She thought back to their time at the market and then the morgue. Caleb had shown his true disgust and disdain for her, but he had quickly apologized and assuaged the problem. She had believed him. She knew Caleb's betrayal was possible. Just to verify she spoke to her lover once more, "He wouldn't lie to me. How do you know that?" She looked up at him
He was sneering at her. "Come with me now." He demanded.
She slipped her feet into her Powder Blue Velvet slippers and followed him out of the tent. She couldn't understand why he was so upset. Yes, Caleb had lied to her, but it wouldn't be detrimental to their plan. Caleb was an inconsequential bleep. Wasn't he? By the look on her lover's face, he wasn't.
He walked much faster than her. She almost tripped over her robe. He slowed his pace and then stopped in the middle of the camp. Amaruq looked at Luna then. He sensed her fear.
His hard gaze softened towards her. "Forgive me, my Luna. I would never hurt you. You know that." He calmly reassured her. "I need to show you something. I'm sure you will want to see it."
She examined his demeanor and decided he was genuine. Amaruq continued holding her hand as he walked them towards the carriage. Three of his men were already on horses. The only female in the group held the reins to Amaruq's horse. Luna thought he would put her on his steed, but instead, he escorted her to the carriage and assisted her inside.
"Trust me, my love," Amaruq said before leaving to get atop his horse.
Seconds later, they were on a short carriage ride. Later, they arrived at the place where it all began for Luna. She was home. Looking at the small one-room cottage in the woods. It had never occurred to Luna that Amaruq would know where her old home was.
Memories of her old life here tried to flood her consciousness, but she wouldn't allow it. Those memories had a level of pain inside of them that could make her behavior unpredictable, at times, and were probably a big reason she and Amaruq made such a wonderful couple.
Right now, as much as she wanted to reminisce, Luna knew Amaruq had brought her there for a reason. As much as she cared for him, Luna still looked out for herself first. The carriage had come to a halt.
A few seconds later, Amaruq was there assisting her out of the carriage and through the overgrown yard. They walked down the dirt pathway towards her old place. What could possibly be here? She wondered as he assisted her once more. This time it was up the wooden steps and onto the porch.
Amaruq took a knife out of his pocket and jimmied open the door. It popped open. The door and swung inside. Luna looked at Amaruq. He was smiling at her.
She still felt this was awkward. Luna didn't want to go inside. So many old ghosts and demons lived there. Having Amaruq by her side made it a little easier to cope with them. Amaruq placed his hands on her shoulder and then looked directly into her eyes.
He could see her fear. Her demons still haunted her. Amaruq had no choice but to respect it.
"I promise you, I am here. My dear, Luna. Come." He took her by the hands.
She looked around. His goons were still sitting on their horses. Luna followed him inside. She examined the small space. It was bare except for the cot made out of grass in the furthest corner away from the door and the old potbelly stove that sat in the center of the house.
"Someone has been living here. Who?" Luna determined and asked out loud.
"I am not sure, but I'm pretty sure the Blacksmith's son knows." He countered.
"What will you do to him?" She asked.
"What needs to be done. The order is almost complete. After that, I can kill him and his father." He confessed.
Luna smiled, "Why would you kill him?"
"You know me, well, love. You know I hate a liar, and he is lying. He knows more than he's letting on about the fires, Luna and about the wolf who killed Beowulf."
Luna wasn't really following Amaruq's train of thinking for her. The boy was still no threat to them. She didn't believe in the rumor of the wolf. She looked down and saw the small vials and old bloody bandages. "Is it from a person?" She asked.
"No, my love. It is from the wolf."
Her eyes widened at the news. Those were Caleb's vials and bandages. What was he doing here with a wolf? She silently wondered.
"We must find him and get answers." She declared.
He smiled at her idea and gently stroked her right cheek with his left thumb. Luna loved feeling his touch more than anything else in the whole world. She was addicted to him.
"Yes," he agreed. He had gotten lost in her beautiful eyes.
He knew Luna well. At times, her punishments were more calculating and brutal than his own. He was so proud and enamored by her beauty and prowess. They would keep an eye on the boy. Earlier today Amaruq had his men ask around town about seeing Caleb acting out of the ordinary in any way.
Everyone said the same thing 'No'. Amaruq had a gut feeling that Caleb knew more about Beowulf's murder than he was letting on. The destruction of this island would be a sweet victory, but getting to murder someone who was helping the beast that had killed one of his best soldiers and friends. That would be like finding a bucket of gold. Amaruq could let no more slights stand. He had to lash out and show everyone who he was. He wasn't just some island nuisance.
He was soon to be king of this island. He would burn this island down and kill every single Loup Garoux. When it was done, he would be reigning supreme. He didn't need these people to rule. He needed this land.
He would have powere as long as Luna was by his side. He had nothing to fear.
Amaruq handed Luna a flaming torch, and she set her past aflame...
| SYLVIE |
Sylvie had found a way to hold back the Ivy from the cave entrance. The framed view of the night sky, coupled with a bird's eye view of the island, was her backdrop for the night. She took a deep cleansing breath. She was happy to have a place of shelter. She didn't feel comfortable going further into the cave and exploring, so she sat beside the opening with her knees pulled to her chest.
Sylvie looked back and saw the wolf. He, however, was very comfortable lying down in front of the fire. Sylvie knew he would awake soon. The sun was going down. She had learned the animal's routine.
He would go out tonight, and when she awoke tomorrow morning, he would be asleep beside her, snoring his life away as if he had never left her to run free under the moonlight. She had grown quite fond of his companionship and warmth. It had been an unexpected but welcome change of pace, not to mention he had saved her life a time or two. Her life had been simple before she had met him. Over the last few weeks, it had gotten really complicated.
Her eyes and heart seemed to be at war with one another. Her eyes had witnessed the betrayal of her own mother, not once but twice, yet her heart couldn't let it be true. Her love for her mother was all she had left in the world. If she didn't have it, that meant she had nothing. If she had nothing, then she had nothing to live for.
She shook away the heavy thoughts. This day had been exhausting. 30 minutes later, Sylvie's eyes grew heavy. She fell asleep by the opening of the cave. She was safe now. She had something to live for...
__________________________________________________
Randolf Pov
He was sleeping by the fireplace. As soon as the moon was high in the sky. Randolf transformed into his human form. He was still very weak and on the mend. His wound burned.
He knew he couldn't stay human long or it would burn more. If he wasn't quick enough and didn't change back into his wolf form, the feeling could consume his entire body, paralyze his nervous system, and ultimately leave him helpless, vulnerable, and exposed. Randolf
made quick work. He felt the cool night breeze blow inside the cave from its uncovered opening. He looked in its direction and saw Sylvie far too close to the opening for his liking.
She was curled up in the fetal position. Randolf still wondered at her. Any other human who would have stumbled upon this lavishly decorated place would have begun rummaging, looking for treasures, and partaking in the joy of finding such a bounty, but not his Sylvie. She revered and feared this space and wanted to leave it untouched. Her empathy for others was so strong and pure.