Whispers of Moonlight

Prejudice and Premonitions

The next morning, Melody let the scalding water of her stone shower wash over her, the heat soothing her aching muscles. She braced her hands against the mineral-worn stone, willing herself not to think of Maxwell, but it was useless. Her body still hummed with the memory of him, of his hands, his mouth, the way his strength met hers without hesitation. Witches relished s****l energy; it nourished their magic, left them radiant and recharged. But this time, she was the one left exhausted, though a fiery surge of magic coiled in her veins that morning.

Get a grip, she scolded herself, washing her long auburn hair. It was a one-night stand. A release. That’s all. But the lie sat bitter on her tongue. Last night hadn’t felt like just a fleeting moment. No one had ever kept up with her like that. No one had ever satisfied her like that. The s****l tension was dealt with, so they could now stay away from each other. She thought.

She turned off the shower and stepped out, the cool air kissing her damp skin. He probably regrets it, she thought, heart sinking. Of course, he does. She huffed to herself.

Melody was dressed in tight jeans, a flowing white peasant blouse, off the shoulder, and her favorite worn cowboy boots. Today, she needed to focus. She had fliers to design, promises to keep to Reef. Her pups greeted her in the kitchen, tails thumping eagerly as she filled their bowls. She grabbed her leather satchel and headed into town, determined to drown thoughts of Max beneath a mountain of good deeds.

Maxwell stalked through the woods toward Rosewood, his mood black as night. Sleep had eluded him. His wolf, Artemis, sulked in the depths of his mind, silent and brooding. The wolf had shut him out entirely, a first. Max replayed the night over and over: Melody’s soft moans, the way her body moved with his, the feel of her magic mingling with his own energy. Damn it all. He had wanted to stay, to wake beside her, to claim her as his own. But he couldn’t. His pack had suffered too much. They would never accept a witch as his mate. It’s impossible. His mind raced, feeling alone without his wolf.

He shook off the thought as he neared the bistro. Today, his warriors were arriving. He needed to focus on protecting the town, securing the mayor’s contract, keeping the vampires out, keeping Melody safe.

Melody made her first stop at Whimsical Wishes, delivering a crate of fresh herbs and tinctures. Reef leaned casually against the door frame, his light hair nearly white in the morning sun. “Good morning, little Witch,” he greeted, his grin both mischievous and kind. “Morning, Reef,” she said brightly, hiding the storm inside her. “Sleep well?”

He chuckled. “We don’t sleep. "We slumber once every ten years, for a full year, in coffins buried under consecrated soil.”

“That’s… disturbingly fascinating,” Melody mused as she hefted a crate. “Be a dear and grab one, will you?”

Reef followed her inside, surprisingly allowed past the wards this time. He placed the crate on the counter with ease, as if it weighed nothing. Willa paled at the sight of him, kissing Melody quickly on the cheek, her eyes not leaving the Vampire in front of her.

“Morning,” Willa managed, eyeing him warily.

“We need your help, bestie,” Melody said sweetly.

“Oh no. What have you done now?” Willa groaned. “Stray dogs are one thing. But a vampire?” Willa said incredulously.

“They can’t help what they are,” Melody said, glancing at Reef. “You didn’t choose this, right?”

Reef’s expression softened. “No. I was dying of typhus nine hundred and fifty years ago. My master saved me. "My wife, she was a witch, had died a week earlier from the plague.” His voice lowered with grief. “But for official records? I’m only 250. He flashed a grin that made Willa roll her eyes.

“You were a Viking?” Melody said, fascinated. “That explains the hair.”

“And he still eats people,” Willa pointed out.

“We buy blood when we can,” Reef said quietly. “Sister Therese, she’s part of our clan." A nun. She hates what she is. We try not to harm anyone. "She was found left for dead after a fight with a hell hound at the Convent in the remote location of Meteora,” Reef explained as Melody and Willa listened on. "My Master is one of the first Vampires to walk the earth, he created a small family of people he found dying or in peril. Other Vampires prefer quantity over quality. We are a small family of strong old Vampires. "Surviving in this day and the age of smartphones has become impossible", Reef explained.

Melody’s heart ached for him. “I want to help your clan,” she said suddenly. “We can organize a blood drive.”

Willa looked at her like she’d lost her mind. “Mel, people won’t even help their neighbors half the time. You think they’ll line up to feed vampires?”

“We have to try,” Melody insisted. “Force kills." We can give them another way.”

Reef watched her with an unfamiliar warmth stirring in his chest. She was light in a world that had been dark for far too long.

They left Whimsical Wishes, deep in conversation. Reef told her stories of his youth, and she laughed, enchanted.

Then Max appeared.

His fury ignited the moment he saw Reef standing too close, smiling down at Melody like she was his.

“Melody, is this vampire bothering you?” he demanded.

Her smile faded. “We’re discussing organizing a blood drive.”

“A blood drive? For that? For his nest of leeches?” Max spat.

Melody’s heart cracked. His words were sharp, but it was his energy that hurt most; dark, resentful, so unlike the man she’d experienced the night before. “If all vampires are monsters,” she said, her voice trembling, “then all witches must be too.” And all werewolves. Right?”

Max froze. The wind picked up, swirling her hair around her face as her magic flared. Her eyes glowed green, tears brimming.

“Melody, I...” he stuttered.

But before he could say more, she swayed, her eyes turning white as lightning. Her mouth opened in a silent scream, her body going rigid. Reef caught her as she fell, panic flooding him.

“Look what you did, wolf!” Reef snarled.

Max tried to take her, but Reef held on. “Melody, please, wake up!” Max begged, brushing her hair from her face. She was ice-cold, her heart racing wildly.

Willa ran out of the shop, horrified. “Melody! "What happened?!” Neither man answered as they worked together, desperate to help her.

Melody awoke to find herself in the small town clinic, sunlight filtering through the curtains. She tried to move, but there was weight on her lap. Max, fast asleep, his head resting on her legs. “She’s awake,” Reef said softly from a chair in the corner, dark circles beneath his eyes. Melody’s throat felt raw. She tried to speak, but no sound came. Reef leaped up to bring her water as Max stirred, rubbing his eyes. When he saw her, relief flooded his features. “You’re awake. "Thank the goddess.” He cupped her face, eyes searching for hers.

She pulled back, wary. “How long was I out?”

“Two days,” the nurse answered as she entered. “You gave us all quite a scare.”

“My animals...” Melody croaked, trying to sit up.

“All fine,” Max said gently. I looked after them. The dogs miss you.”

“You can go home this afternoon,” the nurse said. “But take it easy, we still don't know what caused this.” After she left, Melody stared at her hands, still trembling. “It was a premonition,” she whispered. Something is coming. Something dark. I saw blood everywhere. Everyone gone. I was alone.”

Max felt helpless. He wanted to pull her into his arms, to protect her from the nightmares in her mind. Reef came closer. “My wife… she had visions like this. "They took everything out of her.” Melody shivered, the memory of her vision still clinging to her like a shadow. Darkness consuming everything, no color, the only color as blood everywhere, bodies lying on the ground like dried grass. “We have to be ready. "We have to find a way," she repeated, holding herself and shivering.

And for once, Max and Reef exchanged a look. Different as they were, both knew one truth: they’d protect her, no matter the cost.

Max took Melody home later that afternoon after the Doctor checked her over and a teary-eyed Willa left Melody's bedside. They drove in silence. Melody was exhausted. She needed to take a moon bath and replenish her energy. She had never felt this weak. She slammed the truck door, Max scooped her up and walked her into the cottage, a light breeze whispering "You need to prepare my child" Melody shot up from her daze. "Gran?!" she said panicked, "prepare for what?!" she said into the night air. But no answer came.

Max helped Melody get dressed and settle in her bed. He made a bed in the living area in front of the fire, ignoring her protests that she was fine, she just needed to sleep.

The house was quiet and everyone was sleeping. Melody got up from her bed quietly, she walked past a sleeping Max, her dogs not stirring, as she grabbed a throw from the couch and walked outside, determined to repair her energy using the moon. She took her dressing gown off and attempted to lay on the throw under the moon. "What are you doing out here?" a stern whisper came from behind her back. Max came walking out towards her. "I need to lay under the moon, my energy is low, my life-force needs a charge", she huffed at the nosy wolf. Max came strolling over, his pants riding low on his hips, no shoes. She shook her head, trying not to look at his hard lines as he walked toward her. He grabbed her and lay down with her on top of him. She tried to fight and struggle, but she was just too weak. "Let me keep you warm beautiful, don't fight me, rest" he said soothingly. Melody sighed, giving in and relaxing into his warmth, her head on his chest as she let the moon caress her skin.

They lay there in silence, Max rubbing her arms and playing with her hair. Not one word was spoken when Melody's skin started glowing a soft fuchsia as her energy kept building using the moon like a battery charger. Melody hated how warm and comfortable this was. She hated how much she wanted this. This, whatever this was with Max, would probably end up killing her. For now, she relished his heat, his smell of freshly cut grass and rain after a draught. She didn't know Max battled the same feelings, he was just as tortured as she was. Just holding her in his arms, calmed his wolf, Artemis was back checking on Melody as they lay under the moon. Max traced patterns on Melody's arms and back as she recharged her life-force.