Chapter 101

Lukas picked on the second ring, his voice causing a pang in Claire’s middle. "Hey, baby."
Claire’s breath hitched, "Lukas, hi," She breathed, holding her phone closer to her ear. "Thank you for the flowers."
"My pleasure, eaten lunch yet?"
Claire laughed, "I was just about to ask you the same, and I am about to eat lunch…"
Their conversation was soft-spoken like they were mere inches from each other and not miles apart,
“I miss you,” Claire let slip without meaning to, she really did and she knew that Lukas felt the same when he said it in turn, just like when he said he loved her.
She bid him to be safe and after a reluctant goodbye, she hung up and stared at her phone for a few seconds.
“Luna Claire, the food is going to get cold.” Rosie poked her head out of the dining room to say.
Claire had stepped out of the dining room to call Lukas, and had all but forgotten that her lunch was already waiting at the table. “I’m coming!” She said in a rush, hurrying after Rosie.
She didn’t really feel Lukas’ absence at dinner because she had to pay a visit to Mrs. Blackwell for the first time. She went with comfort while dressing for dinner with the older lady, putting on a flowy dress instead of the usually fitted dresses she often wore.
Mrs. Blackwell had sent her address so Claire just drove up to the stately town-style house. The elegant lady was at the doors of her house to receive Claire, a happy smile on her face when she saw the young human Luna Queen.
“This old lonely woman apologizes for making you have dinner with her,” She said wistfully when Claire walked up the stairs.
“It’s my pleasure, Mrs. Blackwell,” Claire was quick to correct, “Your house is very lovely.”
Mrs. Blackwell brightened up at this, quickly inviting Claire inside. “Why thank you, Luna Claire.” She said politely as she led the way across the foyer.
Mrs. Blackwell was an elderly spinster who had never married so she lived all alone, at least that's what the internet and Rosie’s dexterous research had found out. Claire wasn’t about to ask the nice lady such personal questions, mostly because she didn’t care about what people's life choices were.
They were greeted by a cat at the top of the stairs, a gorgeous white cat with sparkling blue eyes who rubbed itself around Mrs. Blackwell’s legs. “Hi there, Castor.” She said softly, bending up to pick up the cat.
Then she turned to Claire, “This is one of my two cats, Castor, Pollux should be around here somewhere.” She said with fondness, “He’s always wandering off somewhere.”
Claire listened intently, “How old are they?”
“They’ll be turning five now,” Mrs. Blackwell quickly supplied. “They’re stark opposite both in looks and character but would you believe that I was able to get them from the same litter?”
“Sounds like fate to me,” Claire chuckled.
“That’s what I always tell everyone,” Mrs. Blackwell said happily and then caught herself. “Oh dear look at me, rambling on and on about my cats.” She scolded herself, bending down to drop Castor who ambled off.
“It’s fine, Mrs.Blackwell, I don’t mind,” Claire said quietly and she meant it, it was calming being around Mrs. Blackwell, she reminded her of the sweet lady in a neighborhood who baked muffins to share with kids.
“I really appreciate that Luna Claire, but dinner is already ready so we should get to it so we don’t eat unsavory cold food.” She said, opening the door to a room.
Claire was almost certain that the dinner was supposed to be for just the both of them but Mrs. Blackwell had gone all out and filled up the table that could seat four with food. “Get off the chair, Pollux!” She scolded as she walked in. “What have I told you about coming into the dining room? I don’t want you shedding on the food.”
Claire watched her with quiet amusement as she grabbed a loudly meowing black cat with sharp green eyes by its scruff and proceeded to walk it out of the dining room while berating it like a child.
“I apologize for that as well,” Mrs. Blackwell said out of necessity but it was clear that she was relaxing further at how accepting Claire was being.
“I didn’t just want some company at dinner,” The elderly lady said after they had begun their meal, the werewolf urging Claire to eat as much or as little as she liked. “I wanted to discuss the ongoing Book Club project with you.”
Claire had expected this when Mrs. Blackwell set an appointment with her so she straightened up in her seat, taking a sip of the sweet drink of pressed grapes that was offered to her. “Of course, I’d be happy to help with whatever you need.”
“You’re so kind Luna Claire, but I want to make a bit of a selfish request.” Her tone dropped.
This piqued Claire’s interest, she doubted that Mrs. Blackwell could be selfish even if she tried and that made her want to know what the older lady’s request was.
“I would like to invite you to be an honorary member of the Silverfall Book Club…”
“That’s not a selfish request at all, Mrs. Blackwell.” Claire found herself saying.
“Oh but it is,” Mrs. Blackwell insisted. “You see, as much as I would love for you to continue being a part of the project and the Book Club as well, I’m merely making this request to use you as a means to draw more people into the Book Club.”
Claire would laugh if it wasn’t such a bad time to do so, Mrs. Blackwell was exceedingly sweet and painfully honest too. “I hope that my presence is doing that much at least,” She said lightly, “I’d feel bad if I were an honorary member who made no contributions whatsoever.”
The tension on Mrs. Blackwell’s face eased, “You’re too kind, Luna Claire.” She said again, “Would you like some pie?” She offered enthusiastically, eager to serve her.
“Yes please,” Claire accepted without hesitation, other than the stellar reception, Mrs. Blackwell was such a wonderful cook, she might arrange another dinner date just to try her food again.
“I would be delighted to be an honorary member of the Silverfall Book Club,” She added, placing a hand on her chest. “Please, don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you need anything.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Luna Claire.” Mrs. Blackwell nodded. “I’ll announce this to the rest of the club at the next weekly meet-up, you aren’t required to come for them, you’re an honorary member after all…”
The rest of their conversation slowly drifted from the Book Club and the ongoing project to mundane conversation about their everyday life, and lots of cats. It was such a relaxing dinner, Claire didn’t have to put her guard up.
By the time the dinner was over, Claire waddled over to her car, feeling stuffed. Mrs. Blackwell stood at the top of her front stairs, to wave her goodnight while holding her black cat while the white one demurely sat beside her legs.
Just as Claire got to the foyer of the mansion, her phone rang, and she needed to check the caller ID, she already knew who it was.
“Hi, Lukas…”
Claire wasn’t the type to have long phone conversations but by the time she hung up on her call with Lukas, it was two hours later; she smiled at this, feeling drowsy. She looked at the flower at her bedside table as she got up to take a quick shower before bed - she really couldn’t wait for Lukas to return.
She didn’t have to wait too long because the very next morning she woke up in Lukas’ arms.
Claire was instantly awake at this, the biggest smile on her face. Lukas held her tightly but he was fast asleep, faint dark circles under his eyes. She brushed a hand over his cheek, a fond smile on her face, she couldn’t believe that he had rushed through his duties and driven all night just to return to her.
The flowers he had gotten for her were still bright and fresh, she had expected the red rose petals to start to wrinkle at the very least before he returned.
She was supposed to get out of bed but she didn’t move, not like she could from how tightly Lukas held her but she also didn’t want to move. She wrapped her arms around his neck and promptly went right back to sleep, the sunrays dancing into the brightly lit room.