Moon's Call (Sample)

Chapter Twenty One

The next day, Theresa dabbed at Astrophel's arm with a wet rag and began to redress the cut which was already healing due to his Lycan attributes. Astrophel however glued his eyes to her face and she couldn't help being uncomfortable under his gaze that carried a lot of unspoken meaning.

"You've been watching me that way for long and I'm beginning to get nervous, Astrophel." She told him, without stopping nor meeting his eyes.

Astrophel suddenly looked away sheepishly. "Forgive my manners..." He said softly and glanced down at his arm which she was still redressing. "It's just that, I just can't help staring..." He paused and began tentatively. "You look rather too at peace despite what happened last night, Theresa."

"Should I be worried about Jeremy?" She asked, even though she knew what he was talking about. "I guess I'm safe for now, the heat season is still far off... So they shouldn't be back to devour me anytime soon."

"You know what I meant." Astrophel simply said.

Theresa met his gaze now and paused for a moment. "I have my mind made up, I told you that last night."

Astrophel nodded. "But you didn't say what you are going to do about it. You have been betrayed, you won't just sit there and do nothing about it, will you?"

"Am I supposed to drown your sister in the sea for spiting me or push Lycidas off a cliff or crack his skull open?" She asked, her temper and tone now rising. "No, I think not. It wouldn't do any good."

"Everyone knows that my sister has never had anything good for you before, Theresa. She will go any length to get what she wants and she already has her paws on Lycidas ...not that he was even good for you in the first place." He muttered the last part more to himself.

"And you..." Theresa began, having heard him. "What do you think of me? A baby sister that needs tending to or are you simply a shoulder to cry on because it seems that I'll be needing it any moment from now."

Astrophel sighed and held her hand from working on his arm and she looked up at him. He threw down his feet off the bed and stared into her eyes, still holding her hand. "I can't assure you that I'm the better mate for you, Theresa but I can assure you that I'll do better than Lycidas. We have grown connected to each other and I know you might feel the same way I feel about you."

"Is that why you have turned a blind eye to other females who are obviously interested in you?" She asked in slight surprise that he had confessed his feelings for her.

He nodded. "I'm myself with you...more at peace...more like I've found my better half...the other crescent that completes the moon."

"I'm mated!" Theresa reminded him and tried to continue working.

"To an omega who isn't even worth you!" He said. "That mule is so egocentric that he cares only about himself. Marrying him will only be a disaster and a series of heartbreaks, Theresa, and I don't want that for you, you deserve more than that."

Theresa shook her head. "Of course there is no denying what I will go through if I ever marry Lycidas, but I think-" She was suddenly cut off when Astrophel pressed his lips to hers and held her there with a deep kiss. He had been imagining how kissing Theresa would feel and here he was, doing so and he didn't feel like breaking this fortunate kiss even though she hadn't been expecting it. She also, however melted into his kiss, kissing him back in return until someone interrupted them from behind. They quickly broke the kiss when Stella cleared her throat at the doorway.

Stella swallowed hard and glanced from Astrophel to Theresa, feeling hurt and her eyes moistened. "Breakfast is ready." She simply announced and stomped away without another word, eager to be away from them.