A Moon Of Blood • Paul Lahote

Chapter Five

⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺ 

Cerise stood in the kitchen. Stirring the coffee in front of her over and over again. Her mind was lost in daydreams. The exhaustion finally catching up to her. She closed her eyes. The feeling of floating encasing her body. At that moment, she felt tired enough to fall asleep while standing. Swaying from side to side. Though the peace was short lived.

A knock at the door made her jump. The sudden adrenaline washed all tiredness from her body. She placed a hand over her now pounding heart, letting out a quick breath. She walked to the front door and swung it open to see two boys standing in front of her. She recognised Sam and his warm smile. He was holding a tray of what smelt like the most amazing cookies Cerise had ever smelt. "Sam?" She questioned. Her eyes flicked over to the boy next to him. 

Her breath caught in her throat for a moment. Heart somehow beating even faster. Her palms growing clammy and cheeks filling with the warmth of blood. Her eyes were glued to the beautiful man. Her eyes drifing down the shirt that clinged to every curve of his body. She was so distracted she missed Sam's wide smile as he glanced between them. Knowing exactly what just happened. "This is Paul," He introduced him. Cerise smiled at him, offering her hand out.

"I'm Cerise," The man smiled gently. 

"Nice to finally meet you," Even his voice sounded like music to her ears. He shook her hand. She stood back, letting them into the house. As they walked past, she bit her lip shaking her head, as though she was trying to shake the thoughts from her mind. 

"Emily baked you some cookies," The girl gladly took the tray with an excited squeak. She placed them on the coffee table, lifting up the foil. She offered the boys some and they gladly took them. She grabbed one herself, the warmth of the freshly baked goods surrounding her fingers. "We wanted to check up on you," 

Cerise felt her heart drop but mumbled a quick "Thank you," through the mouthful of cookie. Rhys jogged down the stairs. Wondering who his sister was talking to. He was treated by two men and his sister, who was holding a biscuit out to him. "Rhy, this is Sam and Paul. They're from the reserve,"

"Nice to meet you guys," Rhys warily said. He had never heard his sister speak of them. Then again, he and Cerise rarely had time to speak. Too busy caring for their father, working or trying to get some sleep. Rhys didn't fail to see the small glances that his sister and Paul seemed to be sharing. It made him realise how detached he had become from his little sister's life. "Can I get you guys a drink?" Rhys asked. The two nodded, and the four moved to the kitchen.

Cerise and Paul sat on the sofa while Sam and Rhys conversed in the kitchen. Cerise sat with her feet on the sofa; knees pulled to her chest. "How come I've never met you before?" Cerise asked her voice timid, messing with her fingers. The warmth radiating off him feeling like a hug. Not once did she look at Paul. "I've been to La Push beach loads of times," She continued. Ther eyes stook to her chipped nail polish.  

"I rarely go down there," Paul lied. Truth be told, he had just been unlucky enough never to be there when she was. He watched her now. The way the sun beamed through the window, bouncing off her skin. The way she curled into herself like she was afraid. Not of him. No. He'd seen the look she gave him when they first locked eyes. He prayed it was the look of her returning how he felt. The overwhelming desire to be with her. 

He couldn't. To protect her from the world enclosing around her, he had to keep her in the dark. Alpha's orders. He wanted nothing more than to tell her that she was his mate. Tell her who he was, who she hung around. What was watching her every night. A small part of him despised Sam for that. 

Sam had breifed the pack the night before. The report of a bloodsucker stalking an innocent teenager. It's the whole point as to why thier pack existed. Protect those who cannot protect themselves. Though Paul hadn't expected to imprint on the girl they were now watching over. 

"You should go more often," She couldn't avoid the small smile that crept on her face as she said that. Paul even more so. A low chuckle left him. Cerise looked at him. The two locked eyes once again. Her heart skipped a beat. She couldn't understand how she felt so safe and so comfortable around someone she had only met. Yet, she found herself drifting over to him. Lowing her legs and scooting over a bit. 

Rhys watched from the kitchen. Sam beside him. "How long have they known each other?" Rhys asked. Surprised at how close the two seemed. His brows pulled together as he studied the man sat next to his sister. Watching his everymove with narrowed eyes. 

"A couple of minutes," Sam chuckled. Rhys' head snapped to Sam. "Don't worry. Paul's a teddy bear. He won't lay a finger on her," It wasn't completely a lie. Paul was temperamental, to say the least. But he could feel the shift in emotions from Paul when he looked at Cerise. He had finally found his mate. He wouldn't lay a finger on her, but he'd rip apart anyone who dared to.

"He better not," Rhys mumbled under his breath. Sam smiled. Cerise had talked a lot of her older brother and his protective nature. 

The house was calm, small chatters exchanged between the pairs. 

An alarm sounded. The piercing sound sending waves of panic through the house. The sun now trapped behind clouds, and a whistling wind surrounding the house. It was like the weather was filled witht he same fear as them.

 The siblings instantly stood up and raced up the stairs. Feet slamming aginst the wooden ground. Paul and Sam followed closely. Sam pushed through to reach Rhys, who had entered their father's room. The man sounded as though he was choking. A wet gurgled sputter and cough. Sam instantly called an ambulance as Rhys rushed around, trying to gather what he could to ensure his father didn't die at that moment. "Get Cerise out of here!" He yelled. Sam gently moved the girl back as she struggled to get past him. Scratching and pushing at his arm.  

Tears streamed down her face as she screamed and hit Sam. Begging him to let her past. He looked to Paul who stood behind her, a look of pain crossing his face. Paul nodded and his strong arms spun her around, holding her to his chest. Cerise stopped fighting. Resting her head in the crook of Paul's shoulder. Her hands clinging to the frong of his shirt. He slowly lowered them both to the ground allowing her to curl into him as she cried. He held her close. Closing his eyes and resting his head atop hers.

The sirens crept closer. Piercing her ears. She squeezed her eyes shut, focusing on the sound of Paul's heartbeat, trying to keep the sound of death from her ears.

⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺ 

I finally decided on her love interest. Cerise and Paul are already so cute; I love them sm. If you like the story so far, consider leaving a vote, as it helps me understand what you guys like, and feel free to comment. I hope you all have an amazing day, and I'll see you again soon!

Updated: 04/02/25
Last Scene removed to be moved to another chapter, sentences added/improved.