Secrets

Chapter 37 : change of heart (past event) part three

Rea's P.O.V

The moon was out this lovely night, and so were the northern lights. I sat on the mountain's ledge waiting for Vulcan. It had been two moons since I met the Flareon, and now we're good friends. I looked at my reflection on a shard of ice; I quickly took a few licks at my chest fur to try and smooth it out. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a crush on Vulcan.
The Flareon had said there was something he wanted to talk to me about, and I was a nervous wreck. My mom, Cora, was completely unaware of my relationship with the Flareon, and Vulcan had never met Cora. I hardly talked about her. 'How can I? What would he think about her?... what would he think of me?'
"Rea!" I flicked my ear and turned my attention to the fluffy Flareon, his orange fur almost looked blue in the moonlight. "Vulcan... you came." I purred, and he had a look of amusement on his face. He then padded up to me.

"You thought I wouldn't?" he asked, but his voice held a teasing edge. I blushed a little as he settled next to me, his fur brushing against mine, and I noticed those amber eyes lingering on me. ".. .you look stunning tonight, Rea." he breathed, and my face heated up even more. I shoved him playfully. "Stop it! You're exaggerating." I laughed, and he purred, but that look never left his face. "I am not, Rea. You're so beautiful, and I hope you know that," he said again. I felt my heart flutter as we met each other's gaze. I shuffled my paws nervously. "Um... you said you had something to tell me?" I asked, trying to change the topic, and his ears flicked. Now I noticed he looked nervous. "Oh, right... yeah, I... I do," he said, then turned his whole body to face me. "Rea... I have been meaning to say for a while now — you're an amazing Glaceon, you're smart, beautiful, and I, well, I like you. I'd like to take you out," he confessed, his eyes showing a bit of fear as he asked, "Will you go out with me?" I felt my breath hitch at the question. I wanted to say yes, but how would my mom react to me dating? "Vulcan... I..." I felt the words get stuck in my throat, and I hated the sad look on his face, as if he already knew I'd say no. I decided my mom would just have to accept this. "Yes, I would love to," I confessed, and the tension in Vulcan's shoulders eased.

Everything felt so right, so how did it go so wrong?

*****

Six moons later

I watched as Cora and Hydro huddled close together, whispering about something I couldn't hear. They sat by the ice river; Cora had a focused expression, her brow furrowed as Hydro seemed to be explaining something important to her. I let out a sigh; I didn't want to be here. I wanted to be with Vulcan. We have been seeing each other for some time now, and I think things are getting serious, but I don't know how Cora will take it... When I tell her I'm planning on leaving with him. Vulcan also has questions about Cora; he still hasn't met her, but now he knows a little about her. He thinks she's controlling, and maybe he's right. Cora and Hydro were wrong about most things. Other mons are nice. The world can be cruel, but it can also be beautiful. "Rea!" My ears twitch, and I feel my heart pounding with sudden dread.

Cora and Hydro flinched from where they sat; both turned quickly in surprise toward the source of the voice. I frowned as I looked to see the Flareon; he appeared cheerful. 'I told him to stay away from here, I warned him that Hydro is a fierce Vaporeon who attacks first and questions later.' Cora's single eye narrowed at him. "...Who are you? And what are you doing here?' she growled low and threatening. The Flareon then ran up to me; I noticed Cora's fur spike up like needles as she watched his movements. I felt scared of what might come next. My mother didn't take kindly to strangers, and surely she'd kill Vulcan just for gazing at me. The Flareon was blissfully unaware of the dangers—dangers I've never fully spoken about, the truth I've known for a long time.
But Cora was my mother,
and I loved her. I've lied to myself about what she and Hydro were, and they were murderers.
Hydro, I have witnessed a brutal kill someone who got too close to our den, and I'm not sure whether it was out of fear of what happened to him back in the town of Burnt Leaf, or if it was for the joy of tearing flesh with claws. It sickens me, but I find myself still trying to deny it—that Cora and Hydro have fucked-up views of the world. Truth be told, I started to notice this after I began getting close to Vulcan. The other mons don't behave like them; I always thought that was normal.