I wake around two in the afternoon to someone banging on my door, not the front door, but the bedroom door. My mother’s voice calls from the other side, “Tru, honey, are you sick? We tried to call you once we got into town, but you didn’t answer. Your father and I knocked and called several times. We ended up using our key. If you’re sick, I have a mask.”
My parents are here! Oh no, what will they think when they see Taran? “I’m fine, mom. Give me just a moment.”
I sit up in bed, panicked. Taran’s eyes fly open, and he asks what’s wrong. My mother calls out again, “Tru, is someone in there with you? Do you need help? Your father can pop the lock if needed. Don’t let them bully you.”
Taran looks at me confused, “What’s going on?”
I jump out of bed and put on clothes before turning towards Taran. “My parents are here.”
He doesn’t seem con
TaranI’ve searched for my mother for the last three days. So far, I’ve covered the northeast side. It’s getting late, and I know that I need to head back to Tru’s apartment. To my surprise, there are many hidden caverns and mountains in Antarctica.Thinking of Tru brings a warm feeling to my chest. It seems to cut through the cold. The icy winds and freezing temperatures make me glad I didn’t bring Tru. I miss her terribly, but I know she’s safe. She would freeze to death out here. Even in my dragon form, I feel cold. I find a cave to sleep in for a couple of dark hours. Being shielded from the wind makes temperature tolerable.After another couple of hours, I call it a day and fly out towards Tru’s home. It’s relatively early when I land, around ten at night. The cloud cover was thick enough I felt it was safe to land. I buried clothes in a box next to where I land. Digging out the clothes, I dress then run towar
“Dad!” Tru says, shocked. “Bill, please,” Alice says softly at the same time as Tru. Both seem appalled by Bill’s questions.Placing my hand on Tru’s knee, I say, “I understand your concerns and appreciate your directness. The truth is, I wanted this to be a fling, but it isn’t.” I smile, remembering when I first met Tru, “I felt Tru’s presence before I laid eyes on her. Something about her appealed to me on a level I never knew existed.” I look at Tru, then back to her father, “Tru means more to me than I could put into words. I want Tru’s happiness for the future, I want to hear her laugh every day, I want to look at her smiling face, listen to her sigh in her sleep, and so much more. I love Tru.”Bill continues to study me while Alice smiles. Two more people enter the room. The man must be Tru’s other brother. He, too, is built like his father, but he shares his mother's
I didn’t sleep much. I probably kept Taran awake most of the night. He held me close and tried to soothe me all night. The affection he showed me has me so confused. Taran said that I’m his companion and friend. He doesn’t love me romantically like he does Jonat. The lie Taran told my parents last night was so good, I almost believed him. There are moments when he spoke that it felt like he was talking directly to me. But it’s all an act. The way he treated me last night was his way of being supportive of his companion.I pull away from Taran and sit up in bed. In a groggy voice, he says, “Hey, Tru. How are you feeling? I know you didn’t get much sleep.” Taran touches my shoulder, and I jerk away from him. My reaction seems to startle him, and he quickly pulls back, “I’m sorry.” He pauses for a moment before asking, “Are you angry about what we did last night?”I can’t bring myself to look at
Taran and I walk around the block. I take him to my old treehouse, and I find it’s still standing. We carefully climb up and sit with our legs dangling off the sides. My heart is racing, and I feel anxious, “I don’t like lying to my parents.”“What do you mean?” he asks, sounding confused.“They think you love me,” I say without wanting to look at him.Taran replies in a soft voice, “I do love you, Tru. Everything I’ve said to your parents about the way I feel about you is the truth.”My eyes snap to his, and my mind raced, “What about Jonat?”Taran looks unfazed, “What about her?”“She’s your queen,” I say, a little defeated and looked away from him.Placing a hand on my cheek, Taran pushes me to look at him. As my eyes meet his, I see the same affection I tried to convince myself was imaginary. “She was going to become m
Taran and I spend the afternoon prepping food for my dad’s party. My mom joins us in the kitchen around four. I don’t let her help, but she sits at the table and talks to us. Sarge lays under the table next to her so he can watch everyone. Pat, Mike, and Dave are outside with my dad starting up his new grill and watching the two boys play in the backyard. I don’t know where Cindy is, but I’m glad she isn’t here bothering me.“Taran, I think Bill is ready for the meat. Do you mind taking everything out there to him?” My mom asks Taran.He smiles, “Not at all. Should I take it all at once, or are there certain things that need to go out first?”My mom shrugs, “I only cook inside. He’s in charge of grilling. I would take it all if you can carry it.”Taran nods and begins to gather everything to take outside. After he leaves, my mom says, “I know you and Taran are living together. W
TaranLast night is the first night I’ve slept with anything covering me. I don’t find it comfortable, but my options were limited. It was either sleep with the sheet or allow Tru to wear clothes. Since feeling Tru’s naked body against mine was more important, I opted for the sheet. I didn’t tell Tru why we were using the sheet. Deep down, I’m sure she realizes someone is watching us, but she doesn’t know who or why. I know who, but I don’t know why.Yesterday morning Cindy tried to come into the room Tru and I are sleeping in without knocking. She made multiple attempts to open the door but wasn’t successful. Then after Tru and I finished the dishes, I heard her sneaking down the hall towards us. It’s why I pulled back from Tru. Cindy is fishing for something, but I’m not sure why. With the way she baits Tru and talks to her, I don’t want to give her any possible ammunition.With the timing of Ci
Taran holds my hand as we sit at the table across from Dave and Cindy. My parents sit at the ends of the table. In a soft voice, my mother says, “We all need to keep calm and discuss things like adults. Tru, I expect you to speak with respect. Dave, I expect you to listen to your sister and consider her feelings. We all need to come to an understanding. This tension cannot continue.”Dave and I are silent. Neither of us want to say anything. Cindy is the first to say anything, “I don’t understand why you’re so cruel to me, Tru. I have done nothing but try to be your friend.” I suppress the need to scoff and roll my eyes. Keeping my face neutral, I try to imagine this is practice when I’m Taran’s queen, and we hold court. Cindy continues, “It’s hard being an outsider.” She looks over at Taran, “I’m sure it’s different for you since you’re dating the golden child.”“Gold
TaranThe talk with Tru’s brother and Cindy went better than I expected. David didn’t seem to make any progress, but I convinced Bill that Cindy wanted to hurt Tru without a doubt. He slid his phone to me and asked if I would take a picture of Cindy’s face while he pretended to scold Tru.When Tru realized her father wasn’t upset with her, I felt the tension leave her body. I think she knew Cindy poisoned the relationship between her and David but didn’t expect that Cindy also wanted to ruin her relationship with her parents.Once we get back into Tru’s room to pack our things, I ask, “Do you have anything of significant value in your room? Jewels, family heirlooms, or anything that someone would want to steal?”Tru thinks for a moment, “No. I have my grandmother’s pink pearls, but they are in my mother’s safety deposit box. Outside of the necklace you made me, my other jewelry is only wort
I slowly open my eyes. There is one high window. The sun is shining. My body is stiff and won’tmove. I try to focus my eyes, but everything is blurry. I can tell that I’m tied to a chair.A figure walks to me, “Tru, just relax. I won’t hurt you.” It’s Bryan. What has he done to me? Why can’t I move? As if he can hear my thoughts, Bryan explains, “Tru, I was worried about you. You caused an earthquake. I didn’t see another option, so I gave you something to paralyze you. You can blink. Once you promise not to hurt anyone and calm down, I will turn off the IV. The medicine should wear off quickly and we can go home. Then, we are setting new ground rules. One is that I will not cheat again if you continue how you’ve acted in the last three months. If you can give me and the pack that level of commitment, then I will never cheat again. The second is that I will cause an accident for Sarah. I’d rather do it after the baby because I need an heir, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes for
It’s a few days before Bryan and I get married. Last night, Sarah came over with a positive pregnancy test. I was surprised she had already taken one. It doesn’t feel like jealousy, but I don’t feel comfortable around Sarah. I tried talking to Bryan, but he didn’t feel the same way.As I walked by the clinic, I noticed Sarah going inside. It is too early for her to see the doctor and she is supposed to inform Bryan and me of every appointment.Curious, I followed her into the clinic. She meets an obstetrician. I wait outside the clinic. When she comes out, I call to her. “Hi Sarah. Is everything okay?”Sarah looks surprised to see me, “Yes, everything is great. I just wanted to see the doctor…. I needed another shot.”Sarah just took a shot two days ago and they are once a week. “Didn’t you just get one?”Sarah seemed nervous. “Yes, but they didn’t have enough for a full dose, so I had to get the rest today.”I can’t explain it, but I know Sarah is lying. Maybe if I make her feel more
I stare at myself in the bridal gown. The dress is a ballgown with lace sleeves and high neck. This doesn’t seem like a dress I would pick, but something Bryan’s mother would choose. Even with Bryan’s protests, I have let Charlotte help me plan the wedding. I don’t think Bryan realizes how hard this is for me since my mother is gone.“Where is the veil?” Charlotte asks the attendants.Looking nervous, the attendant explains, “We don’t usually put the veil on for the fittings.”Annoyed, Bryan’s mother tells her, “She doesn’t remember this dress. Go get the veil so she can have her bridal moment.”Looking at the time, I tell Charlotte, “We need to hurry. There is a pack meeting tonight, and I need to help organize the meal with the omegas.”Charlotte nods, “We will have you there on time.” She pauses for a moment, then says, “You have become a good luna. I know the conversation we had two months ago was a lot, but it makes me feel that it was worth it to see you being a good luna.”“I’m
TaranI place the stone on a large table in the temple. “Please, show her to me,” I whisper. I’m given of vision of Tru cooking. My heart aches. Two years ago I left Tru under the protection of Bryan’s wolf pack. Everyday I miss her. There are nights I dream of her and I feel at peace in that moment.Tru never feels happy or excited anymore. At first, I questioned if I wasn’t feeling her emotions because of our bond, but after seeing her in the stone, I realized she isn’t happy. I wish so much to go save her. Soon Brehm will finish our house and I will fly to her. Once I killed all the dragons that wanted to harm her, we will never part again. Until then, I will hide her.My vision of Tru ends. I wait in the temple for one of the council members. When Peter arrives he seems anxious. “My king, I heard you requested me.”I nod, “Is there anything you wish to tell me?”Peter looks puzzled, “I don’t believe so, your majesty.”I turn towards the lighting crystals, “Did you know they change
TaranI flew to the island where I took Tru’s family with Brehm and building materials. This island will sustain them, but I know they miss modern life.Brehm seems to panic when he sees Bill. I introduce them but don’t bother explaining to Bill that Brehm killed Tru in the past or ease Brehm’s nerves by explaining that Bill has no magical abilities.While unpacking the building materials, Bill asks, “How is Tru?”I pause, then say, “Tru is still asleep. Once the dragons and I rid the hunters away from Bryan’s pack, I will wake her. I don’t want her magic to be noticed, so I want to leave no excuses to return.”Bill nods. Softly, he asks, “What do we do if the dragons come here?”Easing his concerns, I explain, “They won’t. There is no magical pull to this place. Brehm will help you build more stable housing. This island has natural vegetation so there is plenty of food. I will find a way to give you entertainment. Here are some lighting crystals. This way you won’t always need a fire
TaranI gave Tru to the wolf. The deal is that he is to make her laugh every day, never tell her the truth about me, and keep her safe from the other dragons. I used a spell to hide her in his territory, then I will tell the other dragons we hold a treaty with Bryan’s wolf pack. Bryan will keep Tru safe on his land. If they wish, they can marry and build whatever life together they wish until I return. Then Tru can choose to stay with him or come with me.Tru and I are still connected, but I gave Bryan a special herb to put into her tea once a month to keep my symbol from glowing. As long as he administers it to her monthly, she will never notice it.Bryan told me that if Tru fell back in love with him or if they got married, I was to leave her with him. I agreed. I doubt our mate bond will allow her to fall in love with someone else, but on the chance it happens, I want Tru to be happy.I’m not sure what Bryan told her, I explained to him that she wouldn’t remember me. He seemed over
Bryan’s mother gives the tailor a disapproving look, “Can’t you make her look a little more regal?”The tailor looks at her, “We can elongate the coat to make her seem taller and use a skirt instead of slacks, or we could try a dress?”“No, the straight dresses make her loose her shape. Her body is just so awkward. I’m not sure how to dress it. We need her to be seen as a wise and regal leader. No one will think that is she continues dressing like a broke college student.”The tailor nods and goes into the back to find more clothes. Looking at me, Bryan’s mother says, “Next, we need to work on your hair. It clearly doesn’t matter how often we go to the salon; you can’t style it yourself.”“Charlotte, I will never live by your standards. It doesn’t matter how many outfits you have, the pack makes me, or how many times you do my hair. I will always be this way.” I tell Bryan’s mom.She lets out a sigh, “I’m only trying to help how you are viewed.”“You’re trying to turn me into you,” I
“Tru? Are you home?” I hear Bryan call.“I’m in the office!” I reply. I’m stacking small rocks that I turned from paper. It is about twelve rocks high when Bryan enters.“You ready to go….” Bryan looks around, “Tru, is there a little green guy helping you? Are you wearing him like a backpack?”My concentration breaks and the rocks fall. “Look if that were the case, I would go find the dragons and say, this isn’t the sorceress you’re looking for.”Bryan smiles, “You are fighting against an evil emperor.”I pause for a moment and think, “Is the Dragon King evil? You never talk about him, no one does. I heard he got rid of the hunters and most of the vampires. Doesn’t that make him good?”Bryan shrugs, “He killed a lot of my friends. Have you forgotten that they killed your family?”The truth is I had forgotten. It isn’t real to me that my family is dead. Somehow, I’m lying to myself about it. I missed everyone’s funeral and Bryan won’t take me to the cemetery, so I have nothing to prove
Bryan and I head to a private elevator and take it up to the top floor. I notice Bryan looking slightly anxious, but he doesn’t say anything. As we reach our floor and step out, Bryan looks upset. I hear him mumble, “She better not do what I think she’s doing.”I am about to ask what he means as he opens the door to our home and a group of people yell surprise. I freeze and look around. None of these faces look familiar, yet all look happy to see me. A banner hangs reading, “Welcome home Luna”. Bryan’s mother suddenly appears, she hugs me tightly and welcomes me home. I am not sure what to say or do. Everything feels overwhelming. Who are these people? Why are they here? Why does nothing seem familiar?Bryan looks slightly annoyed at his mother, “I told you not to do this. Tru doesn’t remember anything. This is probably really overwhelming for her.”I squeeze his hand, thanking him for standing up for m