The One

Full Moon: Part 2

 Once breakfast had concluded, the three of them headed back to Randale's house, only to be greeted by silence—an empty house. She fished her phone out of her pocket, her fingers flying over the screen as she dialled her parents, only to be met with disappointment each time.

Luka dashed into the living room, eager to watch his favourite cartoons, encouraged by his father's gentle urging, while she remained absorbed in her futile calls.

"Mummy, where are you? I called Daddy a few times and he didn't pick up, so I called you," Luka said, his voice filled with concern.

"Hmm," she responded absent-mindedly.

"What?! Wait. When?" Her heart raced as she halted in the middle of the staircase, her senses heightened. She hurried downstairs, moving towards the kitchen. "Wait, I'll go and check."

"Okay, I found it. Hmm. Okay. Have fun. Bye." She hung up, placing her phone on the kitchen counter, just as her mate appeared at the end, a cautious look on his face.

"Is everything okay?" he asked, his voice soft, laced with concern.

"Yes and no," she replied, keeping her tone neutral.

"Want to tell me about it?" In a soothing, caring manner, he edged closer to her, but his approach halted abruptly when their son entered the kitchen.

"Mummy, I want some pudding please!" Luka exclaimed, bouncing on his toes.

Before his mother could respond, his father interjected, "Let me get it for you." With a swift motion, he marched towards the refrigerator and retrieved the pudding.

"Here you go, buddy," he said, handing it over to his son, whose eyes sparkled with joy as he thanked his dad, rushing out of the room, leaving the two adults alone.

With the space between them now void, he stepped forward, concern etched on his features. "Love, you okay?" he asked, leaning in slightly as she focused on a message on her phone.

"Yes, I am, but I need you to do me a favour," she said, turning around only to nearly collide with his chin as they stood so close.

"Sorry, didn't notice I was standing that close to you," Arlo said, instinctively backing away.

"Whatever, you big-bodied child. Anyway, I need you to keep an eye on Luka by yourself, because apparently both of our parents are not at home, and they'll be back around nine or ten," she explained, showing him the content of the message.

'My Goddess, he stands near me and my body is in flame, what is wrong with me?'

Regaining his composure, Christian assured her, "Don't worry about that. We can take good care of our son."

"Really?! No complaints?" Her eyes searched his, reclaiming her wandering mind as she took a step back, instinctively seeking distance. His wounded expression struck a chord in her.

'Wait! Why does he sound sad and like a wounded child? And why the heck do I even care?!'

Shaking her head lightly to dispel the confusion, she refocused on Christian, who stood before her, his midnight-black eyes speckled with deep blue and framed in gold.

"You okay, mate?" he asked gently.

"Arlo? Can you do me another favour now? I need privacy," she said, her gaze intense.

"Done," he replied immediately.

With a sudden motion, she flung herself at Arlo, groaning, "Oh God!" He caught her easily, burying his face in her neck while inhaling her comforting scent, his presence enveloping her like a warm embrace.