Moonlight Falls

A Kiss to remember

Kaida's POV

It's twelve o'clock noon, The event was already ongoing and I was standing out the corridor, thinking to myself why aren't they here yet.

I stretched out my left hand and looked at my wristwatch, mere looking at the time got me more stressed out to be honest.

Clearly, I wasn't satisfied by their absence, didn't know what was harder, keeping myself from going stir-crazy or just the feeling that they aren't coming , my mind raced with worst-case scenarios and my anxiety spiked up by the minute

I stood by the pouch, itching to leave and consistently dialing my brother's number.

About a quarter of an hour later I fell asleep on the bench oddly trying to stick around a while longer. I woke up– wouldn't even call that a nap– feeling a bit squamish and began galavanting and staring at the neighbor’s yard workers plowing grass across the street.

It felt awkwardly satisfying to be honest.

Now two hours later, neither mom nor Arkyn were anywhere to be found and none of their phones were going through either.

I checked my wristwatch again, time wasn't on my side, as I strode back and forth, it's a few minutes past one o'clock, come on guys. They could have chosen any other day to disappoint me, not today.

My patience was really starting to stretch too thin, and I was already tired of waiting– like, why would they ask me to stay back and still not come early.

I got bored to the point that I got a jug of juice to keep me company; but gulped down on two jugs already and was chugging on the third one.

After a quick swallow, I sighed.

You know what– I kept the cup, I can't sit around anymore, I have to leave.

I picked up my car keys, my phone– a little kit box that i always carried around and got up to leave. Whenever they get here- whenever that is, I'll leave a text message– they can meet me up at the venue.

I went outside, locked up the doors and was set to leave when I saw a luxury SUV pull through the driveway.

Oh, look who decided to drop by at the nick of time, Arkyn… yeah just him.

Arkyn came down, scratching the back of his neck.

“ Seems like you've been…” he attempted to talk but I cut him off with an aggressive glance.

You know the look where you don't tell someone to shut the f**k up but they understand regardless, yeah that's what he got.

“ You better get back in the car and get me out of here, ” I urged, walking towards the car with a clenched fist. “... And don't give me any silly excuses for not making it on time ”

Arkyn raised his hands in defense, “ I'm not going to.”

Soon enough we drove off and headed straight for the pack’s main hacienda or for some people, the Great den.

The Great den is a social hub where full moon ceremonies and ritual hunts, sparring, and social events are held, it was always ran by the lord of the moon and in this case, the Baron was the one in charge.

I got dropped off outside through the building, while Arkyn drove down the driveway to find someplace to pack his car.

Walked straight into the lodge's great hall sent shivers down my spine, it was gridlocked with people, loud music mixed with faint laughter and conversations. The scent of roasted meat wafting from the kitchen and everything was just spectacular.

Many people already came before me– Fantastic– not like I was trying to curry favor with anyone but it's not impolite to come at the right time.

Some servants…No, I wouldn't call them that– some workers were putting certain things in place for the big day and I was as excited to be here as everyone else but I was curious too, maybe too curious.

Looking around, my sight pinpointed too many familiar and unfriendly faces. Who would have thought you'd get to see, some ingrates from the blackwood pack– they were here too. It's certainly a day for surprises I'd say and I hate surprises.

I waited outside the lobby, getting ready for my enthusiast–Kaius of course– who i’m getting a little too sure if he'd even show up early to carry me along. Someone had to carry me along, and it's certainly not Arkyn.. he had his own business to fidget with.

My competitors kept parading themselves up and down the environment like a flock of sheep. Some couldn't even walk pass without a disturbing hiss, I chuckled inwardly each time they walked by, such a pathetic set of creatures.

I finally ventured out to get myself a drink. Getting back I saw that Kaius was already here. Not just him but his mom who's been subjected to a wheelchair, the Baron clung to the old lady like a parasite and a group of burly men, wearing black tailored suits and sunglasses– for a moment I almost felt intimidated.

I didn’t even make it three steps before Kaius spotted me. He was leaning against the entryway, his arms crossed, dressed down but still managing to look like he’d rolled out of a photoshoot. Of course, he did. The guy could wear a potato sack and somehow make it work.

I felt his eyes rake over me—assessing, teasing—and, as always, he let me come to him. Typical Kaius. I went right up to him, ignoring the way my heartbeat quickened, and threw my arms around him before he could pull one of his smug little dodges.

“Look who finally decided to show up,” I said into his shoulder.

Kaius laughed, his voice low and warm. “What can I say? I like making an entrance.”

I pulled back just enough to glare up at him, though it wasn’t easy staying mad when his grin could’ve powered a small town. “You’re late.”

Before he could even get a word in, I saw the Baron wheeling his sister past us, cool as ice and just as silent. The man didn’t even glance my way. Figures. He wasn’t much of a smiler—he reserved that for special occasions, like never—but I didn’t mind. The Baron wasn’t my problem. Yet.

Kaius glanced after him briefly, then turned his attention back to me. “How’re you feeling?” His tone was casual, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of concern.

I tilted my head, letting out a dramatic sigh. “How do you think I’m feeling? It’s my big day, and you were supposed to be here on time. So, yeah. Not great, genius.”

That earned me a chuckle, the kind that was equal parts amused and apologetic. But then—and this is where I start losing my patience—he bent down, kissed my forehead like I was some toddler who’d scraped her knee, and asked, “What’d I do this time?”

I smacked his chest lightly, because, let’s be real, it wasn’t like I could actually hurt him. “You didn’t come when you said you would. That’s what.”

Kaius sighed, his hands settling on my shoulders like he was about to give me some grand excuse. And sure enough: “I was waiting for my uncle to finish whatever boring paperwork he’s been glued to all day.” He nodded toward the Baron, who was already halfway across the room. “It’s not like I could just ditch him. You know how he gets.”

Oh, and then the kicker: “Besides, we didn’t just show up empty-handed. There’s a whole entourage coming in behind us. Surprise!”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “You’re really trying to turn this into a win for you, huh?”

Kaius gave me that lopsided grin that always, always managed to thaw the frostiest part of my mood. “Is it working?”

I snorted. “Not even close.”

Just then, one of the competitors strode by—a guy I’d already decided I didn’t like, with the kind of overconfident swagger that screamed pick me. His eyes flicked over to us, lingered a second too long, and then kept moving like he had somewhere better to be.

It was petty—okay, fine, it was downright childish—but I wasn’t about to let him think I was some pushover.

“Kaius,” I said, my voice dropping just enough to catch his full attention. “Kiss me.”

His brow furrowed, his head tilting like I’d just asked him to recite Shakespeare. “What?”

I grabbed his shirt and tugged him down, keeping my voice low. “Just do it.”

Kaius didn’t hesitate after that. His hands slid to my waist, steady and sure, and his lips met mine with that easy confidence he always seemed to carry around. It wasn’t just a kiss; it was a statement, loud and clear.

When I pulled back, I didn’t miss the way the competitor’s shoulders stiffened as he walked off.

Kaius blinked at me, half amused, half confused. “Not that I’m complaining, but… care to share what that was about?”

I smiled, a little too sweetly. “Let’s just say he needed reminding of his place.”

Kaius shook his head, clearly biting back a laugh, and gestured toward the chairs lining the wall. “C’mon, troublemaker. Let’s sit before you decide to pick another fight.”

I looped my arm through his, letting him lead me. “No promises.”