Chapter 12: Luna's Watchful Eyes

Moving closer, she stared at her reflection.

She looked pale. Should be because of the recent events, she said, sighing.

Maybe a little change of environment to the park will do.

Too bad I have to ask before leaving, she said, closing the door.

— ✦ — ✦ — ✦ —

"Who's there?" he looked up.

"Hi," entered Aria with a bland look on her face.

Kaelith was also there.

Doesn't matter. I'll just go straight to the point, she thought.

Taking a seat, she started, "I'd like to go out to the park tomorrow."

Before he could say a word, she quickly added, "On my own."

"I'll be fine," she said when she noticed the look on his face.

"It's not safe out there," he said, jaw working.

"I'll go out early and be back before dark," she said, gripping the armrest at the tension.

"I look sickly. I just need a little change," she added, eyes pleading.

"It's not—"

Cutting him off, "I've been stuck in this building since I got here. I just need a little break from everything I've found out… take a walk so I'll know I'm not insane."

As if in tune with the conversation, thunder rumbled, sending a large downpour of rain running down the tapered glass windows.

The muscles on his arm were now visibly taut.

He couldn't disagree that she looked pale—everything that had happened recently must have been a lot on her.

Turning to Kaelith, he couldn't read his expression.

"I don't have anything to say to both of you," he said dryly.

Perhaps a little air might do, he thought with an internal sigh.

"Be back by four," he said without thinking.

"But someone has to go with you," he continued, drowning her complaint.

"I'll have Luke go with you, since he's a good companion and around your age."

"Alright," she sighed in defeat.

— ✦ — ✦ — ✦ —

"You sent for me, Luna?" came a voice, shutting the door behind her.

"Yes, Valerie. Sit," she motioned to the chair beside her.

"I need you to carry out a little task for me.

I gather that she'll be out on a walk tomorrow. I need you to keep an eye on her for any change."

— ✦ — ✦ — ✦ —

7:30 AM

"It's the next day already," she said with a yawn, opening first one eye, then the next.

"At least there was no nightmare," she said, getting out of bed.

Breakfast today was eerily quiet, she noticed as she sat facing the window.

No chirping of birds, no rustling of the trees.

The forest stood quiet, without the feel of life to it.

A sudden knock on the door had her jolting.

"Good morning, miss," came a male voice.

He was tall with dusty brown hair, had broad shoulders, and wore a tailored suit.

"I'm Luke, your guardian for the day."

"Good morning, Luke. You can call me Aria," she said, extending her hand for a shake.

"Are you ready?" he asked, taking a quick sweep at her.

"Yes, let me just grab a book… Done," she said, reaching the door.

The car was a jaw-dropping grey Mercedes.

"Is this yours?" she asked, going closer to take a look.

"No, it's the Alpha's."

"I see. What exactly does he do?"

"You mean from the whole Alpha thing? He runs multiple businesses—from the family business to his personal ones."

"Ahh, I see," was all she could manage to say.

"What type of Mercedes is this?"

Turning to him, "Don't be surprised—I like cars. And this one's quite easy to spot out because of the logo."

"It's a Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600."

"The name does sound chic," she muttered.

"Shall we?"

"Yeah, right."

"Ronan said you're around my age, so you'll make good company."

"I'll be turning 18 in a bit. What about you?"

Clearing his throat, "I'm 20."

"This will be my second visit to the park. I last went to one in elementary school during a road trip, and it was so fun. What about you?" she asked, turning to him.

"Sorry in advance for the multiple questions. I haven't had someone else to talk to for some time now."

He gripped the wheel and steered hard to the right.

"I've been there at least five times—and to different parks."

"Life must have been better for you," she said, facing the window.

The rest of the drive continued in silence.

"We're here," he said, turning to the corners of a high-end gate.

Riverstone Commons Park ran its top.

Willow trees lined the far corners swaying in the direction of the wind. Flower beds containing roses, tulips, and many more flowers filled the area and the air smelled natural, like the gentle morning rain.

There were benches under shady trees with a few people sitting beneath them.

Coming down from the car, she heard her first share of bird chirping for the day.

Further down was a fountain filled with coins.

A wishing fountain, she thought seeing a child bending over excitedly tossing a coin in it.

The blue sky showed promising weather, with the faint ray of sunlight.

Walking the corners, little squirrels were seen in the grassy fields, with fallen leaves across the grounds.

This part was busier and filled with a lot of human activity—

People jogging, children playing board games in the shade.

A couple passed by with a cute dog.

Someone wore shades reading a book on a bench.

There was something different about this person, but she quickly brushed it off.

Turning to her right, she noticed Luke was also engrossed in the scenery.

The playground was filled with little screams of children struggling to be first on the slide.

The whole area smelled of grass and blooming flowers.

A whole new environment from that cage, she thought with a chuckle.

He turned to her with a questioning brow lift.

"I just thought of something," she answered to his unasked question.

"How are you enjoying the scenery?"

"It's been lovely so far," she said inhaling deeply.

"I gather you're also liking it," she said with a cock of her head.

"Yes, I am. The air here is different—in a good way."

She caught quick movements in the shadows around the slides, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

Before she could take a step further to check what it was, a singing band came forward, playing nice tunes with lovely songs causing a brief distraction. The audience cheered at each interval.

"Would you like to?" he asked, gesturing to the people dropping money in the hat.

With a quick nod, she grabbed the money and stepped forward.

Feeling eyes on her, she looked around into the trees—just in time to see a female figure melting into the shadows.

Turning to him, there was no doubt he followed her gaze and saw it, as he pulled her closer to his side.

The figure was gone, but the feeling of being watched stayed—thick and cold like mist.

No doubt, this was going to be an adventure.