Chapter 2: Slow Kill

Alright. 'Enemy' might not be the right word—but neither was 'friend' or 'acquaintance.' Maybe 'mutual disdain' was the correct choice.

Even my father couldn't explain his relationship with Ronan. All I knew was that when they were younger, they were close friends. However, as they grew older, each began to develop very different outlooks on life. Ronan always believed that in order to be a good leader, one had to think with his head and follow duty over all other desires. To him, it was better to be strong and tough rather than let anyone know your weakness. There was no room for forgiveness.

My father, on the other hand, couldn't be more opposite and dealt with matters using intuition and his heart. He thought that by embracing his humanity, he could connect with his pack and lead with patience instead of fear.

Eventually, these differences drove them apart, as Ronan continued to do things that my father didn't agree with. And once he became Alpha of the Bloodmoon pack, it only escalated and spilled over onto his son.

The same son whose eyes now stared back into mine, just as domineering as his father's.

Was this some cruel joke? Leo Mortenson was my mate? This had to be a joke. I had met Leo more than enough times in our childhood to know he was just like his father: egotistical and completely cold. How could the Moon Goddess fate me to someone so entirely opposite to everything I stood for?

I listened to the hushed whispers that filled the air.

"Is that Leo Mortenson?"

"What's he doing here?"

"I heard he cheated his way through Alpha training."

"I heard his father only tells people that as a way to get people to respect him before he claims the title."

"He's gotten so strong. I wonder if it's pure talent or something extra in his water—"

"There's no way you could look like that without enhancers. I mean, look at the guy!"

I knew he could hear them, too; it was impossible not to. Yet, his gaze didn't falter. It was steady and concentrated, as if he was processing the emotions I somehow knew we were both feeling. His eyelashes touched with each blink, and it took me a moment to realize how hyper-aware of his movements I now was. Is this what it felt like to be fated to another?

I couldn't keep my eyes on him anymore; the bubbling sensation returned, except this time, it wasn't out of nervousness but rather almost bewilderment. I turned my head in an attempt to break the stare, only instead of turning my eyes and head in unison, it was like my gaze refused to leave. It was finally forced to when my head was looking in the direction of my parents.

If anyone in the Nature Eclipse pack was shocked at Leo's appearance, it was my father. The last time we heard from Ronan, well—let's just say it didn't go over well. My father was an open man, but this was one topic he wasn't willing to share.

Both he and my mother stood entirely still at the edge of the pavilion, almost statuesque. My mother's hand now covered her mouth, and my father's stare was one of confusion and conflict. It was as if years of strain and a one-sided rivalry had flashed before him. He blinked twice more—like he was trying to shake the memory of his long-lost friend—and moved through the crowd toward Leo.

The anxious sensation returned the closer my father got, followed by another sharp jab. I winced and instinctively grabbed my side, and when I looked up, Leo's gaze was once again focused on me—except this time, it was one of shock and surprise. His gaze flickered between myself and my father, but once my father approached, it focused on him.

They spoke in lowered tones. I sharpened my senses, trying to pick up what they were saying, but was stopped short when my mother's hand touched my shoulder.

"What's going on?" I asked softly, not moving my gaze from their conversation.

"I don't know, but it's best we let them deal with it themselves and not use our abilities to listen in," she muttered, although I could tell by her tone that she was also watching the scene unfold in front of us with the same intensity that I was. She scared me sometimes with how much she knew me.

"Can't you at least use your mate link to feel his emotions so we know whether this is something to be concerned about?" I questioned, hoping she'd say yes, even though I knew better.

"I don't need to," she replied, placing her other hand on my shoulder. "With your father and Ronan's history, I already know what he's feeling. And judging by the lack of Leo's father's presence, I'm assuming it's nothing dire."

Maybe she was right. Any Alpha, whether ignorant or easy-going, would come with their pack if the situation was perilous. Yet, Leo arrived with only one other who looked vaguely familiar. This must be either some visit Ronan didn't feel inclined to attend or training practice for Leo. Regardless, it was entirely unexpected and borderline unwarranted.

I watched as my father bent his head to listen to Leo, who leaned in to speak and then gave a curt nod before gesturing for Leo to follow him. He quickly glanced at my mother, who somehow knew what he was asking of her, and then walked off with Leo toward the central meeting hall.

"Alright, everyone," my mother's voice echoed into the night, diminishing any remaining whispers that trickled in the air. She dropped her hands from my shoulders and faced the crowd with a giant and authoritative smile. "Let's get back to the celebrations, shall we?"

The members of the Nature Eclipse pack turned their attention back to the festivities and let out a collective cheer, but my attention wasn't so easily shifted. I focused on the direction my father and Leo had headed and quickly found myself floating away from the ceremony, almost uncontrollably—as if something was pulling me there.

The closer I got, the more I noticed the outline of one figure standing outside of the doors to the hall. There was no way I was getting in that way. He wasn't tall by any means, but he was built enough for me to know I wouldn't stand a chance. I needed to know what they were discussing. Why had Leo come here at all? We hadn't seen the members of the Bloodmoon pack for almost a decade, and it's not like we had the type of relationship that warranted visits.

I surveyed the area, noting the layout of the houses surrounding it and making a mental pathway that would exempt them from seeing me enter through one of the side doors.

Once I was sure of my approach, I made my move, making sure to keep silent as I maneuvered around fences and familial gardens. I stopped just short of the edge of the final house and peeked my head out to see that he hadn't noticed me.

When I was sure the coast was clear, I rushed forward, darting behind the side of the hall. I looked around the corner once more to ensure I hadn't been seen or heard, and when I was confident I had safely made it, I entered through the side door of the building.

As soon as the door closed softly behind me, I heard my father's voice trailing down from his office on the upper-level balcony into the grand room below. The room was dark, with a few dimly lit covered lanterns lighting the space. I took cautious steps toward the wooden staircase and clutched the railing as his voice became more distinct and clearer.

"Can I offer you something to drink? I'm sure the journey was long, seeing as your father hasn't made it in over ten years."

Even angered, my father still had a way of being polite. It was one of the things that Ronan seemed to despise or envy. I couldn't decide which it was.

"That's actually what I came here to talk to you about," a deep and rugged voice replied. There's no way that was Leo. When I talked to him last, his voice was up at least two more octaves, and now it sounded…somewhat attractive. I stopped at the top of the landing and headed toward the light that shone out of the crack of the barely-closed door.

When my father didn't respond, Leo took a deep breath. I felt a sense of sadness suddenly consume me, but it wasn't the kind that made you want to cry. It was more of a sadness that longed for something that never existed.

"My father," he stopped and cleared his throat. "Ronan. He died…a few weeks ago."

It all made sense; why Ronan wasn't with him, why he had shown in the first place. If I could give Leo credit for anything, it was that he seemed to respect my father enough to tell him about Ronan's passing.

I didn't hear anything for quite a bit, and then my father's brisk pitch once again demanded my attention.

"I'm sorry to hear that," he stated coolly, although I could clearly decipher the pain in his tone. "Regardless of our differences, I admired your father for his resilience. He was willing to do whatever it took to make things happen for those he cared about, and that's always indicative of a good leader, no matter the viewpoint."

It fell silent again. I wished I could see what was happening. Instead, I only heard the muffled sound of shuffling feet, and the coffee percolator began running as who I assumed to be my father grabbed a drink.

"That's the other reason I'm here," Leo finally began as his shadow moved back and forth in front of the door frame. "As you mentioned, my father was a resilient man, and when it came to his family…well, he was even more determined."

He paused and let the stillness settle once more before continuing. His voice was husk and unwavering, making him sound identical to an Alpha. "But he also kept a lot of secrets, even from me. This scar on my face...it's not a birthmark. It's a curse. And it's slowly killing me."