Against Devil

22 - Red Moon

If someone told me a week ago I'd be voluntarily walking into Alpha Xander's territory—home of all things broody, blood-stained, and emotionally constipated—I'd have laughed, probably while bleeding out.

But here I was.

Fully clothed, marginally healed, and sent as the Council's "official liaison" to check on the imprisoned demon-turned-sociopath we all had the pleasure of beating into submission.

Gideon.

Currently caged beneath Xander's estate like some cryptid exhibit.

Apparently, since Xander was the second-oldest Alpha of the bloodlines—and not to mention freakishly disciplined—he'd been chosen to house the prisoner. A "secure environment," they said.

Right. Because nothing screams safe like keeping a murder machine under the floorboards and another murder machine walking right on these floorboards.

Still, I had a job to do. Check on Gideon. Report back. Try not to punch anyone.

"Try" being the key word.

I arrived at Red Moon Pack, which I still don't know the origin of its name. 

As I stepped into the front hall of the estate—because mansion is too basic a word for this carved-from-stone fortress—I was greeted by none other than her.

Human. Curvy. Big eyes. Pretty face. A little too quiet.

Nefeli.

Xander's mate.

She stood at the base of the staircase like a ghost trying to cosplay as a First Lady.

"Hi," she said, voice soft, polite. "You're Bella, right?"

"That's me," I replied, scanning her quickly. "You look like someone who hasn't slept since mating season."

She blinked. "I—uh..."

"I meant that in a supportive way," I added, patting her arm. "We've all been there. Blood, chaos, murder husbands. Love wins."

Nefeli gave a fragile smile, clearly unsure whether to laugh or cry.

Poor girl, went from human socially-havened living into animal kingdom—just because she was fated.

I feel bad for people that had no choice.

But she was also beautiful, wearing a dress long enough to reach her knees, curly hair soft around her waists—she looked healthy. Controlled.

"Mind coming with me?" I asked.

She nodded softly.

"How have you been so far? I know it's a sudden change for you, from human world to here."

"You want an honest answer or a lie?" she asked.

"Truth."

"I'm still adjusting. Still not liking the way I ended up here."

"Xander is one of the older Lycans. Imagine how drastic it was for him to meet you and not want to rip you away for himself straight away."

"But I'm not a werewolf to understand that..."

"But aren't all mortal girls supposed to want that?" I teased.

She went quiet and gave me a look that said, 'How would you know that?'

Nefeli led me through the carved stone halls of Xander's estate, her steps quiet but precise. She had the air of someone trying very hard to hold it together, even if her insides were probably doing gymnastics.