something off 45
1384 Words
Chapter 45
Court POV
Something felt… off. Mom was telling me things. But not everything.
I could tell.
“You said I shouldn’t go up to strangers,” I said slowly. “But you told me to go to her.” She didn’t answer right away. That told me everything. “Why is she different?” I asked.
Ruby’s eyes softened, but there was something behind them. Something I couldn’t understand yet. “Because she matters,” she said.
“That’s not an answer.”
Her lips twitched slightly. “You ask a lot of questions.”
“Because you don’t answer them.”
For a second… She just looked at me. Then she smiled. But it wasn’t the same smile as before. This one felt… colder.
“Alright,” she said quietly. “You want the truth?”
I nodded. She leaned closer. “Amber has something people would do anything to get,” she said. My chest felt weird again. “What is it?”
“Power,” she answered simply.,I swallowed.,“Are they going to hurt her?”
For the first time, she hesitated. Just for a second. But I saw it.
“Some people might try,” she said. I didn’t like that. At all.
My hands clenched a little. “I won’t let them.” The words came out before I could stop them. Ruby went very still. Then slowly…She smiled. A real smile this time.
“There it is,” she whispered.,I frowned. “What?”
She reached out, placing a hand on my shoulder. “That feeling,” she said. “That need to protect her.”
I blinked. “That’s… why you’re important, Court.”
I didn’t fully understand. But I knew one thing. When I looked at Amber…,I didn’t feel like she was a stranger. I felt like… I was supposed to be there.
Ruby POV
Oh, this is better than I planned. I stood up slowly, watching him.
He was already forming the bond. Already stepping into the role I needed him to play. And the best part? He thinks it’s his idea.
Perfect. “Come on,” I said, turning away. “Let’s go home.”
He followed without question. But I could feel it. His mind wasn’t here anymore. It was still with her. Good. Let it grow. Let it settle.
Because soon… That connection will be strong enough that no one, not even her parents, will be able to break it.,And when that happens? Everything will fall right into place.
Amber POV
I didn’t remember falling asleep.
One minute I was thinking about Alpha…About Court… About everything that didn’t make sense…And the next, I was back there.
The same playroom. Soft light. Warm air. And her. The lady with long white hair and glowing blue eyes. The Moon Goddess. She was already looking at me when I appeared, like she had been waiting.
“Hello again, little one,” she said softly.
I walked toward her slowly this time. “I knew it wasn’t just a dream,” I said.
She smiled gently. “No… it wasn’t.”
I climbed onto her lap again, but this time, I had questions.
A lot of them. “I met him,” I said quickly.
Her expression didn’t change. “I know.” but it's the wrong one.”
My eyes widened. “You saw?”
“I see many things,” she replied calmly.
I frowned.,“Then… why didn’t you stop it?”
That made her pause. Not long. But long enough for me to notice.
“Because some things are meant to happen,” she said.
I didn’t like that answer.,“He made me feel weird,” I said. “Like… warm. Like my fire, it hurt it burn my hand.”
Her eyes softened. “That is because that bad was energy
I blinked.
“So… he is important?”
“Yes,” she said simply.
My chest felt tight again.,“Alpha didn’t like it,” I whispered.
Something flickered in her eyes. “Of course he didn’t,” she said. “He is your protector. It is his instinct to guard you from anything unknown.”
I looked down at my hands. “He told me not to touch him again…”
The Moon Goddess gently lifted my chin so I was looking at her.
“Listen to me carefully, Amber,” she said softly, but her voice felt stronger now. This was important.
“Court is not your enemy,” she continued. “But that does not mean he is without danger.”
I froze. “Danger…?”
She nodded slightly.,“Not because of what he is,” she clarified, “but because of who is guiding him.”
My heart started beating faster. “His mom?” I asked quietly.
The Moon Goddess didn’t answer right away. That scared me more than if she said yes. “There are forces moving around you,” she said instead. “Some with good intentions… and some with selfish ones.”
I swallowed.
“Am I in danger?”
She brushed my hair back gently. “You are always in danger, little flame,” she said softly. “Power like yours draws attention.”
I didn’t like that. At all.
“But…” she added, her voice warming slightly, “you are not alone.”
I looked up at her. “You have your parents. You have Alpha. And you have me.”
That made me feel a little better.,But not all the way.
“Then what do I do?” I asked.
Her expression turned serious. “You must be careful,” she said. “Be kind, but not trusting. Be strong, but not reckless.”
That sounded confusing. “I don’t understand…”
“You will,” she said gently. “In time.”
I sighed a little. “I don’t like not understanding things…”
She smiled softly. “Neither do the strongest souls.” That made me tilt my head. “I’m strong?”
She leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.
“You are far more than strong, Amber.”
I hesitated. Then asked the question that had been sitting in my chest.
“Is Court… like Alpha?”
The Moon Goddess stilled slightly. “No,” she said.
“Then what is he?” Her eyes met mine. “He is a piece of your future he will bring danger to you.
That made my heart beat faster again. “What does that mean?”
But she didn’t answer. Instead, she pulled me into a gentle hug.
“You will see him again,” she said softly. “That path has already begun.”
I held onto her slightly. “…Should I be scared?”
She pulled back just enough to look at me. “No,” she said gently. “But you should be aware.” The room started to fade.
“Wait,” I said quickly. “Will you come back again?”
She smiled. “When you need me.” Everything got brighter.
“Amber,” she said one last time, her voice echoing softly.
“Trust your instincts… and listen to your dragon.” My eyes opened suddenly. I was back in my bed. The room was dark. Quiet.
But my heart was beating fast. “Nxy…?”
“”I heard everything,”” she said.
I sat up slowly. “Do you think she’s right about him?”
There was a pause. Then, Yes.
I looked down at my hands.,“…I’m going to see him again, aren’t I?”
Nxy’s voice was soft this time. “”Yes. But we must be careful.””
I took a small breath. This time… I wasn’t just confused. I was ready. Ready to be on guard.
Okay guys, here’s one of the time jumps, I couldn’t keep them at five years old forever, could I? And don’t worry… after a few more chapters, there will be an even bigger time jump. That’s when Ripley really starts coming around and trying to catch her attention. But I’m not telling you what chapter that happens in… gotta keep you on your toes, lol enjoy reading.
- Writer
