Bound by the Blood moon

Chapter 9

Charlotte partook of her meal, driven by a desire to appease Leo's vigilant gaze, yet her own hunger roared with a ferocity she rarely experienced. "I must attend to an urgent matter," she declared abruptly, rising from her chair with a swift motion.

Leo's keen eyes followed her to the far end of the tavern, suspicion tightening his brow as he watched her engage with a local gentleman. She cast a playful smile and a flirtatious glance that momentarily ensnared his attention, drawing Lilias's anxious gaze toward Leo. His fists clenched, and his jaw became a hard line of agitation. A chilling flash of yellow luminescence glinted in his eyes, making Lilias nervous. In that moment, she realised with dismay that she had failed to caution Charlotte about the fierce and possessive nature that often characterised a lycanthrope's affection toward their chosen mates.

Meanwhile, Charlotte's lips curled in a wily grin as she conversed with the man before her. He differed greatly from her customary suitors—an unwed youth, strikingly handsome, rather than the faded respects of married men seeking momentary thrills. Amusement danced in her eyes; often mistaken for a toffer, she did indeed barter her companionship for sustenance, her true nature concealed behind a veil of discretion.

"Would you care for a drink, my dear Beatrice?" he enquired, his voice held a charming lilt.

"No, thank you, Giles," she replied, dismissing the notion with a wave, for she perceived he would not do. Before either of them could continue, a figure loomed over them, stealing the light and casting an angry shadow on the table.

"Pray cease this trifling behaviour," Leo said sternly.

"I beg your pardon, good sir," Giles retorted, his expression of wounded pride only served to heighten his allure to Charlotte. "Beatrice and I are engaged in a discourse. Do not be so churlish, sir."

"Beatrice," he repeated, casting a puzzled glance at Charlotte. She averted her gaze, preserving her innocent pretence. "I have no time for such frivolous matters. Let us depart... Beatrice." He said, fixing her with an expectant stare.

"Sir," Giles commenced, but the words faltered as Leo's hand slammed against the table with a force that made the wood tremble, drawing the attention of startled patrons.

"I have endeavoured to be polite to you, but you are sorely testing my patience to its very limit," Leo warned dangerously. "I advise you to refrain from further speech or I may be compelled to take actions rather unseemly."

Charlotte could sense the fury emanating from him. She caught the glint of yellow in his eyes and realised that Giles was a mere breath away from Leo wreaking havoc upon this establishment, and himself. With a gentle touch, she placed her hand upon his, and he closed his eyes, savouring her soothing caress. "Let us depart," she said, her eyes meeting his as he opened them. He nodded.

"I most sincerely apologise for the inconvenience, Giles," Charlotte intoned as she trailed after Leo.

Giles, now equal parts perplexed and alarmed, grasped her arm. "You cannot be so foolish as to depart with him; clearly, he is unhinged."

His words cemented the fact that most humans were blissfully unaware of creatures like them that lurked in the shadows. They were mere phantoms of folklore, conjured to frighten wayward children or recounted by brave souls who claimed to have survived encounters with darkness in the dead of night. Vampires and werewolves meticulously maintained their separateness, for those among humanity who intertwined their lives with mere mortals took great care to conceal their true identities.

"I assure you, Giles, I am fully capable of leaving with him," Charlotte replied defiantly, wrenching her arm from his grasp. He hesitated, but soon found himself caught in Leo's iron hold.