Barely Breathing

Xyrus was not there when I woke up this morning. He was not at his office either. Maybe he went to his house. Thinking of his
house makes me blush. Will, I moved now that things are getting better between us?
"Why are you blushing Willowwii?" Tash asked.
"Who's blushing?" I denied.
"Maybe I know why, the alpha's here." Elony teased.
I immediately scanned the crowd and saw Xyrus ascending on the small platform. He cleared his throat and moved forward onto
the center of the stage. Silence prevailed in the crowd, everyone bowing their heads with an 'alpha'. I, being his Luna now, his
equal, didn't felt the power to submit.
"You should listen to him 'til the end." Tash pleaded, worry clouding her. "You know how much he likes you."
I nodded, reassuring her. "I'll try to remember that."
"Members of the Blood Moon Pack." Xyrus started, addressing the crowd but his eyes never met mine.
It felt like he was avoiding me yet he knows exactly where I stand. Why would he do that? I thought somehow, we've come to
terms last night.
"What happened yesterday was something I should not have done. I was driven by my selfish reasons and blinded to what it
would cause you. But, I don't regret killing that bastard." He spat the last words, gritting his teeth. I noticed some members,
especially warriors who straightened up proudly and nodded their heads in agreement.
"It would only be a matter of time before the council will do their first move. And as for the meantime, I want you all to be more
guarded and to look for each other. I cannot promise to protect you all at the same time, but I promise to protect our pack even if
it may cause my life."
"Alpha, will the council declare war on us?" Julian asked, which was followed by murmurs from the crowd.
"I fear they will." Xyrus blurted honestly. His jaw clenched and I could see a line forming on his forehead. He was angry.
" But why? Is it because you killed Jasper? We could tell the council what really happened. I could tell them."I offered.

"My Luna, do you know what ended the war years ago?" Xyrus asked. But I have an idea he already knows my answer, so he
continued.
"Years ago, traitors to the monarch gathered together for one purpose; to end the rulings of the monarchy. For history had repeat
itself. After a millennium, a boy was born with the rarest of wolves, the strongest of all wolves. Fur red as blood and eyes like fire.
For who would ever have the wolf will have unspeakable strength and immense power. But all feared the wolf, for it favors no
one. It is a beast with a thirst for blood like no other, no mercy. It only has one purpose; to kill. For if release fully, it would destroy
everything out of his way...not even a mate would stand a chance.
"Your last words..." I shouted, like the stubborn I am, knowing his answer would hurt me yet like a brave foolish, I played with
fire. "Why you had chosen me then, at the mate hunt? If your so-called beast favored no one?"
Xyrus took a step forward glaring at me, laughing dangerously. Far from how calm and relaxed he was last night. I hadn't seen
this coming.
"After all these years, hasn't it yet sunken in your pretty stubborn head that no one can stop me from claiming you? No one, not
even anything can stop me." He growled dangerously.
"Yeah." I nodded, tilting up my chin. "Even sacrificing them?"
"Willow!" Tash warned. Disagreement showed on her face. "Don't do this."
"Tasca," I growled back. Showing just how frustrated I am from near the truth. "How did the war end before?"
I asked suspiciously to everyone. All these times I was kept in the dark. And I am so hungrily wanting to know the truth. The
previous war. The royals. The coming war. There must be something behind all these more than the beast itself living within
Xyrus, very much alive and powerful.
"I want to know all about the war years ago!" I yelled.
"Then you shall." Luna Fae said. She was looking at me sadly.
"Mother," Xyrus warned but she was already moving forward the stage with alpha Caden.
Her eyes clouded as if reliving a memory. "Willow... we never wanted the war to occur. We did our best to convince everyone that
my son meant no harm. But they did not listen. They...they gathered and created an army. My poor boy, he was only seven! And

so, they attacked in the middle of the night, killing anyone who stood their way."
She wiped a tear away and alpha Caden put a hand on her back calming her.
"You see, blood was everywhere. You don't know how much it hurts to see the ones you love getting killed right before your
eyes!"
"I think I know how it feels," I confessed.
She nodded her head in understanding and continued. "We fought the battle day after day until it turned into weeks, and weeks
turned into months, and sooner turned into years. Just as we were losing, Xyrus shifted for the first time at the young age of
twelve. The war must have triggered his wolf. Like what happened to you Willow. It was a horrible sight. He was unstoppable. His
wolf killed even those who were fighting with us. He was out of control."