Pure Moonlight (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"I think you just want me to carry you," he growled teasingly, and slowly he pulled back from her to lean over her and slip his arms beneath her. He lifted her away from the table with ease as if she were just a feather, and he carried her away into her bedroom where he joined her beneath the covers with a soft sigh when they settled. He was tired, she often did that to him. Despite his strength, he didn't have her same energy for prolonged lovemaking, though he would push past tiredness to please her.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I hope you never have to leave again, Kres." Selena murmured sleepily as he got them situated beneath the covers of her bed. "Because I don't think my heart could take it a second time."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Nor could mine..." he sighed against her throat as he laid his head against her shoulder and settled at her side.

They remained such a peaceful household for months, half a year, and Kreston only ever went off to try to visit his tribe once a month. Twice he failed due to hunters, but when he did manage to get there, he was always back by the next morning.

But that sixth time, happy and content as he was, bringing gifts for his son and love from his tribe who'd heard of them, he returned and a strange feeling was in the air. Kreston felt it too but he couldn't understand what it might be even after searching all around the house and whatnot for anything out of place or any danger.

In those months, Ruben had been getting suddenly stronger and his senses were sharpening at an amazing rate. He was uncomfortable in his own skin now, to say the least, but Kreston explained to him what was happening. It happened to about half the human children born from a werecreature and a human, and it was happening to Ruben as his tenth birthday was approaching; his body was getting ready to change into its true werewolf form.

Ruben wasn't afraid, but he was nervous and he wasn't sure if Selena would be okay with it. Kreston soothed not only his mind but also the incredible excesses of energy he suddenly had, with playful wrestling, chasing, and meditation. Ruben took to it perfectly well, his emerging wolfish instincts valuing the attention to his need for hunting practice and patience.

It was one evening while Ruben was reading by the fireplace that Kreston stood watching over him from the archway into the kitchen, then he turned to look to Selena. "It might be in his best interest to come hunting with me sometime soon. The sooner he's in touch with his hunter instinct, the sooner he can get comfortable with it."

 

[heartofcourage]

Selena had known that since the time of Ruben's birth, he would change. According to the lore, there was a fifty/fifty chance that her little boy would remain human, but she knew Kreston's blood was strong and pure. He didn't have a chance and she had always dreaded the moment that Ruben would change and no longer need her.

She tried to be supportive of him, never changing the way that she treated him. She loved him fiercely, but she was afraid that soon she was going to be all alone. It had been just her and him for so long.

She glanced up from the potatoes that she was peeling as Kreston mentioned taking Ruben hunting. "It's a valuable lesson for him to learn, but he already knows how to hunt from me."

She had been a little short with Kreston since his return, her tension and reservations riding along just beneath the surface of her skin.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know he does, but I'm talking about a different style," Kreston looked over at her. He'd noticed her tension and he set down his knife that he was sharpening. "Selena..." He reached out to lay a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I know you must be hurting... and I'm sorry."

 

[heartofcourage]

"There's nothing to be sorry about." She said, jerking her shoulder away from his hand as she stood from the table and moved to place the potatoes in a pot of boiling water.

Selena had never been one to share what she was feeling. Perhaps the only person in the world who had ever seen her express that was her son...and now she was losing him. She blamed her father for all of that. He had been hard, cold, never a kind word to anyone. He was quick to lash out and even quicker to anger. She had found herself on the receiving end of his hand a few times, taking a slap that might have been meant for little Kayla.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kreston recoiled slightly at her quick pull away from his touch, and he sighed. Perhaps it was best to let her be. So he joined Ruben, and at dinner, all was quiet. Ruben was aware of the tension and he finally spoke up: "Ma... what's wrong?"

 

[heartofcourage]

Selena looked at her son sitting across the table and she gave him a small smile. "There's nothing wrong, love." She said softly, her gaze moving back to her meal as she continued to struggle with everything.

 

[KieranSoares]

It was at this unconvincing response that Ruben slid from his chair and came around the table to hug his mother tightly about the waist, and then he reached up to place Kreston's broad hand over her own. Ruben's own hand remained there to keep theirs together.

"I know why you're upset, Ma," Ruben said softly as he laid his head against her shoulder. "I'm not gonna leave when I change, I promise."

 

[heartofcourage]

Selena let out a sigh as Ruben promised that he wasn't going to leave when his change happened. She pressed her cheek against his soft hair and nodded, knowing that it was a promise that he more than likely couldn't keep. He needed his pack just as much as she needed him. It was important to Kreston to introduce him to everyone else.

"I know you will, love." Selena said softly, kissing his brow before she shooed him back towards his seat to finish his meal. "Let's focus on happy things for right now, though. Like what we're going to do for your Da's birthday tomorrow."

 

[KieranSoares]

"My birthday?" Kreston asked with a tilt of his head. After a moment of thought, he realized she was right. "You don't have to do anything special, Selena," he spoke softly, knowing that the last thing Selena needed was to waste what little extra she had on him.

"We've never gotten a chance to before, Da," Ruben reasoned.

 

[heartofcourage]

"It's Ruben's idea." Selena said softly, looking at Kreston as if to say that they would do it and he would be happy because their son was the one with the idea. "I'll make a nice meal for us tomorrow evening."

 

[KieranSoares]

Kreston nodded and reached out to ruffle Ruben's hair, knowing that he couldn't say no to them. But that night as they cleaned up and Ruben headed to bed, Kreston came to Selena and wrapped his arms around her waist to hold her gently in silent apology for the pain that she was going through at the thought of losing her son.

 

[heartofcourage]

Selena pulled herself from his arms as he wrapped them about her waist. She didn't want his apology. She didn't want his comfort. She wanted the ache in her soul to stop. She wanted to feel whole and happy again.

"I hate it that he's worried about me." She said softly, cleaning the last of the dishes and placing them in their proper place. "He's a little boy. He doesn't need to worry about his mother."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He is a little boy, but he's more mature and more intelligent than most people ever become in their lives." Kreston watched her with deep concern. "I'm sorry, Selena... but I promise Ruben won't have to leave you. I swear he won't."

 

[heartofcourage]

Selena stopped and turned to look at Kreston. She let out a long sigh, struggling to keep the sad emotion that wanted to come forth at bay.

"He needs to be with his family, Kres." She said softly. "I know how important that is for a wolf. I can't keep him hidden away. He'd be miserable."

 

[KieranSoares]

"But that doesn't mean you have to be miserable instead," Kreston told her gently. He nearly said more when a knock sounded at the door. At this time of night, it could only be a messenger from Inverness, or trouble. Kreston shied away out of sight of the door, not willing to let himself be seen by the visitor unless necessary.

A call came from outside, "Lady Selena, letter for you from King Brogan!"

 

[heartofcourage]

Selena frowned at the man's voice and she was quick to open the door, holding out her hand for the letter. "What news is there?" She asked the messenger, knowing that they often had more to say then what was in the letter.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well, both good an' bad, milady. Lady Julia is expecting another child, but th' late Lady Cassandra's older sister 'as taken over Wick since Arland's death, an' she's attacking Inverness with all force. I've 'eard a rumor, though it may be just paranoia, that she 'as another, greater ally elsewhere coming to her aid..." He messenger handed over her letter.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Thank you. Please, come in and refresh yourself before you return." She said to the man, stepping aside to allow him to enter the house as she pulled open the sealed letter from her brother.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan's letter was clearly scrawled quickly, likely not long before he'd headed to war.

Selena,

Sister, I need your help. Sarah Monaghan's gone mad and has taken over Wick after I killed Arland for taking my family. Everyone made it home safe with a new ally called Theo, but Sarah's coming back with a vengeance. Julia is heading Inverness alone, but Kayla is with her. Durban, Boar, Ashien, Vincenzo, and Valentina are with me. I want to ask you to go to Julia and help her. You know how Inverness works as well as Durban does, and Julia needs all the help she can get. Not to mention, I think it will do her some good to see Ruben. I'll keep Inverness safe, don't worry, so he won't have anything to fear.

Thank you, dear sister, if you do go. And Ruben's father is welcome too, if you wish to bring him.
-Brogan

 

[heartofcourage]

Selena read the letter and let out a sigh. She knew her brother would not call her to Inverness unless the situation was dire. He was even asking for Kreston to come too if it was in his power. She pressed the letter against her heart, asking the Gods to watch over her family as she moved past the kitchen where the messenger was resting to talk with Kreston.

Quietly, she passed the letter to him, sitting on the edge of her bed as she waited for him to read. "The choice is yours, love. Ruben and I will leave in the morning."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I..." Kreston began after reading the letter. "I don't know... Inverness may not be ready for my kind..." He met her eyes. "I want to meet your family, love... I really do, but... I'm scared." Never had he admitted his own fear, even when it was obvious.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Kres, I can't make this decision for you." Selena said softly. "My family would never think differently of you simply because you're a wolf."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I... I think I'll stay..." Kreston muttered, a bit ashamed of his own cowardice. "I'll look after the house at the very least. If you want me while you're there, though, if things get dangerous, send for me. I'll come."