Two Sides of The Moon - Chapter 26: Chapter 26

-Jack-
I stared out of the window, unable to sleep. It was dark outside, and my little house felt cold, even though it wasn't. I pulled my blanket tighter around my shoulders, still staring at the snowy yard.
Something bothered me. I'd been restless ever since I got chased out of the shopping street. I couldn't even close my eyes in fear of missing dark figures sneaking behind the trees. I feared the group would return now that I had nowhere to run.
Yet...
I frowned and rubbed my temples. I was scared of them, but it wasn't just that. Something else was bothering me.
When I looked up, I saw movement behind the trees and tensed immediately, only to realize it was just the guards making their rounds. I let out a long breath, trying to calm myself. I should be sleeping. I was safe in my cabin. The doors were locked, and I doubted anyone would actually attack me.
The group from earlier had just wanted to scare me... They had succeeded in it, but...
I stared at the trees again. Was it really them I expected to see lurking around? No. A group of teenage bullies wasn't the worst I'd faced.
"This place... It's stirred. Something is wrong, but I... I sense nothing, but the shadows in you gave it away. They've become restless. The enemy is making their move. Soon."
That's what he said in my dreams. The nameless god. I placed my hand over my chest, wondering if it was really I who was restless, or the maggots inside me? I wanted to call out to the god, but I stayed silent. They couldn't know he was here. I wasn't sure how private my thoughts were with the infestation in me, but I'd spent enough time with Henry to know shadows couldn't hear my thoughts as long as they weren't possessing me.
And the god was right, I already did trust him. I didn't want to reveal his presence to our enemy. We needed all the tricks in our sleeve as we could get.
The guards passed by my cabin again, and I tensed up for nothing. This place is stirred... Did he mean the world, or the territory? As far as I was aware, the city and the Blue Moon lands were heavily protected against shadows, but it wasn't just the shadows we were fighting against.
I breathed out in disappointment when I realized I really should've told Rayleigh about the god's words. At least the Greek gods knew, so I hoped they had warned the Alpha by now. They must have warned him.
I lay down but continued staring at the sky behind the window, wishing I could fall asleep. Maybe the god would then be able to visit me and tell me something new.
Why would it matter, though? What could I do to help anyone? I couldn't even help myself. My job was to keep the infestation in me locked up. If they really were part of the old world, we would all be doomed if they got out.
I was the carrier, and I assumed it meant the infestation in me was the most dangerous one. Oliver really should destroy them in one single blow, no matter if it killed me. It was dangerous to let them live, and how could I live with myself if they got out? My life was the only thing preventing him from destroying the maggots, so it was my fault they were still alive.
I was amazed that I fell asleep that night, and disappointed that the god didn't show up. I woke up when the sun was already high up in the sky, but I wasn't in a hurry to get up. Ina had someone else to help her today, so I was free to stay in bed the entire day if I wanted. I honestly felt like doing exactly that. I was still tired after the restless night, and I didn't want to step out of my cabin and take the risk of running into the same group of guys from yesterday.
It was nice and warm under the covers, anyway, but eventually, my body started to ache from having to stay still for so long. After washing myself the best I could with the little bowl I had, eating breakfast and tidying my home for a bit, I still had too much energy to spare. It was a nice day outside, too... I could go for a jog around the territory and stay close to the guards in case the group was out there as well.
A short moment later, when I stood outside in my yard, I turned into a wolf and sniffed the air carefully. No one was around. Good. I carefully stepped through the gate and headed to the wild forest.
Being out in the wild, far away from everyone else, gave me comfort and peace of mind. I'd smell the bullies long before they'd catch me, but to stay on the safe side, I followed the trails the guards used. It was nice. Relaxing.
Half an hour passed by without me even noticing it. The spring was really pretty, and I loved feeling grass under my feet between the piles of watery snow. The birds were singing, the sun warmed my fur, and the awakening nature lulled me into a false sense of peace and security. I liked it. I welcomed it.
I couldn't even remember the last time I felt so peaceful.
But, of course, it came to an end.
I smelled him long before I spotted him behind the trees. He must've smelled me close by, and I suddenly realized I had gotten too close to the town.
I stopped to wait for Arch to make his move. He had now seen me too, and stopped to watch me on top of a small hill in his wolf form. He looked as gorgeous as ever, the sunlight illuminating his dark-brown fur with a golden hue.
When I didn't move, he found the courage to take a step towards me. He waited for a moment and then took another one. I still stood there, not knowing what to do. I wanted to be left alone, and stay especially far away from him, but... I couldn't move away.
He was my mate, after all.
And... Apparently... I was someone he was possibly attracted to. I had tried my hardest not to think about it, but now that he was there, sneaking even closer and closer, his ears pinned up in curiosity, his eyes never leaving mine... His words didn't stop echoing in my head.
I'm a gay guy who can't stop thinking about you.
Those words always gave me little shivers whenever they drifted into my mind. He couldn't stop thinking about me. There was something very special about that, and that was why I couldn't move away as he approached me.
I'd tried to push him away, after all, and he still kept trying.
He stopped a few feet away from me and lay down to wag his tail. I so wanted to give in to my instincts and say hello, but it was still scary. I wasn't sure why I was scared. I knew everyone was telling me the truth when they said Arch would never intentionally hurt me. He was a sweetheart, but still... Was I scared of his inevitable rejection? Was it that inevitable? He was right there, hoping I'd let him in.
I'm a gay guy who can't stop thinking about you.
He wasn't here because of the bond, either. He was here because of me. I would've blushed at that thought if I were in my human form.
I sat down, and after a short moment of hesitation, I swung my tail once. He immediately perked up, his expression turning happier. I could only stare at him, even when he carefully crawled closer to me. He let out a yip and wagged his tail harder, and when I didn't move, he laid his head down on the ground and grunted at me playfully.
Ever since I found out he was my mate, I'd lived with a broken heart. It was one thing to be rejected, but to understand he didn't even feel the bond had been much more cruel. I nearly died because of it. Henry was able to possess me because of it.
But perhaps it was time for me to let go of the bond. It was nobody's fault that he couldn't feel it, and it was useless for me to hold on to the hope that he would someday feel it. It wasn't important. He was here by his free will. That was important.
I got up on my feet and lowered my head, sniffing the air around him. I tried not to give into the fear when I took a small step closer to him. He froze still, like he was afraid I'd run off if he so much as flinched. I wasn't going to. I needed to stay strong. The infestation in me didn't want me to take these steps because they knew my soul would grow stronger if I let Arch in.
When our noses were only inches apart, he wagged his tail again. His fur was rippling under the tension of his muscles, and I knew he had to fight to keep himself still in his excitement. My nerves didn't really let me go any closer. His closeness was overwhelming, so I took a few steps back. His posture dropped, even when lying down. He pinned his ears back, looking sad.
I barked at him once, then turned my back on him. When I couldn't hear him move, I looked at him and barked again. He stood up, wagging his tail with a question in his eyes. I took another few steps and turned to look back, and he finally found the courage to follow me.
As I started walking, I didn't really pay attention to where I was walking to. Arch's presence was all I could focus on. He seemed happy to be allowed to follow me. Every time I glanced at him, he swung his tail. He kept his distance for a while, but little by little, he inched closer to me. I let him do that.
For a while, we just walked around the territory, staying away from the others, but his energy started spilling soon. He ran a bit ahead of me to sniff something, then barked at me and jumped away. I followed him slowly as he continued bouncing around on the path. I had never seen this side of him before. I'd seen him laugh plenty of times – and each time I fell for him harder – but I always thought he was too serious, too calculating, to be goofing around.
He started jumping sideways away from me, his tail never staying still even for a second, barking every now and then, and I soon realized he was trying to get me to run. I hesitated again, but his playfulness was contagious, so I started jogging after him. He got even more excited because of it. And he seemed to have a lot of energy to burn because he was all over the place.
I had to admit... if I had been in my human form, I would be smiling, maybe even laughing, as I watched him. He found a branch and started waving it around until he broke it and then proceeded to dive into a big pile of snow because why not, apparently. In the meantime, jogging was taking its toll on me, but I didn't feel like stopping to catch my breath. I needed the exercise, after all. And I was enjoying myself.
When he got the worst of his energy out of his system, he joined me on the pathway, keeping a small distance between us, but still staying closer to me than before. I tried not to think about it.
We reached a bigger hill close to the lake and slowed down when we started climbing on top of it. Arch was clearly leading me somewhere, and I assumed he was giving me a tour around his lands. When we reached the top, he sat down to take in the view.
The lake was right in front of us, and I saw Ina's barn behind the woods. When I turned around, I could see the town, but not my cabin – it was hidden behind the trees. When I looked closer, I saw the few building sites further away from the Blue Moon's center, where the allied packs were building their homes. This territory was surprisingly big and crowded. The view was nice, but the smells told me this hilltop was a busy place, so I doubted I'd come here often.
When I turned my back on the town, I saw Arch watching me with a curious look on his face. I was sure he had a lot to say to me, but I was glad that he didn't even try. I just... This was peaceful. I didn't want to ruin it now that I had finally found the bravery to hang out with him.
Arch turned to look over his town, giving me space. I sat down too to rest for a bit. I stole a few glimpses of him every now and then. I could feel his awakened spirit, and I already knew he would be a great Beta for his pack. He was strong and smart, and kind. He... He deserved a good mate by his side. Betas were less likely to find theirs because they were so pack-oriented, but I wished he would one day feel the bond. I'd be lying if I said I didn't mind if that bond wasn't with me, but in the end, I just wanted him to be happy.
He suddenly looked at me and stood up, wagging his tail. I assumed he wanted to continue, so I got up as well, cursing my weak body. At least our path took us down the hill now. Not up. Even in my wolf form, I was really out of shape, and I could already feel it in my legs and lungs. Still, I continued following him as we walked down and headed to the lake.
For the next half an hour or so, we walked around the lake in silence. I ended up thinking about the time before I was possessed, especially the memories I had of Arch. They were painful, but now it was easier to think about them. Things could've turned out differently if I had told him about the bond right there in the beginning, but back then, I was too filled with hate to even consider it. There was no point in wishing I'd done something different, anyway. I didn't tell him, that's it.
But now... I glanced at him, and he noticed it. He wagged his tail and let out a quiet murmur.
Now there was something going on between us, and I... maybe I'd soon be ready to find out what it was.
I suppose he noticed I was getting tired, since he started heading to my cabin once we had made our lap around the lake. The atmosphere was turning sadder as we approached my home. He was getting quieter and less active. He didn't wag his tail as much. His ears weren't perked up completely.
Soon we arrived at my gate, and he stayed a few steps behind. I stopped to look at him. He let out a cheerful bark, but he was still bummed. That damn boy...
With a sigh, I focused on my transformation, and I was in my human form in seconds. His ears perked up again.
"I had fun," I told him quietly, even tried to smile.
He just stared at me in awe for a short moment, but then turned into a human as well. His hand immediately went behind his neck, and he gave me an awkward grin with a light blush on his cheeks.
"So did I," he said, his eyes sparkling.
I nodded, but suddenly I was at a loss for words. This was a very wrong time to freeze! I needed to... I... I??
"I ran out of cookies," I spat out the first thing that came to mind.
"Oh! I'll bring you more soon," he promised, his smile growing even wider. "Tomorrow? Today?"
"Tomorrow. Tomorrow is good," I stammered.
"Tomorrow," he said and nodded.
It was my time to speak. But what?
"Tomorrow then," I said, retreating to the gate.
"Yes, tomorrow," he repeated and let out a nervous chuckle.
"We're bad at this," I said, even though I wasn't supposed to say it out loud. My mind and mouth were completely desynchronized.
"Yeah. That," he said, his face turning redder. "Cookies tomorrow."
I nodded, taking another step away from him, trying my hardest not to flee the scene.
"Tomorrow," I said with a nod.
Then I ran. If I said the word tomorrow one more time, I'd bite my tongue off. Once I was safe in my cabin, and the door was locked, I leaned against the wall, cursing myself to the lowest part of hell.
"What the fuck...?" I asked myself, but then laughed.
I peered out the window and caught a glimpse of Arch walking away, rubbing the back of his head. I had the feeling he was just as proud of himself as I was of myself for being such an awkward idiot.
At least we both were really bad at this.