Moonlight Redemption

CHAPTER THREE: Old Friends

The fire in the corner of the room made a crackling sound, the only sound that filled the room. Devon sat close beside Melissa on the edge of her bed, her thigh pressing against his. The world outside felt distant to Melissa compared to the warmth blossoming between them now.

Melissa turned her face towards him, her eyes wide and vulnerable. "You don't have to stay".

"I must", Devon replied.

She leaned her head against his shoulder. "You don't believe him, do you?"

Devon sighed. "I believe you're in danger. That's all that matters to me right now."

His hand brushed down her arm with one soft caress, lingering on her wrist before pulling her closer. She looked up at him. His face was half-lit by the firefight. His jaw tightened, but his gaze softened when it met hers.

"Devon..." she whispered, but the rest of her thoughts drowned in the tension rising between them at that moment.

He reached for her, looking at her eyes full of passion and love. "Whatever this prophecy is, whoever thinks they can hurt you... I'll burn this entire forest before I let that happen, and I swear it with my last blood".

Melissa knew he meant it. He had done something like that for her in the past when she lost her parents on a very cold night. He was her only safe place after then, and she confided fully in him.

At the same time, those words made her heart pound. She didn't know if it was fear or something deeper, something warmer. But whatever it was, she found peace in it.

Devon leaned in, and their lips met, gently brushing his lips against hers softly once, then again, it became firmer and desperate.

Melissa responded, wrapping her arms around his neck as their lips met in a kiss that was equal, like they both needed it. It was fierce and desperate, years of operation bleeding into the way he held her.

His arms wrapped around her, pulling her against his chest. She gasped softly against the sensation, feeling the strength in his caress, the steady, energetic beat of his heart matching her own. His hands roamed up her back, slow and desperate, sending shivers racing down her spine.

Melissa slid her fingers through his hair, pulling gently, Devon growled low in his throat, a sound that made her stomach drizzle and deepened the kiss, his mouth moving over hers with an aching need.

He kissed her like one who had been dying of thirst, and she was the only water in the desert.

They slowly broke apart, gasping for air. Devon pressed kisses along her jaw, then down to her neck, lingering at the sensitive spot just below her ear. His hands roamed again, sliding beneath the hem of her torso, exploring the bare skin of her hips. Every torch lit a fire across her body, and she clung tightly to him, but wanting to let go, not wanting this moment to cease.

"I should have sought harder for you," he whispered against her skin.

Tears gathered in her eyelids, but she blinked them away. She cupped his face, making him look at her. "I'm here now. That's all that matters".

Devon nodded, his forehead pressed against hers, breathing her in.

Then a sharp knock at the door shattered the moment.

"Alpha", a voice called urgently from outside. You're needed at the southern border. It's urgent".

Devon growled under his breath. He looked at Melissa and wrapped his arms around her as if he could shield her from the world forever. She knew he didn't want to leave. She didn't want him to either.

"I have to go", he murmured, kissing her forehead tenderly. Stay here. Promise me".

"I Promise," she whispered with a heavy heart.

Devon hesitated, his gaze burning into her before finally releasing her and heading toward the door. When it got shut behind him, the room felt emptier than she thought possible.

Melissa sat there for a moment, staring at the fire in the room. Her mind raced with everything Kael had said earlier... about people not wanting the prophecy fulfilled. About her destiny or whatever it is under threat.

What if there's something she could do to understand it better?

Before she could properly think of an answer to these questions, she was on her feet. Her heart thudded edit as she went to the window, glancing toward the main path where Devon and the warriors had disappeared into the trees.

Now was her only chance that no one would notice.

She reached for her hooded cloak and put it on and, with a deep breath, she opened the door and left the room. She walked through the long passage leading to the outer door and exited the building, pulling the hood of her cloak over her head and melting into the bright afternoon, heading toward the far side of the pack lands... towards the hidden cabin where the seer was said to live.

Her blood seemed to pound in her ears with every step.

She was aware that if anyone found out she had left the pack house alone, especially after what happened in the woods, Devon would lose his mind. But something pulled her forward. Though she was frightened, she felt an invisible force tugging her towards the truth.

She needed answers.

No matter what it would cost her.

********

Melissa's boots made crunchy sounds as she stomped over the frosty leaves. She made her way deeper into the woods, the warm breeze that blew was doing little to cool the fire in her chest. She was extremely nervous.

That's when she heard the familiar voice.

"Melissa?"

She spun around, her heart hammering. For a second, she thought her mind was playing tricks on her.

But there he was.

Dan.

He looked a little older, his forehead a little rougher, but that same crooked grin stretched across his face. His shaggy brown hair fell into his eyes, and he wore the same brown leather jacket he always had. Nothing changed about him.

"Dan?" She blinked in disbelief. "Is that you?"

He chuckled, a sound that stirred old memories.

"In the flesh. My goodness, Melissa... seven years what the f**k!!".

He took a step forward, then hesitated, as if he was unsure if he should hug her.

Before he could think better of it, she threw her arms around him and hugged him. The scent of pine and worn leather filled her senses and, for a while, she felt like they were kids again, sneaking out of the village and daring each other to knock at the doors of strangers and run.

"I thought you were gone for good", Dan murmured, pulling back to study her face, his hand still lightly on her arm.

"I almost was," she admitted...

His eyes softened, but he was guarded. "Why come back now?"

Melissa shook away his hands awkwardly, shoving her hands into her cloak "Dreams. Fate. I don't even know anymore, it's just messed up".

Dan made a short and sharp laugh, "Dreams and fate". Sounds heavy".

She smiled faintly. "It is".

They started walking slowly, their boots brushing against fallen branches. For some minutes, Dan paused and his tone shifted.

"That's right Mel, what are you doing out here alone... you lost or something... I mean it's not bad seven years is no joke you've maybe forgotten your way home..."

That was supposed to be funny to her, but she was rather serious about it. She hesitated, then figured there was no harm in telling him. After all, Dan was a childhood friend and has always been loyal. A part of her still clings to that.

"I'm heading to the Seer's field," she admitted. "There's something I need to understand."

Dan's posture stiffened a bit. "This about the prophetic stuff I've been hearing?"

She was shocked. "How did you...?"

"Yeah, small pack, people talk, rumors spread". He said, brushing it off. "What do you think the Seer's gonna tell you, huh? That you are destined to redeem the pack and save us all?"

There was a strange edge to his voice, but Melissa forced a laugh. "I didn't know what she'd say. I just ... just need to hear it out myself".

Dan spread his hands briefly on her shoulder and pulled her closer. His crooked smile didn't reach his eyes.

"Be careful Mel. Prophecies mess with people's heads. You start believing you're special ....and suddenly everyone's waiting, waiting for you to fail."

The warning in his voice was clear.

"You sound like you know more than you are saying," she whispered.

"Maybe I do. Maybe I don't."

Before she could press him further, a howl echoed in the distance, calling for him.

Dan stepped back into the shadows, his expression unreadable this time. "I've got to go, Mel, but remember, be careful who you trust."

And then he was gone.

Melissa stood there for a moment, her mind racing.

What had just happened?

Was this a warning... or a threat?

Whatever it was, she wasn't safe anymore and that were enough reasons why she had to meet the Seer.