I sat beside Ethan, waiting to hear the story about Maya's passing. With a heavy sigh, he began to delve into the haunting memories.
(Ethan's POV... Five years ago)
She was my childhood friend, my first love, my Luna, and my everything. One thing we agreed on was visiting the mountain top to watch the full moon together. But on that fateful night, I refused to accompany her as anger had gotten the better of me over a misunderstanding that was my fault.
I was informed that the Luna was making her way towards the mountain alone. Despite knowing the potential dangers on the path through the woods, I chose not to be concerned. I thought perhaps my pack members would keep an eye on her. I made myself to believe that I didn't care if she got hurt on her way to the mountain top.
Hours passed and Maya wasn't still back from the mountain top, I clearly knew she was angry at me as well, but because I didn't want to be the one to apologize or accept my wrong doings, I stayed behind. It didn't take long before I started having the feeling that something bad was going to happen to my better half. My spirit wolf voiced to me, but I ignored it completely.
Soon, the pack members came knocking on my door. I sense urgency and worry from their approach so I quickly opened the door. They informed me that Deanite wolves were on the lose and that they were sighted within our territories minutes ago.
The Deanite wolves are werewolves who were being cursed by the Moon Goddess to remain in their Wolf form for eternity. But the curse didn't stop the Deanite wolves from continuing their dreadful acts.
They hunt mercilessly, leaving nothing but death in their wake. They're eight pack predators who hunts and feeds on any werewolf that they cross path with.
As the Alpha, I had to protect my pack and territories so I rushed into the woods with my pack members. At that moment I didn't think about Maya or her safety, rather I was too focused on defending my pride.
Moments later, I saw the Alpha's powers roaming through the woods like a green flame as it came to my direction. That was a sign that my precious Luna was slipping away from this world.
I immediately rushed up to the mountaintop and upon arriving there I witness her lifeless body being devoured by a Deanite wolf.
The pack went after the Deanite wolf while I rushed to Maya's side. Time seemed to stand still as I fell to my knees, my heart shattered into a million pieces. I couldn't even cry out a single tear because it all seemed like a dream to me.
The echoes of Maya's death and the weight of my choices left me a broken man.
Minutes later, the realization struck me hard that I was the reason for Maya's death. Only if I had accepted my fault and apologized, only if I went after her when she was heading towards the mountain, things would have been different. I would have protected my precious Luna from the wrath of the beast that night. I didn't see it until I carried her dead body on my arms.
I mourned her for months, but I didn't share a single tear, believing that she was still within me in form of the Alpha's powers. So when I realized that the Alpha's powers were within you, I lashed out, knowing that the only thing I shared with her was gone.
(End of Ethan's POV)
Maya's passing was more tragic than I had imagined. I had hoped to hear that maybe Maya had met a different fate, like drowning or an accidental death. The reality of her being murdered and devoured by a Deanite wolf was horrifying. They were indeed cruel creatures, a terror that I couldn't fathom.
I had never encountered a Deanite wolf before, and I had no desire to ever come face-to-face with one. Though I had seen them in paintings and read about them in books, the mere thought of encountering them sent shivers down my spine. Just a single Deanite wolf could take down two Alphas combined, making them a dangerous opponent.
The Deanite wolves were not common in Midgard, and last I heard, numerous of them were slaughtered at the northern lands.
All the tears that Ethan had held back during Maya's death started rushing out from his eyes. Without even realizing it, I leaned in to comfort Ethan as I gently touched his hair. Surprisingly, at this moment, the pain caused by the poison seemed to have subsided.
"I'm so sorry," I said softly, "I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for you to carry all this pain for years."
Ethan's story was truly touching, but I noticed there was a part he left out. He never mentioned what Maya had done to make him angry that night. I wanted to inquire about it, but seeing Ethan grieve, I decided it was best to leave that as another mystery to uncover another day.
(In the morning)
I woke up very early to greet the sunny dawn, and to my surprise, Ethan was still sleeping. In all my years of knowing Ethan, I had never seen him asleep before.
So, this is what they meant when they said "sleeping beauty." Even in his slumber, he was still looking like a Greek god, looking even more attractive.
I gently placed my hand on Ethan's broad chest as I brushed the hairs on it, and for some reason, a chuckle escaped my lips. I had never felt so comfortable around Ethan before.
It didn't take long before a knock came at my room door, I wondered who could be knocking this early. If Ethan wasn't here with me, I might have thought he was the one who had sent someone to call me to his chambers
Not wanting the knock to disturb Ethan's peaceful rest, I quickly headed towards the door. Upon opening it, I saw Ronald standing opposite me.
"Ronald!" I exclaimed, wondering why he was here so early. For a second, I thought maybe he wanted to apologize for his actions last night, but his words completely caught me off guard.
"Emily, I couldn't sleep all through the night. You were all I could think about. I can't keep my feelings towards you to myself anymore.
Emily, I love you. Let's run away to a faraway land together. I know you're not happy here, being treated like a pawn every single day. This is a chance for freedom. Take my hand, and let's embark on this journey together," he confessed.
Has Ronald gone mad or what? Why would he ask me to run away with him? He knew that Ethan would search all corners of the earth until he finds his "sex pawn." If only Ronald had asked me this a year ago, I might have seriously considered going with him.
Ronald was clearly not aware that Ethan was lying in my chambers. We were lucky that he was still fast asleep. As Ronald was confessing his feelings to me, I kept peeping into my room to check on Ethan.
"I know all this is too much and sudden for you, Emily, but I think this is what is best for us. We could visit Keldorin village if you want; I heard it has been built back up," Ronald added.
"Stop, stop, please," I quickly interrupted him on his proposal.
Everything I shared and lived for in Keldorin was burnt down and gone, I have no family or friends to return to. Whether I like it or not, the Moonwalkers pack is now my new home. After all, the home of a slave's master is her home too.
"I'm sorry, if I had gone too far with all this," Ronald apologized.
Before Ronald could continue with his pep talk, I gestured for him to look inside my chambers.
Immediately he looked inside, he froze upon seeing Ethan. Even though Ethan was asleep, his presence sent shivers down Ronald's spine. At that moment, I saw betrayal in Ronald's gaze, but I won't call his act a betrayal or treason because he was only acting out of his one-sided love.
With a heavy heart, I watched Ronald as he walked away, carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
I was just glad that Ethan was asleep and didn't hear a single word Ronald said to me; that would have made him really mad and felt betrayed by his loyal pack member.
Immediately, I closed the door and turned to sleeping Ethan. Behold, he was sitting on the bed, and his gaze was fixed on me. I was gravely startled, feeling as if my heart was ripped out from my chest. I doubted that he didn't hear something.
"How much of it did you hear?" I asked with a shivering tone.
"Everything, I heard everything," Ethan replied, changing the tension in the air.
Only the moon goddess can save Ronald from what is to come. Would Ethan let this slide pass? Would he forgive Ronald once again, or would he actually punish him this time around? Let's find that out in the next chapter what fate awaited Ronald.
To be continued... Taking Responsibilities