Chapter 64 - Her Freedom

LUNA ASTERBELLE'S POV

Alpha Shin came to visit me the other day, and to our surprise, he apologized. It must've bothered him that much for him to lower his pride. If a simple apology had turned back time, then I would've forgiven him that easily. But I didn't allow him to take me for granted for the second time. I can't be tricked by his fruitful words anymore, especially now that I have finally awakened my wolf.

My wolf, who yearned for my mate, Jerome, whom I haven't seen for so long.

"Are you sure you're going back there?" Dawn questioned me with such concern in his eyes.

I gently wiped my face with a clean cloth in front of the mirror before I brushed my hair, completely ignoring the king's question, knowing that he would try everything he could to stop me from going. The beige dress I wore reached just below my knee; it was directly given to me by Butler Zen this morning.

King Dawn placed his arm above my left shoulder, with the tips of his fingers touching my skin. I've never felt so calm with him right beside me. "Oh? The king is getting clingy with me?" I laughed when he instantly removed his arm from mine after he heard me. "Beta Holmes gave me a thorough explanation the other night about how to go outside of the Crimson Moon Pack. You should come along with me." I invited him as soon as I exited the guest house.

The only place where Shin had fewer restrictions was on the other side of their academy. Yuki once hated the thought that they would be surrounded by her brother's pack guards, so she warned him not to send those guards over their academy. It's also probably the reason why those random wolves had the capability to transport themselves over the dormitories. I still have no clue how Lizzy got involved with them.

Speaking of Lizzy, I heard from Butler Zen that they were taking good care of her. She possesses such great power as a shaman, so I don't think that Shin would simply abandon her like that.

Who knows, they might be the ones ending up together?

"You're smirking like a creep, you know?" Dawn mumbled while he was protecting me from being seen by anyone in the vicinity.

I hissed at his comment. "I just can't stop thinking of someone."

"Shin? Lizzy?" he asked, trying to guess who I pertained to. "Or perhaps you're still thinking of me even though I'm right here?"

I punched him slightly as I recalled the first time that we met. I never would have imagined that we would be this close.

"This is the spot, Dawn." I pointed to the wall that was high up in the sky, and there wasn't any open space for us to enter. "It seems like we have to break it down by force."

Dawn turned down my suggestion, stating that it would make our efforts to stay hidden redundant. He glanced to its edge, then he lent me his hand where I intertwined my fingers, which ultimately made me shriek inside.

"Hold on tight and don't let go," he briefly muttered before he flew. "I told you to hold on tight!" He raised his voice at me when I almost fell when I attempted to look at his back.

"S-sorry, I was trying to check your wings."

"I have no wings, so stay focused on holding on," he said, which made me gaze at him in awe. Dawn has taken me to places I never knew existed. Even though I have wings, there's no way that I can fly smoothly like he does. "We're… back?" he whispered, refusing to believe himself.

He slowly landed on the ground, letting go of my hand. We're currently in front of the Dark Shadow Clan's gates, which he unlocked. I was about to follow him inside, but he stopped me from coming in.

"Why?" I asked in curiosity.

Dawn glanced to his back, where their mansion was, before he replied, "I need to hold a private discussion between my clan and the organization down in the basement tonight. I can't let you in yet. Remember how only Jazpher somehow knows who you are?"

I nodded my head in defeat, letting him close the gates, then heaved out a sigh when I realized I had nowhere to return to. I repetitively clenched one of my fists, pondering how I could utilize this current strength of mine to its utmost capacity.

I relied on my instincts to bring me anywhere I could be safe. Although the moon is soon to show itself, I still haven't figured out what my next step should be. Going back to the Asterbelles' pack wouldn't be that much of a great idea at all. Dawn just prevented me from following him, so I can't stay at his premises until he goes to pick me up.

"Where am I supposed to go now?" I frowned, totally losing the motivation to keep on walking—not until I spotted a building that had a weird structure.

Without anything to do, I went there and observed how it looked pretty much like it had been abandoned for ages. All of its walls had cracks in them. There were shattered glasses that obviously came from the windows.

"This is the first time I've seen this one, but…" I mumbled to myself at the same time that I placed my clenched fist in front of my chest to feel my heart's rapid beat.

"The feeling of nostalgia… It's oddly familiar to you, right? As if you've spent a whole decade living here," said someone from inside the building, who I assumed to be a man judging from the tone of his voice.

I nodded my head, unsure if he could even see me since I couldn't get a glimpse of the silhouette of his shadow at least. "Do you live here? Sorry for the intrusion," I asked, approaching the entrance of the abandoned infrastructure.

"No, Luna," he quickly answered, before he showed himself to me. "How have you been?"

"Eman?" I covered my mouth, which was slightly parted. I suddenly remembered how there was a short horn on my forehead now, so I hurriedly covered it instead of my mouth. "T-this…"

"So you finally shifted?" Eman inquired, not giving a f*ck about the horn.

"Just the other night... aren't you afraid of me?"

Eman placed his hand above my head to gently play with my hair. "I told you before: I'll always like you no matter who and what you become. Even if you turn into a complete monster, I'd still be here, adoring you from head to toe," he replied with such sincerity in his eyes.

Even if it was for a second, I caught sight of Eman's aura that screamed how much he cherished me, which made my lips curve into an uncontrollable grin.

"You disappear for months, and that's just what you're going to tell me?"

Eman chuckled for a few seconds, then distanced himself from me. He went silent, and I couldn't even utter a single word. We just stood there, peacefully watching each other's gaze and letting ourselves breathe for all the months we've been separated from one another.

"I'm sure you have already encountered the King several times before, so let me tell you something in advance to warn you…" Eman stopped laughing as he put up a straight face. "Whatever you do, never get close to King Dawn. He's not the type of person you think he is," he continued.