Wolf of Crescent Moon

Part 1: Chapter 9: I Know

- Rieka’s P.O.V –

My talk with Josette last night helped me somehow. She told me to be careful of Malik, something Ethan told me before, and she also told me to talk to mom which is why I was on my way to see her while everyone else was busy preparing for tonight's dinner.

“Mom? Can we talk?” I ask her and she smiles seeing me.

“Sure, come on in,” she says.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart,” she says while I sat down next to her.

“I have a question,” I start.

“Do you trust Malik?” I ask.

“Why are you asking me such a question?” she furrows her eyebrows.

“I don’t know, it’s just after our marriage he became very distant, so…” I continued.

“You think he might be seeing someone else behind your back?” She spoke.

“No! Nothing like that, I was just wondering if you knew about his work. He’s always going out and then when he comes back, he’s covered with dirt,” I say.

Even though I knew the answer, I wanted to see if my mother would tell me the truth or hide it like she hid everything else from me.

“Rieka, he’s your husband. You should not doubt him like that. But, no, I don’t anything about it, I’m sorry,” she said.

I looked at her and nodded but, in my head, I was as annoyed with her as I was annoyed with Malik. I can only trust two people, Ethan and Josey, all the others just keep lying to me and I’m sick of it.

“Thank you, mom,” I tell her then stand up to leave the room.

- Queen Helena’s P.O.V –

Rieka’s question worried me today. The last time when I caught her coming back, she told me she was out for a walk, but in reality, I knew she was out with someone else.

Rieka is a very smart girl and soon, she will realize what I’ve been hiding from her… that is if she doesn’t already know. Her asking me about Malik’s work apart from his Due duties got me thinking.

Of course, Malik didn’t know his wife is a werewolf, but her going back to his room every day definitely kept me alert.

“Malik,” I called him.

“My queen?” he bowed his head.

“Malik, I need to speak with you, it’s urgent,” I tell him and he nods following me.

“Rieka came to me today and asked me about your activities outside the palace. Can you explain to me why you’re not being more careful?” I ask.

“I didn’t know she was this curious. She always asks me about it but I tell her it’s work. I never thought she was doubting me,” he explains.

“Well, she is. So please, keep your hunting and all that other stuff you do away from my daughter. We can’t have her find out,” I order.

“You don’t think she knows about werewolves, right?” He asks.

“She doesn’t, yet. But she’s very smart, so be careful,” I say then walk away.

A few days ago, I learn that the wolf Malik has been searching for this entire time is in fact, Rieka’s mate and who he thinks is his friend.

I could tell Malik everything and get rid of him, but keeping one mate away from the other could kill both of them, an option I would never choose.

I looked at Rieka’s neck and saw she hasn’t officially mated with Ethan yet which means I can still keep them away, but I could risk losing my daughter for lying to her all this time.

Her wolf is awake now and doing that means losing her.

- Rieka’s P.O.V -

In the evening, Malik and I were getting ready to greet our guests so we stood next to each other in the big hall next to the dining room to welcome them.

One by one, the guests started walking on and I had a smile plastered on my face pretending to be happy to see them. However, my smile turned into a genuine one after I saw him. He walked in with Luis to his right and I couldn’t help but be happy and I knew he felt it because I saw the smile on his face.

“Ethan, I’m glad you could make it,” Malik shook his head.

“Wouldn’t miss it, my friend,” he smiled.

He then walked past him and stood in front of me.

“Duchess,” he bowed his head.

“Your highness,” I did the same.

“Honored to meet you again,” he spoke.

“Likewise,” I smiled.

We all walked into the dining room and took our places while we waited for the helpers to bring out the food.

“I’m glad that you all agreed to come to this humble dinner with us. To be honest, after our coronation we had no idea who to start with, but we decided to meet our friends first before talking to everyone else because what’s greater than friendship, am I right?” Malik spoke.

He was saying ‘we’ the entire time and I only found out about all of this last night. He was saying all this nonsense about friendship so he could fool them and make sure they stood by him in case something happened in the future.

The entire night I stayed quiet because they were either talking about something I didn’t understand or I was thinking of how Ethan was seated in front of me and we had to act like strangers. We would share a look from time to time but would instantly look away thinking someone would suspect something.

“What about you, Ethan?” Malik said his name and I focused.

“Anyone in your life to make a queen?” he continued.

I looked at Ethan and waited to see how he was going to answer this question.

“That’s a question I told you not to ask,” He answered.

“Come on, Ethan. Tell us,” Malik insisted.

“No, I have no queen, and even if I did. I’d only tell you when she’s ready,” he said and I smiled to myself.

The rest of the evening was very similar to its beginning, so I didn’t do much. By the end, everyone started leaving and it was just Malik and me.

“You did well today,” he spoke.

“Well? I barely opened my mouth,” I say.

“It’s alright. You wouldn’t know what to say anyway. I’ll see you in bed,” he kissed my forehead then walked away.

I looked around and noticed no one was around. I took this chance to speak with Ethan before he got far since they just left the palace. I scratched my arm and waited for it heals before I left.

My walk to where we usually would meet was not very far. When I got there, I saw Ethan waiting for me by himself, he must’ve sent Luis home.

“Hey,” I smiled.

“How was it?” I approached him.

“You were there,” he said.

“Was I really?” I tilt my head joking about how useless my presence was.

“Fair point,” he laughed.

“It was horrible. All I could think of was to cut your husband’s head off,” he said and I laughed this time.

“Thank you for answering the way you did when Malik asked you that question,” I said.

“It was the truth, I’ll wait for you,” he said causing my heart to flutter.

“Hey, before you go,” I said.

“Do you… think psychics exist?” I asked him.

“Of course, they’re very rare, but they exist. Why?” he said and I felt more at ease knowing I wasn’t crazy to believe Josey.

“Because a person I know told me to talk to my mother about all of this,” I said.

“That person is right,” he confirmed.

“How do you know?” I looked at him.

“I could tell you right now, but I’d rather you speak with your mom,” he said so I nodded.

******

I was back in the palace and I wanted to go to bed but I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep unless I got the answers I needed.

“Hi, mom,” I opened the door to her room.

My parents never slept in the same room and it was kind of weird but we never thought much about it. So, her being alone right now is best for me.

“Rieka? What’s wrong?” she said.

“I need to speak with you and I need you to be honest,” I say and sit next to her.

“What are you hiding from me?” I hesitated to get it out but eventually did.

“Baby, what do you mean?” she laughed and stood up.

I was sick of her lying to me. She hid everything from me. She hid my true identity from me and I’m sure she knows about my wolf waking up but she still chooses to lie.

“I know everything,” I said and she stopped in her tracks.

“I know I’m a werewolf,”

~ To be Continued ~