232
Lucy
The classroom's fluorescent lights seemed to bore into my skull, intensifying the persistent headache that had plagued me all day. I couldn't wait to escape into the fresh air and hopefully find some relief. As soon as the professor dismissed the class, I gathered my books and made my way to the exit, my friends falling in step alongside me.
Duke was whistling a soothing song. Sarah was going on about finally being free of her boring classes.
"Are you riding back with us?" Michelle asked. "Or is David going to pick you up later?"
I winced. Though I was happy about the evening we'd had planned, my head was killing me.
"I don't know..."
"You could have dinner with us," Sarah said. "I think Blue is making something extra tasty."
I chuckled as Amy and Sarah started to talk about what was likely on the menu. Their voices mingled into a comforting background noise around the white noise that was filling my head and the throbbing.
"You okay?" Amy asked, frowning at me. She must have noticed my pained expression because she placed a gentle hand on my arm and asked, "You look like you're in pain."
I managed a weak smile and nodded, not wanting to burden them with my discomfort. "Yeah, it's just a headache. I'll be fine."
"I'm sure a little massage with alpha hands will cure what ails you."
"What sort of massage?" Sarah asked, wiggling her eyebrows.
Michelle swatted her. "Just because that's all you think about doesn't mean that's all Lucy thinks about."
Sarah pouted. "Not even a little, but he's so..."
We reached the escort's car, and a man opened the door, ushering us in.
"We'll be there in no time, so you can get a pain potion and maybe some rest, hm?"
I nodded, leaning against the window and sighing at the bit of comfort the cool glass offered. I closed my eyes to block out the light and soon we were on the way. The car ride was a welcome distraction from the relentless throbbing.
As we neared the Blood Moon Estate, my excitement for the upcoming dance practice began to override my headache. I was eager to see David again, to feel the exhilaration of dancing in his arms. I hoped a potion would help.
Upon arriving at the Blood Moon Estate, the escort parked the car. I stepped out, trying to shake off the remnants of my headache. The fresh air helped, but I still felt a bit lightheaded. Duke guided me into the house slowly.
As we entered the foyer, David came down the stairs with his phone in hand and a pensive look on his face. As he reached the bottom stair, his gaze locked onto mine. He smiled at me and for a moment I didn't feel the throbbing in my head.
"Lucy," he greeted, his voice filled with genuine concern, "you don't look well. Are you feeling alright?"
I nodded, trying to muster some enthusiasm despite my weariness. "Just a bit of a headache, David. I'll be fine."
He studied me for a moment, his piercing eyes assessing me and seeing straight through my lie as another twinge of pain went through my head. "How about I find you a pain potion, and you lie down for a bit, hm?"
He cupped my face and pressed the back of his hand to my forehead gently. "You're running a bit hot, but not too hot. Hold on."
He turned. Sarah wiggled her eyebrows at me. Michelle steered her towards the dining room as David came back with a potion.
"Come on, let's get you upstairs."
I nodded, taking the arm he offered and letting him lead me up the elegant staircase. When we got to the guest room, he gave me the potion.
"We have some time before dinner and our dance practice. I'll wake you when it's time."
His concern was touching, and I nodded gratefully. "That sounds like a good idea. Thank you, David."
He pulled back the blankets and pulled off my shoes as my eye started to close, and my body felt heavy.
"Easy," he murmured, leaning me back. "You must have been pretty stressed today."
I wasn't. That's the strange thing. Still, the soft, inviting bed beckoned me, and I couldn't resist its call. With a sigh of relief, I lay back, snuggling into the pillow as he pulled the blanket over me.
Before drifting off to sleep, I could hear David's voice, a comforting voice even in my semi-conscious state.
"Rest well, Lucy."
With that, I drifted into the soothing embrace of sleep, hoping that the headache would go away.
The darkness of sleep parted. I heard the rustling of wind through the trees as I walked through a dense forest, the cool breeze rustling the leaves and the earthy scent of damp soil filling my senses. The distant murmur of voices drew me deeper into the woods, and an inexplicable sense of curiosity compelled me forward. One of the voices I recognized more and more as I got closer, but the other, a man's voice, was unknown to me.
It set the hairs on the back of my neck on end. The path ahead seemed to stretch endlessly, winding through ancient trees and beneath a lush canopy. The voices grew clearer as I approached, revealing snippets of conversations, laughter, and the occasional faint melody. It was as if the forest itself was alive with whispered secrets.
As I ventured further, the scenery around me transformed. The towering trees gave way to a clearing bathed in soft, silvery moonlight. In the center of this enchanted glade stood a circle of people, their faces illuminated by an ethereal glow.
I recognized one of them: Selene. The man was unfamiliar to me, but there were others in the clearing. They were just standing around with their eyes closed as if they were in a trance. All of them were dressed in white, and they were all wearing white. There were a few seemingly empty spots in the circle.
Fear went through me even as a feeling of warmth and belonging washed over me, making my heart swell with a sense of troubled peace. I approached the circle cautiously, drawn by an irresistible force. The energy of it welcomed me. Who were these people, and why did I feel such a strong connection to them? Why did I want to join this circle?
Then, I saw a familiar face across the way. The woman looked just like me. She looked like my mother. Her eyes opened, and our gazes met. Selene and the man didn't seem to notice as all of the others' eyes opened, looking at me if they were facing me.
Then, they closed their eyes, and that sense of belonging faded.
Run! A voice cried.
The moonlight intensified, casting long, silver shadows that danced around the clearing. More voices joined the first, merging into one long scream, but I couldn't move. The cry of fear resonated deep within my soul, yet I heard something other than fear.
There was fury and anger there, too.
They were trapped. I couldn't just leave without knowing why and how or if there was anything else I could figure out. This might be my only chance to hear what Selene was really up to. How had I gotten here? How long would it be until Selene noticed me here?
My gaze turned back to Selene and the man.
"You're their father, shouldn't you--"
"Don't you give me that shit, Selene," the man sneered. "We both know who is at fault for this."
He scoffed. "Shouldn't you be compelling them or something? Miss Moon Goddess?"
Their voices carried through the night air. Selene, with her regal presence and an aura of ancient power, seemed like a formidable figure. She sat atop her rock, stroking the head of a single white wolf who seemed to be sleeping.
Where was the other one?
Would David show up, too?
The man turned, giving me a good look at his face. He had an uncanny resemblance to Matt and Tony.
"No matter how you feel, you drove them to this. It is your job to fix it." She looked down at the wolf lying in her lap. "What were you thinking having her attacked?"
He scoffed. "That weak human would corrupt my grandson to being a spineless little thing when he's meant for better things."
Grandson?
"She injured more than three of your pack members."
His lips twitched. "She's a woman. I hear they're pretty crafty when they want to be, but that's nothing compared to brute strength."
"And now both Tony and Matt are gone and may not be coming back. Have you learned nothing, Oren?"
My heart lurched. Oren... wasn't that Tony and Matt's dad? He said grandson. Tony had a kid? Or was it Matt? They'd left the pack? How could alpha leave their pack?
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