Imperfect Luna and the Alpha King

Chapter 12

Elena's POV

"What gemstone are you talking about?" I questioned Grey. Instead of answering my question, Grey stretched out his furry hands and gripped my neck tightly. As if he wanted to slaughter me.

"Don't pretend you don't know. Are you trying to fool me?!" He pressed his claws into my flesh. He snorted angrily and tightened his grip.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about!" I stammered.

He abruptly let go and took a few steps back. A few seconds later, he reverted to his human form in an awake state. His handsome face turned pale. I was thinking of jumping out of this room to save myself from Grey, who had turned into an out-of-control Lycan. But, seeing him so helpless, I couldn't bear to leave him alone. Instead, I headed toward Grey's body, which was still lying on the floor. I looked down and saw him moaning in pain.

"Grey..." I said softly as I touched his muscular arm. But he roughly pushed my hand away.

"Do not touch me!" He shouted.

"Get out of my room!" He screamed, full of rage. Without thinking any further, I grabbed Grey's hands with my two small ones and pulled him up unhurriedly. He did not resist as I helped him walk toward his bed. I put my hands on his shoulders as we stood beside each other, and he did not react to my physical contact.

"Are you okay?" I asked again.

"Why are you helping me? Didn't I tell you to leave me alone?!" He demanded, turning around to face me.

"Leave! Leave me alone!" He screeched once more.

"I'm serious. Go away!!" He pushed my shoulder hard, causing me to stumble slightly. But still holding onto him, I managed to keep him standing.

I continued to hold him and slowly laid him down on the bed. We were silent. The only sound in this room was our heavy breathing.

"Please... just leave," Grey whispered.

"I couldn't leave you like this," I said while helping him to lie and put on a pillow under his head.

It was so strange. A few minutes ago, I saw him very strong, but in a matter of seconds, suddenly, he changed back to human form and looked so vulnerable.

"Grey, you can trust me," I said, caressing his sweaty forehead.

He looked down and remained silent.

"Tell me whatever it is that you need. You can tell me everything!"

Grey let out another deep breath and closed his eyes.

"It's nothing..." He whispered. I looked puzzled at the answer, which caused me to frown. Nothing?

"Then why do you want to hide it?"

"No one must know that I had a vulnerability. I must be the strongest so no one can stand against my pack." He muttered, staring at the ceiling.

"I have to protect the pack. I am the one who will be the leader of this pack."

He explained. "I have to stay strong, so everyone can respect me, so they will never treat me like trash again." He finished, turning to look at me for some seconds before closing his eyes again. "...you should go," he added after a few moments of silence.

"Just leave, Elena!" He repeated what he had said.

"Don't feel sorry for me. I don't like it when you look at me like that,” Grey said and looked away.

I got up and was about to leave Grey's room. I didn't know whether to hate or feel sorry for him. He was ridiculous, like he would eat me raw. But after a few moments, he looked fragile and dying. After keeping my gaze on him for a while, I finally opened the room door and closed it again.

***

I stood in front of the door for a while before heading to the kitchen. After returning from the kitchen, I returned to his room and saw him still lying on the bed and barely moving much, but he was not as pale as earlier.

"Why are you so rude?! Why didn't you knock on the door before coming into my room?!" He groaned in annoyance.

"I'm sorry."

"I bring you some water," I continued.

He didn't make a reply, and after placing a glass of water on his nightstand, I left his room in quickly.

***

My questions about the gemstone have yet to be answered. Nonetheless, Grey and his family kept asking about the stone. What stone were they talking about? And why did they keep thinking I had a stone embedded in my body? This was strange, very bizarre, and very disturbing to me. It seemed like something had to be done to get answers to all my questions.

I had to perform the moon goddess Summoning Ritual. Luckily, my late father taught me how to summon the moon goddess. I haven't done the ritual in a while. Radolf forbade me to perform any rituals. He said only he and his family had the right to perform the ceremony.

Only the moon goddess could solve all the puzzles for me; I was sure she had the answer to all my questions. Now, I need to prepare a white candle, a moonstone, a moon goddess statue, a cup, white roses, and incense. However, when I looked around, I couldn't find anything I needed to perform the ritual.

After a moment of stillness, I was reminded again of the secret chamber in the basement. The room that Grey showed me this evening.

I decided to sneak out of the room so Grey wouldn't hear my footsteps. Slowly but quietly, I descended the winding stairs to the basement. I could see the light under the basement door. When I got to the basement, it felt cold, like an ice room.

I opened the big wooden door and went inside. It was very dark inside. I fumbled for the switch on the wall to turn on the dim light in this room. When the lights came on, I immediately headed for one of the wooden closets. It was dusty and covered with cobwebs.

Above the cupboard were all the items needed for the ritual: cups, candles, and incense sticks. The last thing I needed was a white rose and water, which I could get from the kitchen. The kitchen area was full of pots and pans with flowers. While gathering the needed things, I quickly leave the basement and return to my room. Now that everything is ready, I only need to wait until midnight to start the ritual.