Wolf of Crescent Moon

Part 1: Chapter 15: Envy

- Reika’s P.O.V -

The next morning, I woke up by myself in the room, of course, Malik was “busy” as usual.

I sat on my bed thinking of what I would do today so I thought of Ethan then got up to get ready.

I saw the route to Crescent Moon so I thought I could go and surprise him.

After a couple of minutes, I left the palace making sure no one saw me and walked toward the trees.

I was not sure I would memorize the way from the first time but I did. I saw the lake and the old buildings in front of me and there I was.

I did not find Ethan right away so I continued walking until I heard a soft voice call me.

“Luna?” I heard so I turned around and it was a woman around my age or a little older.

“Did you call me ‘Luna’?” I smile and she nods confusedly.

“Aren’t you our Alpha’s mate? That makes you our Luna,” she explained and I nodded remembering the pack doesn’t know how complicated our issue is.

“Where’s Ethan?” I asked.

“The Aloha is in the packhouse. You can go there if you want,” she said and started to walk away but I stopped her.

“Uhh, could you ask him to meet me here instead?” I said.

She furrowed her eyebrows for a second then nodded before going the opposite direction.

I waited for a couple of minutes looking around before I felt a pat on my shoulder.

“Hi,” Ethan said and I smiled seeing him there.

“Hi,” I answered.

“I’m not used to seeing you come here alone,” he said.

“Something makes me think I should’ve asked you to come instead of me coming by myself,” I spoke the smile leaving my face.

“Don’t worry,” he shook his head.

“I like that you’re comfortable around here,” he caressed my cheek.

“Where do you want to go?” He asked taking my hand and we started walking.

“I don’t know. What else should I learn?” I asked.

“How about I ruin your mood by telling you it’s a full moon in two days?” Ethan said.

“Seriously? Already?” I asked and he shrugged.

“Okay. So I’m meeting you in the same place as last time,” I said and he nodded.

We walked around silently for a little while and arrived at a waterfall. It was very high up in the sky and the water was falling at a very high speed. I wonder what the pressure felt like.

“Reika?” Ethan said.

“Hmm,” I hummed still staring at the waterfall.

“How are you?” He asked.

“I’m good,” I looked at him confused.

“No, I mean… you and Malik. How is it? When?” He questioned and I understood what he wanted.

“Malik is very suspicious these days. I know he’s planning something but I don’t know what it is. As for your other question,” I answered.

“I promise I won’t let you down,” I approached him and looked at him in the eyes to try to reassure him.

“Come, I want to show you something,” he said and we started walking toward the waterfall.

“Ethan, you want me dead? Where are you going?” I ask.

“Just follow me,” he laughed.

“This waterfall is just for show,” he said.

“What?” I asked feeling lost.

“I had a witch spell it for me as soon as became Alpha. I asked the coven to protect us and they did. See, only werewolves can cross this waterfall but if any human being or other creature tries to pass it, they’ll drown due to the pressure,” he explained.

“What’s behind the waterfall?” I asked.

“You’ll find out soon. But I’m sure you’ll love it,” he continued.

“Want to go for a run?” He asked lastly and I nodded my head excited.

******

After a couple of hours, the sun started to go down so Ethan and I transformed back.

“I didn’t bring any clothes,” I spoke realizing that after I was completely naked in front of him.

I tried to cover my body as much as possible and Ethan ended up laughing.

“Don’t be shy, you don’t have to cover yourself in front of me,” he approached me wearing nothing but pants and gave me his shirt to wear.

“There you go Duchess,” he said covering me up.

“I can’t go back to the palace like this. A maid could see me or even Malik,” I said.

“Don’t worry, we’ll go to Crescent Moon and get you proper clothes before walking you back,” he said and I nodded.

“Let’s go,” he smiled and carried me all the way.

******

After getting my clothes changed, Ethan walked me back to the palace and for the first time in the weeks I’ve been meeting with him secretly, we were caught.

“Reika?” It was Malik’s voice.

“Sh*t,” I cursed under my breath.

“What are you doing here?” He asked approaching me.

“Let me fix my question,” he laughed.

“What is King Ethan doing here?” He asked crossing his arms.

“I was just walking around the forest and we bumped into each other, that’s it,” I explained hoping he would buy it.

“You bumped into the king of a kingdom that no one knows the location of,” he said.

“I was in the forest too and I offered to walk her back,” Ethan intervened.

“With all due respect, I’m talking to my wife,” Malik shut him up and I could feel his rage.

I tried to call him down but it didn’t work right away.

“Malik, let’s just go,” I said.

“Of course, and I’m hoping this is the last time you offer my wife a walk back home. Thank you, your highness,” Malik started to walk away and I followed him.

I glanced back at Ethan but he was still way too pissed to look at me.

“I don’t want to see you with Ethan again, am I clear?” Malik says still walking in front of me.

“Malik nothing happened. Why are you so mad?” I ask.

“Because you’re a duchess. What if the people saw you? What if they start making speculations about us. We could lose our titles and I need that damn title, am I clear?” He talked to me in a threatening voice.

I looked into his eyes and saw a side I’ve never seen in him before.

“It’s an order,” he continued.

“I’m your wife, not your slave,” I started to walk away.

“And that title of yours? I’m the reason you have it. Or else you would still be a hunter from Artemis fighting to find a job,” I said.

“What did you say?” I held my arm.

“Leave my arm, Malik,” I tried to free my arm but he strengthened his grip.

“Did you say, hunter?” He asked and I stopped to look at him.

“I didn’t say anything now leave me alone,” I said.

“Listen very well, if you repeat what you just said to anyone, I will make sure you and your Ethan know what a hunter really is,” he said and let my arm go.

I stood in my place for a while feeling nervous then continued to walk until I reached the palace.

******

The next two days Malik didn’t let me do anything by myself so I couldn’t see Ethan. But tonight was different, I had to get out. The full moon is the only night Malik doesn’t come back so I used this opportunity to escape. I was preparing myself for the full moon tonight so I put my clothes and my phone in a bag and hid it in a bush around the place for when I was going to meet Ethan.

“Honey, it’s dinner time,” my mother came in to tell me.

“Uh, mom. I was hoping I could skip dinner today,” I said.

“Why?” She asked and I looked outside the window and she followed my gaze.

“Oh,” she understood.

“Be careful Reika, full moons are very brutal,” she approached me.

“How do you know?” I furrowed my eyebrows.

“Your father was a werewolf, remember?” She said with a smile.

Mom approached me a cupped my face.

“You look just like him,” she said with a smile but her eyes were sad.

“Is your fur black like his?” She asked and I nodded.

She closed her eyes and a tear fell.

“I’m sorry I hid this from you, I really am,” she apologized and I nodded.

“Mom, it’s fine. I know now and I really really have to go,” I said and she nodded letting me pass.

I went down to the bush, grabbed my bad and ran to the hideout Ethan took me to the first time.

When I got there, he was already in the cave getting the chains ready.

“Hey,” I said throwing my bag next to my corner.

“I changed the chains. These should be more durable and harder to break,” he said seeing me walk in.

“Oh okay,” I said remembering what happened the last time.

“I didn’t see you the last two days,” he said before walking towards me.

“Malik didn’t let me leave or do anything actually,” I explained and he nodded.

I think he forgot that we’re mates because I could feel his sadness.

He might look like a beast or heartless but I’m his mate, I can feel him and his injuries.

“Let me help you with the chains,” he said and started his work.

“I’ll do it myself,” I stopped him and he started me before backing up.

“Okay,” he nodded and went back to his corner.

“I know you’re pissed but there’s nothing I can do,” I said.

“There’s a lot you can do, Reika,” he answered calmly while chaining himself up as well.

“You know it’s way more complicated than you think it is,” I said.

“I know, but you can also run away like you always do but this time never go back and become my Luna. I could finally free the pack from doing this every two weeks,” he said and I could hear the disappointment in his voice.

“I’m a duchess before being a Luna. I have my people, Ethan,” I spoke.

“I’m not asking you to forget about Kratos. But I don’t see your people break every bone in their body every full moon because they were half-animal,” he started.

“My pack is chased and killed every transformation because of how fragile we are. Hunters are everywhere tonight and do you what the first thing I do when I get back to the packhouse is? I make my Betas and myself search the woods until morning and every house to make sure they’re all still there,” he continued.

“I hate that we’re this vulnerable and I hate that all that could go away but it won’t because you and I aren’t officially mated yet,” he was angry but also in pain.

“Malik felt so confident over pronouncing the wide two days ago and it killed me inside because not only are you meant to be mine but you’re also my pack's remedy. But I had to bite my tongue and stay quiet because I care enough to not want to get you into trouble with that sick hunter that’s probably waiting for a black-furred wolf to kill,” he said then immediately stopped.

~ To be Continued ~