Chapter 25
When Marek returned, he grumbled an apology, his mood still bitter. I gave a small smile but decided it best not to speak to him for awhile, lest I would anger him again.
Instead, I clung to Julien for the day, shadowing him around the village while he went about his chores. He didn’t mind and in fact, seemed to enjoy it. It was easy to be in his presence without annoying each other, we just worked.
By dinner time, Marek was back to normal and we were telling stories and laughing together around the fire again. Dominic stayed close, his protective nature fully active. I liked this version of him much more than evil alpha. Being like Grayson didn’t fit him.
I mentioned my idea on a larger sleeping area and Jax offered the idea of the pantry, it was twice the size of any bedroom hut and they could split the stored food into two empty bedrooms. Dominic added that he would be joining us, at least until the full moon passed.
The excitement grew so large that none of them wanted to wait until morning. Torches were prepped and they went about clearing the pantry in the dark of the night. Shelving was moved and divided, then cots and bedding were brought in.
Each man picked their place, like a kid in a fort, and decorated it with the small amount of belonging they all had. Jax had the most to bring over with his wood crafted animals and art. It was a decent sized room, accommodating all of us easily including the newest addition.
Dominic’s space was as sparse as mine when it came to personal items which made me curious since he had been here the longest. There was only one item he placed next to his bed, a black leather and folded wallet.
He opened it and looked inside before placing it back on the spot he had chosen.
The late night made me fall asleep fast and dream deeply. The danger that surrounded the full moon leached into my subconscious and its light engraved itself into my mind. The moon was the first thing I saw in the dream that took me that night.
I was standing on the highest cliff on the island, wearing the same dress I had the last full moon. Howls sounded below me in unison. The moon was close enough to touch and I reached for it as the sounds of the ocean waves became louder and louder.
The last wave crashed into my conscious mind and I jumped awake. Everyone else was still asleep and I pulled myself into a sitting position against the wall behind my bed to observe the lot of them. The collective breathing was deep and wild, making me feel like I truly was in the beast’s den.
The candle made from animal fat still illuminated the dark room. I could see the touch of light coming through the fibrous windows and I leaned over to wake Julien. At my touch, he smiled and stretched.
"I think the sun hasn’t risen yet, if you wanted to watch it with me." I told him.
We both stood and he wrapped us together in a single blanket. The walk outside was awkward and I tried not to giggle and wake the others.
"We still have time to make it to the beach and watch it rise from the horizon if we go quick," Julien said into my ear from behind.
Placing the blanket over my shoulders, he held my hand and led the way through the trail. Once we arrived on the beach we found a spot near the edge of the forest that sat higher than the beach itself. A fog sat along the sand like a fallen cloud, the smell of seaweed rich among it.
I sat in Julien’s lap as he cuddled me close to him. In the stillness I again asked him about the approaching full moon.
"None of you can protect me if you’re at the mercy of your werewolf side."
His hug became a little tighter as we continued to watch the horizon. Bright colors of pink and orange surrounded the landscape in curves and waves.
"We’ll figure something out, I’ve already talked to Dominic about you. You don’t need to worry."
But I was worrying, They were trying to come up with a plan but they didn’t have one yet and we only had one more night to go. I didn’t want to know what moody behaviour was ahead of me while I waited to be eaten alive by werewolves.
The sun peaked above the water with a flash, colors vibrating as it continued to rise. It was the most beautiful sight, making me feel insignificant and important at the same time.
I leaned my head back, looking up at Julien.
He looked back down and reached his head around to land a kiss on my lips from above. I hoped he never stopped wanting to kiss me. If in his arms was where I died, I would be happy. I turned back to the view, soaking it in before we ultimately headed back.
When we later arrived back at camp, Dominic was pacing around the fire. The door to the hut we slept in was wide open and I could see the room was empty as we passed by it. Marek and Jax were absent and I had an aching feeling I was the reason for the upset in the air.
Upon seeing us, Dominic stomped over.
"Where the fuck have you two been?"
"We just went for a walk, we’re fine Dom. I was with her." Julien’s voice was calm but it made no difference to Dominic.
"You thought that was a good idea with how close we are to the full moon? What the fuck is wrong with you?" He was practically yelling and I shrunk back, wanting to run back to my room but instead scooted behind Julien.
"It was a mistake, I’m sorry. It won’t happen again," Julien told him and I became sad at this, I wanted to do it again. My time with Julien on the beach was becoming my favorite memories here.
Dominic grabbed my arm and yanked me from my hiding place. "Damn right it won’t. She’s mine now."
His grip on my arm was too tight and I looked to Julien, not knowing what would happen next. Julien rarely lost his temper but emotions were high. They studied each other for a moment, challenge in their eyes.
Julien changed first, fur shooting from skin and claws cutting through skin. His pants fell off thighs and was kicked away by paws. He stood tall and hunched, ready for war in my name.
Dominic stepped back, pushing me to the side. His gaze never left his opponents as he told me to wait in our room. I took a few steps toward the hut when Dominic asked Julien, "are you sure about this?"
Julien’s chest rumbled with a low growl and I turned to run back to my safe room as Dominic began his own changing. I held the door closed, the sound of a wolves fighting on the other side. I stayed at the door, listening closely for any sign of victor.
After a few heart wrenching moments their growls and cries began to fade away, their destruction moving away from the camp.
This was my opportunity, I realized. Marek and Jax were gone, Dominic and Julien were busy fighting to possess me.
I reached for my locket that had been hidden between the blankets of my bed and I slowly pushed the door open, looking around for signs of my pack. With the coast clear, I bolted for the trail. I hadn’t been running since my injuries had healed and the feeling felt good in my unused muscle.
I followed the trail along with the feeling in my chest. I refused to stop and rest, worry over when the others would realize my absence. This plan felt like a mistake. I hadn’t seen Grayson in weeks and assuming he would help me was a dangerous choice.
I was confident I would find him, I could feel the way towards him and I could feel him on his way to me. We were two trains on the same track, rushing to crash into each other. The others would be after us, we would need to find a very good hiding place until the end of the full moon and then I would return to my Julien and the pack.
I only needed Grayson temporarily but the thought of seeing him again made me feel an excitement that pulsated from my lips all the way down to my toes. A throb in places that felt too good for comfort.
My breathing was heavy from my thoughts and from running. I forced myself to stop and catch my breath. Worry over how loud I was being slowed my breath. I took a moment to concentrate on the pull. He was near, not close enough to touch but close enough to know I was almost there. Almost in his arms.
I made it only a few steps when a hand reached out and, covering my mouth, pulled me back into a dark cavern between the trees. I kicked and flailed as the man pulled me back, hips crushing together as I used the leverage to try and free myself.
"Shh, stop it Rebel! You’re going to get yourself hurt," came Jax’s voice from the darkness. Jax. Not Grayson or Dominic or even the werewolf version of Marek. I let out a sigh of relief.
"Jax, why did you do that? You nearly gave me a heart attack." I scolded.
He shushed me again and whispered, "I’m trying to help you. They’re after you."
He grabbed my arm and yanked me down into a crouched position. I didn’t need to see the finger to his lips to know what he was saying. I held my breath, listening through the beat of my own heart as someone outside our hiding place searched for me.