The Guardian: Full Moon

Chapter 17

The next few days after the hunt passed by in a flash, and Leon was lighter than air the entire time. Every member of the FireHeart Pack was left scratching their heads at the sudden change in their future Alpha’s mood. They had grown concerned at his dark demeanor before the hunt, but now they were just plain worried for his health because he hadn’t stopped smiling since he came back from the hunt. Leon’s father was the most concerned and confused out of everyone. Since he was the one that saw what Leon’s mood was like behind closed doors. He could only assume that it had something to do with the odd woven blanket that Leon had brought back with him, and the fact that he was on the phone with one of the Western Alphas every night. Whatever the case, part of Alpha Sterling was just happy to see his son laughing and smiling again.

Leon’s P.O.V

“Are you going to be able to come tomorrow?” I asked into the phone. “Of course.” Came Raiden’s reply. “I wouldn’t miss it.” “Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow then.” I said smiling excitedly. “Good night Leon.” Raiden said, his own smile could be heard in his voice. “Good night Raiden.” I replied almost breathless before hanging up the phone. I hurried to my room and flung myself onto my bed, burying my face into my pillow. Something about talking to Raiden left me feeling as giddy as a teenage girl, right down to feeling like I wanted to squeal out my excitement. Tomorrow will be April 11th, my nineteenth birthday. And even though I was sad that I wouldn’t get to spend any of it with Enya, I was happy that I would at least get to spend it with Raiden.

The next day came and the FireHeart territory was buzzing with activity and excitement as the entire pack celebrated Leon’s birthday. Raiden and his escort promptly arrived in time for the actual dinner and party being hosted at the Pack House. After all of the formalities were out of the way, and the guests began to mingle, Leon found Raiden and led him outside. “Thanks for the rescue.” Raiden said with a chuckle, unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt. “No problem.” Leon replied shyly as he averted his eyes from the sudden glimpse of skin. “What am I getting all shy for?” Leon thought to himself. “We’ve literally seen each other naked before.” He thought and then began to blush at the mental reminder.

“So, what do you want to do now?” Raiden asked, seemingly unaware of Leon’s inner turmoil. “Oh!” Leon exclaimed, shaking himself out of his less than decent train of thought. “I actually wanted to show you something that Enya showed me before. That is, if you’d like to?” Leon asked expectantly. Raiden had perked up at the mention of the elusive female that held the both of them captive, and the idea of seeing something special that she showed to Leon made him perk up even more. “Yeah, I’d like that.” Raiden said with a gentle smile.

The two males didn’t bother changing out of their dress pants and shirts as they ran under the stars. Leon leading the way as they ran out of the FireHeart territory, laughing at the confused faces of the wolves on border patrol. It wasn’t long before the two came to a stop outside the hanging branches of the willow tree that Leon now prized. “Come on.” Leon said, motioning for Raiden to follow him. Raiden was speechless as his jaw dropped while following behind Leon. “I know.” Leon said with a slight chuckle. “I had a similar reaction when Enya brought me here the first time.”

Leon said nothing more as he led the way over the root bridge and started climbing up the trunk, Raiden quietly following behind. “You know, this place has a story behind it.” Leon said as he made his way to the same branch he had sat on with Enya. “Oh yeah?” Raiden said curious. “Could you tell me about it?” He asked settling next to Leon. “Sure, but I probably won’t be able to tell it as good as Enya.” Leon said with a light laugh.

And so Leon told Raiden the story of the man, the nymph, and the dryad; and all the pain and suffering that occurred. “Now before you say anything,” Leon said silencing the slack jawed man next to him. “I already asked Enya the same thing you’re probably thinking about. But didn’t you notice that there isn’t any negative energy here?” Leon asked. Raiden quickly looked around them before looking back to Leon. “Yeah…” He said raising an eyebrow at the younger male, confused. “Follow me.” Leon said with a nod before climbing back down the tree.

Leon led Raiden down the trunk and into the cavern underneath the roots. “Watch your step.” Leon said as he maneuvered over and under the roots. Raiden smiled to himself as he followed the excited Leon. Before long, Leon started to mumble to himself. “I know it's around here somewhere.” Leon quietly muttered while looking around. “What are you looking for?” Raiden asked coming up behind Leon and quietly speaking into his ear.

Leon startled at the sudden voice rumbling in his ear and he turned away from the grinning Raiden. “I’ll know it when I see it.” Leon said indignantly, turning away from Raiden to hide his blush. “My Goddess, he’s cute.” Raiden thought to himself while stifling a chuckle, only to then find himself shocked at his own thoughts. “What am I thinking?” Raiden thought to himself while shaking his head. But looking back at Leon, he couldn’t deny the attraction he felt for the other Alpha male.

“Found it!” Leon suddenly exclaimed excitedly. Ushering Raiden over to where he now knelt, Leon moved the rock in front of him, revealing the chest that Enya had shown him not so long ago. “You’re going to want to cover your eyes.” Leon said as he lifted the chest from it’s hiding place. Raiden glanced skeptically at Leon for a moment, but decided that he could amuse the man. “Alright.” He said with a slight smirk as he covered his eyes with his hand, but kept them open underneath.

Then, suddenly, Raiden’s vision was consumed by an overwhelming bright light. He shut is eyes and grimaced. “Okay, open your eyes slowly.” Leon instructed. Raiden did as he was told this time, giving his eyes time to adjust to his new surroundings before looking around. His eyes widened and his jaw dropped as his gaze fell upon a beautiful glowing crystal. “What is it?” Raiden asked, reaching out to touch it. “A purification crystal.” Leon said, a touch of sadness in his voice. “Enya made it.”

Raiden looked over at Leon in time to catch the single tear rolling down his cheek. Raiden’s heart ached seeing Leon upset, and before he knew it, he had reached out to gently caress Leon’s face. Leon glanced over at Raiden as he brushed the tear away with his thumb. Raiden’s gentle caresses were so soothing, that Leon found himself closing his eyes and nuzzling into Raiden’s touch. Raiden’s breath caught in his throat as his hand traced down Leon’s face to his neck, his thumb coming to rest just under Leon’s chin, gently forcing him to look up.

Leon presented no retaliation under Raiden’s touch, in fact he seemed to enjoy it. A sudden desire to see how far Leon would submit had Raiden firmly grasping Leon’s hair with his other hand. The sudden movement eliciting a small, almost inaudible whimper from Leon. Both halted in their actions, completely stunned. Matching blushes bloomed on their faces and necks as they silently stared wide eyed at each other. Then, just as suddenly, there was a clashing of lips, teeth, and tongues as they kissed, deep and passionate. Shirt buttons were quickly undone and Leon was pulled onto Raiden’s lap, straddling his hips. Their hands exploring every inch of exposed skin that they could find as dulled electrical sparks danced from their fingertips.

Panting as they pulled apart, Raiden glanced up at Leon. His breathless and flushed expression sent a primal jolt down Raiden’s spine. Reaching up he roughly tangled a fist in Leon’s hair again, drawing out a sound that was a mix of a whine and a moan. Raiden jerked Leon towards him, and buried his face in the crook of Leon’s neck. Leon’s own hands gripping at Raiden’s shoulders as he submitted to his ministrations. Raiden nipped and licked at Leon’s neck, leaving marks that only lasted a moment before Leon’s healing made them disappear. Leon quietly whimpered again, the sound almost sounding like a ‘please’.

Raiden slowly started tracing kisses up Leon’s neck and along his chin. Pecking his way to Leon’s kiss swollen lips. But just before their lips met, both Thorin and Koen interrupted. “What?!” They both hollered at their wolves, annoyed at being interrupted. Thorin and Koen each informed them that they were being looked for at the party. They both groaned before looking at each other, and finally taking note of the position that they were currently in. Leon practically fell over as he hurriedly scrambled off of Raiden’s lap.

They spent the next few minutes in awkward silence as they tried to compose themselves, fixing their disheveled hair and buttoning up their shirts. “That... shouldn’t have happened.” Leon said hesitantly, a hot blush still on his face. “Right?” He asked glancing over his shoulder at Raiden while gripping at the collar of his shirt. “Yeah.” Raiden replied half-heartedly. “It shouldn’t have.” They both felt a twinge of pain in their hearts as Raiden and Leon locked eyes. “So let’s agree to keep this between us.” Raiden said as he tore his gaze from Leon’s pain filled eyes. “We can still see each other and spend time together,” He said kneeling next to the chest. “but what happened here, stays here.”

Leon could only nod in agreeance as Raiden closed the lid to the chest, submerging them in darkness once again and returning the chest to it’s hiding spot. “Come on.” Raiden said standing up. “Let’s head back before your father sends the entire pack out to look for us.” “Yeah.” Leon replied quietly, desperately trying not to cry. “Hey.” Raiden said gently, reaching out to Leon. “What?” Leon asked turning to look at Raiden, only to then find himself pressed up against his strong chest in a tight hug. Leon hugged him back, breathing in the subtle scent of the forest that clung to him. After a moment, they begrudgingly broke the embrace, but agreed to walk hand in hand until they were outside the sanctity of the willow tree. Once outside, they slowly began to jog back to the FireHeart territory side by side. Neither wanting to return to reality from the dream they experienced under the willow roots.