Luna Rising

THIRTY-TWO

Real World - In the Forest of Castle Luna de Argent

Nick's warm embrace made my heart flutter like crazy. I thought I would never get the chance to be close to his body and heart again. But I can hear his beating heart thumping fast like a drum.

I giggle.

"Why are you giggling there?" Nick pulls us apart to make me look like I've gone crazy.

"Nothing!" I launch back at him and lay my head to rest on his chest, wrapping my arm tight around his waist. "I just love to hear your heart."

"Silly girl," he brushed my hair back to give me a light tickle on my neck. I giggled as I went back to cuddling him, wishing this was a dream.

It's real. Nick is real, and he is himself. My Nick is back, and that is all matters.

Nick then let out a low growl. I can hear and feel his chest vibrating. I look up and watch his eyes glow bright gold.

"Nick? What's wrong?" Worried that something is wrong.

"Lippy," his voice was raspy and deep with intention. "Get behind me."

"What?" I furrow my brows, confused. "Why? What's going on?"

"Just do it now!" Nick's voice wasn't scary. It sounded like he was scared.

But for what?

"Lippy, get behind me."

He pulls my arm with reflex and shoves me behind him. Suddenly black smoke appeared in front of us. We don't know what it is, but it makes Nick feel tense. I watch as the dark smoke swirl around, creating person-like magic.

This man appears tall, with spiky red hair and black eyes. He's wearing weird clothing as if they don't belong here, but he has many accessories and body piercings like those rockers.

Nick's growl volume up as I hear the word "demon" from his mouth.

"Who are you?" He snarls and asks the mysterious person.

"It seems the Queen of Fae had cast a powerful spell on you to look like that. The great power of the Fae Queen," the man huffed a chuckle. "Trying to ruin my plan, Little Alpha?"

"You did this?!" Nick roared, and my body flinched.

What is Nick talking about?

Who is this scary man?

Did something happen to me? But I feel fine.

"Now, we don't play the Blame Game; I'm guilty as charged." The man barks a laugh.

"I'm going to shred you to pieces, you demon!"

The man clicked his tongue and shook his head. "And how are you going to that with that little body?"

"I may be small, but I can still kick your ass," Nick taunts.

"How adorable," the man says calmly, then his full black eyes land on me. He pulls up a smile revealing his fangs. "I don't see why Lord Demir won't let me keep you. Your older self is breathtaking, but this tiny self of yours is remarkably a liking to my taste. But sadly, I can't. Killing you is much more enjoyable than keeping you as a pet." He licks his long snake tongue, and I feel a chill running down my spine.

I clutch onto Nick's shirt and tremble.

"Don't worry, Lippy," I look up at Nick, my eyes watered. "I won't let anything happen to you."

"Nick..."

"Lippy, listen to me," he turned and gripped my shoulders. "I will distract him, and you call my grandmother and the others."