even to my ears, but the last thing I wanted to do was talk about my ex-mate with Rowan. It felt extremely awkward, and why wouldn't it? He was my cousins' teacher. We might know each other personally, but no way. That was too far.

"Is it okay if I talk to her alone?" Rowan asked, his voice soft.

What was this? I don't need a therapist. I don't want to say anything. I'm fine, well, I'm really not, but surely I'll figure it out. I observed as my aunt eyed us, surprised and suspicious, and my annoyance flared into anger. Why couldn't people stop analyzing my actions? If I said I was fine, then I was fine. I certainly didn't want to talk. It was that simple.

"Yes, thank you." She disappeared into a room, leaving me with Rowan. My shock couldn't be hidden. Was this planned? This was my first time here, and you were actually leaving me with Rowan?

"You're not okay, Christy." Rowan's voice was firm and gentle, and it grated on my nerves.

So you could tell, why ask the question then? "You're right, I'm not fine. Please don't use me as an experiment for the new psychology trick you've learned."

His scent soured, a mix of disappointment and hurt, and my eyes widened as I covered my mouth. I hadn't meant to say that out loud.

"No... I... ...I'm sorry." His face tightened. "You're just upset that you got caught. In your heart, you agree with those words. You think I'm poking my nose in your business."

Anger flashed briefly in his faint scent. "Christiana Haven, I am caring! I am showing concern!"

Oh no, I hadn't meant to say those words. "I am sorry, Rowan. I didn't mean it. I'm angry, but not at you."

His gaze flashed sharply. "Why are you angry?"

"I... I'm just confused, I guess."

"Well, then, now I am angry." Tears prickled my eyes, why was I always a disappointment? "I'm really sorry, Rowan. You've been a delightful friend. You're not pokenosing at all. I just don't want to talk about it."

A tear slid down my cheek, and I wiped it away hurriedly. His face cleared.

"Okay, we won't talk about it." He offered a small smile. "How's school? I didn't think you'd come."

Grateful for his change of subject, I followed him up immediately, "It's okay. The semester is picking up, so I wanted to get a change of environment for the weekend."

He chuckled, "Being around so many humans is stressful, isn't it?"

"Yes, Goddess, they are so loud with their noisy environment. Human town is so noisy. And they smell! Especially in the morning lectures, they just attend smelly. They can be so disgusting."

"Not to mention their emotions, humans have a variety of them, you can smell jealousy from two laughing friends, it's horrible. I know we have terrible werewolves too, but at least the smell of their negative emotions isn't so obvious or pungent."

His laughter sounded again, but louder this time. "You will get used to it. Before I became a teacher, humans and human children irritated me. Now I miss pupils when they graduate."

"You can tell me if you are having any trouble. You said it yourself, we are friends. Trust and Kindness are two of the basic principles of friendship. Don't trivialize our friendship."

"I won't," I vowed. Celestial Moon had taught me to cherish those who were willing to care.

"Thank you, Rowan."

"No problem. Come on, your Aunt's most likely in the garden."

We walked back in silence, the only sound the soft crunch of gravel beneath our feet. I was happy; my fears had quieted down. And there she was, seated quietly among the flowers, painting a beautiful picture. She turned the moment we crossed the door, then I watched as she walked quickly and met us less than halfway.

"Thank you, Rowan. You've been a blessing to the family."

"It's my pleasure, Christy is my friend. Right, Christy?"

"Yes," I said it with confidence. "We are friends."

"Good night, Mrs. Leila. Good night, Christy."

"Good night, Rowan," I replied.

My aunt turned to me. "I didn't know you and Rowan were friends."

"Yes, Aunt, we are good friends," I answered gently. She smiled slowly, amusement in her eyes, but her voice was solemn. "Rowan is truly a great person."

The sky had started to get dark when we walked back home, and I thought of the full moon that was coming soon. I would have to come back, if not it would be a full moon around so many humans. A full moon in a human-dominated space, I couldn't imagine it.

Streetlights had lit up everywhere; it was fascinating to see. Werewolves had great vision at night, so there was never a need for such external light sources. Illuminated by the gentle rays of the moon, we were okay. Here, it was too bright.

And so, among the gentle evening breeze, piercing streetlights, and the roads that got busier the closer we got home, we walked gently, homeward bound.

We got home, and I closed the door to the noise and clatter of humans. Soon after, Rowan called. I stared in surprise at my phone for a while before answering. "...hello."

"Christiana, hello."

"Are you home yet?"

"Yes, I am."

"What did you think of the meeting?" A relieved smile adorned my face; I could have such conversations.

"Fine, I didn't think I'd see a lot of werewolves or a councilor as a werewolf. It was surprising."

His rich laughter sounded over the phone. "Yes, there are several werewolves around, and we like to look out for each other. Living outside a pack can be stressful, so we take care of each other."

"That's great," I said they did a good job building such a community.

"I need to do something; I just wanted to check on you, so I'm hanging up soon."

"Thank you, Rowan."

"You're welcome, Goodbye, Christy."

"Good night, Rowan."

The dial cut off.