Chapter 6. Coming Home

PEONY CRIMSON’S POV

A few years ago.

His sturdy arm held me in a warm embrace. That could be the definition of real secure. Xavier lifted my chin with his thumb, then kissed my lips gently. Under the covers, I giggled as I hugged his neck so he would kiss me deeper.

That night was one of those memorable moments I will never let go of in my memory. Our kiss stopped when I ran out of air. We both giggled together and then lay on our backs. The star-studded night sky witnessed the secret love between me and Xavier.

In the heart of Springwood forest, a grand abandoned castle stood as our clandestine hideout. It was a haven of a secret where Xavier and I reveled in stolen moments, lost in the intoxicating kisses and the tantalizing art of undressing. We were intertwined atop the tower, basking in the afterglow after our intimate encounter.

"I told you the sensation is different."

"I'm just worried if these stones suddenly collapse."

"Oh, they are so sturdy. It is indeed useful in times like this."

"We’re like wild animals, Xavier…."

"Indeed we are, My Goddess. We're just gratifying our instincts."

Our lips entwined, colliding in a tempestuous passion. I was about to take the lead, but Xavier overcame me first. He pinned me to the floor. As if chiseled features carved from ice, his face exuded an austere allure that captivated me. I swore his golden iris glowed.

"You shine as the gravitational force that governs my world, My Queen. The anguish that engulfs me is indescribable when I hold the absence of your presence. I’ve shown this unwavering patience, witnessing you endure unjust treatment from my bastard brother. If you command me, I will tear his heart apart now."

Our eyes locked. From how his golden eyes shone, I knew his every word was serious.

"But I really can't use eternity to restrain myself. My Goddess, you are my only love. I swear White Moon will welcome you with open arms. Will you go to the Asherius Mansion with me?"

"Are you telling me to leave my husband, my own mate?"

"He doesn't deserve you!" His jaw tightened.

"You're right, Xavier." I mumbled, "I'll think about your question."

"May I know when you will give you an answer?"

"Tomorrow."

"Sure, My Queen. I’ll wait for you here."

After that, I shied away from meeting his eyes. He thought I was giving him beautiful hope. I broke my promise. At dawn, I ran away from the Blue Moon and White Moon.

Never came back.

"Peony!"

Gloria gave me a pat on my shoulder. I blinked, thrown to the reality I had to face.

"Hm?"

"Shouldn't we go there now?"

Gloria peered at me through a perplexing prism of intrigue and bewilderment. Her gaze mingled a symphony of confusion and curiosity. As I snapped out of my daydream during a profound moment, a blush of embarrassment painted my cheeks, turning my face into a canvas of crimson. I patted my cheek.

"Still anxious, eh? Let's give it a shot. If Xavier refuses, we call it a day."

It seemed Gloria guessed my feelings through the look on my face. How could I reveal to Gloria that I recalled my sweet memories with Xavier?

All of a sudden, my breathing became heavy. Everything was already six years ago. I abandoned my identity and life as a werewolf while destroying the trust of the only man who loved me.

How could I have the courage to bring my face out in front of Xavier after what I had done to him?

After throwing everything away, it is natural for Xavier to hate me. The wound I inflicted on him was profound. I wonder if Xavier forgave me. Aren’t I just a shining example of ignorance?

Gloria took me by the hand as if telling me to continue.

"Come on, Glo."

But on the first try, I already thought we failed.

The order of the guards at the White Moon gate had changed. I didn't even recognize them, so I couldn't do anything when they rejected me and Gloria to come in.

Gloria stood before me, saying confidently at the guards looking at us full of suspicion. Their low growls sounded as if to scare us.

"We came here to meet Xavier...."

"Asherius." I continued.

"Yes, Xavier Asherius."

The four men swarmed around us with the same anger.

"How dare you call the Alpha rudely!"

Gloria turned to me and glared. "Xavier is an Alpha?"

I just smiled wryly.

"Look, I know this is the first time you have met me. But I can assure you that I know White Moon very well. I was a close acquaintance of Alpha Xavier, who came from far away. If you let us in to—"

"Stop where you are!"

One of the guards shouted. The four of them growled even more angrily. I was careful not to make any sudden movements that made them attack me suddenly.

"Where did you guys come from?"

A guard stepped around me and Gloria. His nose sniffed the air, and he made me uncomfortable.

"It's not important, okay? We promise not to do anything bad," Gloria replied impatiently.

The guard stopped before me and looked at me from head to toe.

His grin widened. "Then, say your name, Miss. Tell me what business you have with our Alpha."

"Peony... I'm a Crimson Peony. Just mention my name to Xavier. He will understand."

The guard burst into laughter. "Hahaha, who do you think you are?"

"Cut the small talk, and we must go in now!" Gloria yelled.

"And who is this wizard? Are you an accomplice of the Dark Witch?" the guard also mocked her.

His answer seemed to nudge Gloria's patience. "Oh, are you kidding me now? Let us in!"

Gloria pushed the guard back.

"GRRRR!" The four guards immediately behaved, ready to fight. They growled, showing their sharp pointed canines.

Instead, Gloria seemed to understand the challenge. The witch raised both sleeves and took out her wand.

"Ha, I don't mind showing one or two tricks to get these puppies schooled!"

"Don't, Gloria. Stop it...." I held back her hand, but the witch brushed me off.

"You can protect yourself, right?"

But my words disappeared in the wind. Gloria waved her wand first. A ray of yellow light shot toward the guards. They managed to avoid it and changed shifts to wolves.

 "Gloria, wait!" I exclaimed.

Between panics, a wolf ran at me. I didn't have time to wake Emily, my wolf who had been hibernating for a long time. With dexterity remaining, I grabbed the dagger and swung it toward the grey wolf's muzzle.

In an instant, I was dragged into an intense fight. Of course, my power and ability are not comparable to trained wolves. Just a few minutes into dodging the attack and resisting as hard as I could, my breath began to gasp.

The adrenaline rush in my body couldn't hide that I was weakened. Living in the human world took away most of my fighting ability. I can't wake Emily up at such a crucial moment.

Ah, what a shame. I was a Luna once. How could I get this weak now?

"UGH!"

The wolf's attack hit my arm roughly. I saw his movements, but I couldn’t dodge them. As a result, I fell. The two daggers I used fell, clinking to the ground.

"Peony!"

I heard Gloria calling. Why was she worried about me when she was facing three wolves at once?

"We can’t go in! Just stop here!" I exclaimed back.

In front of me, the gray wolf stepped closer and closer.

"It's too late to give up, right?" The wolf's voice echoed in my head.

I grabbed my arm to stop the bleeding while maintaining eye contact with the wolf. My whole body suddenly stiffened. Fear crept into my heart.

"Oh, Moon Goddess...."

BLAM!

The two gates pounded wide open. The four guards returned to their human forms and simultaneously lined up neatly.

The morning breeze brought the scent of Citrus and the freshness of the rain to my nose.

It was as if time stood still, suspended in the air, as my heart raced with excitement, trepidation, and an insatiable desire to be close to this person. Once filled with uncertainty, the void within me was now overflowing with a rush of emotions.

My body quivered with anticipation, my hands trembled slightly, and my breath caught in my throat, struggling to find its rhythm. A surge of electricity coursed through my veins, tingling with an intensity that could only be described as exhilarating and overwhelming.

I looked straight at the figure of the man stepping out of the gate.

"ALPHA XAVIER!" They saluted him.

"What commotion is going on here?"

His deep, indifferent voice was still the same as before. I froze.

"These two strangers insist on meeting you, Alpha."

My gaze and Xavier's met. An overwhelming surge of emotions washed over me as our eyes locked.