The Blood and the Moon

Noah

"Noah, I can explain," Max said while climbing down to Noah.

"I don't want to hear it," Noah said walking away.

"Wait Noah!" Max yelled running over to Noah. Grabbing him he said, "let me explain, please." Max was out of breath and freaking out.

"So this is where you've been sneaking off to? Hooking up with a MONSTER?!" Noah screamed. He was fuming and didn't care what his brother said. Lily waited in the tree to let the brothers talk it out. 

"She's not a monster. She and I teamed up to end the war. We have a plan."

"How long has this been going on?" Noah growled.

"Weeks now."

Noah tried to punch Max, but Max grabbed his fist. Noah screamed some more.

"Please, Noah, just calm down. It's not as crazy as it seems. How did you find me anyways?"

"I've been wondering where you've been running off to every night, so I tracked your scent. She's going to stab you in the back I'm sure. You can't trust vampires. They have hurt our pack for decades."

"No she won't. She's different from the rest. I trust her and so can you."

Lily was happy to hear those words from Max. She felt a sense of security because of the trust they had for each other.

"Everything I've done has been for you," Max yelled at Noah. "I want you to live a normal life as a kid, and Lily is helping me make that happen. All we need to do is convince dad to stop fighting and agree to a treaty. I'll explain the details on the way back home, okay?"

Noah pouted like a child and rolled his eyes. 

"Hmph," was his response. He huffed and puffed for a moment before saying, "fine."

Max was way past annoyed and just tired of Noah's behavior. Max said goodbye to Lily and that they will meet again tomorrow night. He put his hand on Noah's back and pushed him in the direction of the Den. As they walked away, Lily disappeared into the woods. 

After a while, Noah's temper cooled down. As they were walking, Noah came to a stop.

"Max," Noah said, "I'm sorry for how I've been acting towards you lately. I realize now that you are just looking out for me. I'm sorry for giving you attitude. I actually want to help you and..."

"Lily."

"Lily. I'm also tired of hunting every night. Dad's real tough on me."

"You're the little brother. You get his softest side," Max said lightheartedly. His arm went around Noah's neck, making the brothers laugh.

They arrived at their house and greeted the Chief.

"Dad," Noah began, "we have something to tell you." Noah looked at Max to reassure him that he had his back.

"I've been talking to a vampire," Max said. He paused and prepared himself for his father's screams. Instead, the Chief said nothing and just stared at Max with daggers in his eyes.

"More than talking," Noah commented making Max scowl at him.

"I worked together to find a solution to end the war with no more bloodshed," Max continued. Silas Cade is planning to wipe out the rest of us, but Lily made a plan to take him out and take his place as ruler. Then she will make a peace treaty so that the werewolves and vampires can coexist. I just need you to agree to it."

Chief Haywood listened to Max ramble and didn't even hear a single word. He only heard a traitor.

"HOW DARE YOU!" he screamed. "And how dare you get your little brother involved in this!"

"It's okay dad," Noah said. "I trust Max and if he trusts Lily then so do I."

"Leave, both of you. I want you OUT of this house!" 

Max didn't even try to reason with his father. He knew that when he got this angry, there's no changing his mind. He grabbed Noah and left the house. They were both disappointed but there was nothing they could have done. They still had time to change the Chief's mind.

When Lily got back into her chamber, she grabbed the chemical mixture from her drawer and prepared it in a syringe. When Silas went down for his nightly nap, she sneaked through the hallways and stairs until she got to the lord's room. She used sleight of hand on the lock to quietly open it. There he was, Lord Silas Cade, laying in his king bed in his grand bedroom decorated with centuries old art and gold. He was so still. Lily stealthily stepped one foot in front of the other. Her gentle steps seemed to work. She knelt on the floor beside his bed ready. She slowly moved the syringe to his neck and then-

"I know what you're doing Lilith," said Silas.

Lily froze like ice. She couldn't move nor breathe. Silas sat up and turned to Lily. She expected him to be furious but instead he grinned at her. His eyes looked maniacal like Lily was food. She feared what he was going to do to her.

"Nissa told me all about it," he said.