MOONLIGHT FATE

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3

Emily returned to her room with the thoughts of Ridan all over her mind. She reasoned that the way she thinks of him is not ordinary. Her thoughts were interrupted by the knock on her door. She furrowed her brows before leaving to open the door. She smiled when she saw Flora and Leonardo by the door.

“Where were you bestie?” Flora asked beaming with smiles while Leonardo looked on curiously.

“I went for a walk. I was feeling stressed and choked so I decided to go for a walk. I would have asked you to go with me but I did not want to disturb you because you were attending to the people.” It was obvious that Leonardo did not believe her with the way he squeezed his face. He needs to find out what his sister is hiding from him.

“It’s no problem dear. I’m staying with you tonight. I can’t possibly go home now at this moment.” Flora said, going further into Emily's room.

“Let me leave you girls to yourselves. Have a good night's rest.” Leonardo said disappearing from their sight. Emily followed Flora inside as she closed the door behind them.

‘Wow! Wow!! Wow!!! Your room is so large.” Flora said before jumping on the bed causing Emily to laugh because of her childish behavior. Emily settled beside her friend as they faced up staring at the ceiling. Emily was going through a battle of thoughts. Should she tell Flora about Ridan? Should she not? These thoughts swayed in her mind and they are disturbing thoughts. She decided to tell her best friend.

“Flora, there is something you might need to know.” On hearing this, Flora sat up ready to listen to Emily.

“Go ahead, I’m all ears.”

Emily began narrating what happened from the night before her birthday to the present time.

“Flora, that stranger makes my heart flutter.” Flora looked intently at Emily making her feel uncomfortable.

“What is it? Why the stare?”

“Emily, you know that this is the first time I will hear you talk about a guy like this. The only possibility right now is that you are in love with him.”

“What!! No, I’m not. I have a mission to accomplish, I’m not in love with him.”

“Sigh… you will understand. Does your brother know about this?”

“No, I did not tell him. He will go straight to confront him which I don’t want

‘Hmm… you are protecting him, lover girl.” Emily glared at Flora as she hit her face with the pillow. Flora joined in the play fight as they continued hitting themselves till they fell asleep.

Flora departed Grey Pack early the next morning not wanting to offend her husband. Emily saw her off before returning to the pack. Emily prepared herself ready to face her pack members. She wore her armor, checking herself in the mirror for the last time before going out of the room. She got to the throne room and met the pack already waiting alongside her brother. The pack members all bowed in greetings as she stepped inside. She raised her hands with sheer power.

“I greet you all, and I must commend you for being answering my call to be here. Firstly, I want to thank you all for celebrating with me yesterday. I appreciate you all and I don’t take it for granted. Without wasting our time, I would like to go straight to the point. For those of us who do go out regularly, I want us to be careful of outsiders. Don’t be too friendly with them, we can’t trust them.” Emily stated with authority. The pack member bowed in acknowledgment before she stepped down from the podium to her room. Leonardo followed suit since he was her second in command.

Any free time Emily has, her thoughts are always occupied. With what? It’s what you guessed, Ridan. As she sat down, she thought about him. Emily could not shake off the feeling that Ridan was in trouble’ His enigmatic smile and piercing eyes lingered in her mind, making her question her judgment. Leonardo came into her room unannounced catching her off guard.

“What are you thinking about, Emily?”

“Nothing, I’m not thinking big brother. I did not know you came in.”

“You did not know because you were lost in thoughts. That aside, it’s time for our patrol. Where something more thick and let go.” Leonardo said as he left the room. As she patrolled the forest borders with Leonardo, Emily’s senses were on high alert. The full moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness, Ridan.

“What brings you here?” Leonardo growled, his hackles raised. Ridan stood firm.

‘I’m not looking for trouble.”

“Let’s talk.’ Emily intervened, sensing the tension. As they walked, Ridan revealed his connection to the rival Blackwood pack. Emily’s instincts screamed a warning, but her heart betrayed her, racing with excitement.

“You’re a Blackwood?” Leonardo spat. “What do you want?”

Ridan’s eyes locked on Emily, who was already looking at him. “I want to protect my family’s interests.

Emily’s eyes narrowed. “What interests.?”

Ridan hesitated before answering. “The ancient treaty between your packs.”

Emily’s ears perked up. The treaty had been a point of contention for generations.

‘I don’t know what you are talking about.” Emily lied.

Ridan’s smile was knowing. ‘don’t play dumb Emily. You know exactly what I’m talking about.

Leonardo stepped forward, his fists clenched. ‘Leave now, blackwood.”

Ridan stood his ground. “I won’t back down”. The air was charged with tension as the two werewolves faced off. Just then, a commotion erupted from the underbrush. A group of rouge werewolves, led by Cassius Nightshade, emerged from the shadows. Emily and Leonardo froze but they recovered when they moved forward. They became alert as Emily placed her hands on her dagger.