The Guardian: Full Moon

Chapter 18

Enya’s P.O.V

I woke up with my skin tingling. Like I was feeling the ghost of a touch, all over my arms, back, chest, neck, and face. My lips felt ever so slightly swollen, like I had just been kissed. Rubbing my arms to try and get rid of the sensation only made me even more aware of everywhere else I was feeling it. For whatever reason, I immediately thought of Leon and Raiden, and my heart ached not being able to see or touch them. “What’s going on?” I wondered to myself, lying back down to return to whatever dream my imagination was going to create.

Leon and Raiden had both received a stern talking to when they finally returned to the FireHeart territory, after being gone for hours. Leon just ignored his father, glancing over to watch Raiden get berated by his own Beta. Leon had to stifle a laugh at Raiden’s expression when he glanced over to look at Leon. As their eyes met, they knew they would never be able to forget what happened between them, and that they would never be the same after that night.

The following months had Leon and Raiden finding any chance they could to see each other. Both brushing it off to those around them that the two were just really good friends, no matter how much it hurt to say. There were a couple of times where Leon took Raiden to meet up with the Dragos, and the two would help the family out with their tasks and chores. It had puzzled the Dragos the first time, but they soon came to realize that both Alphas had fallen for Enya, and they accepted and welcomed the company. If just so they could hear the two talk about Enya.

Spring passed and before they even realized it summer was in full bloom, and with it their feelings were too. During the day they would escape the heat with the other werewolves, whether down at the beach or swimming and splashing in the rivers, lakes, and ponds. But at night, they often found themselves meeting under the willow tree to create their own heat, then cooling themselves in the crystal clear lake afterwards. No matter how much they tried and how much it hurt to deny the pull they felt towards each other, it was impossible to resist each other’s touch. The seemingly forbidden nature of the relationship making them burn even more whenever they were together.

In their minds, they knew it was wrong. The very nature of their relationship was unheard of, had never happened before. Two males could never be mates. Yet every time they were together, they could feel in their souls that it was right. Just like they both knew in their hearts that Enya belonged to both of them. They couldn’t explain why or how, they just simply knew it was true. And every touch and kiss the two shared, made them feel like their connection with Enya was strengthening just as much as the connection between the two of them.

Raiden’s P.O.V

It was hard to believe that it was already July. It was the week before my birthday, and I once again found myself in my studio, daydreaming while sitting in front of a blank canvas. “Are you alright Raiden.” Koen asked, startling me a bit. “I’m fine Koen.” I replied with a sigh. “I just can’t stop thinking about Leon.” “And Enya?” Koen asked smugly. “And Enya.” I admitted with a slight shake of my head and rolling my eyes. But just as I thought her name, my vision blurred. I closed my eyes to refocus when I started to see an image in my mind, just like the first time I had a vision. This time I saw a wolf, beautiful and majestic, running through the forest. It had blueish black fur, much like the night sky, and eyes as blue as sapphires. I opened my eyes, and just like last time, I ended up painting the image of the running wolf on the canvas. I stared at the image curiously, wondering what significance it had and if it was somehow connected to Enya.

I met with Leon that night on the beach and told him about my vision. “What do you think it means?” Leon asked as we gazed up at the stars together. “I’m not sure.” I said with a sigh. “But the last time this happened it led me to Enya, so it has to be important.” I could feel Leon shift next to me as he sat up. “What do you think she’s doing right now?” Leon asked, looking out at the sea. “I don’t know.” I said sitting up and gently draping an arm over his shoulders, causing Leon to look at me. “But I know she’s doing just fine. She’s a tough one after all.” I said smiling at him. Leon chuckled as he tapped his forehead against mine. “Yeah, you’re right. She is pretty tough.”

His expression became sad as he pulled away from me. “I should know.” “What do you mean?” I asked, taken back by his sudden change in demeanor. He shook his head while turning away from me, his face a mask of pain. “You’re going to hate me.” He said shakily, bringing his knees up to his chest and hugging them. “Leon.” I said, my own voice barely above a whisper. “Tell me.” I said while gently urging him to look at me. As our eyes met, I could see that his were already moist with yet to be shed tears. “Please?” I asked, feeling my heart clench. It pained me to see Leon look so broken and hurt. I pressed my forehead to his again, hoping I could calm him down.

Leon’s P.O.V

I took a shaky breathe and nodded against Raiden’s forehead. He would find out about it eventually, might as well find out from me while we’re alone. I turned back towards the ocean and took another breathe. Then I told him everything I knew about Enya from the beginning. The ridicule she faced when members of the Southern packs accused her of using black magic on a pack of wolves. Her trial and her suggested condition that the Alphas hold her prisoner while the Hunters held the wolves. Her subsequent torment and torture at the hands of myself and the other Alphas in my generation. The incident with her wolves that led to me discovering the truth, and all of the events that occurred after. I told him everything, right up until I found out about her disappearance. “And that’s everything.” I sobbed out, burying my tear soaked face into my arms.

Raiden’s P.O.V

My whole body was shaking with anger, and my arm had long fallen from Leon’s shoulder and was firmly clamped to my side. I wasn’t angry at Leon per say. Well, maybe a little, but I was mostly angry at the other Alphas for treating Enya in such a cruel manner. I was even a little angry at myself for acting like such a lovesick pup, that I didn’t even notice her scars. I stood up and started pacing, trying to calm myself down. I looked over at Leon’s hunched over form, his quiet sobs breaking my heart. Maybe we were mates, and maybe we weren’t. But at the very least, I couldn’t deny that we were lovers; and by the Goddess I was going to treat him like it. Though at the moment, I didn’t trust myself to speak. So I quickly stripped myself of my clothes and shifted, allowing Koen to do what I couldn’t.

Leon’s P.O.V

Raiden hadn’t said anything for a while after I had finished talking, and I was too scared to look at him and see what must have been disdain on his face. I kept my face tucked firmly into my arms, bracing myself to lose yet another person I cared about. Then, suddenly, I felt something cold and wet on my hand. When I looked up, rather than seeing Raiden’s brown hair and storm grey eyes, I saw rusty red fur with platinum grey highlights and olive green eyes. Koen looked at me with eyes that held as much pain as my own. I was absolutely transfixed until he licked at my tear streaked cheek and whined. It broke me, and I flung myself at him. Wrapping my arms around his neck and burying my face into his fur. In that moment, I couldn’t deny it anymore, I loved Raiden just as much as I loved Enya. I didn’t care if we were mates or not, I needed him, and I loved being cared for and coddled by him. I didn’t care about our genders, positions, or our images. All I cared about, was what he thought of me.

Leon eventually cried himself to sleep against Koen’s chest. Raiden slowly shifted back so that he could help Leon undress. Then he whispered into Leon’s ear, asking Thorin to force a shift. Thorin readily complied and shifted. Raiden gathered up both of their clothes and then shifted once again. Now both wolves lay nestled together in the sand. Unlike their human halves, they weren’t shy about showing affection for each other. Nor did they care about what anyone would think if they saw them. They loved each other, and that’s all there was to it. The two rubbed their muzzles together before peacefully drifting off to sleep.

Thorin and Koen woke up at the break of dawn, watching the light of the sunrise as it reflected off of the water. They waited until Leon and Raiden were both ready to shift back, and then rubbed the sides of their necks together in a fond farewell. At first, Leon avoided making direct eye contact with Raiden. Still nervous and shy from the night before, he busied himself with getting re-dressed. Raiden faired no better. He could tell that Leon was nervous, but he wasn’t sure how to approach him or how to start a conversation with him. They both finished dressing in deafening and awkward silence before Raiden finally managed to find his voice.

“Let’s go for a swim.” Raiden said as he grabbed hold of Leon’s arm and started pulling him to the end of the beach. Still holding firmly onto Leon’s arm, Raiden led them into the water, staying close to the cliff side. To Leon’s surprise, there was a small hidden alcove just past the rocks. “I never knew this was here.” Leon said quietly. “It’s impossible to find unless the sea is completely calm.” Raiden replied gently. Raiden continued to lead Leon into the alcove. The water became shallow and they had to duck down to make it to the small stretch of sand in the back.

Raiden roughly tugged on Leon’s arm, and the sudden movement made him stumble over onto the sand. Before Leon could recover, Raiden had crawled over top of him, effectively pinning the stunned man beneath him. “Leon, I really need you to listen to what I have to say.” Raiden said, staring Leon in the eyes. Leon silently nodded, already bracing himself for the worst. “I understand that you made a mistake that hurt Enya.” Raiden began and Leon started to tear up. “But I also understand that you did everything you could to fix that mistake.” Raiden said and Leon looked up at him confused.

“You figured out the truth, didn’t you?” Raiden asked and Leon nodded. “You helped save her, right?” Leon once again nodded his affirmation to Raiden’s question. “You never intentionally tried to give her scars, did you?” Leon aggressively shook his head no, still not quite trusting his voice to not c***k from his welled up emotions. “And Enya forgave you, didn’t she?” Raiden asked lowering himself so their bodies were now flush together. Leon nodded as he started to cry once again. “She shouldn’t have.” Leon said sobbing. “I didn’t deserve it.” “Yes, you did.” Raiden said as he sighed and pressed their foreheads together.

“You deserved her forgiveness just as much as you deserve to love and be loved by her.” Raiden said, then gently lifted himself up to plant a light kiss on Leon’s forehead. “Just like you deserve to be loved by me.” Raiden said returning his gaze to the stunned crying man beneath him. “Whatever we are, whatever our connection is with Enya, the one thing I’m sure of now is that I love you; and I won’t deny it anymore.” At this point Leon was a sobbing mess, and Raiden propped himself on one arm so he could wipe away Leon’s tears with his other hand.

Raiden lowered himself on top of Leon again, their lips only a breaths width apart. “Do you love me?” Raiden asked, his lips barely brushing against Leon’s. Rather than words, Leon answered by reaching up and wrapping his arms around Raiden’s neck, pulling him into a long kiss. Raiden gently broke the kiss to pepper small kisses all over Leon’s face. “I’ll take that as a yes.” He whispered in Leon’s ear before licking it. “Hey!” Leon exclaimed indignantly. Raiden laughed as he rubbed the tips of their noses together and Leon couldn’t help but laugh too. It’s like Raiden said, whatever they were, Leon wouldn’t deny his love for Raiden again.