028

Adrian’s POV

“Ha.” I groaned as we reached my chamber. Kyle buried his hands inside his pocket and brought out a key, the one which belonged to my chamber.

Kyle opened the door and helped me inside. I was exhausted, I sank onto the edge of the bed lying on my stomach.

My fingers twitched, and I realized my claws were still out and broken, they hadn’t shifted back to normal.

Another should have grown by now, but I guess they haven’t yet because the full moon just ended.

“Tell me what happened?” I said, my voice low and muffled.

“Nothing much, she came around. I spotted her when she was running, but she is fine.”

Kyle walked towards the door. “You need to rest, please let me know if you need anything and you have the whole day to rest if you have too.”

Then, I gave a faint smile.

He lingered for a while before stepping out before closing the door quietly behind him.

Silence crept in as I laid still on the bed, like every drop of blood had drained from my body.

I turned to lie on my back and began staring up at the ceiling. I had survived the night but Elysia had nearly found me.

I had perceived her scent drifting too close to the garden, I had to hold on really tight so as not to allow what had happened to Mia to happen to her.

She couldn’t know. Elysia must never know the truth about me.

Not this curse.

My eyes grew heavy as I drifted into an uneasy sleep.

I saw Mia’s lifeless eyes, the blood on my hands, the way she’d screamed my name.

And then suddenly, I woke up panicking from the dream and trying to catch my breath. with a start.

I was drenched in sweat, as if I’d fought a war in my sleep.

Afternoon sunlight filtered through the curtains. I sat up slowly for a while then stood up.

I had to clean up and go and see Sarah before her mind starts wandering about. I made my way to the bathtub, stripping off my pants from yesterday’s night. I stood in front of the mirror.

Bruises marred my chest, back, and even my shoulders. I stared at them and gritted my teeth.

I switched on the tap and stepped into the shower, letting the warm water brush down my skin. It stung where I had bruises.

“Ha! Fuck” I groaned.

Suddenly my thoughts drifted to Elysia, I wondered how she had slept and if she was scared and had suspected anything.

I couldn’t allow her to find out.

Not now, not ever. I didn’t want her to know I could hurt her even when I didn’t want to.

I got out of the bathtub and then I dried my body. And then stood in front of my wardrobe.

Seems like I had to look for a wear that could cover my bruises. I spotted one, it was a high collared tunic with a long sleeve.

I pulled the cloth over my head to wear and glanced at the mirror, but I could still see the bruises, so I had to search for another .

This time it covered all my bruises, it was heavier and more formal. I couldn’t risk her noticing anything.

By the time I stepped out into the hallway, the people were already staring at me. Guards moved in silence and somewhere in the distance, I heard the gentle hum of conversation but I ignored

Kyle was waiting just outside my door and he swiftly glanced at me.

“Feeling better?” he asked without looking at me.

“Not really,” I replied

He studied me for a moment. “Wait, You’re going to see her?”

I nodded once then I locked the door behind me.

“Adrain, Elysia has been restless since yesterday ,” he said carefully. “Sarah said she’s been asking questions and she also said Elysia saw something last night.”

My heart stopped Instantly. “She didn’t see me, Kyle,You told me she didn’t.

“She didn’t know it was you, but she saw something,” he corrected.

I ran a hand through my hair, “Then I guess I will have to convince her she imagined it.”

Kyle’s expression turned hard. “Adrian, how long can you keep hiding this from her? If she’s going to be Luna”

“She will never find out,” I frowned.

As we reached Elysia’s door, I paused. I swallowed hard and let out a deep breath.

I needed to see her, I needed to know she was truly safe and I had to ensure my secret was safe with me and Kyle.

I knocked on her door.

A few moments later, the door creaked open.

I could see a figure approaching me, it was Elysia . She looked even more beautiful, a black robe clung to her skin and her nipples were visible through the thin fabric.

Her eyes widened when she saw me. “Adrian”

She stepped aside and allowed me in.

“I wanted to check on you, I heard you were unsettled last night and I wanted to be sure if you were safe” , I said keeping my voice low.

She sat on the edge of her bed and took a deep breath. “I heard something in the garden.”

My chest tightened. “What kind of sound?”

“I don’t know but it sounded like someone was in pain, I was curious and then I peeped, Kyle told me it was a rogue. But I don’t know. It felt different.”

I wrapped my arms around her and she placed her head on my chest . I was trying not to flinch

“It was a rogue,” I had to lie. “Kyle handled it already.”

I released her and he looked down at her hands, fidgeting her fingers.

I reached out slowly, taking her hand in mine. Her fingers were cold.

“I wouldn’t let anything hurt you,” I said. “You’re safe here. With me.”

“I know.”

I wanted to tell her everything, but I couldn’t. She would hate me.

Instead, I stood and gently kissed her forehead.