Under the Moonlight

Happy memories

"Am I a terrible Alpha? Did I fail to be a good ruler?"

Allerick's eyes were filled with distress, one which Elliott had never seen before. He was surprised to see how despondent and worried he was. This was the first time since Allerick took over the throne that he had seen him this troubled.

Usually, his Alpha was strong and commanding and everyone in the kingdom of Avolire and beyond would cower in his presence. The man's aura was too strong for anyone to bear and very few people had been able to meet him in the eye and speak to him. He was one of the most powerful men in the world and even the Alphas of the other kingdoms had more or less agreed with that, even though they had not been vocal about it.

To see such a powerful man in a vulnerable state, Elliott was beyond appalled and he did not speak for a long time.

However, Allerick misunderstood his silence and his expression dimmed all the more. The room was devoid of any light other than from the torches behind the throne. So, Allerick looked frightening the moment the hope in his eyes vanished and Elliott's heart skipped a beat on seeing the terrifying man.

Although Elliott respected his Alpha, he feared him more. Just like all the other people in the world, he too found him intimidating and it took a lot of courage in him to even stand in his presence. Unknowingly, he took a step back and Allerick did not miss this action of his, his heart shattering in agony.

Although Elliott was a human, he was more formidable than some of the werewolves in his army. In Allerick's eyes, he was a man he could trust his kingdom with if something were to happen to him. He was a capable man and had the ability to rule Avolire and help it flourish. To see his trusted man consider him to be a terrible King and Alpha, Allerick was perturbed and distraught. He had never expected the young man to have such an impression of him.

"I got my answer. You may leave now, Elliott." Allerick smiled at him faintly. Yet, his smile did not reach his eyes. They were filled with anguish and Elliott felt an unfamiliar pain in his heart to see his Alpha so tormented.

At first, he did not know why he was so aggrieved. But when he saw his disappointed expression, he understood immediately what had gone wrong. His silence. His silence had led to the grave misunderstanding and in his haste to assure his Alpha, he kneeled suddenly. The sudden sound of his knees touching the ground in the silent room startled him as well as the man who had his back towards Elliott.

Allerick stopped walking and looked at Elliott, who was staring at him with a soft smile on his face while his eyes held the trust he had for him. He was taken aback to see the intensity of regard the man had for him. His respect and admiration were not superficial. Instead, they were his genuine feelings.

The Alpha of Avolire, who had been crestfallen previously, felt a warmth surge through his heart on seeing the utmost faith the man had for him. It was as though Elliott worshipped him with all his heart. Even though he was still in grief, he smiled at the young man.

"What are you doing, Elliott?" He hastened his steps and helped the man to his feet. "Why are you kneeling? I do not want you to kneel, ever."

"But Alpha, I was wrong. I...I..." He stammered and, not knowing what to say, he lowered his eyes immediately.

"How were you wrong? You did not commit any sin. So, you have no reason to kneel, Elliott." Allerick remarked, and Elliott, who for the first time was witnessing such a gentle and amicable side of his Alpha's, felt his eyes tear up immediately.

Since birth, he had never experienced any familial love. As an orphan, he was considered an outcast in society. Everyone treated him with disdain and had even insulted him time and again, calling him names that were still etched in his heart and mind.

It was the previous Luna, Allerick's mother, Queen Clarice, who had brought him back with her when she had been on an excursion. He was later declared to be the adopted son of the royal couple and nobody in the kingdom dared to disrespect him from then on.

Even Allerick, who was destined to take over the throne after his father, treated him as his younger brother and looked after him well. Although he was the adopted son, Elliott had never dared to covet anything that belonged to Allerick. He was not even interested in becoming the ruler of Avolire because it did not belong to him in the first place. Instead, he dedicated his life to supporting Allerick in becoming a better ruler while he was contented with being his advisor.

The two brothers had been close since young and Elliott, who had never received any sort of love or warmth, was too overwhelmed to suddenly have such a loving and caring family. It was only after he took over the throne that Allerick turned cold and ruthless and Elliott understood him and his concerns. Being the ruler of a kingdom was not easy and considering how huge the kingdom was and how many people were trying to dethrone him, it had not been painless for Allerick.

And as he handled all his enemies to maintain peace in his kingdom and keep his subjects protected, Allerick only turned heartless and shrewd. He had never shown his true feelings to anyone, establishing himself to be an intimidating Alpha even though he was very gentle and kind to his people. Moreover, his intense and strong aura only made him unapproachable.

Now that he was listening to Allerick speak to him gently, Elliott was reminded of the old days when he had first entered the castle. Allerick's expression was just as benign as he remembered it to be and he was overcome with joy.

Allerick was stunned to see the change in his expressions. The mood suddenly turned sad and he panicked immediately. Not knowing what had triggered Elliott to feel this aggrieved, he looked at the man for a moment before he pulled him and hugged him tight as he rubbed his back to console him.

Elliott was astounded to be pulled into a hug suddenly. His eyes widened and his lips parted while his body tensed. But when he sensed the familiar warmth that had been engraved in his mind, he relaxed, and slowly, he lifted his hands and hugged Allerick back. The tears he had so painstakingly stopped from spilling started rolling down his cheeks at once.

Allerick felt the man trembling. "Why..." He tried to pull back, only to stop when he heard Elliott's next words.

"I missed you so much, Brother. I missed you a lot."