Chapter 140: Beneath the Moonlit Words
Thelma Zane’s POV:
Aldrich’s eyes followed me closely, his persistence unwavering, as I attempted to retreat deeper into the comfort of the blankets. The thick, warm fabric was my only sanctuary, and yet there he was, pulling gently at the edges, trying to coax me out.
“Don’t do that! You need fresh air!” His voice was firm yet laced with concern, though his actions suggested a quiet desperation to get me out of hiding
I resisted, clinging tightly to my self–made fort, and retreated to the farthest side of the bed, as far from him as I could get without actually leaving.
“Let’s just talk like this for now!” I called out, my words muffled but my tone clear. “I can’t face you right now. Please, don’t force me!”
His sigh was soft, laden with a mix of frustration and patience. He understood my need for space, yet the silence between us felt unbearable.
“Fine,” he said, his voice lowering, “you can do whatever you want. It’s fine if you don’t want to look at me, but please… just get up, get out of the bed, okay?”
The bed dipped slightly as he patted the edge, urging me to comply. “We can still talk,” he added, his voice softening. “We can sit with our backs to each other. You’ll have your back to me, and I’ll have mine to you. Can you do that?”
His suggestion was simple, but there was an innocence in it, an attempt to bridge the space that had opened between us.
“Really?” I asked, unable to suppress the hint of skepticism in my voice. “You promise not to peek?”
Aldrich’s voice was full of mock seriousness when he answered, “I swear by the Moon Goddess that if I peek, I’ll ask her to take my eyes away.” I could almost hear the playful smile in his words. “I’ll turn around first, and then you can come out, okay? Three, two, one I’ve already
turned.”
I waited a moment, testing his words, before cautiously lifting the corner of the blanket. Aldrich’s back was to me, and I felt a fleeting sense of triumph as I carefully emerged, using a pillow to shield my face from his sight.
“Alright,” I whispered, my voice just above a murmur. “We can talk now.”
I kept my back turned, my posture deliberately rigid as I leaned into the softness of the pillow, the goose feathers pressing against my unhealed wounds. There was a faint pain, but it was a strange comfort too–one I couldn’t quite explain. Despite the discomfort, a sense of sweetness lingered in the air.
Chicy 140 Beneath the Moorst Words
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We were acting like children, and yet, in that moment, I couldn’t bring myself to care.
I let out a soft laugh, and the sound was oddly freeing, almost as if it were the release I hadn’t known I needed.
Aldrich’s voice broke the silence, his curiosity piqued. “What’s so funny, Thelma? Why are you laughing?”
I cleared my throat, forcing the laughter back. “Because I want to laugh,” I said with a stubborn edge, “and you’re not allowed to ask anymore.”
“Alright,” he replied, conceding with good–natured surrender.
But the more I tried to suppress the laughter, the harder it became. It was ridiculous, I realized -this whole situation was ridiculous. And yet, here we were, making a game out of something as simple as talking.
on the bedside table to the left, I noticed a small mirror. Impulsively, I turned it around to face me, and as I did, I couldn’t help but glimpse Aldrich’s every move. his
s posture, the way
- hands shifted slightly as he spoke, made my heart flutter, though I did my best to stifle
It was silly, I told myself. I forced my thoughts back to what truly mattered, pushing the childishness aside. “What did the werewolf grandmasters and Tracy say about my coma?” I asked, the change in tone marking à shift in focus
Aldrich’s voice turned serious. “Tracy believes it’s a form of compensation for overextending/ your energy,” he explained.
“The werewolf grandmasters agree. Master Hayley said this is are fusing with you. The sleep helps minimize unnecessary bodily activity, giving more space for the runes to a hidden link.
actually a good sign, that the runic patterns
establish
I nodded, the information sinking in, though a lingering worry remained. “And Dorothy? How is she?”
“She’s still unconscious,” Aldrich replied, his voice low but reassuring. “But don’t worry, there’s no danger for her right now. Soul imprints are far more complex than physical ones, so they take time. She’ll likely wake up after your scars have healed.”
Relief flooded through me. “Alright, may the Moon Goddess bless her. Can I go and see her?” Aldrich shook his head softly, a gentle smile playing on his lips. “You can, but there’s really no need. Master Hayley believes a quiet environment is best for her recovery. Besides, your boyfriend here doesn’t want you to be talking about Dorothy all the time, even though she’s your good friend.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Hahaha, don’t be jealous, Aldrich! You know I love you the most.” I couldn’t resist teasing him, the tension between us slowly dissolving. “Did Father say anything about the advanced party?”
“There’s good news and bad news,” Aldrich began, his expression turning serious again. “The
Chapter 130 Hennam the Moonlit Word
good news is that they’ve successfully established bases in several locations in the Rocky Mountains and in the ruins of the witch clan. The bad news, however, is that there are signs of activity from other forces in the Rocky Mountains, and it looks like it’s from the human church.”
“The human church?” I frowned, concern sharpening my features. “Which denomination? What are they doing here?”
“It’s unclear for now,” he replied. “The human church has a variety of denominations, many of which even they don’t fully understand. The advance party has confirmed that their protective clothing bears a cross symbol. But as for their intentions, the advance party is still keeping a close watch, unsure whether they are allies or enemies.”
I mulled over his words, the weight of the uncertainty pressing against me. “I hope we can live in peace. At least, we shouldn’t be shouting at each other whenever we meet…” I sighed, unwilling to dwell too long on the potential conflict. “But let’s not talk about that for now. Is there anything worth noting in the pack these days?”
Aldrich paused, thinking. “No, it’s calm, much like before Adele arrived. By the way, I should invite your parents to come see you. I was so excited that I completely forgot.”
“No, don’t,” I interjected quickly. “Please just tell them I woke up safely, but tell them not to come just yet. I want to stay with you for a while.
As I spoke, I noticed Aldrich had subtly turned around, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. He was looking at my back, his eyes twinkling
With mischief.
I quickly knocked the mirror down with an exaggerated exclamation. “You’re being shameless!”
Aldrich chuckled softly, unabashed. “Yes, I cheated,” he admitted with a teasing grin. “But what can I say? My lover is beside me, and I can’t stand the thought of her being out of my sight for even a moment.”
His words, light and full of affection, made me smile. He reached out, a strand of my hair slipping between his fingers as he twirled it, his voice taking on a tender tone. “I’m not afraid the goddess will come for my eyes. They already belong to someone else. Without my lover’s permission, I’d disobey anyone’s orders–even hers.
His voice softened further, his words a tender plea. “So, please have mercy on your shepherd, my love. Turn around and look at me.‘
#
Despite myself, I found myself drawn to him. Slowly, I turned around, drawn in by the spell of his words. Our eyes met, and I saw the depth of his affection, brighter than any star.
Aldrich sighed softly, his gaze full of reverence. “My goddess, my lover, my universe. I have no regrets in this life, as long as you look at me.”
In that moment, I understood. There was nothing more I needed to hear.
