Instinct {The Half Moon Chronicles}

Chapter 7.

Chapter 7.

{2 years later.}

The sun shone down brightly, lighting up the glade with glittering rays. A warm breeze rustled through the meadow, warming me, yet also making me shiver. The serene atmosphere around me was where I had found comfort for a few years. If I ever needed to be alone or feel calm, this time place would be my solitude. Without it, and the only thing that was familiar, I don't know who I would be. I could have lost myself to the rage and hatred that once almost consumed me. It had been difficult to conceal it, but I had managed so I could be free.

When I thought back to the time I was younger I wondered if I could ever had contemplated this life. For so long it had felt like I'd been running, yet I never moved. For so long I felt like I'd been fighting, but I was only fighting a losing battle with myself. A part of myself I over time learned to give into. It was not an easy battle; I did not lose it. Only become triumphant in different ways.

Lifting my heavy eyelids, I briefly glanced towards the retreating horizon. The sun was setting. Bleeding into the sky. The warm body beneath me made me feel safe and warm. Whilst my head rested on their chest, it rose with every breath as listened to their heart beating. Soon we would have to head back. Closing my eyes, I let the light caress my body, and soothe my aching soul. Purifying it. The thought of leaving made me upset but our time out here had been worth it. A bird chirped in the distance, and I smiled. Being enclosed by nature was where I felt at home. The body beneath me sighed.

"Do you ever miss him? I know what he did was terrible, horrific. There is no denying that. But I did know him since I was nine, we practically grew up together. In all these years I've known him, I never dreamed he'd do something so unforgivable. Yet I still miss him. He was my closest friend, yet I never really knew him at all." They said to me as their index finger traced patterns on my arm. Their other arm was wrapped securely around my shoulders, hand splayed on my shoulder blade.

"Sometimes I imagine what we'd be doing right now. If he didn't kill my family. We'd still be there. We'd still be happy." I told him.

Noah let out a drawn out breath. "That is true. But if that happened, you'd be with him. We wouldn't be together."

I leaned my head back to look into his eyes, shining with hidden pain. "Of course we would be. My heart would have always found its way to you, Noah."

Smiling, he leaned down and kissed my forehead. "I love you, Ash."

"I love you too."

{before}

Twelve snarling jaws faced us, their eyes twinkling in the darkness. The leader, a russet brown wolf glared at us, teeth bared. His golden eyes glowed as they scanned between me and Noah. We had been running for hours. My feet were aching, as were my shoulders from carrying my heavy bags. Noah had offered to carry them for me but I refused. Panting, I shuffled closer to Noah. I sensed we were not welcome here. We were so lost, running aimlessly, only trying to escape. Then we had stumbled into another pack's territory. We had been to a few others who had all turned us away, whether calmly or aggressively. In their eyes, we were rogues. It could be seen that way. Maybe we were traitors, but I'd rather be a traitor and free from the Lupus Nox Pack than shackled and trapped with murderers.

I exchanged a look with Noah, and we prepared to back away when the wolf growled. My head snapped back to him, prepared for him to attack but instead he barked to a wolf on his right and retreated. Calmly, I tried not to panic as we waited. A few minutes later we heard shuffling in the trees and let out a breath of relief as the Alpha returned. This time in his human form. He wanted to talk.

Prepared for a fight either way, I glanced him up and down. He was a younger Alpha, around twenty five, with short black hair and very tanned skin. He was quite muscled, which I couldn't help but notice as he only wore shorts. As he slowly walked towards us, his golden eyes dimmed and faded back to brown. It was the first time I had seen that happen with an Alpha. Usually their eyes were constantly gold, it came with the gene. It was passed down much like the title. This Alpha was elected by his pack, not born into it.