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Chapter 112: Empty Lands
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2024-11-28 03:19:32Related chapters
Under the Shadow of the Moon Chapter 1: Cursey
Delaney"Cursey," I hear Trevor Whittle say in a sing-song voice. "Come out, come out wherever you are!"Laughter follows his words. I remain hidden behind the huge oak tree and desperately try to catch my breath without making a sound. I breathe shakily behind the hand I placed over my own mouth while my heart slams against my chest. I'll never understand why these elites don't leave me alone. I've done nothing but try to stay out of their way, even at school. But regardless of how much effort I put into being invisible, I can never hide from them. Maybe it's the fact that I'm the only person in the werewolf world who was born under the infamous Black Moon and got to live, or maybe it's my red hair that makes me stand out wherever I go. Nevertheless, these elites—the sons and daughters of the leaders of our pack—follow me and insist on reminding me about my pitiful existence every day, and today is yet another one of those days. Only, there are two things that set today apart from
Under the Shadow of the Moon Chapter 2: The Trial
DelaneyThe door of the interrogation room opens, and for once, I see a familiar face.My mother. I try to stand but the chains binding my legs to the chair make it impossible for me to do so. They've bound me to make sure I don't try to escape. According to them, I'm a dangerous criminal. For hours, the detective interrogated me on what happened in the forest, and he simply wrote things down as I explained. I told him the whole unfiltered truth in a shaky voice. I didn't leave a single detail out. After he left, nobody came for me. The plain clock on the wall indicates that three hours passed before my mother walked in here. I'm so glad to see her face, however, she appears grief-stricken and her lips are pressed together in a thin line. As she takes a seat directly across from me, she asks, "What have you done, Delaney? What have you done?"Tears gather in my eyes and cascade down my cheeks. Her accusation settles in the pit of my stomach and makes me feel physically sick. "I di
Under the Shadow of the Moon Chapter 3: Rejection
Delaney I'm sitting on the dirty floor my cell with my arms around my knees. Ten years. Ten. That's how long I'll be expected to stay imprisoned for the murder of Trevor. Due to the fact that he hurt me, I was given a lower sentence. That's the information I received afterward as I was being brought here to the prison. "Courtesy of the Alpha and the judge," the officer told me before spitting at my feet. "It's certainly more than an Omega like you deserves." Most police officers are Gammas, so they're higher in rank than us. Omegas are considered the weakest people in every pack, and I'm pretty sure we'd all be killed if they—the higher-ups— didn't need people to clean after them. I'm numb. My brutal reality hasn't sunk in yet, and so as a result, I have this feeling like all of this is temporary and I'll go home soon. I haven't quite accepted the fact that I'll be imprisoned for ten years. I couldn't say how many hours passed since I was shoved in my cell. The bottom bunk be
Under the Shadow of the Moon Chapter 4: As Free As A Bird
Delaney Seven Years Later An officer knocks on the metal bars with his bat and I look up from the book I'm reading. "Time to go," he simply tells me. "Where?" I ask. He doesn't answer me; he just unlocks the door. The metallic sound of it opening fills my ears. I put my book down and he shakes his head. "Bring everything you own with you," he informs me. "We've received a court order for your release."My eyes widen and for a moment, I lose the ability to breathe. This can't be. I'm being released? Today?"Hurry up, Waters," the officer grumbles. "I don't have all day."I gather my things in my arms quickly before deciding to use my pillowcase as a makeshift bag. I don't have much; just books, deodorant that I traded for a book, a pack of cigarettes that I've started smoking in here, and a lighter. There's also the piece of paper that Paola left for me on the day she was released, which was a month ago. It's states her address and a phone number I can reach her with. We became ve
Under the Shadow of the Moon Chapter 5: Immediate Tension
DelaneyThe sight of Paola's brother leaves me light-headed, mostly because she told me so much about him over the years and I never knew that I'd already seen him before. The man standing before me gives me a once-over. Paola has cut her hair short and has gotten rid of all the black dye on her hair, and honestly, I think the color suits her more. Her hair is now the same dirty blonde as his, making them look very alike. Only, the big difference between them is that although Paola can be explosive at times, she has this soft look to her. Her eyes are big and kind. Her brother, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. His eyes are full of curiosity and disdain as he sizes me up while a sly smile curls at the edges his plump lips. When they land on mine after his assessment, I have the feeling that he's making fun of me in his head. I wonder if he recognizes me, too. The day of the trial was such a long time ago. "This is the friend you made in prison?" Pollux asks. His voice
Under the Shadow of the Moon Chapter 6: The Omegatrix
Delaney"What do you think?" Paola asks in my ear. "Pretty cool, huh?"I have no words for the scene in front of me. When we were walking through the tunnel to get here, I had no idea what to expect. I certainly didn't know that we would be walking into a whole city built under the one I grew up in. No wonder they call it the Underworld. "How did we manage all this?" I ask her as we walk through a narrow passageway. Most of the streets are narrow, and it's just dirt beneath our feet. Still, I'm impressed by the gothic feel of the place and how, for some reason, I've never heard about a place like this. I didn't even know such a thing could be possible. Some of the buildings we come across have been carved into the bedrock itself. It's not like they transported bricks down here. I'm surprised our city hasn't collapsed yet. I just can't believe this place is real. "It's been in the works for centuries," she informs me. "Many people helped bring this place to life, you know? It's ju
Under the Shadow of the Moon Chapter 7: A Guilty Conscience
AlecI’m sitting on the edge of my bed and a million things are running through my mind because today was quite an eventful day for me, and a few hours ago, I received the confirmation that it all worked out in my favor. I glance at Carla, who’s lying on her side fast asleep, and slowly get out of bed before walking toward the window of our bedroom. The moon is merely a crescent, but I’m drawn to her already. In a few days, the Full Moon Hunt will begin. For once, I actually feel excited about it, and that’s because this year, I’ve let go of the weight that’s been burdening me for close to seven years. My father’s death earlier this year has made me Alpha, and with that, came a heap of responsibilities. Leading the pack is more troublesome than I thought, and it’s incredibly difficult to make a decision because it has to be approved by the board of Alphas that rule our city. Carla moans in her sleep, and I tense up and turn my head to look at her. Thankfully, she doesn’t wake up.
Under the Shadow of the Moon Chapter 8: Animosity
DelaneyMy work shift is pretty easy, apart from one thing. I’ve forgotten how to socialize with people. If I had to be completely honest, I’d say that I never really learned how to deal with people. In school, I didn’t have any friends. Everyone was too busy calling me Cursey Waters to get to know me, even the other Omegas. The years I spent in isolation made things worse, so I feel awkward around big crowds, and for some reason, I’m afraid that someone will recognize me and spread tales about me. I serve my last table the beer they ordered and then return to the bar. Paola is busy with the cashier, and she glances at me covertly before asking, “Are you okay?”“Yeah, just a little overwhelmed,” I admit. “You seem on edge,” she notes. “It’s weird being around people again, right?”“I guess so.”The door of the cavern swings open and Francesca and Pollux both walk in. They’re standing very close, and she presses a kiss to the side of his neck before making her way back to the bar.
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Under the Shadow of the Moon Chapter 112: Empty Lands
DelaneySaying goodbye to Alec is always a bittersweet moment. This time, it’s more bitter than it is sweet. He drops me off near the car, and after saying goodbye to each other for the hundredth time, I start making my way back to the rebel camp. At least now I know that we have Alec’s support. What happens next can’t be predicted by anyone, we’ll just have to wait and see. And keep fighting, of course. I hope I won’t find the group as demoralized as they were last night. I come bearing good news, I hope. I hope it’ll cheer them up. We’ll see.The drive back feels longer than it should. Maybe it’s the silence in the car. The rebels don’t exactly have state-of-the-art vehicles, and the rumbling engine is loud enough to drown out my thoughts if I let it. But my brain insists on working overtime, replaying Alec’s words over and over again.I clench the steering wheel tighter, his words curling like smoke in my mind. I’ve never felt this desperate, not even when I was in the prison.
Under the Shadow of the Moon Chapter 111: Time Together
AlecSpending this time with Delaney is the biggest blessing I’ve had to date. I have no complaints. I can only feel grateful for the opportunity. As I’d mentioned before, we don’t know when we’ll have a chance like this again, what with the instability in the world, so we have to make the most of it. I wake up with her in my arms, her warmth grounding me in a way I haven’t felt in years. The morning light filters through the curtains, streaks of sunlight spilling over the bed. The peace of it all feels surreal, as if it doesn’t belong to us, as if the world outside hasn’t been turned upside down by war.Her body is curled against mine, her head resting on my chest, and I can hear the soft rhythm of her breathing. For a fleeting moment, I allow myself to think that maybe—just maybe—this is how things could be. No rebels. No wars. No betrayals. Just her and me.However, when the sun rises, I realize that it’s time for us to get serious. The world outside doesn’t stop just because I
Under the Shadow of the Moon Chapter 110: Perfection
DelaneyWe’re lying in bed, and we’re both naked. The room is silent except for the sound of our breathing. His hand is tracing slow, lazy circles along the length of my leg, his fingers skimming the skin with a softness that feels surreal. My head is propped on my hand, and I’m staring at his face, studying every line, every freckle, every curve of his lips. It’s like I’m trying to memorize him all over again. My skin is covered in a thin layer of sweat, and so is his. The space between my legs pulses from the orgasm he gave me a few moments ago.I didn’t know how much I’d missed this intimacy until now. There’s a part of me that still feels like I’m dreaming. That maybe I’ve lost my mind, and this isn’t real. How could it be? Alec, here, with me, in the quiet safety of this room—it feels impossible. Like the world hasn’t given me permission to have this, to have him. But his touch earlier, the way he held me, the way he kissed me—it all felt so real. Too real to deny. So I have t
Under the Shadow of the Moon Chapter 109: Safe and Alive
Alec When word spreads that Tobias Renner escaped, all hell breaks loose. I watch it happen without participating at all. I stand on the sidelines while decisions are made, and honestly, words can’t describe how hard my heart drops when the word ‘war’ is mentioned. I try to dispute it only once, asking the Alpha that has taken over Jason’s pack whether he’s sure of what he’s saying, since he was the one who suggested it. Everyone agrees, deciding that there isn’t time to talk and that they have to be taken care of quickly. Delaney. She’s all I can think about at a time like this. I have to warn her that this will happen. Then again, by the time I make it to the house, she’s probably going to know. I keep a close eye on the time. I don’t want her to get there and not find me, in case she decides to come tonight. I have a feeling she will. We haven’t seen each other in what feels like forever, and it’s important for both of us to catch up. There’s so much I want to say to her. Bo
Under the Shadow of the Moon Chapter 108: Last Hope
DelaneyMy eyes spring open, but this time around, the room is silent. I’m so used to waking up amidst chaos that it kind of feels strange to wake up in a silent room. I look at Paola’s bed, and even in the dim lighting, I can tell that the bed is empty. She’s not in the room. I sit up, and stretch my arms high above my head before looking down at my body and realizing that I’m still wearing the prison guard’s uniform. It makes me feel disgusted, and I realize right away that I have to change out of these clothes. I head into the bathroom with a fresh set of clothes, and immediately scrub the prison off my body. I hated being back there, even though it was thanks to our excursion that I found out that Alec was alive. Thoughts of his death were eating at me, but now I know he’s alive, and I’ve been feeling this overwhelming sense of joy. Just pure joy. The sound of water hitting tile fills the small bathroom as I let the shower wash over me, hot and steady. It’s therapeutic, really
Under the Shadow of the Moon Chapter 107: Choosing To Stay
DelaneyAs soon as we get to the parking lot, and I’m specifically talking about my father and me, I open the trunk of the car and then position the trolley so that he can slip inside without anyone noticing.Sweat is trickling down my face, and although I’m relieved that we made it out alive and that Alec is alive, I’m worried about Francesca. I don’t see her anywhere around, and I didn’t come across her once in the prison. “Did you make it?” one of the rogues who were in the car with me ask. “Yes,” I say. “But where’s Francesca?”“I have no idea,” he replies. “I thought she went in with you.”My heart sinks, but I have to trust that she’ll make it out alive. I can’t go back for her, not without compromising myself and everyone else. Besides, even if she’s still in there looking, soon, news of his disappearance will spread and she’ll know where to find us. I push away the dirty sheets and curtains, and find the top do my father’s head. “It’s okay, you can come out. The coast is cl
Under the Shadow of the Moon Chapter 106: Success
AlecMy heart has been stretched to its capacity. There isn’t room for anything else. Not uncertainty. Not fear. Nothing, really. I’d left the hospital determined to find her, and now where I am, holding her hand and guiding her away from the hallway.Of course, when we step into the light, I have to release her hand because there is no way in hell that we can be seen together. Not holding hands, at least. She’s currently rearranging her cap to hide her hair, and when she meets my gaze, my heart skips a beat. So beautiful. So damn beautiful. Even in this lifeless uniform and with tears banging to her eyelashes, she’s still the most gorgeous woman in this entire fucking world. My mate. My everything. I turn away from her, and focus. I have to get her out of this place. Her and her father. They’re only here because of me, because I betrayed her trust. This drives me forward and gives me a strength that I haven’t felt in a long time. I don’t even feel the pain coursing through my band
Under the Shadow of the Moon Chapter 105: Together
Delaney The cold, damp air of the prison clings to my skin, making it impossible to shake the feeling that the walls are closing in on me. Prior to this, I didn’t think I was claustrophobic. But maybe, this doesn’t have anything to do with an undiscovered phobia. Maybe I’m just deathly afraid of being caught. I’d never even get out of here, that’s the part that’s killing me. If I’m caught, I’ll probably be put into my old cell, and then who will help me escape?My heart is slamming against my chest as I press my back against the partially open door, straining to hear the fading footsteps outside. Alec’s voice echoes in my mind like a haunting melody.He’s alive.The relief is fleeting, even though this is the best thing I’ve heard, as it’s drowned out by the sharp bite of fear now dwelling inside of me. Alec being here changes everything. I really wish I could find him, but I don’t know if he’s on the way out and I also have no way of following him without compromising myself. I’ll
Under the Shadow of the Moon Chapter 104: Inside The Prison
DelaneyThe prison. Even looking at it makes my heart skip a beat and nauseates me. I’ve spent so many painful years behind the walls of this facility that looking at it now just makes me remember it. My father is behind those walls, and I try not to imagine what he might be going through. He’ll probably be transferred soon, because this is an all-women prison, and the male one is just outside the city. Nobody in the car says anything. We have a plan, but it’s risky. I’ve volunteered to be at the front line just because I’m the one who brought them here. Plus, it’s my father in there. And if I want to save him, then I should go there myself. “Okay,” I say. “So, we wait for the next shift to begin, and then we grab them, lock them in the car unconscious, and head inside. Right?”“Right,” Francesca says. She’s seated somewhere behind me. I don’t turn to look at her. My eyes are straight ahead, on the prison. Our car is in the parking lot. For some reason, there are many cars here t
