Share
Chapter Forty-three
Elsie
Branches whizzed past my head as Scarlet drove us into the wetlands on the outskirts of the city. I heard Oliver struggling to keep up with me, and I wished I could slow down for him to catch up, but I wasn’t in control.
The city’s noise dissipated, leaving only the faint chirps of insects, splashing from something under the water, the twitters of a mixed-species feeding flock moving through the trees, and the kerplunk of a turtle dropping off a log. Something about this melody was so soothing that I wished to capture it for whenever I was stressed.
A twig snapped from behind a tree, causing Scarlet to finally relinquish control as a man’s voice filled the air. “What are you doing here, rogue?”
A man w
Related chapters
Cirque du Lune Chapter Forty-four
ElsieThe words that had been so painful and heavy on my heart these past years felt lighter than they ever had as I told Everett about my past, how I lost Clyde and ran from my Alpha, how Shirley had found me and had taken me under her wing, how I became the star act in the circus. I told him everything, well, everything except about Oliver.I could feel Oliver’s eyes boring into the back of my head as he walked behind Everett and me. Wolves surrounded us from Everett’s pack. I expected Oliver to be scared or even hesitant, but instead, I felt like he just became more attentive to me.Cicadas buzzed around us, I used to find their buzzing annoying, but now it felt right. They were the most enthralling music I had ever heard, and I wanted to remember this moment
Cirque du Lune Chapter Forty-five
OliverAfter Elsie called Everett out, things went much smoother. Even though it hurt to watch them together in the beginning, I started to see the pieces falling into place. It was kind of like watching a newborn horse take its first steps. They weren’t perfect, but I saw the potential; the potential is what felt like acid in my veins. I never saw that with us.It was bittersweet for sure. I had wanted Elsie so badly, but I knew I never deserved her. I didn’t know if Everett did, but I saw the sparks that we never had.We were sitting at a table under a pagoda, sipping lemonade, when I cleared my throat, bringing Everett and Elsie’s attention back to me instead of staring into each other's eyes like love-sick puppies. “The sun is starting to drop, an
Cirque du Lune Chapter Forty-six
OliverNelson dropped me off on the edge of town closest to Cirque du Lune’s setup but far enough away where no one would catch a whiff of his scent. As I went to slam the door shut behind me, Nelson cleared his throat.“Yeah?” I ducked my head down as I looked back into the car at him.“If I were you, kid, I would get the hell away from those rogues; the sooner, the better.” Nelson’s voice was gruff; the way he talked about the circus and the rogues was like someone had squeezed lemon juice in a cut in my mouth.“Isn’t your future Luna one of those rogues?” I glared at that sad excuse of a man. “Have a nice evening Nelson.”I slammed the car door and started towards the soft glow on the lights, beaconing me home to the circus. I was tense until I heard the roar of the automobile rumble away. Only when I was sure he was gone did the tension in my body leave.No matter how long I wa
Cirque du Lune Chapter Forty-seven
OliverI whipped around to find Eddie peering at me from a tree. The moonlight didn’t do much for his appearance. The dried residue of his makeup was flaking off, almost like his flesh was peeling off his face.“Oh, Eddie.” I gulped. “You startled me; I didn’t know you were there.”My eyes glanced around from Birdie, Carl, and Shirley; their expressions screamed they hadn’t been aware of his presence. That caused a pit to form in my stomach.Eddie slithered into view. “Who’s gone?” I hated his voice so much; it was so ragged it made my skin crawl.“No one is,” Carl quickly muttered before reaching into his pocket to pull out a cigarette.“Don’t lie to me, Carl.” Eddie hissed as he stalked closer to me. “Where is our star? Is she who is gone?”“I-I don’t know what you ar
Cirque du Lune Chapter Forty-eight
OliverI looked at Birdie in disbelief. This dame ran so hot and cold; it was a miracle when I could actually figure out what she was thinking. This time was not one of those times; when I searched her for any indication of what was happening inside her head, Birdie’s eyes gave nothing away.Just because Elsie had left the circus and left me didn’t mean I would throw her away. Elsie would always hold a piece of my heart in her hands, and besides my own attachment to her, I had made a promise to look after her. I would keep my promise to Milton.“It doesn’t matter if she has a mate, Birdie. Whether or not you like it, Elsie will always be one of us, even if she isn’t here.” I scowled at Birdie before chasing after Carl and Shirley.“I did it for you!” I heard Birdie call after me, but I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of me turning around to acknowledge her. Besides, I didn’t even know if I bel
Cirque du Lune Chapter Forty-nine
OliverBirdie climbed up on an old crate that creaked underneath her; she looked like a bloody queen perched up there. There was something different about Birdie tonight. The timid girl who avoided holding eye contact with people was gone, and now a fierce woman stood before me. Roustabouts, performers, werewolves, humans, and everybody in between crept out of the shadows. Even Rosemary and Thomas slipped into view.“What’s going on?” Rosemary jutted her hip out to the side as she threw her arms across her chest. “What do you think you are doing calling us here like this?”“Attention, everyone! We have a situation!” Birdie’s voice rang out in the night air. “Earlier today, one of our troupe members found their mate.&rdquo
Cirque du Lune Chapter Fifty
ElsieI had never been in a pack like this. Even my original pack was nothing compared to this. There was warmth in the air and a sense of peace that seemed to flow out of everyone I encountered. Compared to the years under Jules’s thumb or when I was in Delbert’s pack, this place was a pure ray of light.My mind was on overdrive as I met the members of my new pack. Their faces and hair colors blended into nothing but a muddled blur of a beige rainbow. I wish I could have slowed down time to take my time to memorize every person.They were all so happy and eager to see me, and I felt like an imposter; I was nothing that special. They were expecting someone they could rely on and who could lead them, and I was just a glorified performer. I could show them how to dangle from a ribbon if they wanted, but if you wanted someone who could be something of value to the pack, it sure as hell wasn’t me.Warmth crackled like electricity as Everett’s hand snaked around the small of my back. I loo
Cirque du Lune Chapter Fifty-one
Elsie The blood in my veins turned into rivers of deathly ice. The color in the world around me disappeared, leaving an unforgiving coldness closing in on me, threatening to stifle the raging of my heartbeat ticking away in my chest. This couldn’t be happening; he couldn’t be here. How far would I have to run to be able to escape his blood-drenched muzzle? Would I ever be free to enjoy the babble of a brook or the sweet aroma of fresh spring flowers? I should have known better. When did Jules ever give up? I knew the answer from the first time I saw him snap someone’s neck. Jules was a demon used to getting what he wanted, and if it weren’t willingly given to him, he would take it by force. Everyone around him were his personal puppets; every single one of us was dangling by weathered strings from Jules’s fingers. Every movement and every shadow Jules’s minions cast were calculated. At any second, Jules would decide it was time to sacrifice one of his pawns, and their lines would sev
Latest chapter
