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Chapter Forty-two
Oliver
The train rumbled down the tracks, horn blasting before the hiss of the brakes filled the air. The cars lurched forward as we came to a stop. The smell of smoke permeated the station, declaring our arrival as if anyone who was deaf or blind didn’t know we had arrived.
I peeked out behind the flimsy aged curtain, examining the stop. I had never been to Baton Rouge, much less Louisiana in general. It was a different world compared to where I grew up.
“You coming, kid?” Shirley asked as she came up behind me, causing me to jump.
“Shit, you scared the piss out of me.” I hissed as I stumbled away from the train car door to face her. Her long black hair was loose curls, and her makeup accentuated her
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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
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
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