After two months in Nicklaus's mansion, Ophelia had gotten used to the people around. She and Chloe and become good friends. They could be seen together most times with the twins. Chloe's belly was now more protruded, making her look more comical than before. She was also familiar with her husband, Nicklaus's men, if a nod of the head or a faint smile could be counted as forming an acquaintance. She had also familiarised her self the the workings of the people around her. The burly, hairy figures on the training ground or a loud growl that could shake buildings or an angry howl in the middle of the night; she had become numb to them. Also, in those two months, Nicklaus had been especially busy and elusive, making Ophelia forget that she was already a married woman.
At the back of Fur mountain_ the mansion is called fur Moutain_ Ophelia, Chloe and the twins were sitting in a large court. The court was the size of four regular football field. It has different small courts like a basketball court on the right, a tennis court on the left, and two other courts. Beyond the large court is an open field that served many purposes, such as, football, hockey, golf,etc. Ophelia often went there with Chloe. She had started learning how to play a few of the sports and she was pretty good at learning which left some impression on the werewolves.
"This evening is quite special on Fur Mountain" said Chloe.
"Yes, yes, it's the moon night." said an excited Lincoln.
"What's the moon night" asked Ophelia curiously.
"The moon night is a night when all werewolves who live or work for the mansion and the rest of Nick's pack gather to experience the moon." answered Chloe.
"You've not even heard of the moon night, aunt Ophelia?" quipped Linnaeus, the other twin.
"No."
"hmmp."
"Linnaeus..." warned Lincoln. Linnaeus snorted and looked away but Ophelia didn't feel awkward or annoyed. That was how Linnaeus was, too proud. Ophelia turned to him with an even prouder demeanor.
"Say it." she demanded.
"You don't know and you are still like this. Who's got the advantage?" countered Linnaeus.
"I made strawberry cake." said Ophelia. Linnaeus, who was about to walk away stopped, turned back, pretending as if he wasn't going to leave.
"Since aunt asked I will answer you." said Linnaeus frankly.
Stiffling her laughter, Ophelia said in an even more serious tone, "Don't force it, your highness. Lincoln will tell me. Won't you, Linc?"
"Yes"
"I will". Linnaeus answered at the same time, which made Chloe laugh even more.
"It's the shapeshifting night!" responded Linnaeus quickly as if he was afraid his twin brother will say it before him.
"oh.. thank you, then." smiled Ophelia. After a while, Linnaeus went closer to Ophelia discreetly
"the cake". His voice was so soft but everyone still had him. They laughed, Lincoln's laughter was especially loud which made the proud Linnaeus feel embarrassed. To hide his embarrassment, he attacked his brother. The children then went on to fight.
The women looked on laughing as Linnaeus chased his brother all round the place from one court to another. The laughter was especially warm.
From afar, the ever absent Nicklaus watched this quietly and smiled. He was happy that his bunny was well received by his family. He felt the warmth reaching his heart. Behind him, his subordinates looked on with no surprise. Ever since their King came back a few days ago to prepare for the moon night, he would always stop like this and admire his family from afar, smiling. They even concluded that he had smiled so much in these days than he had in all his life.
"Moon night sounds weird."
"I know right."
Both women gave each other a knowing smile. As Nicklaus went closer, he could feel the bound between his sister and his wife. They were just like sisters. This feeling was good.
"Is this how life is without me. hmmm." asked Nicklaus
"Yes, blockhead. you've got qualms?" retorted Chloe, her eyebrows raised.
"No." said Nicklaus in resignation. He then turned to Ophelia who quickly looked away.
"How are things going?" asked Chloe softly. Nicklaus looked at Ophelia and spoke even more softly.
"You know what happened on our way from Alkal right?"
Chloe nodded.
"Words reached me that Gandoph's people are making unusual movements but they are just speculations." said Nicklaus.
"We've made preparations. Don't worry." continued Nicklaus. "How has she been?"
"Asking me when you have so many eyes everywhere. How pretentious." Chloe said giving him a soft punch.
"ouch! That hurts, Chloe"
"Blockhead" retorted Chloe as she sauntered off.
Nicklaus followed her.
Behind them, Ophelia looked at the siblings in admiration. She knew a few siblings in Alkal, who were also very close but they were of the same sex, due to the differentiation in opposite sex in Alkal. The siblings gave her a new feeling. She longed for such closeness. She thought that if she had a brother, they might not be this close because Alkal was different. Since they had something important to discuss, it would be pointless waiting for Chloe there, she decided to walk back on her own. The twins had long disappeared.
As soon as Ophelia got to her room, she went straight to bed gasping for air. She had been scared back there just now. Eventhough no one said anything, she could feel the tension in the air. When she was strolling back home, she felt that the aura of the people was changing. She could even feel eyes trained on her as if watching a prey which made goosebumps crawl all over her. She had then walked briskly back to her room, all the while trying to act calmly like she had not perceived anything. Even then she could still sense movements behind her like someone was following her and they might have bad intentions.
Suddenly she had movements at the door. 'That was definitely not Chloe or the twins' she thought.She quickly jumped off the bed. Looking around she found nothing but the bedside lamp for self defense. Immediately the head popped in she smashed the lamp down.
"What in the world!" growled Nicklaus. He quickly came into the room and pushed the lamp away. When Ophelia saw that it was her elusive husband, fear and guilt made her run back to her bed. She had seen him get angry once in Alkal, so she was afraid. Remembering this she covered herself under the duvet trying to escape the devil.
Seeing his little bunny acting this way his angry dissipated. Amused, he walked over.
"Little bunny." He called out, his deep voiced rumbled like thunder within her shaken her up. She curled under the duvet. Eventhough she knew that it was her husband and he couldn't kill her even if he wanted to, she was still shaken. She suddenly felt light as if floating in the air. She stiffened even more. Nicklaus carried the wrapped up Ophelia in his arms. He sat on the bed and peeled off the heavy duvet.
"Are you planning on suffocating yourself?"
"..."
"Open your eyes"
"..."
"Did you go through the books in the library."
Feeling even more guilty, she did not open her eyes. She had been allowed into the library but Chloe had told her repeatedly not to go to that section but she was just too curious. That section housed the books on different kinds of supernaturals. When Chloe had mentioned the moon night, she knew exactly what it meant.
"You shouldn't have. Now look at you." sighed Nicklaus as he patted Ophelia on the back trying to make her feel relaxed which surprised Ophelia but was what she experienced just her own imagination?...