Loving The Traitor (A Luke Castellan Love Story)[BOOK ONE]

Chapter 2 - Three Years of Secrets

Three Years of Secrets

The night air was crisp, carrying with it the whispers of the lake as its waves gently lapped against the camps shore. Underneath the starlit sky, I found myself wandering, drawn to the beauty of Camp Half-Blood at night.

As I strolled along the lake's edge, I spotted a solitary figure illuminated by the soft moonlight. It was Luke, his silhouette dancing against the water as he practiced sword fighting with focused determination. His movements were fluid, each swing of his blade a testament to his skill and dedication.

I hesitated for a moment, watching him in admiration, before deciding to approach. With each step, the crunch of gravel underfoot echoed in the quiet night. As I drew closer, I could see the intensity etched into his features, the flicker of concentration in his eyes.

"Hey there, lone warrior," I called out, trying to mask the nerves that tingled within me.

Luke startled, his sword halting mid-swing as he turned to face me. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, his eyes brightening at the sight of me. "Elana," he greeted, his voice carrying warmth and affection. "What brings you out here at this hour?"

I shrugged, offering a sheepish grin. "Just couldn't sleep. Thought I'd take a walk and clear my head. What about you? Training under the stars?"

He shrugged, sheathing his sword as he stepped closer. "Something like that. Helps me unwind, you know?" I nodded as we fell into easy conversation, like we always did.With each passing moment, the tension melted away, replaced by a comfortable familiarity that bound us together. I found myself drawn to him in ways I couldn't explain, the connection between us sparking like the stars above.

But as the night wore on and fatigue crept in, I sighed, "Well, its' pretty late. We should head in now."

Luke's expression turned serious, his gaze searching mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

"It's not fair, you know," he murmured, his voice tinged with frustration.

Confusion flickered across my features. "What's not fair?"

"This," he gestured between us, "its been three years." his words heavy with unspoken emotion. "Keeping secrets, pretending like there's nothing between us."

I felt my heart stutter, the truth hanging heavy in the air between us. I never imagined Luke would share my feelings, never dared to hope for something more.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, though the flutter of butterflies in my stomach betrayed me.

He stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. "Elana, I—" His words were cut short as he leaned in, his lips hovering dangerously close to mine.

And then, in a moment of panic, I blurted out the words I had been thinking since I first met him. "We could be siblings, you know."

The effect was instantaneous. Luke's expression twisted with disbelief, his features contorting in anger as he pulled away. "Don't say that," he snapped, his voice laced with frustration. "The whole god's claiming their kids thing is annoying. And you know, maybe everyone in camp is related anyway."

The words hung between us, heavy with implications and unspoken truths. And as the silence stretched on, I couldn't help but wonder if some secrets were better left buried.

About a week passed, the days blending into a blur of training sessions and camp activities. But it was during breakfast one morning that everything changed.

As I sat at the table, lost in thought, a voice broke through the chatter around me for the fourth time that morning. "Damn, you look pretty today, Elana."

I glanced up, meeting the gaze of a fellow camper, their expression filled with admiration. I looked around, thinking maybe the Hermes Cabin was playing a prank on me, when suddenly a rush of warmth flooded through me, accompanied by a sensation of lightness as if I were floating on air. 

I looked down, my eyes widening in awe as I beheld the gown that adorned me—a breathtaking creation of pristine white, adorned with delicate seashell designs that shimmered like pearls in the sunlight. I also felt the ichy feeling of make-up on my face.

Whispers rippled through the crowd as the other campers took notice, their voices hushed in reverence. And then, as if by some unspoken command, they knelt before me, their actions a gesture of respect and awe.

In that moment, I realized the truth that had been hidden within me all along. I had been claimed by Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, and with her blessing, I was reborn anew. My cheeks were on fire as the boys sized me up and down, but there was only one I was looking for. I locked eyes with Luke and he grinned.