Bound by the Moon

Elena~3

By the time we approached Vale, I was certain I was going to pass out. The Lycan—Erika, was it?—had already carried me in his arms once. My feet were sore and aching, but I couldn’t stop moving.

Not until I was sure we were safe.

Erik, on the other hand, seemed uncaring about the entire situation. The moon had since disappeared, allowing his features to morph back to normal. He appeared like a regular human, despite his abiding district for our kind.

He glanced at me wearily. “You have a fight in you, which is admirable. It still doesn’t explain what you were doing so close to the border at this time of night.”

I took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air that came with the morning dew. “I already told you I was looking for a Lycan.”

He huffed under his breath. “Well, that explains nothing. And your silly human-werewolf, or whoever's rights excuse doesn’t cut it either.”

“But I am telling the truth! And it's “creature rights” because we fight for everyone.”

We approached the town, and the streets were still empty as its people slept. There were a few people outside, but they paid us no mind as we walked in the shadows.

“You must think I am a fool. That’s what you humans think of the Lycanthrope kind, isn’t it?” Erik’s eyes were flaming with unbridled anger, and his muscles tensed under his jaw.

“Well, it's not my fault you don’t believe me. To you, all humans are liars.” I stopped in my tracks and faced him head on. “There is nothing I can say that would change your mind, so why would the truth make any difference?”

The Lycan didn't stop with me, simply rolling his eyes before he continued down the path. “Welcome to Vale. May our paths never cross again.”

And then, he was gone.

I gasped, shocked at his brazen rudeness. I hadn’t even noted the alley he entered, so it was impossible to follow him.

I need to get home. I looked around me, taking in the town and its various landmarks. I guess I'll be alright as long as I can reach the town square. There has to be someone there who can help me.

I took the first turn I could find, wandering deeper into the town. At some point, I reached a dead end. The thick fog of smoke obstructing the area blindsided me.

I groaned as I turned around, about to search for an alternative route, when I heard a blood-curdling scream.

I whipped around, immediately spotting the mob of people crowded at the end of the road. They were beating someone, their cheers audible from a distance as they slapped and kicked at the culprit.

I inched closer, my blood chilling. I caught a glimpse of the person being assaulted. It was a woman, her face streaked with blood as she tried to shield herself with her arms. The other arm was wrapped around her protruding belly while she flinched at the merciless beating.

“Wait! Stop!” I rushed into the circle, crouching over the woman so she was completely covered by my body. “What the hell is going on here? Can’t you see she is pregnant?”

One of the men in the mob stepped forward. “Do not be deceived by the wolves, young lady. That woman is a filthy she-wolf who invaded our town and tried to pass as one of us! We managed to fish her out, and she admitted to her devilish nature!”

“Well, what did she do?”

The man stuttered, his brows furrowing as he comprehended my question. “What do you mean? She is a shifter!”

“And so what? Since she stepped foot in this town, has she ever harmed any of you? Did she touch any of your children?” The silence hung in the air, deafening yet so revealing. I let out a deep sigh and glanced down at the woman, whose eyes were already dropping close.

“She is clearly weak! What more do you people want?”

It was obvious what they wanted— the pregnant Lycan in a ditch to serve as a warning to any others who might want to try to infiltrate their town.

“Someone called the authorities. They are the only ones empowered by law to deal with stray wolves, and none of you have that right! Once they arrive, they will deal with her accordingly.”

The people grumbled under their breaths, but no one voiced out any protests. I held the Lycan in my arms tightly, watching as her wounds slowly healed close.

“You’ll be fine.” I whispered the promise as soon as I heard the familiar siren of the Lycan Control Squad. They emerged from their trucks with their guns drawn, and I knew they were loaded with silver bullets laced with wolfsbane.

“We received a distress call from this neighborhood, ma'am. We will take it from here.”

I bit my lip, suddenly feeling protective about the Lycan in my arms. “You have to be careful. She is heavily pregnant."

“Step away from the she-wolf, ma'am! We will not ask twice.”

I let go hesitantly, my hands in the air, as I was yanked away from the woman.

The first officer dragged her up roughly, pulling her upright until he could easily bind her wrists in the silver cuffs.

“Is there really any need for that? She is unconscious…”

My words trailed off as another officer approached the woman with a muzzle in his grasp. The way he forced it over her head was so degrading, the poor Lycan’s protests fell on deaf ears.

Muzzling werewolves was the latest control measure implemented by the control squad, and it was supposed to prevent any captured Lycan from harming any innocent person during their struggle.

The Lycan in their arms didn't move, her head hanging between her shoulders as she was shoved into the truck.

“Wait… what about medical aid? She is covered in her own blood. Also, her child may be injured..."

“The Lycan is within our possession now, ma'am. You don’t need to worry your pretty little head about the vermin any longer. Thank you for your service to the state.” The officer gave me a curt bow before he slammed the door of the truck shut.

I watched in awe as they drove away, their tires skidding loudly on the empty street. Tears teased at my eyelids, and I clenched my teeth against the tight knot of emotion growing at the base of my throat.

Humanity at its finest. Will this cruelty ever end?

I shook my head firmly. I need to do something. The protests must go on, and I must find a representative to pull it off.

There is only one other place I can find a werewolf willing to even speak to me.

The warehouse at Old Gum Road.

With those thoughts, I took a deep sigh before I continued down the path.