The Protected Luna

Reconciliation

Artemis

Caroline and I spent the rest of the afternoon out in the woods, lying in a leafy heap on the edge of a cliff that overlooked the ocean. This was a special place that held deep significance, for both Dimitri and myself. It was the place where he was about to commit suicide on the night we met. In this very place he was about to leap to his death when he heard  Caroline's howl.

He brought me here many times before, in our human form and our wolf form. Sometimes we would lie in the grass and nap in the sun, or simply stare out at the ocean, snuggling and simply enjoying each other's company.

Now I was all alone. Caroline had blocked off our communication, not out of spite or anger, but because I asked her to. It was a means of protection, where she will be shielded from my grief, and I from hers. In this way, we will get a chance to grieve by ourselves, without letting our anguish out and subsequently overwhelming the other.

This shouldn't be so, but there was no alternative. I refused to inflict any more sorrow on my wolf than I already have. She didn't deserve me as her human. She deserved someone stronger and more competent than I was. She deserved someone who could stand up for herself without succumbing to an aftermath of tears and self loathing.

With a sigh, I stood on all fours and shook my fur out. The sun had long since  lowered behind the horizon, replacing the blue sky with an inky black. Before it gets any later, we should head back to the packhouse. Not because we were afraid of the dark, but because if we didn't return by a certain time, everyone will be worried. And Dimitri will send a search party to look for us.

And believe me, that was the last thing I wanted.

Turning to face the other direction, we began running back the way we came. When we arrived at the packhouse, I went to the back where I kept an emergency change of clothes. I shifted and hastily slipped on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. Running my fingers through my hair, I let out a sigh and went inside.

In the living room, Bria and Alessandro were playing a game of chess, Mom was showing Everice how to crochet and Vincent was playing with Daniel. Deidre and Uriel weren't around thankfully,  and neither was Dimitri. I was glad he wasn't. My emotions were all over the place and I couldn't bear to face him like this, only to start crying and embarrass myself again.

"Checkmate! I win!" Bria exclaimed jubilantly.
"What, again? Come on baby, go easy on me. This is the third time in a row you've beaten me," Alessandro whined.
"Every wolf that was born in Moon Beam Pack can play chess since the age of six. Including me," she said as she gathered up the pieces and got up off the floor. "you'll never beat me."
"Doesn't mean I'll stop trying until I do," he scoffed.

Bria giggled and raised her head to kiss him on his lips. He immediately forgot about his loss and kissed her back. Seeing them so intimate together, I felt my heart sink in my chest, wishing Dimitri and I weren't so far apart.

With a lethargic sigh, I started to walk upstairs. I was dirty, tired and hungry. All I wanted was to go to my room, take a hot shower, get something to eat and crawl under my blankets to sleep.

I managed to get to the Alpha's Chambers without anyone seeing me. Opening the door, I stepped in and was met with complete darkness. The lights were off, the windows were closed and the curtains pulled. As I had enhanced vision and could see very well in the dark, I didn't bother to switch on the light.

Walking to our closet I grabbed a pair of panties, a silky purple pajama shorts and a T-shirt. Stepping into the bathroom, I got in the cubicle and turned the faucet on hot. After I scrubbed every inch of my body, I got out and changed into my clothes. With a drowsy yawn, I walked back outside and shut the door.