5-𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗲

I stood there, frozen in confusion, as Kaidën's words hung in the air.

"What...what do you mean?" I stuttered, my mind racing. Kaidën's eyes seemed to glaze over, and he stared at me for a long, uncomfortable moment. I felt like I was drowning in the depths of his gaze, like he could see right through me.

Then, suddenly his eyes widened and he shook himself back to reality. His eyes snapped back into focus, and he quickly stepped back, putting some distance between us.

"I...I apologize, I didn't mean to startle you." I shook my head, still feeling a bit dazed. How can he say something like that? Was it a joke or what?

"It's okay, did you need something?" Kaidën took a deep breath, composing himself.

"Your father sent me to check up on you, you were gone for a while now" he said as I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease.

"Okay,"

Kaidën nodded, his eyes serious.

"I'm going to go on patrol tonight, I want you to spend the night with Xylara. She's alone as her attendant is on a sick leave, and you're the only trustworthy person to me"

My eyebrows furrowed. Why should I go when she's not even a bit close to me? It wasn't my duty to look after that madam. I balled my palms into a fist. She made my blood boil, her thoughts alone.

I stomped through the hallway, my feet carrying me to Xylara's room with a mind of their own. I was seething with anger, annoyance, and irritation all mixed together. I pushed the door open, not bothering to knock. Xylara looked up from her book, a bland expression on her face.

"You're here," she stated, her voice devoid of emotion. I went to the couch near the bed and threw myself down, feeling like I was going to explode.

"Kaidën told me to come keep you company," I said, my voice flat. Xylara raised an eyebrow.

"How thoughtful of my dear Kaidën” I glared at her, feeling a surge of annoyance. I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of knowing what was going on.

I crossed my arms over my chest, and stared back at her, my expression just as cold and unforgiving. As the night wore on, my eyelids finally began to droop, and I drifted off to sleep. But my rest was short-lived.

A few hours later, I was jolted awake by a sense of unease. I felt a presence close to me, and my heart began to pound in my chest. I slowly opened my eyes, and my gaze fell upon Xylara's face, inches from mine.

My blood ran cold as I took in the sight of Xylara's hand, clutching a pillow. It was clear what she had intended to do. I felt a surge of adrenaline as I realized I had narrowly escaped being smothered.

But Xylara's expression was serene, almost innocent. She smiled sweetly at me, and her voice was laced with concern.

"Astrid, dear, I was just checking on you. You were having a nightmare, and I didn't want you to hurt yourself."

I stared at her, my mind reeling with shock and fear. How could she be so calm, so collected, after what she had just tried to do? I knew that I had to be careful around her, that I couldn't trust her as far as I could throw her. I forced myself to speak, trying to keep my voice steady.

"I'm fine, just a bad dream." Xylara's smile never wavered.

"Okay. If you're sure you're okay, I'll just go back to bed."

I watched her as she settled back into her own bed, her eyes closing as if she were about to drift off to sleep. But I knew better. I knew that Xylara was far from innocent, and that I had to be constantly on guard around her.

I woke up early the next morning, determined to put the events of the previous night behind me. I quickly got dressed and headed to the kitchen to start my chores.As I worked, Evelyn chatted with me about her day, asking me about my tasks and offering words of encouragement. I appreciated her kindness, and I found myself feeling more at ease around her.

As we worked, I couldn't help but think about the strange conversation I had with Kaidën the day before. And I couldn't shake the feeling that it was all connected to the Lunar Curse.

"Evelyn," I said, as we took a break to drink some tea. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, dear, what's on your mind?"

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to phrase my question. I sighed, straightening myself before I opened my mouth.

"It's about the Lunar Curse, I've been hearing whispers about it, but I don't really understand what it is." Evelyn's expression turned serious, and she leaned in close.

"The Lunar Curse is an ancient legend, it's said to affect the lunar pack, causing them to...change during the full moon."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I listened to Evelyn's words. How come i was so unaware of it. Sure i heard some stories about it but i did not know it was this dangerous.

"Change? What do you mean?" Evelyn hesitated, glancing around the kitchen as if she feared being overheard.

"I shouldn't be telling you this,and I think you have a right to know. The Lunar Curse is said to bring out the...beast in those who are afflicted. They lose control, becoming violent and unpredictable."

I felt a surge of fear as I listened to Evelyn's words. Was this related to kaiden?

I walked down the hallway, my heart still racing from the conversation with Evelyn. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that there was more to the Lunar Curse than Evelyn had let on.

As I approached the room at the end of the hall, I heard a faint groan. My heart skipped a beat as I pushed open the door and stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, the only sound the soft groaning coming from the corner. I approached cautiously, my eyes adjusting to the darkness.

And then I saw a figure, tied up with ropes, a piece of tape covering their mouth. My heart racing, I rushed over to the figure, trying to make out who it was.

As I got closer, I saw that it was one of the pack members, a young man named Lucas. His eyes were wild with fear, and he struggled against the ropes, trying to free himself.

I felt a surge of anger and fear as I realized that someone had done this to Lucas. Who could it be? And why?

I reached out to untie Lucas, but before I could even touch the ropes, a hand clamped down on my arm, pulling me away. I spun around, ready to defend myself, and found myself face to face with Kaidën. His eyes were blazing with intensity, and his grip on my arm was like a vice.

"What are you doing?" I demanded, trying to shake off his grip. Kaidën's gaze flicked to Lucas, and then back to me.

"You can't let him go,"

he growled, his voice low and menacing. I tried to struggle against his grip, but Kaidën was too strong. He pulled me out of the room, slamming the door shut behind us.

As we stood in the hallway, Kaidën's grip on my arm tightened.

"What's going on, Kaidën?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady.

Kaidën's eyes seemed to bore into mine, as if searching for something. And then, in a low, husky voice, he said,

"You don't want to get involved in this, Astrid. Trust me.” I tried to shake off Kaidën's grip, but he held firm.

"Let me go," I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady. Kaidën's eyes seemed to flash with something, but he didn't release me. Instead, he pulled me closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"You don't understand what's going on here," he said, his breath hot against my ear. "You need to stay out of this, Astrid. For your own safety."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as Kaidën's words sent a chill through me. What was he hiding? And why was he so determined to keep me out of it?

Suddenly, Kaidën's head snapped up, his ears perked up as if he had heard something. He pulled me closer, his eyes scanning the hallway.

"What is it?" I whispered, feeling a sense of unease. Kaidën's grip on my arm tightened.

"We need to get out of here," he said, his voice low and urgent. "Now.” I shook my head, refusing to back down.

"No, I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on," I said, my voice rising in anger. Kaidën's eyes narrowed, his grip on my arm tightening.

"Astrid, listen to me," he growled. But I was beyond listening.

"What have you been doing, Kaidën? One minute you're being all sweet and protective, and the next you're growling at me like a beast. What's going on? Are you losing control or something?"

Kaidën's expression turned serious, his eyes burning with intensity. He took a step closer to me, his arms trapping me against the wall.

"You want to know what's going on?" he whispered, his breath hot against my ear.

"I'll tell you. I'm trying to protect you, Astrid. From myself."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as Kaidën's words sent a thrill of fear through me. What did he mean? And why did his words make me feel like I was melting into his gaze?

But before I could ask any questions, Kaidën's lips brushed against my ear, sending a jolt of electricity through my body.

"You're making it hard for the both of us," he whispered, his voice low and husky. "And I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”