Two Sides of The Moon - Chapter 12: Chapter 12

-Arch-
When I woke up, I had such a massive headache that it nearly knocked me out cold again. I kept my eyes closed and tried not to move, and slowly, the pain started fading. I couldn't understand why I was in pain. I couldn't understand anything, actually. I wasn't even sure I knew my name.
After I finally understood I was a living, breathing being, I carefully opened one eye. Two seemed like too much, but all I could see was a wall, so I had to open them both. Mom and Dad were there, staring at me with worry on their faces.
"Joseph!" Mom breathed out and hurried to sit on my bed, the mattress sifting under me so much it made my headache worse again.
"I have a killer headache," I muttered at her. "Why?"
"Don't you remember?" she asked cautiously. "You had a... You were..."
The way she snapped her mouth shut was a clue, and no matter the pain, my head still kicked into gear.
"I was what? Attacked?"
That was all I needed, though. The memories returned, both good and bad, and suddenly, I had a million questions on my mind.
But the questions vanished only a second later. I looked up at the ceiling, not hearing my mother trying to lie her way out of explaining what really happened – she was too worried I'd get overwhelmed, I suppose. I didn't really care.
The world was... silent.
"I can't feel anything," I whispered, silencing her.
"Y-you don't...?" Dad trailed off, looking scared.
"The warnings are gone," I said. "My gift was broken."
"Oh," they both breathed out, relaxing in their seats. "We know."
I peered at them both. They didn't look too concerned that my ability was gone. To me, it was like I'd lost my head. Yes, it had made me sick a lot lately, and yes, I had wished I never had that ability countless of times, but now that it was actually gone, I wanted it back.
This emptiness was much more horrible than being sick. At least I was getting it back. The sooner, the better.
"What happened to you when you...? What did you see?" Mom asked quietly.
"Our world was burning. The ground was shaking and breaking. Even the air was on fire..." I trailed off for a moment. "But that wasn't the scary part. There was someone evil. Someone much more stronger than the Shadow Walkers and their minions we faced."
"Who was it?" Dad asked.
I shook my head. "I don't know... Even the gods didn't know..."
"Gods?"
"There were four of them. And..." I trailed off once more, thinking about that friend Selene mentioned. "Maybe five."
"Maybe?"
I closed my eyes in frustration. "I don't know. The gods wouldn't tell me."
I forced that... that nightmare out of my head. "Did I hurt Jaden?" I asked quietly, hoping that it, too, was just a part of the nightmare.
"He's fine," Mom said reassuringly. "Just a scratch."
My eyes flung open. If that part actually happened... then...?
"Jack," I whispered and sat up, ignoring the skull-breaking pain inside my head. "He was there."
"The Thorn boy?" Dad grunted, and I glanced at him.
"He's not like his father, and you know it," I said harshly.
"I'm having trouble knowing what to believe," Dad said, crossing his arms. "Rayleigh may be eager to trust the Thorns, but–"
"They were possessed," I said, pushing the covers off me. "They're allies now."
"Are they? Their pack was never friendly towards us. You may not remember the headache that pack caused us way before they even started making deals with Shadow Walkers. How can you be sure they're not just acting like they were innocent? How can you be sure they're not just pretending to be our allies? How can you tell this isn't a ploy to destroy us from the inside?"
I let him speak, trying not to get mad at him, though it wasn't easy. When he finally stopped speaking, I took a breath to give him a few words of my own, but he didn't let me.
"And before you say anything, I want to ask you if you're choosing your facts in your head... or in your heart? I know he thinks you're his mate," he spoke. "You are Beta now, boy. And the diviner. Your word is heavy, so you shouldn't speak lightly."
"We are the protectors of this pack," Mom added quietly. "Our pack. The alliance comes second. You are wise for your age, and even Rayleigh will turn to you in times of need. I hope you keep that in mind."
Slowly, I got out of the bed, turning my back on them. There were so many things I wanted to say, but I chose to say nothing. Instead, I grabbed my coat and left.
As I exited the Hall, the headache was finally loosening its grip on me. I walked down the big stairs outside and stopped in the middle of the main street. There were so many people watching me in curiosity. My responsibility, all of them. Everything I saw.
"You better hurry with my gift, Helios," I murmured and started walking, the words of my parents swirling in my mind.
I wanted to go to Jack. I needed to talk to him. I needed to know what he was thinking. Why had he been there after I woke up from the nightmare?
But first, there was somewhere else I needed to go.
A few moments later, I stopped in front of the building we had turned into a shelter. For the Black Thorn. I hadn't been there after the small pack had moved in. As I watched, a few of our guards stepped out, carrying empty food baskets in their hands. It was so far away from the rest of the town that I could only see a few people outside, and I recognized them as Black Thorns. They were standing next to a big firepit further away from the building, cooking meat and chatting quite cheerily.
Then they spotted me, and their expressions turned wary. Oh, how I wished I had my ability right now... But to be fair, it wasn't really helpful detecting single threats.
I cleared my throat and approached the two men, who straightened their postures.
"Hi," I said as I stopped next to the fire. "I'm Joseph Archer. I didn't mean to intrude."
"Blue Moon Beta," the other of the two, a tall, middle-aged man said. "I am Rai Grogan. Beta of the Black Thorns," he said with a certain pride in his voice. "Well... what is left of us..."
"You're now in charge?" I asked, feeling a bit odd to be treated as an equal by their leader figure.
"Me and Pierce, yes," Rai said, giving me a curious look. "You're quite young."
"Too young, to be exact," I chuckled. "I wanted to see how you guys are doing."
His curiosity towards me was growing, and I hoped it meant we were off to a good start.
"We are doing much better now – all thanks to your pack," he said, gesturing to me to follow him as he started walking to the front doors. "We should've ditched that bastard of an Alpha long ago and take your Alpha's invitation to join your pack. Maybe... Maybe none of this would've happened," he spoke with guilt in his voice.
"Why didn't you?" I asked as we stepped in.
He stopped and was silent for a moment. When he peered at me over his shoulder, there was sadness in his eyes and in his voice when he spoke, "We are Black Thorns. Whatever it means anymore."
I nodded. I'd wished for a more elaborate answer than that, but I accepted it, nonetheless.
"It means what you guys want it to mean," I said. "Who knows, maybe soon the world will know Black Thorns as great heroes."
He let out a quiet chuckle as he continued walking towards the next door in front of us. "Maybe. That might take a while, though," he spoke, and I could detect a little bit of defeat in his voice.
He pushed the door open, revealing the big area that we once used as a storage for food. Now it was converted into a shelter with smaller sleeping areas that were divided with wooden panels to give the residents some privacy. To be fair, it looked more like a horse barn rather than a living space for werewolves.
There were a lot of people gathered in the middle of the big space between the sleeping areas. The other end of the building was reserved for cooking and eating with counters and tables, and the rest was some kind of living room area with couches and chairs.
I stopped to take in the sight of these thin, sickly creatures that once were an actual threat to our pack. I understood Rai's words. This pack would not be in a fighting condition anytime soon.
And yet, I saw smiles and heard cheery conversations, even a few smaller kids playing with wooden toys. I'd seen them shortly after the battle, and when their faces had been pale and eyes without a light, now I could see life in all of them.
"It may take a while," I told Rai, who turned to look at me, "but your pack is already stronger, and now you are free to choose your own fate."
He stared at me for a moment. Then he turned to look over his pack, a small smile appearing on his lips.
"We are grateful for everything your pack has done for us," he said quietly, turning to look at me again. "We won't forget that."
"We take care of our allies," I told him, spotting one of the Spirit Walkers at the back. "Are you still suffering from the shadows?"
"We were carriers. Apparently, it's not easy to get rid of them all," he said quietly as we started making our way to the back. "We are doing much better. I can hardly feel them anymore."
"That's good."
"I feel so bad for Jack," Rai sighed. "He had it the worst. We were all possessed every now and then, but he had that thing in him the entire time... I couldn't even look at him. I thought I was a brave man but that... shadow..."
I glanced at him shortly. He was almost unable to even speak about Henry, and I couldn't blame him. That short moment I was possessed by him... I wanted to forget it.
"You're all safe now," I said quietly.
"For how long?" he breathed out. "We heard what happened to you today. Pierce was there. I'm surprised to see you up and walking."
"I had gods on my side – they are watching over us," I told him, not really interested in talking about what happened to me.
"But is that enough?" he asked and then sighed. "If we had stopped our Alpha..."
"Did you know that he was making deals with shadows?" I asked, and he stopped to look at his pack again.
He was silent for a moment, the guilty look returning to his face.
"We were all angry," he began softly. "We lost everything to the rogues. Most of us lost their lives. Our home was burned to the ground..." he trailed off.
They knew.
"We had nothing but hate left."
I nodded slowly and looked at the people in the barn. Shelter.
"I hope you can find something better to build your new lives on," I told him.
"We have found each other again," Rai murmured. "That is enough."
I hoped so. I couldn't even imagine what it was like to lose everything. Their pack had been through a lot, and no matter their past, I was willing to give them a second chance.
"Is there anything else I can help you with?" he asked.
"I just wanted to see how you guys are doing. I didn't mean to take up your time," I told him. "I'll have a quick word with the Spirit Walker and get out of your hair."
"We rarely get visitors, so it was nice of you to drop by," he said. "And I'm glad I finally got to meet the Diviner himself in person. Especially since... Well..." he trailed off, looking awkward all of a sudden.
"Especially since what?" I frowned.
"Well, we've all heard the rumors," he chuckled, tousling his hair. "About our new Alpha and you..."
I opened my mouth, but closed it again. I suddenly couldn't find any words. Jack was their Alpha now. And he... And I... This pack...
This hadn't even occurred to me.
"Well, I should go back to making dinner," Rai said, pointing back at the door. "It was nice talking to you."
"Yeah, it was," I mumbled, trying to keep my composure.
I stood there for a moment after he left. When I looked around, I saw this tiny pack with different eyes. If Jack really was my mate... But I was Beta of the Blue Moon.
Since it was giving me a headache, I decided to push this dilemma out of my mind. As long as Jack refused to even see me, there was no point in thinking about such things. It wasn't easy, especially after people noticed me walking past them. I was sure the curious sets of eyes were following me a bit too long.
"Hey, Cindy, was it?" I spoke as I stopped behind the Spirit Walker.
The tiny woman turned around and smiled at me. "Yes! That is me. And you're the Diviner."
I wished she hadn't said it so loudly. I didn't dare to look, but I could hear the whispers behind my back. Cindy watched me with her big, kind eyes, waiting for my answer.
"Yes, great," I forced a smile. "I have a favor to ask – if that's all right with you?"
"What kind of favor?" she asked with a sweet voice.
"I'd like to speak with your guardian. She is one of the gods, right? Artemis?"
She blinked a few times, her expression never changing, but I still felt suddenly very intimidated.
"My Artemis?" she asked, her voice still sweet, but with a scary ring to it.
"Umm... Yes?" I said timidly.
She blinked a few more times. "Bitch??" She spoke like she was calling for someone, and Artemis appeared between us.
'I can explain, I swear!' Artemis spoke, shooting a deadly glare at me.
"A god??" Cindy said with that scary voice. "This whole time?"
'I can explain!'
"This whole time??!"
"Actually, what I wanted to ask isn't that important," I said, chuckling nervously as I backed away slowly. "I'll come back later," I added, and practically ran out of the place.
Once I was outside, I stopped to rub my temples. I never should've left my bed...
"You look like you've had a rough day."
I looked up and saw one of the guards, a young man with a long, gray hair, standing close by. I didn't recognize him, so I assumed he was from another pack.
"Yeah..." I breathed out.
He gave me an apologetic look as he approached me. "I was actually looking for you. I don't know if I'm making your day any better, though..."
My senses went on overdrive when he said that. "What is it?"
"It's Jack. I think you should go to him," he said, his gray eyes looking worried.
"Is he all right?" I asked, taking a few steps towards the town.
"He was trying to come to see you, but your parents wouldn't let him," he said. "He left in a hurry, and he didn't look well."
I cursed my parents. "I wasn't told about that," I spoke between gritted teeth.
"Go to him," the guard said. "He needs to know you're there. He needs to feel your presence."
I nodded and started marching through the snow, heading towards the town. It took me a moment to realize how rude I was being.
"Thanks for letting me..." I turned around to speak, but the guard was already gone, "...know."
I stared at the barn for a short moment, but continued my way to Jack, turning into a wolf to get there faster.
A moment later, when I reached the other side of the town, I slowed down. I left the street and continued my way down the tiny pathway to the tiny cabin, and when I saw it, I stopped to take a breath.
I couldn't have been there longer than for five seconds when the door opened, and Oliver, of all people, stepped out. I had no idea he was visiting us.
But I forgot all about him when Jack appeared to the door. I took a few steps closer, but the look he gave me made me stop.
"Bye," Oliver said to him and started walking towards me.
Jack stood there for a moment, glaring at me like I was his worst enemy.
And he closed the door, vanishing behind it.
"Come," Oliver told me quietly.
I didn't want to... I wanted to go beg Jack to talk to me. How much more time did he need? He'd tried to visit me, for crying out loud! Why was he refusing to see me when I was conscious?
"His soul stopped cracking," Oliver murmured with a smile. "You did that just by coming here."
Then why was he not letting me close?
"Come. He'll let you in when he's ready," Oliver promised.
I waited, staring at the door, hoping Jack would change his mind. But no... He didn't. With a heavy heart, I followed Oliver, taking one last look at the tiny cabin.
He still didn't.