179
Lucy
My heart stuttered at his words, a mixture of surprise and warmth flooding my veins. The idea of attending the Festival with David was both thrilling and intimidating. There was no way I could even think that going to an event like this wouldn’t mean something more than just a showing for the pack.
It would mean tying myself in the minds of everyone to David. I bit my lip.
“You look nervous.”
“I am.”
“Because of them?”
“I-I don’t want to cause you any more trouble.”
He smiled. “Whether you are on my arm or not, I’m causing a hell of a lot of trouble on your behalf.”
He turned back to look at the poster. “There’s no pressure to answer now, Lucy. Or at all.”
“What… will you do if I don’t go? Do you… have another date in mind?”
He smiled. “I didn’t.”
My face heated as I realized what he meant. He was planning to ask me anyway.
He nodded toward the library. “Let’s keep going. I’m sure we can find something better to do with the time than stare at a poster, hm? How are your basics of magic coming along?”
Hours later, I was in a lecture, but I wasn’t paying attention. I kept replaying his words in my mind. The Festival was in October. I had plenty of time to decide, but did I need it? I couldn’t shake off the mixture of excitement and anxiety that had settled within me. I felt like I had blinked, and the lecture was over, but I had no idea what we talked about. I asked some of my classmates what they knew about it.
“The ball is really for all the important people,” one of them said, rolling her eyes. “Getting an invite is like impossible.”
“I’ve been trying to figure out who David is taking.”
“He didn’t take anyone last year or the year before.”
“My cousin went once,” a girl said. “Her dress was so pretty, but she didn’t get to go to the fair afterward, which was such a bummer.”
“Is it… really fancy?”
“Super formal, but all sorts of deals and alliances are made there. I don’t know anything about the werewolf off-shoot, but the main ball is the biggest political event of the year.”
I bit my lip. It was for sure that Tony and Matt would be there. The thought of navigating conversations with them made my stomach twist with unease, but the thought of having David on my side made it feel easier.
I didn’t want to be afraid. I didn’t want to let them ruin whatever happiness I could have. David’s voice echoed in my mind as he extended the invitation, his eyes filled with warmth and hope. He wanted to share that evening with me. He wanted to support what I wanted to do for the pack.
“You look deep in thought.”
I turned around and looked up at Duke. He had a smudge of something on his cheek, and his hair was wild.
“What happened to you?”
“Potions accident a few tables away. No harm done. What’s eating you?”
I bit my lip. “The Crescent Festival.”
He grinned. “David asked you, hm?”
I nodded.
“You should go. I’m going.”
I blinked up at him. “You are?”
He nodded. “Hito invited me as a chance to introduce me to some other healers.”
I nodded. “Right… they did say it was a political thing too…”
“It’s not all about politics and power plays,” Duke said, his tone gentle. “There’s music, dancing, feasting, and fun. Hito said it was a night to enjoy ourselves, to let loose and have fun after the formalities are out of the way.”
The idea of a lively celebration, of being part of a larger whole, was undeniably alluring. I could almost envision the enchanting atmosphere, the twinkle of lights, and the hum of laughter that would fill the air. I thought of spending that time with David, with his eyes twinkling in the night.
A wave of emotions surged within me.
“Yo!”
I looked up as David approached Duke’s call. He adjusted his bag and snickered.
“Potions accident?”
Duke shrugged. I looked up at David and gripped the strap on my bag.
You deserve all the happiness in the world…
I wasn’t going to be afraid.
“D-David?”
He met my gaze. As I looked into David’s eyes, I realized that this was a crossroads: to stay afraid or move forward.
“Yes.”
He blinked. Then, his eyes brightened. Joy illuminated his features, his smile widening as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
“I promise to keep you safe,” he whispered. “And help you ruin the rest of their year if you want.”
“Thanks.” I took a deep breath. “Could you tell us more about it?”
“Sure. Busy? I was going to get pizza,” David said. “I’m starving, and there’s nothing at my penthouse worth eating.”
“I have another class,” Duke said. Then, he huffed. “How come Blue doesn’t scold you?”
“Because she knows I’ll eat without fail, even if it’s just tacos.” He eyes Duke. “And have you eaten even half of the food she sent with you?”
Duke scowled. “Don’t start with me! I’m working on it.”
David laughed, and we headed off.
The fading sun cast a gentle glow over the city as we got into his car. During the drive, David told me about the games at the fair and the competitions.
“And all I have to do is show up,” David said. “No luna means I’m not involved with the planning of that werewolf after-party, not that I’d want to be anyway.”
“You still go?”
“Politics. I set aside about thirty minutes before leaving for the better parts of the Festival.”
I laughed. “You sound like you enjoy it.”
He nodded. A softness entered his eyes as his lips twitched.
“My dad used to take me to the Crescent Festival when I was younger,” he shared, his voice tinged with nostalgia. “We had… a lot of fun. Better than puzzles. “
I bit my lip. “David… about your dad.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you… know why he drank so much?”
His jaw tensed. “I always assumed he was trying to forget something. Maybe something to do with the war… Grief. I never got a clear answer. No one talked about it. Why?”
I swallowed. “L-Lucian knew your father.”
He pulled into a parking spot and looked at me. “What do you mean?”
I bit my lip. “I… I don’t want to upset you. I just thought that maybe if you knew… It might change the way you feel about him.”
I told him what Lucian had told me. David’s expression was blank, almost shocked. I felt terrible seeing the way he looked. He worked his jaw.
“All that time…” he whispered. “And he never said a word to me… To anyone.”
He leaned back. His jaw trembled. “He was… as great of an alpha as everyone said he was until the day he died.”
He chuckled a little. His voice was watery. “I… I’ve got some pretty big shoes to fill.”
I reached out to place my hand on his shoulder. “I think your father is very proud of you.”
He turned his head to look at me. The soft purple light in his eyes was so sad.
“I hope you’re right.” He blew out and unbuckled his seatbelt. “Come on. We definitely deserve pizza and cake tonight… Thank you for telling me.”
I nodded. And though he started laughing again, and we ate and chatted, that warm feeling from the café didn’t return. It was different, changed somehow. I could see the pain in his eyes like he was fighting not to think more about it.
When we finished eating and headed to the car, I decided to be brave. I stepped closer. His eyes widened as I wrapped my arms around him.
“It’s okay to be sad, David,” I said. “You don’t have to—“
His arms tightened around me, crushing me to his chest. A soft, sad sound came from him. He was shaking like he was struggling to hold himself still. My shoulder turned wet as we stood together under the lights in front of the pizza parlor, and I held him for as long as he let me.
The drive back to the pack house was silent. His eyes were rimmed with red, his jaw was set, and instead of sadness, there was a fierceness in his eyes.
“Thank you,” he said softly as he walked me to the door. “For… For everything.”
I smiled up at him. “It’s nice to be able to be there for you… given how much you’ve been there for me.”
He smiled and hugged me again before ushering me inside. I stayed in the foyer until I heard his car drive away. I pulled out my phone and sent him a message for the very first time.
If you want to talk, I’m here. - Lucy
Then, I heard Lucian’s voice.
“Had a good night?”
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