Moon Child

Beneath the Moonlight

- Calum Beckett –

I placed the last stone on the grave mark we made for Dolores. James handed me some wild flowers to send her off with. We offered a silent prayer for her. Maybe there’s no heaven nor hell for our kinds. But where ever you are. I hope you are happy, Dolores. I placed the flowers in her hands before we buried her.

“Calum…” Alex said as he sat beside me.

“It’s not the best time but, we have to get moving… it’s not safe here” he continued.

I looked at the horizon behind him. The sun was setting.

“I know. Dolores looked at that side of the mountain before she… passed” I said as I motioned at the direction she gazed at during her last moments.

“She talked about a ‘she’ and I think, we might find a clue about the silver child if we follow that trail”

Alex nodded in agreement. He went to James to check if he’s in condition to travel again. Although werewolves don’t have the ability to heal ourselves like the witches, we do regenerate faster than a normal human being.

We decided to look around separately to cover more ground. James and Alex will search through the top most portion of the mountain. Adam and Gunner will search the middle. While I search the bottom near the village lake.

I shifted to my wolf and ran as fast as I could, trying to forget the pain of losing another loved one. I thought I was already numb. But I was wrong. I tried to shake away the memories that haunted me. I ended up colliding with a tree, I rolled thrice before I hit a fallen trunk. s**t. f**k THIS. I hate myself for being so powerless. I trained so hard to not have to deal with this kind of regret anymore. But it wasn’t enough. I still ended being too weak. Too weak to protect my loved ones.

I remember training so hard that I was hailed as the most powerful wolf in the southern packs. Did it get into my head? Did I fail to plan ahead? Was I not careful enough? I cursed out loud. Why does this always happen to me? Why does everyone around me end up dying? I closed my eyes, trying to clear my thoughts.

I heard the bushes around me move. I felt the presence of three werewolves. PERFECT. I thought. I needed something or someone to vent my anger on. I quickly got up and headed to their direction. I guess they did not anticipate a frontal attack as they were all caught off guard.

I swiftly bit one of them on the thigh as I threw it on one of the trees around us. The biggest one pounced on me and bit my arm while the other one bit my left leg. I kicked the smaller wolf and it landed on its feet. I pushed the big grey wolf on top of me and pounced on it, biting its right shoulder. It cried out.

I bit harder and harder until I ripped its shoulder off. It tried to escape but I pounced on its back and bit its neck. Its bones cracked in my jaw as I tasted its blood. When I turned around, I saw the two other werewolves trying to escape. I swiftly took out the limping werewolf but the other one was faster. It got away. f**k.

I sniffed out its scent. It shouldn’t be too far away from here. I followed its scent until I hit a dead end on the lake. It must’ve swum across. f**k THIS. I wasted enough time on this stupid hunt. I was going to go back in my search when I heard something… or someone walk into the lake.

I hid behind the nearby trees, planning a sneak attack on the wolf that escaped.

- Selena Rhys -

I impatiently waited until the sun set. I paced in my room. Couldn’t think of anything else other than the full moon tonight. It was not long until the light from my window vanished. It’s time. I thought to myself. I put on my robe and went outside.

As soon as I closed the entrance door behind me, a cold breeze passed and I instantly embraced myself to keep me warm. I slowly walked towards the nearby lake. I looked at the trees I passed and it had this eerie feel about it. I often walk this path in the morning and it never occurred to me that it would be this scary at night. I was constantly looking behind me to see if any one followed me. It was a great relief that there was none.

I stopped a foot away from the lake, peaking at my reflection. But to my disappointment, nothing’s changed. I still looked the same as I have always looked. My wavy black hair flowed from my head framing my face. I sighed. Maybe Dolores made up some story just to keep me from asking more questions.

I looked up and found that the moon is covered by clouds. Hmm… she did say… that I should be under the moonlight of a full moon. Should I also be in the lake, or something? I tested the waters with my toe and I quickly regretted my curiosity. It’s freezing! Oh my gosh, I’d probably die because of the cold before I even find out what I am if I had to be in there.

I inhaled deeply. I have to bear with this. I’m too curious not to find out. The cold is nothing Selena, you can do this! I took off my robe and placed it on the ground. I inhaled again as I slowly made my way through the waters. I can feel the sharp cold as it made contact with my skin. I stopped when my whole body was engulfed in the lake and looked at my reflection again. But still nothing changed. I almost cursed in exasperation. I was beginning to feel light headed because of the cold so I decided to come back.

My night dress clung to my body and my hair was dripping with the cold water. I was half way out of the lake when the moon light touched my skin. I looked up and saw the clouds that was then covering the moon has finally parted. I felt warm under the moonlight. I closed my eyes to bask in it. It felt so peaceful that I almost forgot why I came here in the first place. I hesitantly opened my eyes and looked at my reflection.

My eyes widened at what I saw. My hair glowed silver in the moonlight. My eyes that once was hazelnut turned gray and silver. Is this… is this me? I held my face and the reflection in the lake did as well.

My reverie was interrupted when I sensed a sudden movement in the bushes nearby. I braced myself for what was coming until a majestic wolf appeared out of nowhere. My heart stopped beating. It was big, bigger than what the books I read described. Its fur was as black as the dark sky of a starless night. Its eyes were grey and it sent me penetrating gazes that made me feel bare.

I know I should be scared but I was surprised by myself. I unconsciously began to walk towards it as if it was something… someone familiar. But sudden dizziness struck me. I didn’t realize sooner that I have been in the cold lake for too long. My eyelids started to feel heavy and the last thing I saw was a man rushing towards me.