The Luna's Fated Choice

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine: Shadows Of The Past 

Darius is at the edge of the forest having taken a moment for isolation. He stares up into the shining moon and wants the Mother Goddess to rain down the answers that he needs. Although Kiadaria is at his side, he feels the heat of her womanly form, his mind is bound to his deep thought. 

"Is everything okay?" Kiadaria quizes. "You seem very troubled." 

Darius tries to pivot as he shifts his gaze to her. There are things he wants to say but doesn't know if he can. He still fears that Kiadaria may desire her old life with Joshua and doesn't want to push her toward that decision. "We've made a lot of changes. It's only the weight of being Alpha on me. I also know the threat of Rising Moon is very real. Joshua has been quiet but it won't last." 

She knows that he is holding something back. Kiadaria's eyes become slants but she looks out at the beautiful night sky. "We will handle it all together. The warriors are quick learners and have become better every day. I am proud of them." She then takes his face in her hands kissing him softly. "I am proud of you and we got this." 

His smile is brittle and thin. "Thank you my Luna. I really appreciate you." 

However the silence that comes after his words tells a foreboding notion of unspoken secret and hidden worries. Kiadaria tries to shake the feeling knowing that despite the mate bond, things are still complicated between them. She hopes that their mating will solve some of that but she's been too chicken to bring up the mating ceremony to Darius. 

As they return to the Alpha house, Darius doesn't realize his silence as the memory of a moment that shaped his entire future plays in his mind. He wants to tell Kiadaria about it but he can't risk turning her against himself. 

He remembers a moment where he saw Kiadaria as a young girl. She held a lot of the strength and commanding presence she has now, but softer and she stood next to a towering male with convicting blue eyes...Joshua. 

Darius quickly attempts to rid himself of the memory going any further. Already the guilt he feels makes his heart crumble as he remembers the way he longed to possess her. He remembers some of the cryptic dreams she inspired. Darius wants to focus on the now, as he feels Kiadaria may be ready to take their union to the next level and he so badly wishes to make love to her and to see his mark on her neck. However, the past drapes like a fresh winter's snow over his thoughts. 

Kiadaria is sure that something more than she can understand is bothering Darius. She puts her hands on his shoulders and feels his hands touch her hips. "What is wrong? "

"I promise, it's just me being tired. We're working hard and I know it'll pay off in the end. It's been a long day."  He's smiling but Kiadaria doesn't feel the gentle warmth that his smile usually brings. 

Choosing not to spoil the evening, Kiadaria doesn't press the issue. They enter the main house and the lively energy inside instantly fills the silence between them, but Darius is still in the battle of the intruding past, his burning secret, and worry. 

Lyra's eyes collide with Darius and for a moment they simply stare at one another. There is a noticeable tension between them. 

Kiadaria can't ignore the body language between the two. "Lyra, is there an issue?"

Lyra all but rolls her eyes, but conceals her disrespect. "With all of the new changes, members are feeling a bit of unease. We are worried about the safety of the pack." 

Darius remains silent but the way he stares at Lyra seems to be very intense. Kiardaria doesn't know what the issue is but it's something she plans to press later. The night continues and they host the members of the pack. Kiadaria tries to engage with Darius but he's simply not himself. He answers with one word replies. He doesn't smile often and when he does, Kiadaria can tell the smile isn't genuine. 

Later on, when they are alone, Kiadaria enters Darius' room and confronts him. "What is your problem? You haven't been yourself." 

He sighs and it's the first time Kiadaria feels that Darius is upset with her. "Look, I told you that I'm tired." 

She makes a face and looks at home sideways and is a bit annoyed. "Darius, why are you lying? This isn't you. What is it?" 

Darius takes a deep breath that reveals is anger. When he looks at her, having been avoiding her gaze, she sees his annoyance flashing within the dark depths. "Look can't you just leave it alone!" 

The air shifts around them as the eight of Darius' past cast a shadow that blocks the light of the good feelings they've felt. 

"What are you keeping from me?" Kiadaria's voice is quiet and thin. "I thought...we would tell one another anything." 

His jaw was clenched but her words appear to make him question whatever is making him act like this. "I'm not hiding anything. This is me stressed...it's pack business and that's all." 

"He's hiding something, but what?" She questions herself. The thought in her mind and unspoken. 

As she stares at Darius, it's like a memory tries over lay the present. She doesn't trust that it's a memory as she's had these strange dreams as of late- a promise but she can't make out the words, a pair of sincere and intense blue eyes...

Joshua's eyes...

What does it mean? Why is it Joshua has suddenly come to mind?

Darius grabs her by her hips and kisses her with sensual passion. " Let's focus on the right now. Everything from the past and everything tomorrow, we can't change but we can take every step." 

There are many questions she wants to ask. She needs answers as she will not ignore that Darius is hiding something. Mate bond or no matebond, Joshua never lied or hid secrets and Kiadaria will not accept the behavior from Joshua. 

Before she can voice her thoughts and probe further. A loud crash reaches their ears and the sound of howling and snarls follow. Darius growls deeply. 

"We will talk, I need to go to gather my team." He kisses her a final time and exits the room. 

Kiadaria is left to consider the things that have happened and her thoughts. She is filled with doubt that Darius has shown his true personality. Shadows lurk in every thought and emotion. 

The past refuses to fade away, leaving the present full of confusion and doubts, with the future in the delicate position of wager. 

(Weekly update: Thu, Aug 8, 2024 2/2)