Chapter Twenty Four“Hello there,” Daykan replied breathlessly.He was awestruck. It was like all the air had been sucker punched out of his gut.Naomi had finally let her hair down and it had certainly been worth the wait.Her hair came down in straight waves until it rested on her waist; just above her perky bum that he stared at more often than he was willing to admit.The jet black strands looked like they shimmered with the slightest shake of her head.Her green eyes were bolder than usual and he realized that she had worn light makeup.Although she always looked perfect, he felt excited that she had taken that extra step because of their little date.Well not date… it sounded too romantic. It was best to refer to it as the ‘execution of their deal.’Yes! That sounded formal enough. There was nothing else going on between them.She had put eyeliner and mascara around her eyes; that was why they were shining brighter than usual.Her lips were shiny with a transparent gloss and he
Chapter Twenty FiveDaykan wondered if he had given her too much wine. “Umm okay, so how do you want to go about thi…”“Come on!” Naomi interrupted excitedly and grabbed his hand.She pulled him towards the living room but took a glance back at him and stopped.She nodded at his apron, which by the way didn’t have a single stain on it. “During my performance, you won’t need to wear that.”Before he could do anything she scurried behind him, loosened the apron strings and tossed it on a kitchen stool.“Now we can go!” She declared, grabbed his hand again and continued pulling him out.They got to the living room and she nudged him towards the couch which was opposite the TV.Daykan allowed himself to land softly on the couch. Naomi put her hands on her waist and surveyed the area she had to work with.“I just need to move this so I’ll have a lot of space for my performance.” She was referring to a large square wooden coffee table in the middle of the room. It was placed on top a blac
Chapter Twenty SixThe romantic music that had been playing in Naomi’s head since she had arrived at Daykan’s place came to an abrupt stop with a horrifying screech.She was such a fool.It felt like she had been sleeping and having the most wonderful dream. Then Daykan had come along and tossed a bucket of ice water over her, rudely waking her up and bringing her face to face with reality.It wasn’t compulsory that he had to like her but she had really thought that they were on the same page.Had she been reading him all wrong?There was an intense sadness brewing in her chest like a kettle on the stove.The last time she was rejected had been in first grade. She had sent a card to David Snaxx, asking him to be her valentine and he had rejected with “Ewww, no! You have cooties.”She had run home to Daddy and he had told her that she was the most special little girl in the world and David didn’t know what he was missing.She had still been sad but had felt better after a couple of day
Chapter Twenty Seven Daykan slid to the floor and put his back against the door. He carefully listened until Naomi started her car and left.He cradled his head in his hands and tried to breathe steadily, but it sounded shaky to him.Had he really done the right thing? Why did it feel so wrong?“You had your reasons remember? They were good reasons.” He whispered encouragingly.Damn! What were his reasons again?Maybe listing them out would help.Daykan held up a finger and enthusiastically nodded. “Umm, well for starters; it would be such a weird conversation explaining how I can turn into basically, a gigantic dog.” Was that a good reason? Although a mateship between a human and werewolf was rare, it did happen.He held up a second finger. “The pack would absolutely hate her and I’m not ready to leave them.”But what if the Moon Spirit popped up through the Moon Seer like last time and forced the pack members to treat Naomi properly?Boy, the thought made him feel like a child rep
Chapter Twenty Eight Sure werewolves were supposed to keep their existence a secret but it wasn’t like it was prohibited for them to associate with human beings.A lot of them just preferred to avoid any unnecessary contact. For the most part, it did seem like it made things considerably easier.While werewolves looked and acted like humans, there was a slight difference in their aging process; and the older they got, the more likely it was that it would be noticed. This was especially true if they had been living in a particular place for majority of their lives.Generally, werewolves lived longer and took more time to age.A ninety year old werewolf could easily pass for a sixty five year old human. When werewolves were younger, it was easier to lie about their ages.Daykan was twenty eight years old but no one would raise brows if he said that he was around twenty two. But after a considerable number of years, he couldn’t just keep rolling into town and no one would notice that
Chapter Twenty NineA lunam rixam was an old tradition that started from when the first werewolves existed. Generations later and werewolves still abided by its rules and used it to settle grave personal disputes.It loosely meant ‘moon brawl’ or ‘a quarrel with the moon.’ The former translation was more applicable in the context the werewolves used it for.When a fellow werewolf did something to another that was unforgivable, the aggrieved could issue a lunam rixam challenge.It was basically a fight to the death under the light of the moon. It was usually done in their werewolf form.It didn’t always result in one of the participants dying. It could end in a draw.In some occasions, the winner could decide to the spare the life of the loser. But that was rarely seen. It took a great force of anger and hatred for things to get to a lunam rixam.People didn’t just throw around the challenge because of a little disagreement or slight issue. It had to be something that had eaten deep en
Chapter Thirty There was a functional hospital within the Moonstruck Estate. But since werewolves didn’t really get sick, it wasn’t used that often.The patients there were offspring of werewolves who weren’t fortunate enough to receive the Wolf’s Mark; purebreds and half-breeds.They were basically a little more advanced than the average human being. They were faster and stronger but nothing compared to a werewolf that possessed the Wolf’s Mark.They lacked the healing abilities of werewolves and were more susceptible to sicknesses. On rare occasions, when a werewolf with the Wolf’s Mark had to use the hospital, it was mostly related to bone fractures. The ability of werewolves to heal relatively quickly was both a blessing and curse. If it would take six to eight weeks for a human’s bone fracture to heal, it would take a werewolf just a few days for that same kind of fracture.The werewolf’s bones would start knitting back together almost instantly.But it didn’t always heal the
Chapter Thirty OneNaomi couldn’t sleep.She had spent almost an hour tossing, turning and rearranging her pillow but to no avail.She considered watching a comedy to help with the sadness she was feeling but she wasn’t up for that.She loved romantic comedies. But it didn’t seem like the best time to watch a lovey dovey couple work through their issues and run into each other’s arms for an emotional happy ever after.She would probably scowl, boo and toss popcorn at the TV screen.She loved love and didn’t want that to change.In the past, she had never been too convinced about that soulmate stuff. Yes, there was someone out there for everyone. But if that didn’t work out, you could move on and fall in love as many times as you needed to until it felt right.Now, the soulmate stuff was starting to make sense and that was because of Daykan’s arrival into her life.It felt magical when she was with him. It was disheartening that after what had happened tonight, the fairytale scales h
Chapter Seventy TwoDaykan felt a surge course through his body from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet.He was charged up.He grabbed Naomi by her chin and pulled her close until he could feel her breath on his face.She was gently panting.Naomi knew that her breath was coming out in short puffs. She was probably breathing like a dog.There was no way that could be sexy. But Daykan didn’t look disgusted.He looked like he wanted to devour her whole. His eyes were captivating; it felt like they were drawing her in. She would gladly drown in them.This was the longest she had ever stared into his eyes when they were red and glowing.It looked like there was a faint outline of a werewolf in his pupils.He flashed a grin which was more teeth than smile; and she felt her insides melt. All her organs had turned to goo and they were sliding down her body.That must explain why there was a pool of wetness between her legs.She needed to take a really deep breath so her chest co
Chapter Seventy OneDaykan’s brows shot up in surprise. “Are you sure?”He didn’t want to mention that the last time she had seen him like that, things hadn’t ended so well.Naomi tried to sound firm. “Yes, I am.” “Alright then. I just want you to know that you’re completely safe. You don’t have to be afraid. I won’t do anything to hurt you. Okay?” Daykan said gently.“Okay.”Daykan looked around. “Let me just make some space.”He picked up the coffee table with one hand and Naomi gasped. From experience, she knew how heavy that table was.Daykan shrugged, “Sorry, I just figured I didn’t have to pretend anymore since my secret is out.”“You don’t have to apologize. Umm… just a little surprised, that’s all. Go on.” She wondered what other things he could do.She got up and stood at the side so she wouldn’t be in his way.Daykan moved the coffee table to the corner. He moved the couch and armchairs too, until there was a wide space in the living room.“Alright then, everything is set.
Chapter SeventyHis mate was here. She was really here.It felt like so long since Daykan had seen Naomi. She was wearing a pink short sleeved dress. It stopped just above her knees.He longed to take her into his arms but he didn’t want to scare her away.She slowly dropped her hand.“Hi…” Daykan started softly like he was trying not to spook an animal. “I’m so glad to se…”Daykan’s eyes suddenly changed to a deep red and Naomi recoiled in shock.“May… maybe I should just leave.” She said hurriedly and took a step back.“No, please don’t go. Just give me a minute.” Daykan averted his gaze and looked down at the floor.Come on damn eyes! Change back to normal.“Why are they like that?” Naomi asked softly. “Is it because you’re hungry?” “No, no, no. It’s nothing like that.” Daykan hurriedly reassured her in case she thought he was trying not to gobble her up. “It’s because I’m so happy to see you.”“Huh? How do you mean?”“Sometimes when my emotions get the best of me, my other side s
Chapter Sixty NineAfter the encounter with Naomi in the woods, Daykan had been in a daze.He had walked to his car stark naked, not a care in the world if anyone would see him; luckily that hadn’t happened.He had been conscious enough to slip into clothes and enter his car.But thirty minutes later, he had found himself parked in front of his apartment at the estate. By some miracle, he had managed to drive there without killing himself or anyone else. He had spent the day wallowing in misery.He looked at the clock and realized that it was time for the pack run. Maybe a run would help clear his head.But what would clear the debris in his chest from all the pieces of his broken heart?He wore a pallium and prepared to head out. Palliums are cloth made from a special material which wouldn’t rip apart when a werewolf transformed. It’s not always convenient to change back to human form and be butt naked. So they had appealed for something to be made.Word was the Moon Spirit had so
Chapter Sixty Eight“Moon Spirit?” Naomi was puzzled.Why was she shocked though?If werewolves were real, why not spirits too? “Yes. The Moon Spirit is our maker. We regard her as a divine deity. She’s basically our god. She’s the one who matches us with mates as well.” Senina explained patiently. “Only few werewolves are lucky to see her in their lifetime.”“Wow, and she appeared because of Daykan.” Naomi was impressed. “Yup, and in front of a number of people. My dad told me the story. He’s an Alpha too and had been waiting for Daykan’s delivery. He was against killing the baby but it wasn’t his pack and he was outnumbered.Until there was a sudden flash of light and she was floating in front of them. Although it was a sad situation, seeing the Moon Spirit is one of his best memories.” Senina smiled fondly. Xinoc’s face always lit up when he described the Moon Spirit.”What did the Moon Spirit say to them?” Naomi was fully interested in this story and not just because it concer
Chapter Sixty SevenSenina froze for a second.She had thought about this moment more than a few times. The day her best friend would finally find out that she wasn’t human.She had mixed feelings towards the whole thing.Would Naomi accept her for who she was or be terrified?She hadn’t pestered Daykan like Zekell had about telling Naomi the truth about what he was.She had been content with the convenient stalling.She had tried not to be worried about it.After all, Daykan and Naomi were fated mates. So there was a high chance Naomi would accept him for who he was; and in turn, her.Over the years, she had heard stories about other werewolves who had revealed themselves to humans. Some didn’t take it very well.In fact, there was a popular story passed down from generation to generation, about a male werewolf who had revealed himself to his closest friends. They had drugged him and then taken him to the authorities. This was one of the reasons for the strict rules about humans kn
Chapter Sixty SixNaomi stared at Daykan.The image of Sharon’s mutilated body was seared into her memory for life. It was heartbreaking to think that one of Daykan’s kind had done that to her; unprovoked for that matter.Sharon was such an amazing person and she had ended up just being food for a monster.All her dreams and accomplishments had been for nothing. But could she really blame Daykan for that?No one was blaming her for the serial killer they had recently caught in Texas just because he was a human being like her.He hadn’t done anything to harm her or someone she knew.If she pulled the trigger, wasn’t it just coldblooded murder? Those were the thoughts her brain was filling her mind with.Her heart was on the same page with her brain but for different reasons. This was Daykan; the man she had once thought was the love of her life.She couldn’t just erase all the moments and laughter they had shared. All the whispers of passion he had murmured in her ears during lovemak
Chapter Sixty FiveThis was never how Daykan would have wanted Naomi to find out.But now, the cat… umm… werewolf was out of the bag.Ever since Senina and Zekell had left the gym, his mind had not been at rest.Naomi had never mentioned resuming at the clinic today; and he was curious about the way she had found.So he had hurried down here and traced her scent to the woods. He saw her in danger and had barely been aware of changing. The next thing he knew, there was a wolf in his mouth and he was tearing the thing apart.In spite of the situation, Naomi almost laughed at how stupid she sounded.How could she even have thought this monster in front of her was her boyfriend? She was still sitting on the ground. Her gun had fallen close to her leg. All she needed to do was carefully reach out and she could grab it.Who was she kidding? The gun hadn’t been able to stop the tiny wolf. It certainly didn’t stand a chance against this huge beast. The one that had killed Sharon.The creat
Chapter Sixty FourNaomi got to the clinic, switched off the ignition and just sat in the parking lot staring at the steering wheel.But her mind wasn’t in the jeep with her. It was already in the clinic.She hadn’t been back there since that night. Anita, Dan and Sophie were the ones who had cleaned up.They were also the ones who had been handling things in her absence. Although the clinic currently wasn’t as functional as it used to be.Someone stopped by daily to take care of the in house patients, otherwise it was locked up. And all the townspeople knew that if there was any animal related emergency they had to put in a call so a staff could be there to take care of it.All other appointments had been put on hold.But Naomi thought it was time to finally fully open up for business.Earlier on, she had called Sophie and informed her that no one needed to worry about coming into today. She would take on the duty of feeding and checking on the animals who were admitted at the clini