Children of The Moon Chronicles: Echo (Book I)

Chapter 13

Altus visited us the next day, bringing warm bread and ale with him. We ate and drank ravenously, it had been our most satisfying meal for months.

The cold become bearable once our bellies were full.

Altus watched us with fascination, as if we were some odd creature that he’d just discovered.

“It’s impolite to stare.” Iyanna scolded him sternly.

“Sorry, I just can’t help it. It’s just that… I’ve never been able to talk to shape-shifters before and you three are so… different.” He apologized sheepishly.

Iyanna just snorted before turning away from him.

“Sorry.” He repeated.

“It’s okay. Thank you for the food, we really needed it.” I said sincerely.

“But can you help us, Altus?” Alex asked.

Altus was silent for a while, judging from his expression, I could see that he was still undecided.

“Were you born a Hunter?” I inquired.

Altus nodded before asking why.

“Then, I understand if you won’t be able to help us. What you’ve done today is already a big help, thank you again, Altus.” I said before standing up and offering my hand in a handshake.

He stared me in surprise, his eyes going from my hand to my face.

Then, finally he stood up and took my hand.

“I’ll help you, let us now make our plans.”

He said, his eyes shining with determination.

I smiled.

Hunters and shape-shifters were born to hate each other and yet here we are, two people from rival groups, working together.

I just hope that everything will work out fine.

“He’s going to betray us!” Iyanna stamped on the ground, making a dent on the snow as she did so.

I could see the anger in her face, her eyes were fierce and her fists were clenched tightly on her sides.

“I think he’s sincere in helping us.” Alex said calmly, unaffected by her anger.

Up above us, the sky had already started to darken and a few stars were already out, the temperature was dropping again and we were hungry again and it affected our tempers.