The Moon Goddess

What Comes Between

Chapter 8

APOLLO’S POV

It’s been 4 days. 4 long agonizing days. Rose has been avoiding my calls, she won’t answer the door when I knock, and even at school she’s managed to arrive at class just late enough, and leave just early enough so she can avoid talking to me. 

“I have no idea why this is happening” I said as I dropped the weights.

“Maybe it was too much at once?” Lia suggested.

“No I mean, she said she didn’t have any problem with it.”

“Are you sure she wasn't just saying that?” Dom cut in.

“Yeah I’m sure. She not only walked up to me in wolf form, but she PET me.”

Dominic laughed “She PET you?”

“Yeah.”

“Has she SEEN your wolf? It's probably 3 times the size of her.”

“I’m just telling you what happened man.”

Lia laughed at us. “So what else could be going on?”

“She just got back from an emotional week with her mother, plus that letter she received in the mail. I think me suggesting that her life has been a whole lie may have sent her over the edge.”

“About that letter, you said Rose didn’t have any intentions of actually meeting that psycho right?”

“Yeah definitely. Why?”

“Okay, good. Then I’m thinking we use this to our advantage.”

Now he had my attention.

“What do you mean by advantage?”

“Well, whoever it is needs to be stopped. They are tormenting our townspeople.”

“It’s Rose.” Lia cut in. 

“Exactly. Which only makes it more important. She’s our friend.’

I downed some water, and sat on the gym floor. “So, what are you suggesting?” 

“A sting. Get a small group of our warriors and spread them around the area they said they wanted to meet Rose.”

“Yeah but that's just it. They didn’t give a place, they just said that they’d find her.”

“Then we’ll use her as bait.”

I was hurt by even the suggestion of using her. “No. no way. Not happening.”

“Yeah Dom, how could you even suggest something like that?” Lia asked. 

“Okay you’re right. That was stupid. Look, the town is small. We can station our people all around and just keep an eye out for shady characters.”

“Alright. It’s better than doing nothing. And on the off chance that we catch this guy, it means Rose will be safe. So I’m all for it.”

“Okay great. You said they’re meeting at 10?”

“Yes. Then that means we have three hours. Lia, get the troops together. We don’t know who this person is so we better be safe than sorry. Round up 50 of our warriors. Dominic, I want you to brief everyone. I’m going to try Rose’s house again. See if I can convince her to stay inside.” 

ROSE’S POV

I was getting ready to meet with the writer of the letter. I had too. I don’t care what Apollo said. I need answers, and they already said they wouldn’t kill me, so I was safe. Sure I had some answers, but after what Apollo told me? I only ended up with more questions. I picked up the letter and carefully read it one more time. Alright, so all I have to do is go into town, and they’ll just find me? I checked the time, it was only 7:30. I don’t think I'll be able to go if I just sit here and psych myself out for 3 hours. I may as well just go now. I went down the stairs and was about to open the front door, when my doorbell rang. I stopped. Was it the writer of the letter? Had he found me? Oh no. This is it. This is how I die.

“Rose! It’s me, Apollo.” I let out the air I didn’t realize I was holding in and sighed. Apollo. I had been completely ignoring him for 4 days. This is his 3rd time coming by, yet… I didn’t move. I couldn’t. After what he told me I feel so many emotions. Anger, depression, confusion. And seeing him would only make it worse. I hated to do this to him, but I needed time to think. On my own.  So I stayed quiet. 

“Rose please. I know you’re in there.”

I still didn't answer.

“Okay fine. You don’t have to open the door, and you don’t have to talk to me, just listen for one second please.” despite the lack of response, he continued. “Please stay inside tonight. I know you said you wouldn’t go see that guy who sent the letter, but I just want to let you know I’m taking care of it.”

What does he mean by taking care of it?

“Just please don’t leave your house. It won’t be safe.” I wanted to run to him. To open the door and to hold him and tell him not to go. That I’m not worth the trouble. That he shouldn't put himself in danger, but I didn’t. I stayed right where I was, still as a statue. I wasn’t even sure if I was breathing. Everything just stopped. I waited until I heard him sigh, followed by the sound of a car starting, and finally driving away. I grabbed my keys, slowly turned opened the door, and with his warning still ringing in my head, I left. I didn’t know what Apollo had planned, but I knew it probably meant he would be in town. So I laid low. Parked my car down an alley, and wandered into a small book store. I just hoped that the guy- or person would be able to find me. I went to the very back and found a small space under a table behind some boxes where I could hide until it was time to go. The last thing I needed was Apollo finding me. He was a werewolf after all. Who knew how good he was at tracking. God what am I even saying. How has my life turned into this. I’ve only lived here for 3 months. How could my life change so much in 3 months. First, a new town. Then my mom is deployed and my brothers move out. Next thing I know, I meet this guy. And then I fall for him. And then we go on a weird date to a cave. And then weeks later he tells me hes a werewolf, and that he thinks I’M one too. Am I missing anything? Oh yeah, the weird visit with my mother WHO IS IN THE HOSPITAL. Jeez. I checked the time again. 8 o’clock. Still go two hours to kill. I took out a book and started reading, when all of a sudden I heard the bells at the front of the store jingle, indicating someone had entered the building. My breathing stopped. What if it was the mysterious writer? What if it was Apollo? 

“Ah hello Beta.” I heard the old shop owner say. Beta? Like the fish?

“Hello Francis. How are you?” Oh no. I almost choked on my breath. I recognize that voice. It was-

“Very well Dominic. And you?” DOM! Had Apollo sent him? Did he know I was here? Is HE the writer of the letter?? Theories rattled through my brain as I listened to the rest of their conversation.

“I’m well. Unfortunately I’m not here for pleasure.”

“Business then?”

“Yes. It was brought to our attention that there may be a suspicious character hanging around town.”

“Oh. What kind of shady character? Not someone dangerous I hope.”

“That's yet to be determined. The only information we have is that they threatened the life of someone living in the town and told them to come to the town tonight. So in order to avoid casualties or unwanted questions, we are asking some resident wolves to keep an eye out for us. Do you mind?”

“Of course not Beta Dominic. Is his highness out searching too?”

“He is.” Did they mean Apollo?

“Do you suspect we’ll be getting a visit from him as well?” The shop owner said all too excited.

“I’m afraid not Francis. His highness is apologetic he's been so unattentive as of late.There is much to deal with.”

“Ah yes. The wedding.” The wedding?! What wedding?

“Actually no. The coronation.”

“Well I imagine the wedding won’t be too long after.” Dom laughed uncomfortably. 

“Anyway. Please alert the prince and I, or any guard you see around town if you see anything.”

“Of course Beta.”

“Have a nice night Francis.”

“You too sir.” I finally let out a breath. Finally I was in the clear. 

“Francis?”

“Yes sir?”

“IS there anyone else here with you?”

“Oh, um. Someone came in about an hour ago, and… come to think of it, I don’t think I ever saw them leave.” I threw my hand over my mouth and scooched as far back as I could in my little crawlspace. I could see their feet as they walked into the back of the store.

“Looks like they left. Is there an issue sir?”

“No. I just thought I picked up a familiar scent. Must have been nothing. Anyway. We need to go patrol. Let me know if you see anything.”

“Of course beta. Actually, I was just about to close up. Why don’t I come patrol with you.”

“That would be great. Thank you.”

I saw their shadows rescind and the bell ring, telling me I was alone. I checked the time to see I had an hour. I decided I would wait about 30 more minutes before going to the town square. Hopefully whatever it is they are doing out here is finished by then. 

APOLLO’S POV

“Dom, did you find anything?”

“No. Are you sure he’s going to show? There’s only 15 more minutes until their allotted meeting time.”

“Oh, I think you mean15 seconds”

“Has it really been that much time?”

“Seems like it. Lets patrol the square once more and then go home.”

“Of course. Alpha.”

ROSE’S POV

It’s 10. I've been waiting in the middle of the square for 10 minutes and he has yet to show this face. So much for answers. It was probably just a prank. I sighed and turned to leave when I bumped into a firm chest.

“Ah… Hello.” I looked up and saw a man in a mask towering over me. “Rose”

My breath got caught in my throat and my eyes widened in fear. I watched his hand come up and before I could scream a piece of cloth was put over my face. I struggled and I screamed, but the cloth was drenched in chloroform, and soon, I was passed out. 

APOLLO’S POV

“AHHH” I hunched over and yelled in agonizing pain.

“Alpha! Alpha what is it!” I could hear voices, but it didn’t matter. My mind was focused on one thing only. Rose. I rose from my position, my eyes burning red. I felt power like never before. Coursing through my veins. Traveling through every inch of my body. I felt a burning drive, a desire i've never felt before. I had something to fight for. And I was going to fight. Ignoring the shouts I left behind me, I ran as fast as I could towards the place I knew her to be. I ran faster than I have ever ran in my entire life. Within mere seconds, I was standing before a sight I wished I would never have to witness. Rose, unconscious. In the arms of another man. At that moment, whatever rage hadn’t surfaced was now spilling out. By the way I felt, I’m sure I looked like a wild animal. But it didn’t matter. All that mattered, was Rose. I charged the dark figure, and to my surprise, upon seeing me, he dropped Rose and flew away. FLEW AWAY. I didn’t have time to process. I took Rose in my arms and began walking. I didn’t know where yet, but I wouldn’t stop, until she was safe.