27

APRILS POV
The dream started like a ripple across a still lake-subtle, soft, almost unnoticeable. I stood in a meadow bathed in silver moonlight, the stars above glittering like diamonds scattered across the heavens. The air was thick with the scent of jasmine and pine, and the world felt… alive. Every leaf, every blade of grass, seemed to hum with an energy I couldn’t explain.
Then she appeared.
The Moon Goddess.
She was radiant, her silvery-white hair flowing like a waterfall down her back, her eyes glowing with an ethereal light. She was terrifying and beautiful, an otherworldly presence that made me feel small yet inexplicably safe.
“April,” she said, her voice like a melody that resonated deep within my soul. “You have questions, and I have come to provide answers.”
I couldn’t speak. My mouth felt dry, and my throat tightened with emotion. This is the third time the Moon Goddess has appeared to me. Still, somehow, this felt more personal and intimate, as if she were my best friend, yet she was my creator-an all-powerful being. She was so powerful and yet so beautiful.
I was in awe.
“You are not forgotten,” she continued, stepping closer. “You are not abandoned. I have watched over you, child, and I have given you a gift.”
Her words made my eyes teary. I am not abandoned.
I was speechless.
“A gift?” I finally managed to whisper. My voice sounded small, almost insignificant in her presence.
Her smile was gentle, filled with understanding. “Your scent is hidden from others, April. Neither wolves nor humans can detect your true nature unless you choose to reveal it. This power is rare, bestowed only to those who need protection. It is why the rogues in this town and the Alpha could not sense you.”
Her words hit me like a tidal wave. Everything suddenly made sense-the rogues in town that had come into the bar and didn’t recognize my true nature and the Alpha’s confusion when he first saw me. I had spent so long wondering why the rogues did not attack me when I first walked into this town. I had a feeling the Moon Goddess had something to do with it but getting the confirmation from her just made me feel so grateful. The Moon Goddess had been watching over me.
I was not alone; I had never been.
“But why?” I asked, my voice trembling. “Why would you protect me? Why would you care?”
Her gaze softened, and she reached out, placing a cool hand on my cheek. The touch sent a shiver down my spine, not from fear but from the sheer weight of her presence.
“Because you have a purpose, April. You may not see it now, but the path ahead is filled with trials and triumphs. Trust yourself, and trust the bond that will soon find you. You are stronger than you know.”
Before I could ask more, the dream began to fade. Her image dissolved into the moonlight, and I felt myself being pulled back into consciousness.
—
I woke up with a start, my heart racing and tears streaming down my face. The early morning light filtered through the thin curtains of my room, casting soft shadows on the walls. The weight of the Moon Goddess’s words pressed heavily on my chest. A gift. A purpose. Protection.
I could not help but think about the first time I saw her emerging from the flames as my parents burned, and somehow, I started feeling low; it was like I was in that state of grief again. Does it ever go away?
Suddenly, all I felt at that moment was a loss.
I pulled my knees to my chest, resting my forehead against them as the memories flooded back. My parents’ laughter echoed in my mind-their warmth, their love, the safety they had given me. And Dylan… His crooked smile, his teasing remarks, the way he always made me feel like I belonged somewhere.
They were all gone, ripped away from me, leaving a gaping hole I didn’t know how to fill.
The Moon Goddess might have given me a gift, but it didn’t bring them back. It didn’t erase the ache in my heart or the crushing loneliness that followed me like a shadow.
—
By the time I dragged myself out of bed and into the bar, the sun was higher in the sky, casting a golden glow through the windows. I grabbed a rag and a bottle of cleaner, determined to make myself useful. If nothing else, scrubbing tables and wiping down surfaces gave me a sense of control-something to cling to in a world that felt so chaotic. Plus, cleaning has always been some sort of therapy for me.
I hooked my phone to the speaker system and scrolled through my playlist. Music always had a way of lifting my spirits, even if only for a little while. I settled on a lively tune with a steady beat and increased the volume.
As the music filled the room, I let myself get lost in it. Cleaning turned into twirling, and twirling turned into dancing. My bare feet slid across the polished wood floor as I spun around, the rag in one hand and a bottle of cleaner in the other.
I knew what I was doing was working when, for the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself smile-really smile-the kind that reached my eyes and made my chest feel a little lighter.
I was mid-spin when I felt it-a presence. Someone watching me.
I froze, my heart skipping a beat, and turned slowly toward the doorway.
Cassius.
He was leaning against the doorframe, his broad shoulders relaxed, arms crossed over his chest. His dark eyes were locked on me, the intensity in his gaze making my heart race. His lips curved into a small smile-not the smug smirk I was used to, but something softer, more genuine.
Fuck! I did not realize I had left the bar door open.
“You’ve got some moves,” he said, his voice low and smooth.
Heat rushed to my face. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough,” he replied, the corner of his mouth twitching like he was holding back a laugh.
I quickly turned away, grabbing the cleaner and focusing on the table in front of me. “I was just cleaning,” I muttered, hoping he’d let it go.
“Is that what you call it?” he teased, stepping into the bar.
I glared at him over my shoulder. “Don’t you have something better to do?”
“No,” he said simply, his voice steady. “Besides, it’s nice to see you smile for a change.”
That caught me off guard. I straightened, turning to face him fully. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re always so guarded,” he said, his tone more serious now. “It’s like you’ve built this wall around yourself, and nothing gets through. But just now… you seemed free. Happy.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but the words wouldn’t come. He was right.
Before I could think of a response, he stepped closer, holding out his hand.
“Dance with me,” he said.
I blinked, staring at him like he’d just suggested something outrageous. “What?”
“You heard me,” he said, his tone calm but insistent. “One dance.”
“I don’t…” I hesitated, glancing down at his outstretched hand.
“No expectations,” he added, his voice softer now. “Just… trust me.”
Against my better judgment, I reached out and placed my hand in his. The moment our skin touched, a jolt of electricity shot through me, startling and inexplicably warm. I looked up at him wide-eyed, but he didn’t seem surprised. If anything, his smile deepened.
What the hell was that?
He pulled me gently into the center of the bar as the music shifted to a slower song. His hand found my waist, the warmth of his touch seeping through the thin fabric of my shirt.
“Relax,” he said, his voice low, almost a whisper.
Damn, he must have noticed how tense I was.
I tried to focus on the music, the steady rhythm guiding our movements, but all I could think about was how close he was. His scent-woodsy, earthy, and rich, with a hint of something darker-filled my senses, making my heart race.
As we moved, I became acutely aware of every point of contact between us. His hand was on my waist, my palm resting on his shoulder, the slight pressure of his fingers as they brushed against mine. Each touch sent tiny sparks skittering across my skin, and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.
Damn, there goes those sparks again.
His eyes never left mine, their intensity thrilling and terrifying. Something in the way he looked at me made it hard to breathe.
“Your heart’s racing,” he murmured, his voice like a caress.
“So is yours,” I shot back, trying to ignore the way his words sent a shiver down my spine.
The corners of his mouth lifted, and he leaned in slightly, his breath warm against my ear. “Maybe it’s because of you.”
The words sent my thoughts into a tailspin. I didn’t know how to respond, didn’t know how to process the overwhelming rush of emotions coursing through me.
The song ended, but neither of us moved. We stood there, our bodies impossibly close, the air between us charged with something I couldn’t name.
“April,” he said softly, his voice barely audible.
I looked up at him, my breath hitching as our eyes met.
I wasn’t sure I was ready to hear whatever he was about to say.
His eyes locked onto mine, dark and smoldering with an intensity that made my pulse hammer in my ears. Time seemed to stretch as we stood there, his hand still resting on my waist, his other hand brushing lightly against mine. The world outside faded into nothingness; it was just us, surrounded by the lingering notes of the now-silent song.
“April,” he said again, his voice low and gravelly, sending a shiver down my spine.
I didn’t trust myself to speak, not with the way he was looking at me. It was as if he could see straight through my walls, straight to the heart of me. For the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to run or let myself fall.
He shifted closer, his warmth engulfing me, and I could feel his breath on my cheek. My heart thudded wildly against my ribs as his hand slid from my waist to the small of my back, pulling me flush against him.
“I-” Whatever I was about to say disappeared as his fingers grazed my jawline, tilting my face up. His touch was gentle, yet it sent sparks cascading through me, each one more electrifying than the last.
My breath hitched as he leaned in, his lips so close to mine that I could feel the faintest whisper of their warmth. The pull between us was magnetic, undeniable, and I found myself leaning in, too, closing the distance-
The jingle of the doorbell shattered the moment.
I flinched, pulling back so quickly that I nearly stumbled. Cassius’s arms steadied me, his hold firm but reluctant, as if he was just as unwilling to let go as I was.
“Sorry!” someone called, their voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
I turned toward the entrance, my cheeks burning as a group of humans flooded into the bar, laughing and chattering loudly. They were regulars, their faces familiar, though I couldn’t recall their names at that moment.
Cassius released me, his hands falling to his sides, but the lingering heat of his touch remained imprinted on my skin. I glanced at him, expecting frustration or irritation at the interruption, but his expression surprised me.
He wasn’t annoyed. If anything, he seemed calm, almost amused, though his gaze lingered on me with an intensity that made my stomach flip.
“I think your customers are here,” he said, his voice low and steady, but I could hear the faintest hint of something else-something raw and unspoken-in his tone.
“Right,” I mumbled, stepping back and putting more distance between us than was necessary. “Work.”
I hurried behind the counter, my hands shaking slightly as I busied myself with the whiskey glasses. Anything to avoid meeting his gaze again because if I did, I wasn’t sure I could keep myself from melting.
The group wasted no time settling into their usual spot by the bar, their laughter filling the room. One of them-a blond guy with a perpetual grin-waved me over.
“April! You’ve got to try this trick shot I’ve been working on,” he said, pulling a coin from his pocket and flipping it between his fingers.
“Not today, Liam,” I said, forcing a smile as I grabbed a bottle of whiskey and poured him a drink. “Save the theatrics for later.”
He pouted but accepted the glass, the disappointment in his expression quickly replaced by his usual boyish charm.
“C’mon, April,” another chimed in, a petite brunette named Kate. “Don’t be such a buzzkill. We’ve missed you!”
“You saw me two days ago,” I pointed out, but my words lacked any real bite.
As I moved around the bar, taking orders and filling glasses, I could feel Cassius watching me. He’d claimed his usual seat at the far end of the counter, nursing a glass of whiskey but saying little. His presence was like a steady hum in the background, impossible to ignore.
Every now and then, I’d glance his way, only to find his eyes already on me, his expression unreadable but intense. It was unnerving and exhilarating, and I hated how much it affected me. How much he affected me.
The customers didn’t seem to notice the tension, too wrapped up in their drinks and conversation to pay attention to the silent battle waging between us.
At one point, as I leaned over the counter to wipe down a spill, Cassius spoke, his voice low enough that only I could hear.
“Are you going to keep pretending nothing happened back there?”
I froze, the rag in my hand forgotten. Slowly, I straightened, meeting his gaze.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, though the heat creeping up my neck betrayed me.
His lips curved into a knowing smile that sent my pulse racing all over again.
“You’re a terrible liar,” he said, leaning back in his chair, his dark eyes never leaving mine.
Before I could respond, Liam called out again, breaking the spell.
“April! Another round over here!”
I sighed, turning away from Cassius to grab the bottle. My heart was still pounding, my thoughts a chaotic mess as I moved mechanically through the motions of serving.
When the rush finally died down, I leaned against the counter, exhaustion creeping in. Cassius was still there, his glass nearly empty, but he hadn’t said anything.
As I wiped down the bar one last time, I felt his presence behind me before I saw him.
“You owe me a dance,” he said, his voice low and close enough to send shivers down my spine.
I turned to face him, my breath catching at the intensity of his gaze. He wasn’t smiling now, but the look in his eyes was far more dangerous.
“I didn’t agree to anything,” I said, though my voice lacked the conviction I’d hoped for.
He stepped closer, the space between us shrinking until I could feel the warmth radiating from him.
“You didn’t have to,” he murmured, his hand reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. The touch was brief, but it sent a jolt of electricity through me, leaving me breathless.
For a moment, I forgot about the customers, the bar, and the rest of the world. All I could see was him, standing there with that maddening confidence and the unshakable certainty that he could unravel me with a single touch.
And the worst part? He could.
Was it the Alpha effect? It must have been cause how else could I explain this attraction and connection to him?
The doorbell jingled again, signaling another round of customers, and I stepped back, breaking the spell.
“Another time,” I said quickly, turning back to the counter.
I didn’t need to see his face to know he was smiling. I could feel it.
“Another time,” he agreed, his voice rich with promise.
And just like that, the moment was gone, and so was he.
________________________________________
Hello Lovelies:)
I really hope you liked this chapter.
We just hit 50+ reads:)
Thanks so much for your support.
Happy December!