Chapter 67: Nextdoor To A Psychopath
1029 Words
Elena's POV
"What do you mean she's marrying my uncle?" My voice echoed across the walls of the Alpha's living room.
Uncle Eli stood silently, holding the golden-colored invitation in his hand, its golden seal already broken. "Elena... I know it sounds wrong, but your mother has no choice. It's the only way she can protect the kingdom and buy time."
"Buy time? By marrying her dead husband's brother? My dad hasn't even been buried for a full week!" My voice cracked at the edges, my fists clenching at my sides.
"She’s doing what she must to survive this. To keep things from falling apart."
I shook my head in disbelief. "I don’t care about her reasons. This is insane! And I hope she doesn’t expect me to show up and smile through all this madness."
Uncle Eli sighed deeply, looking older than usual. He extended the invitation toward me. "The Alpha and the Queen have already received theirs. She wants you there. You need to be there for your mom."
I didn’t take it. I only stared at the card with its gold lettering as if it were poisoned.
"At least support her," Uncle Eli said softly. "You’re all she has."
I didn’t reply. I just stood, brushing past him. He reached for my wrist gently. "Please, Elena."
I looked into his eyes. The warmth there nearly melted the growing storm inside me. But I said nothing. Instead, I pulled him into a hug, tighter this time.
"Safe travels back," I murmured, my voice cold.
He gave me a sad smile before leaving. As soon as the door closed behind him, I stormed up the staircase. I slammed the bedroom door shut and let myself collapse onto the bed. The ceiling stared back at me as I tried to breathe past the lump in my throat.
How could she?
I didn’t know how long I lay there until a gentle knock tapped on the door.
"Elena?" Luna’s soft voice shot through the wooden door.
I sat up just as the door creaked open and Luna peeked in.
"Are you okay?" Luna hurried to the bed.
"Yeah," I lied, trying to sit straighter. "Sorry for earlier. I just... It was instinct." I apologized for running off when the car exploded.
Luna smiled softly. "It’s okay. I just came to grab the rest of my stuff. They moved me to a room on the other side of the mansion."
I blinked. "Wait, you’re moving out?"
"Not far," Luna said quickly, waving her hand. "It’s just across the hall and has a perfect view of the garden, so win-win."
"Still feels like the other side of the world," I said with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. "You sure it’s not too far for you?"
"Nah, I’ll be okay."
I nodded, glancing toward Luna’s bag as she picked up folded clothes. Then I noticed it. The redness in her cheeks. The awkward way Luna was trying to avoid my gaze.
"Luna?" I tilted my head. "You’re acting weird. What happened?"
Luna dropped a shirt.
"Nothing!" she squeaked, bending to pick it up too quickly.
I smirked. "Something happened."
"No, really!"
"Was it Ray?"
Luna’s face turned crimson. I gasped. "Oh my God, something did happen!"
"Nothing serious! I swear!" Luna fumbled, shoving the clothes faster into her bag.
"You’re a terrible liar, you know."
"I didn’t lie. I just..."
I laughed and fell back onto the bed. The moment faded quickly, though, my eyes locking on the invitation card left on the table. My mood sank again.
I sat up slowly. "Luna? Do you happen to have a potion that can makes my mom not marry her undead ex-brother-in-law?"
Luna stopped packing and gave me a confused look. "I'm sorry, what?"
I tossed the invitation at her. Luna caught it, reading the words.
"It’s in two days..." Luna whispered.
"Crazy, right?"
"We should go," Luna said, packing the last shirt.
"You sound like my Uncle Eli."
"Maybe he’s right. You don’t have to like it, but she might need you there. Just in case anything happens."
I groaned and face-planted back into the mattress.
Luna chuckled and dug through her pouch. She pulled out a small glass bottle and handed it over.
"What’s this?"
"It's just water. But you look like you could use it."
I squinted at it. "You swear it won’t turn me into a toad?"
"Promise." Luna chuckled.
I sipped it and grimaced. "Tastes like dirt."
"That’s the fancy forest filtration system," Luna said, winking.
I chuckled weakly. Luna moved toward the door with her packed bag.
"I’ll see you later, okay?"
"Yeah," I said, watching her go. "Enjoy your view of the garden."
******
Luna’s POV
The night was quiet and so peaceful.
I stood on my balcony, hugging my shawl close to my shoulders. The garden below glowed with tiny dots, and the fireflies danced like magic across the trimmed bushes and flowerbeds. I couldn't help but smile at the sight.
My new room was bigger than I'd expected, but it felt oddly cold. I wasn’t used to space, to this kind of luxury. Still, the garden made it all worth it.
My eyes drifted to the balcony next door.
It was close—only a few feet away. The curtains fluttered slightly in the breeze, and I tilted my head curiously.
Whose room is that?
Just as the thought passed, a voice pierced the silence.
"You should really stop standing out there like a deer in headlights."
I jumped, spinning around.
A tall figure stepped out of the neighboring balcony, his silhouette sharp against the moonlight.
It was Damien.
His black shirt clung to his toned arms, and his eyes glittered in the dark.
I faked a loud yawn. "Wow, is it that late already? Must be bedtime. Ok bye."
I walked inside and slammed the balcony doors shut.
I locked them for good measure.
Climbing into bed, I groaned. "Of all the rooms in this mansion, I had to be next to the psychopath."
I curled under the covers, pulling them over my head like a shield.
I pray I survive the night.
- Writer
