Barely Breathing

Chapter 18: Time to run free like the wind

EXHAUSTED. That's how I feel yet here I am lying flat on my stomach, hugging my comfy pillow under my head while staring at space. For sleep was too elusive which left me awake throughout the night. It was 2 a.m.

I blame it all on Xyrus words lingering in my mind, mocking me of its truthfulness.

Another moment passed and still beat awake, I groaned flinging my head up and down on the pillow out of frustration.

Moving out of bed, I decided to stop in the kitchen to get some drinks first.

A can of coke seems the exact opposite of what I should get but I took it still. Curse the sleep I need later, I'm getting a soft drink.

"Can't sleep?" I almost spilled out the coke being surprised at the slurry voice behind me.

Carter, standing in the doorway with a smug look. He leaned on the doorframe and folded his arms.

"Yeah," I said casually, tossing a sprite in his direction. He caught it with ease. "Uhm, Carter?"

"Hmmm?"

"What you did back there, I-"

Carter crushed the can of sprite on his hand, spilling the content on the floor.

"I didn't do it for you, Luna."

I was startled by him crushing the can but he didn't sound angry, more stressed so I let it go.

"Figured." I shrugged. "But I thought I should say a word to you."

I passed him and was about to exit the kitchen when he spoke again.

"The alpha. You look good together." Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

"Oh." Unexpected to say the least. How do people respond to those kinds of words, I have no idea.

He chuckled. "You don't have to thank me as it's not what you really want to say. I know you enough to know you don't like him...yet."

"Wasn't planning on it." I shrugged and bit my lower lip while tucking my hands on my pocket and shoving my foot in no direction.

"How do you do that?" I asked.

"Do what?" He countered.

"Dealing with her." Long passed since I wanted to ask him that.

He became silent for a moment then sighed, recalling a memory based on the spark in his eyes.

"She used to be different. Xyrus, Ehren, and I grew up together. She was like a little sister to me, so adorable and spoiled. There's this one time she was bullied and instead of going to his brother, he called me." He smiled at the memory.

"Is that why Gabbiel and her never got along well?" True to it, they don't always argue, but neither showing affection for the other sibling.

He smiled warmly.

"I was his big brother figure that time even up to high school and Xyrus, well she likes him since we were little but the guy was too dumb to notice or maybe pretending not to know." He said amused by his own words.

I chuckled. "Did you realize you just called the alpha dumb?"

"Hey, no harm unless you tell him." He laughed and I joined in. The tension in the air vanishes just like that.

"It's not like we talk much," I confessed. "Well, what happened then?" I said, urging him to go on.

"Growing up, they stick together more while my father was training me to become the best warrior like him. We stayed friends though."

"Did you like her then?"

"No." He said calmly, prolonging the word. "The first Mate Hunt we went together, I thought Xyrus would claim her but..."

"He didn't." I finished.

He nodded. "It was tough for her, she had her hopes up too much."

It was my turn to nod in understanding. I hummed in response. "Must be tough for you too."

"No. Like I said Ehren was like a sister to me nothing more, not until I noticed the way Xyrus looks at you, not hard to see it through. It's then I realized, he was waiting for your turn to come."

I avoided his gaze. I pursed my lips and sighed. Maybe Ehren was right after all.

"Before the Mate Hunt, I told him I'll choose her. He bid me luck and stay far from us." He bowed his head and muttered something under his breath which I didn't catch.

"I thought you don't love her?" I have a feeling he did that for her though.

"I think you already knew why." He tossed an apple in the air catching it and tossed it over again. "It's late when I realized the consequences tho' but..."

He smiled sadly. "It's worth it 'cause I realized I love her all along. But she hates me. Just like you are to the alpha, she resists me."

"She doesn't realize how lucky she is to have someone like you," I said to lift his spirit. Because his mood apparently was back from being sullen. His mouth twitched and cracked a smile.

"It's strange you know, those words coming from you. Alpha is a good guy." I know what he meant by that and I was taken aback, unsure what to say.

Silence filled us, reflecting each other's words.

"Luna...what Ehren did was unforgivable." He uttered. "But I hope you find it in your heart to forgive her."

I smiled. "You don't need to worry about that. I forgave her already."

Carter finally get up and took his leave. "Thank you, really, I appreciate it... See you in the morning, Luna."

"Yeah sure."

I exited the packhouse and went behind a tree, stripping off my clothes. With much excitement, I shifted into my wolf form loving the feeling of nature under my paws and the wind blowing my fur.

'Time to run free like the wind, Violet.' I said to my wolf. I can feel her excitement. She howled and fast as the wind, run under the bright moon.