The Royal Alpha, & Loyal Luna

33. I Welcomed the Challenge .

Between the voice in my head and leaving my flanks to debate the best plan of attack, I was having a hard time finding any sound sleep. And in all honesty, I missed my golden bed that caressed my body nearly as good as Grey.

"Where are you going?" Gio perked up, realizing I was moving across the small room with a blanket wrapped tightly around my shoulders.

"Patio. And I'd liked to be left alone."

"As you wish." Even though his words told me he'd stay put, he looked as if he were going to skyrocket straight through the roof.

"As you were then." I slid the door to the patio closed behind me.

The moon was so big and round tonight.

I felt as though I had been sucked through time, able to see the moon in its glory without the distortion of human filth and pollution, as it was many years before I was even born. I could see its craters and crevices, the off-colored tones in its shades, and the unique weathering of its sphericalness from the universe itself.

What a beauty it was and how beautiful it must be, to simply be prayed to, loved and adored by just.. being. It tightened my chest to know the one person I wanted to bask in this moment with was not here.

I looked down at my wolven. Though I had not officially accepted, I hadn't taken it off or cursed the thought.. I prayed upwards he knew what that'd meant.

My fiancé.. Are you watching the moon tonight too, babe?

Tears formed in the corner of my eyes. "I wish I could share this with you.."

I turned quickly, hearing the rustle of bushes too heavy to simply be an animal.

"..Grey?" Though I knew it too good to be true.

The voice that resonated through the shadows was far different than my Alpha's. "Luna Nova Du Val of Aureate Moon."

I took a stance that showed I meant more than business. Maybe after tomorrow I would be able to grieve for the things I'd done and will do, but tonight I would kill with no hesitation. The blanket slowly drifted off my shoulders, falling at my bare feet as I shifted to face him.

"Who are you? And quick, before you lose a limb." My eyes glared over and I knew they'd reflected.

"Follow me if you wish an answer to your request."

The only thing that kept me from charging the man I knew was a wolf, was that he smelled oddly the same as.. me. And I knew it wasn't because he was a halfbreed, he wasn't. It was something even more tragic.

"You've wulphed in your system." It wasn't a question, but he answered anyway.

"Correct. Now that I have answered a question of yours, Luna Nova Du Val of Aureate Moon, answer one of mine. Will you follow me for the answer to your request or not?" His voice was almost serene, tranquil. Though the undertone made me well-aware to not take him lightly.

"Where is Minette?" I half-expected her to arrive with a crown atop her pinned updo, a white yet bloodied gown, and a collar made of all those she loves teeth just to show their value to her. None.

"Our Princess-"

"Not a princess of mine." I stepped closer. "She couldn't come herself to accept, so she sends another one of her puppets. How pathetic." I knew that a part of me was baiting him. I welcomed the challenge.

"I was told not to kill you, even knowing you dare think to harm the Lady. My Lady."

Another wrapped around her finger.