Love Paradox

Chapter Two: Homecoming

“Have you ever regretted being a werewolf at all? What's it like being a werewolf?” Michael asked, he could never stop asking after he had found out months back, after he had caught me in my backyard.

“Being a werewolf connects you to the earth. You know we look like humans, we are humans, just better versions,” The last part was just to spite on him, because I knew he wouldn't let it slip past.

“What do you mean by that? You literally can't help it under the influence of the full moon night, so we are still unique in our ways.” Michael defended, his voice picking up volume, as if trying to make his point clear.

“Oh come one, I wasn't totally serious about my answers.

Being a werewolf is like being one with the earth. There’s a power, a connection to nature that’s hard to explain. It’s primal, raw, and just beautiful,” I answered, gazing out if the window, watching the clouds.

After leaving the pack, I had come straight to the human, far from my roots. Classes had been a walk in the park, and after graduation and all the necessary training, I started working with a renowned hospital.

The humans named me, “Miracle doctor,” following my ability to be successful in whatever case I worked on. I was living my dream but I found myself empty most of the times. All the times spent at the hospital was a distraction from thinking about Darius Frost.

‘How long has it been, he must be married by now, right? With a lot of pups...’ My thoughts were cut short by Michael who was asking something.

“I'm sorry, I didn't get that. Mind repeating your question again?” I asked him, my eyes meeting him with a sorry gaze.

Michael sighed, repeating his question, "I asked if you ever regretted being a werewolf."

Mirroring his previous action, I also sighed, my gaze still fixed on the clouds. "Of course, sometimes when I think about it. I regret being a werewolf. You know, we're believed to be descendants of the moon goddess… I just remind myself about all the great perks of being a wolf and I just realize that it's who I am."

Michael nodded understandingly, but I could sense his curiosity. "That's nice you know.” His hand pressed his nose bridge, looking at me with a side eye, as if he was thinking of how to ask a question he knew I might not want to talk.

“I'd honestly advice you ask your questions now while you can, you're going to Silverwood Pack as a volunteer doctor so you need all the informations you can get,” I advised, picking up a glass of wine sitting close to me.

“I know it's not my business neither does it have anything to do with volunteering, but... do you ever think about Darius Frost?"

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. I hadn't expected Michael to bring him up. "Why would I think about him?" I tried to sound nonchalant, but my voice betrayed me, revealing a hint of longing.

Michael's eyes softened. "I know you two had a complicated history, but... I've seen the way you look at the moon sometimes, like you're searching for something. Or rather someone."

I turned away, my eyes stinging. "You're imagining things, Michael." But I knew he wasn't. He had always been perceptive, and I had never been able to hide my true feelings from him.

He was the first friend I made even before he found out I was a werewolf, he was easy to talk to, and was fascinated by the weirdest of things. He was my best friend, after Monroe.

‘Oh Monroe, I'm sorry I left without a word. Would she ever forgive me?’ I thought, relaxing my head against the head rest, my body melting into the chair.

We spent the rest of our time arguing and discussing about a lot of unrelated things, one after the other until it was time for the plane to land.

As the plane touched down, I felt a flurry of emotions dancing inside me - excitement not being one of them. Returning to my pack felt like I was going back to address a lot of things I left in the past.

After clearing our luggages, we exited the airport and took a taxi and stopped where there was a border between the human realm and the werewolf realm.

To outsiders, it looked just like a ordinary forest, but to us, it held a secret world. Humans had only poorly constructed notions of our existence, and it was by myths and grave misconceptions. Our vehicle waited, ready to carry us into the heart of the pack's territory. As soon as we loaded her luggage, we were off on our way.

“I wasn't expecting a car, I'd have loved to ride a werewolf back, can you imagine how fun that would be?” Michael said, looking totally surprised seeing a car.

“We are not totally cut off from the world, I already told you to forget the human jargons. All those myths are all contrary to what we really are,” I said, pushing him lightly to get into the car, before joining him.

Michael noticed my distant expression along the way and placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Hey, you okay Luna? You're going to have to face everything you left behind right?"

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yeah. But I'm still a little anxious, that's all."

Michael offered a reassuring smile. "You've got this. And I'll be here for you, no matter what."

As we drew closer, the familiar scent of pine and damp earth enveloped me, transporting me back to my roots. The pack's territory was nearby, and I could feel the pull of my werewolf instincts, urging me to return home.

The car pulled up at my house and darn it, if they hadn't called the whole pack to my house. It was packed full that I didn't think we'd even be noticed.

‘Perfect. Just perfect for a perfectly orchestrated slip past...’

But how wrong I was

"Luna!" My mother's voice, tinged with excitement, cut through the noise, drawing our attention to where she stood with open arms, her smile radiant in the moonlight. "Welcome home, sweetheart. You don't know how much I missed you,” my mom said, squeezing me tightly.

Even in all those years, she hadn't aged a bit. Her body still good enough to make a man turn and look. Suddenly realizing I wasn't alone, she unhooked me from her embrace, stepping forward to meet him, “And who do we have here?”

I quickly introduced Michael to my family, his warm handshake and easy charm earning him instant approval. "Mom, Dad, this is Michael Harris, my best friend and colleague from work."

The smile on my father’s face when he shook Michael’s hand in a firm handshake was something special, his eyes were glistening with undisguised warmth. "How nice it is to finally meet you, Michael. Luna did pay us the compliment. Any person who is a friend of hers is a friend of ours. "

In return, the genuine smile on Michael's face was as warm as the sincerity in his eyes. "Thank you very much, sir. I am truly happy to be here, "

“Well, can you really talk to them?” Micheal queried, a thread of surprise gracing his face, as he watched me as I carried on my conversation with a little pup.

I chuckled, “Oh definitely, they’re my family. And they are as nosy as hell about you. ”

Belair, my six year old cousin, carefully approached Micheal, her head tilted inquisitively. “You’re not like us, but Luna trusts you. But why did you come here? Aren't you afraid of us like the rest?” she asked.

Micheal got on his knee in order to be able to look her in the eyes. “I'm here because I have always believed in helping everyone, and it doesn't matter if they use two legs or four. Sometime during my journey with Luna, she has taught me what it really means to be courageous and compassionate. And besides she is a werewolf and she has always helped human patients, why can't I as a human help wolve patients.”

Belair's ears quickly perked up. “What’s the human world like? Do they have forests and moons too?”

“It’s quite different,” Micheal replied. “There are forests, yes, but many humans live in big cities with buildings that touch the sky. And the moon, it looks the same, but I think it’s lonelier there.”

Michael really blended well with my family much to my satisfaction. It was very satisfying seeing even Belair be this free with Michael.

"Michael, you must definitely try the roasted veggies," my cousin Elena insisted, practically pulling him to the buffet table with a small smile on her face. "They were cooked in an open grill to extreme perfection, trust me."

Michael laughed timidly, although curious so he allowed her to pull him along. “I'll have to trust your word, Elena. Lead on.”

Soon I could no longer see them, I stood there in my own thoughts, thoroughly satisfied at how they had accepted Michael. Saves me the stress of having to tag him along wherever I was going. I was still thinking when a noise interrupted me.

“Who do we have here?” the voice said slowly, it was Monroe. I froze, not knowing how to turn and face her. Turning slowly, I came to face her, tears gathering in my eyes, but she just took one look at me and pulled me in for a warm hug. It was only then I felt her baby bump.

“Oh my goddess, you're pregnant! I'm so happy for you!” I said, almost shouting as I squeezed her neck tighter until she had to call my attention to it.

It was only then I noticed Marcus, my childhood friend as well who was standing just at the side. Seeing the warm look he gave Monroe, I quickly connected everything, my eyes opening wide in surprise.

“What? Y-you? How?” I couldn't form a coherent word so I just brought him in for a hug.

It was just so unbelievable that the two worst enemies had become mates. I would've never seen it coming - not in a hundred years.

“Well this is our third pup since we got mated five years back. Meet Luna, after you,” Monroe said, bringing my hand to press against her bump.

I bent down and planted a kiss on her stomach. It was nice to know you had a little twin somewhere, especially when you weren't there for most of the time she was growing.

“So, Marcus is your new companion? I mean… you know what I mean,” he said, his eyes holding a hint of mischief as he circled his hands around my shoulders.

Well, I threw off those mock indignant side-eyes and swatted him on his arm humorously. “Marcus, dear! Michael is a friend, no more.”

One eyebrow went up in a skeptical move, his lips broadening in a smirk. "Absolutely, Luna. Whatever you command. But believe my words, there is something special between you two."

While my mouth was still hanging open, Michael came back with his plate full of food, and with satisfaction on his face, happily devouring each dish, non-stop. "Luna, no kidding. This meal is unbelievable!"Michael quietly responded, appearing noticeably delighted. "I understand why you spent longing thoughts here, Luna.

I laughed, finding his reaction funny and cute, “I told you so. Never ceases to amaze me the sweet hospitality of the house. ”

“Yes, that reminds me, I heard that Alpha is coming to welcome you back to the Pack.” Monroe said, making my attention snap to her.

“Your mom didn't tell you that?” Marcus asked, looking at my surprised gaze.

“Oh I see, they already told you. The alpha, Darius Frost, will be joining us soon.”