Chapter 40
Ariella
I was finally able to found an excuse and sneaked away from the air. Luckily, C**ndra was too busy to notice my absence,
The sun finally begins to set. It’s been nearly a full day since the then ventured into the forest. Gazing into the dense cluster of trees, I wonder what wild game my brothers might catch. However, my eyes haven’t lingered on the forest’s edge for long before Kyle appears beside me, seemingly out of nowhere, which startles me slightly.
“Princess,” he greets, bowing his head respectfully. “My Alpha has instructed me to guard you and help you find the Moonstone tonight.”
I nod. “He told me.”
“I understand the importance of our success here tonight,” he says, offering something in his hand. “And the duke sends this for you
He is holding a necklace. A single empty socket in the center of the intricate metalwork. It’s the heirloom Castor mentioned
sholding
“Thanks, Krie
By now, the sun has set and the moon begins to rise.
I place the necklace in my satchel for the time being, and then we turn into the forest together. While the men finish
inting through trees for deer, we’ll be searching through rocks for the rare mystical stone.
The necklace hums in my bag.
“Is this magic?” I ask Kyle.
“I’m not well versed in the arcane but I would say that the necklace would have to be magic if it’s meant to house a Moonstone.” Kyle says. “That necklace is one of a kind and therefore worth a fortune; the duke is very generous to loan it to
you
We enter Castor’s orchard and head to the location where he says the Moonstone is usually found.
I look around, unsure what I’m supposed to be searching for exactly.
Kyle takes the lead without question and begins to move and lift heavy stones. I am very grateful, my current state has me exhausted and nauseous with too much movement
“Thank you for doing this, Kyle.”
“I do what my Alpha King commands,” he says simply, “And youare our guest so it is my duty to make sure that you have whatever you require.”
“Though I’m sure not many guests have you turning over random rocks during the night.”
The beta smiles and continues to work. “Search any body of water you see, Moonstones are known to linger in water as well.”
Inod, taking note of every puddle, pond, fountain and stream that we pass. But so far there is no sign of it. I begin to worry about running out of time.
Suddenly there is a rustle in the bushes Kyle moves in front of me without hesitation, his claws unsheathed.
“Show yourself,” he demands. “Whoever you are.”
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Chapter 40
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The bushes rude more, the pound found and clumsy as I hold bread And then Candra dubles out
I take a deep breath, relaxing my hand as I do.
“Casandra relax down a bit. “You gave us such a fright Whare your doing here”
Casandra freezes, staring up at me
“I could ask you the same thing?” She says, suding perturbed didn’t see you at the festival so I came looking for you.
† of What are you doing out here?”
“**dra, Kyle says, his voice still terse, his claws still sunsheathed. “Go back to the festival. Or to bed. Leave here now” I stare at him. Why is he being so cold with her all of a suddent in I just noticing it now? Was he always like this with her? “I’m allowed to roam around at any own free will, Kyle,” she says with annoyance.
“Be that as it may, His Majesty has given me strict instruction that no one shall approach Princess Ariella while he is on the Hunt.” Kyle says firmly, “He does not want another incident, especially while her brothers are here”
“Kyle, It’s fine, I tell him. “C***dra is no threat, she can stay.”
“Thank you, Ariella,” she smiles at me, then shoots Kyle a sour glance. “What are you doing out here at this hour anyway? Almost everyone else is in town enjoying the festivities”
“We’re looking for a Moonstone, I answer C**dra simply. “Castor said there’s one that appears here every Harvest Moon. They’re so rare that it would be a shame not to take advantage of its appearance.
“Yes,” Kyle agrees almost instantly. “Ethan sent me here to watch over her. To make sure she doesn’t get kidnapped again? “Oh, C**dra says, her face becoming crestfallen.
“So you can stay,” I tell her again. “Might be easier if we had another pair of eyes looking for it, so far we have not had much luck, And there is safety in numbers”
I add the last part for Kyle’s benefit who doesn’t seem happy with the added company.
Kyle doesn’t say anything, but he still doesn’t put his claws away, or move away from in front of me. He doesn’t take his off C**dra either.
His behavior strikes me as more than just a little bit odd. Surely he can’t be taking Ethan’s command that seriously by applying it to the king’s own sister,
“Is there a particular reason aside from its rarity that you’re looking for it?” C**dra asks, as we continue our search.
I didn’t think she would question this anuch,
“Uhm, I say, as 1 bend to the patch of stones. “Well I have heard they are quite beautiful. And because they’re said to be blessed by the Moon, and will grant any werewolf that holds them a bit of extra luck. I’m glad I remember that bit of Information from the book
“Ah yes..I remember my mom telling me stories about them as a little girl, a smile forms on her face. “She said that the Moori sends down little fairies to sprinkle magical moondust on them she giggles.
“Well I don’t know about magical moondust or fairies,” I chuckle
Then suddenly the necklace in my bag begins to vibrate violently. I pull it out. The artifact shakes in my hand, threatening to rip free. 1 fear it will break.
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“What is happening?”
“Let it go, Your Highness!” Kyle exclaims.
I listen to him. The necklace flies out of my hand, shooting forward before coming to a complete halt above a large boulder where it just hovers in midair.
“I think we found your Moonstone.” C**dra says.
We hurry over to the rock and Kyle immediately begins to heave With great difficulty, he lifts the rock.
A tiny silver light illuminates the orchard. There, just beneath rock, floats a shining alabaster substance. It swirls and shimmers as though it is a liquid moon.
“Oh Goddess! It’s gorgeous!” 1 gasp.
“You can admire its beauty later!” Kyle shouts, “I can’t hold this houlder forever!”
“Right!” I grab the floating necklace and reach out to the Moonstone.
“Wait!” Kyle shouts again, “You need hands or else it will try to escape. **dra, hold the necklace while Ariella takes the
stone.
“Alright, C**, do you mind?”
“Not at all” She takes the necklace from me and holds it in place!
I place both hands around the stone and slowly move them closer. I see it glow brighter and become still, as though aware of what we’re doing.
“It’s okay, I find myself saying gently to it, “I’m not going to hurt you, I juts really need your help for something important.”
I close my hand around it, surprised by how liquid it looks but is not at all wet. I then open my hands and pour the white- silvery substance into the empty socket of the necklace. It fills the socket and becomes solid stone.
Its glow begins to fade,