BLEEDING SILVER

Chapter 20

Still wearing midnight blue pajamas, Alina heavily sighs at the seemingly jolly person in front of her porch. She faces the tall figure wearing ink black shorts reaching up to his mid-thigh and plain white V-neck shirt. The glimmer from his black eye orbs, hidden by the still darkened surroundings, gaze back at Alina's gray ones as he patiently expects for the female's reaction.

"Atlas," Alina finally recognizes the male's presence. "It's four in the morning."

"I am fully aware," Atlas grins as he pushes himself in the house. "Pardon my intrusion." He settles himself by the kitchen counter. Alina just silently tails him. "What's for breakfast?"

Alina pauses for a moment, as if in conflict of her thoughts, before replying, "I am not really in the mood to cook."

"I see," Atlas hums in reply as he continues, "then I will." He then begins to search for ingredients only to find none other than a bag of cereals and milk. "You haven't been restocking lately."

"Yeah," Alina timidly replied, still unsure as to why the male is staying here.

"Do you want to get changed first or later?"

Alina's eyebrow curled in confusion until she finally concluded her friend's thoughts. "I'll be upstairs for a while."

"Alright, take your time."

Before stepping away, Alina studies Atlas's demeanor once more. He was calm and collected. 'How could he stay like that?' she unconsciously whispers to herself. Alina's mind finally flooded with reasons as warm water gently flows on her pale skin. The images of last night once again bothered her.

"Stop being a liability. Just follow the alpha's orders."

She recollects the pain she felt behind Lucian's words. She understands it is for her sake but it agonizes her the more she reflects on it. 'It would not be his last words to me, right?' she selfishly murmurs, unsure whether her monologue was to comfort herself or to fill in her wishful thinking.

Alina walked downstairs with baby blue shirt and denim shorts. Her now calm eyes darted on Atlas's direction. "Well, you sure did take your time," he teased but immediately dropped the act when he saw the female's just-cried state. Atlas showed an ensuring smile as he approaches Alina. He reaches out an arm as he states in the gentlest voice he can, "My Luna, do you not trust their strength?"

Alina's eyes widened upon consuming Atlas's words. Her lips curved upwards, able to comprehend what the male was conveying. She reaches out the offered hand as she replies, "Of course, I do. They are the finest warriors after all."

The walk on the neighborhood was silent but soothing. Alina let the cool morning breeze against her warm face as her feet stride leisurely. It has been a while since she felt this comforting sensation take over—which is pretty unusual despite the situation their kin is against.

When they finally reached Fritz's residence, Alina sits on the sofa as she readies a movie while Atlas prepares for their food on the kitchen. She understood that it was Atlas's duty to keep her away from the raid, physically and mentally, so she deliberately dodged any news channel that might defy the male's purpose—she was not ready for it herself. Atlas, who was intently watching Alina's moves, was pleased by his Luna's consideration.

"What would you like for a drink?"

"Coffee, please."

"Alright."

"Are you okay with horror films?"

Atlas chuckles at Alina's mockery, "Bring it on."

The couple was set for a fine morning as they spend it on a movie marathon. As soon as noon came, Alina helped Atlas fix their lunch. They dined by the pool and played with water afterwards. In the late afternoon, Atlas challenged Alina to play games, which she happily obliged. Indeed, the day was designed to let Alina's worries off, thanks to Atlas's efforts. But reality hits her after dinner was served.

--

Chaos.

Catastrophe.

Havoc.

And everything in between.

The whole place is a wreck.

But it means that the final stronghold has finally been conquered.

Yells can be heard from various directions—both from joy of obtaining victory and misery of losing their comrades.

In the midst of the echoing battle cries were two of the three males said to spearhead the raid; eyes scouring the surroundings in search of the third.

"Has he been spotted yet?" the superior's tone was firm and low, his furious aura spreading wildly as the troupe fails to search for one of the founding members.

"Not yet, Commander," his subordinate emanated an equally worried bearing.

The hunt continued for a few more minutes until one of the lower ranks shouted, "He's here!"

Naturally, both males immediately responded to the call.

There lies a pool of silver liquid and a weakened body of a familiar male.

"Tend to his wounds!" This was the call of one of the generals. The medic instantly answered.

The males rushed to the either side of the fallen comrade, "Hang in there."

The injured male eyed his general as he flashes a sincere smile. His vision was getting blurry as his consciousness starts to eat him away. Every cherished memory dashed through his mind as he started to hallucinate. "My Luna."

The other male's face twitched in irritation upon hearing these words from a rival male but he instantaneously subdues the feeling as he leans forward, internalizing the possibly last words he might hear from his comrade. After a while, warm tears can be felt dropping against the already turning icy skin.

"As you wish."

--

For some unnerving reason, Alina wished to stay the already deep night on the Fritz's garden of lilies, to which Atlas allowed, thinking that the female needs some space.

The clear starry sky shows a full moon but in Alina's view, everything seemed dark and gloomy. She deeply inhaled the nostalgic lilies' scent as she prays to the moon goddess.

"Please, stay safe."

Meanwhile, Atlas senses presence from his front yard. He glances at the clock which says 2:08 AM. 'They are finally here', he utters to himself.

The host was overwhelmed as he welcomed an unusually terrifying expression from his two comrades. "Where is the Luna?"

"Backyard."

Atlas was about to follow the other male but was immediately stopped. "They need some time alone."

"Tell me this is not happening," Atlas's eyes pinned on the ground with a pained expression.

"I wish I could say the same."

--

There stands the Luna wishing for the protection of the moon goddess as the light illuminates her being.

Alina finally notices a presence behind her and another two by the far end of her vision.

Her heart raced, feeling mixture of emotions. Should she celebrate their return? Should she hug him?

But one thing instantly killed her thoughts as she spoke, "Where is Lucian?"