Page 28 of His Blue Moon Princess (The Silver City #1)

“Nate and Damian always hid stuff from me. I learned very late that they had to work because our father didn’t give us any money. We ate fish that Damian would bring back from his work. They both dropped out of high school to work full time. Yet, they never let me see any of the hardships. Every time, they made it look like a game.”

Now I know why they are so adamant about Liam going to high school properly... They are genuinely caring for their youngest brother. The three of them had to protect each other, but Liam more because he was the youngest. It’s a miracle they turned out the way they did, given their family situation... Liam stops eating to play with his fork.

“You know, I suffer from claustrophobia because of them. When I was a kid, they made up a game where I had to sleep in a hole under Nate’s bed. Moon Goddess, I hated that game! It was a stupidhole, with just a blanket. Damian took my bed whenever he’d make me sleep in there. With Nate’s mattress above, I couldn’t see a thing. I thought for years that they were messing with me, the kind of stupid jokes you would play on your younger siblings, you know?”

Liam shakes his head, frowning at the memory. Why would they put him in a hole? I don’t see Damian or Nate playing this kind of mean jokes on him just for fun.

“It took me a long time to realize. Every time I was in that hole, it was a night when our father would come home.”

Oh, Moon Goddess. Does he mean...?

“Yes, Nora, you got it. Nate and Damian hid me in that hole so our father wouldn’t hit me when he was drunk. Most of the time, I fell asleep fast and didn’t hear a thing. Only when I grew older, I started to realize Damian and Dad fought when I was in that hole. Nate used the mind-link to tell me to stay hidden until it was over. Then, I would come out and find my brother beaten up bad. Nate, too, sometimes.”

Liam looks very sad when telling this. He plays with his fork with a sullen look, bending it and putting it back, with that same frown as Damian when he’s conflicted. Suddenly, he looks at me, and from his eyes, I feel like he is holding his tears.

“You know what’s worse? The one that dirtbag really wanted to beat up was me. But my brothers never let him touch me, so he would beat Damian instead. He let our father hit him until he was satisfied, because once he had enough, he would go out again and stop looking for me. You have no idea how many times I found Damian soaked in blood, Nora. He was strong, so my father never held up. But Damian never complained, not a single time. Instead, he just smiled at me anytime he saw me, saying he was fine. Lying again, to protect me.”

I feel tears coming from hearing this. Liam had already told me that Damian fought with their father and confronted him a lot, but... This all sounds way too real. Liam’s voice is breaking. What kind of mess did they grow up in? I hate their father so much! He was a monster to his own kids. Liam wipes away a couple of tears and drinks a bit before going on.

“Damian is that kind of guy, Nora. He never shows how hard it is for him. Do you know why he rarely visited our mom in the hospital? Because most of the time, he had bruises and cuts, all from our father’s beating, and he didn’t want mom to see it. Damian is doing the same with you now.”

I frown. What does he mean with that? Damian’s engagement, that whole situation, how is it related to me?

Looking more serene, Liam takes a severe tone. “Nora, you are the most important person in my brother’s life. He would do anything, and I mean anything, to protect you. Just like he did for our mom and me. And sometimes, that idiot is willing to make foolish decisions, sacrificing himself for this.”

“...Like the engagement, you mean?”

He takes some fries and nods. “Exactly. He accepted the Gold Moon Clan’s proposal because he believed he could protect you, and us, with it.”

I don’t get it. I shake my head. “Liam, you’re going to have to be a lot more precise if you want me to believe that Damian got engaged to another woman for my sake.”

“Nora, Damian has treated you like a little princess, shielding you from whatever is going on in Silver City right now. But trust me, my brother is going to need a lot of help from now on, and I don’t agree with getting it from that King bitch.”

“What are you talking about? What is going on in Silver City?”

Liam smiles and eats another portion of his burger. Why can’t he answer me first before stuffing himself? It’s nerve-wracking! After a few very long and annoying bites, he takes a gulp of his diabolo, and just when I’m about to lose patience, he smiles at me.

“A war, Nora. Forget vampires and witches. Silver City is about to get in a mean, violent, and bloody war between all the werewolf Clans if we don’t do something soon.”

I stare at him, totally confused. A war in Silver City? The last war happened not ten years ago when Damian killed their father to take over the Blood Moon Clan! Why would another one erupts now? I thought the Black Brothers were unmatched in terms of strength, so why would anyone choose to start a war now?

“Liam, I don’t get it. I thought...”

“We were the untouchable Black Brothers? Well, that part is true, but a werewolf Clan isn’t all about its Alpha, Nora. Sure, Damian is the big bad wolf in town, no questioning that. If he had to single out any Alpha in the area, he’d win. Easily. But what if he had to fight fifty wolves at once?”

He’s right... The Black Brothers are feared by many because they win in terms of power, dominance, strength. No one would be stupid enough to force them into a duel. If anyone wanted to overthrow them, it would have to be in a massive attack, with enough people to attack not only Damian but the whole pack. Now I’m worried.

“You’re telling me other packs want to attack the Blood Moon.”

“We are not popular, Nora. Our father’s reputation did a lot of damage, and for most of the population, Damian is just as fearsome.”

“But Damian is not your father! He is not looking to fight the other packs! He—”

I stop, realizing I started yelling a bit too loud. A lot of eyes are now staring at us, and I mumble some apology before turning back to Liam. That idiot is smiling, mocking me.

“So cute... You are so prone to defend my brother; I’m feeling reassured now.”

“Oh, shut up! Tell me, who wants to fight the Blood Moon?”

Liam takes three of the sauce pots, placing them in a triangle.

“Right now, the situation is like this: the three main Clans are ours, the Gold Moon Clan, and the Sapphire Moon Clan. In terms of power, number, and wealth, those three clans hold the most power. But those two are still behind us. The Gold Moon is large, but their Alpha and warriors aren’t that strong. As for the Sapphire Moon, it’s the other way around: they got strength, but they are not as numerous or wealthy.”

“If those two are still behind, what is the problem, then?” I ask, confused.

I already know that through the Black Corporation he established, Damian made sure his Clan had the most possessions in Silver City. They dominate about one-third of the City, leaving the other packs to share what’s left. Liam moves some fries, placing them behind the sauce pots.

I observe his patterns and take a guess. “The Clan alliances?”

He nods. “Exactly. The other Clans are not going to grow any bigger until years now. However, some of them started to understand that having allies might be much more profitable and efficient than waiting. Guess what the other Clans did once they understood that befriending some rogues and people from the former Black Moon Clan was how Damian and Nate beat our father?”

“...They would start seeking internal alliances,” I whisper.

Liam nods.

This is crazy... Werewolves are usually secluded to their own packs. Outside of our packs, we may be “friends” with other wolves, but it doesn’t involve any exchange, unless necessary. Like the Jade Moon and the Pearl Moon. I have always seen the two packs being friendly, but we never acted as one. They had their own fights, and we would never interfere. The most we exchanged was information about possible rogue attacks, but we never acted together against them.

I turn to Liam.

“How are things, then?”

He smiles. “You understand quickly. We weren’t sure of anything until two weeks ago. We knew the Rising Moon Clan had agreed to ally with the Gold Moon Clan, but we had no idea about the others.”

“Until the fight against the vampires, right? All the packs had to react, so the alliances naturally showed.”

I start recalling the events. That’s right. The Blood Moon rallied the White Moon and Opal Moon in the North, but the Gold Moon Clan headed south with the Rising Moon Clan, confirming those two are allies. Also, the Pearl Moon Clan moved to help the Jade Moon, so Vince probably has an alliance going with their Alpha. Then, I recall one crucial detail.

“The Sapphire Moon. They are the only ones that didn’t move.”

Liam nods. “Exactly. But the truth is, they are not the only ones. The Violet Moon also didn’t make a move, while their branch Clan, the Purple Moon, came to help the Sea Moon here.”

“However, the Sea Moon Clan is neutral, isn’t it?”

“Yes. My guess is Lysandra acted against her father, the Violet Moon Alpha, to help Old man Seaver. She is not one to miss the action, and I bet she didn’t like being told to stay on the sidelines.”

“If that’s so, the Violet Moon and Sapphire Moon Clan are allies...”

This means that their power would now be equal with the Blood Moon Clan! The Jones family is a powerful line of Alphas, and their Clan holds a lot of people. Not to mention Lysandra’s warriors! I’ve seen them in action, and they are real war machines. I try to make the math in my head, but no matter how many times I try to think of it, the Sapphire Clan, if allied with the Violet Moon, really is more powerful than the Black Brother’s Clan...

“...And they hate the Blood Moon Clan”.

“Exactly, Nora. Alcott Blue, the previous Sapphire Moon Alpha, had a long feud with our father, and it didn’t die with his son William taking over. He wants nothing to do with us and thinks Damian is not the right Alpha King for Silver City. So, he is waiting for an opportunity to overthrow us at any time.”

The pieces of the puzzle are finally assembling, letting me see the larger picture. I can’t believe I didn’t know any of this earlier. How could I be so blind? Seeing all the packs work together to fight off the vampires, I had no idea so many people were making their moves in the shadows. I look up to Liam.

“So, the Gold Moon wants to ally with Damian?”

He frowns but nods, eating the fries he had left on the table.

“Exactly. They were the second most powerful clan after us. Still, now, the Sapphire Moon bested them by allying with the Violet Moon, and the Rising Moon is nowhere as good as the Jones. So instead, they came to Damian with this proposal.”

I finally get it now. If the Sapphire Moon is after them, they must change alliances quickly and assert their position to avoid a war. But why an engagement for that? I’m still so mad! I understand that the Gold Moon Clan would be the most powerful Clan to ally themselves with, but this condition is... Gosh, I’m annoyed just thinking about it! My wolf is furiously growling, too. I’m not okay with this!

“Hey, hey, Nora, calm down. Your Alpha aura is scaring everyone, girl,” whispers Liam.

I look around. Oh, Liam is right... Everyone is staring at us, and some people instinctively backed away a few steps from our table. Did I do that? My wolf was angry, but I never noticed I could let others feel my aura... I calm myself down a bit, embarrassed. Liam laughs.

“Wow, it’s the first time I see you acting like an Alpha. Except for that time with the Jade Moon, I mean. Girl, you do have fangs after all!”

“It’s not funny, Liam! I don’t even know how I just did this...”

“It’s an Alpha thing. If our wolf gets mad, other wolves will feel it and react to our aura. Yours is unusual, even I felt it... other Alphas are usually immune. Guess it’s your Royal side acting up, too.”

“We are not sure I am a...”

“Oh, stop it, Nora, you know damn well you are by now. Who needs those stupid tests?”

I shake my head. I’m not having this discussion now, and we have more important matters to discuss. I try to think calmly about this alliance with the Gold Moon Clan. Wasn’t there any better option?

“What about the other Clans?” I ask.

Liam shakes his head. “We tried, but those who don’t fear us, hate us. A lot of the Clans will choose to remain neutral, and it’s better they do because we probably wouldn’t be their first choice anyway.”

“What about the White Moon Clan?”

“Same, Nora, they want to remain neutral. They were grateful we helped them, but they have a long history with the Sapphire Moon, they are not going to betray them. Plus, they hate the Gold Moon Clan, too.”

I can’t believe it... This situation is impossible. I try to think it over, but for now, I don’t see any way to help Damian. The Jade Moon Clan is nothing compared to the others, and I won’t bring Damian any help with this.

“So, you’re telling me their only way out is for Damian to marry that... girl?”

Liam growls, annoyed. “I don’t like it, and Nate doesn’t either. We tried to talk Damian out of it, and trust me, our brother doesn’t want it either.”

“Why didn’t he tell me then?”

“Because they were already engaged when we finally found you, Nora! Damian doesn’t want you to throw you in the middle of this mess! If the war explodes, guess who they will attack first to hurt Damian?”

His Luna. That’s who they would attack first, to weaken the Alpha, especially if that Luna is his fated mate; it will hurt much more. I’m stunned. That explains his words... “ You won’t be my official Luna. ” He didn’t mean to have me as his mistress, but to hide me from people who would want to hurt him. I’m... I’m nothing but a weakness to Damian now! My wolf whimpers, too sad from this thought. Why are we so powerless!

“I told you everything, Nora, because I don’t want Damian to make a decision he would regret. Even if he doesn’t want you involved, I think you might be the solution to all this.”

I look at Liam, dumbfounded. The solution, me? I’m just a powerless mate! I only have ownership of one of the weakest clans around, what could I possibly bring Damian that he doesn’t already have?

Liam clenches his fist and looks at me right in the eye. “Nora, I know it’s hard, but my brother loves you. He has loved you, and only you, for ten years. ...Ten years ago, one night, my father came home really, really drunk and angry. He started hitting Damian. Harder than he had ever hit him any time before. I was terrified. It was so bad that Damian told Nate to run with me. As always, Nate obeyed. I struggled to stay, but the last thing I saw was my oldest brother being beaten to death by our father. I was certain he would kill him, Nora. I cried so much because I was so sure Damian was going to die back there.”

I see Liam looking infuriated for the first time, clenching his fists. “When we came back, our father was gone, but so was Damian. All was left was blood, all over the floor, so much blood. We thought he had been killed. Nate panicked; he couldn’t feel our brother’s wolf anymore. I remember I ran, went through every room of the apartment, yelling his name. He was gone, Nora, and I was terrified.”

He stays silent for a while, and, to my surprise, a gentle smile suddenly appears. “For a full week, Nate searched for him, everywhere, even looking for a body. He went through all the territories, despite the risks. Our father didn’t come back either, we had no idea what had happened. Suddenly, after eight days, Damian reappeared, looking perfectly fine! No wound, not even scars. I thought he was a ghost, but honestly, I didn’t care. My brother was back. Do you know what the first thing he said was?”

He raises his eyes, looking into mine, smiling.

“He told us a little princess with the most beautiful blue eyes had saved his life.”

...A little princess with blue eyes? Damian meant me? Is that when the two of us met, during those eight days? I can’t remember any of it. How could he come out perfectly fine? If their father’s beating was as hard as Liam said.

“What else did he say?” I ask, impatient.

Liam shakes his head. “Not much. Damian never told us the details about your encounter. He just talked about his little princess all the time, his fated mate. I never saw him looking happier than the days that followed. Sometimes, he would just close his eyes to feel you, even if you couldn’t feel him, and smile. Though after that, he realized he couldn’t find you anymore, and that’s when we all started looking for you. He was desperate, Nora. Sometimes, he would get so angry, because he could feel you getting hurt. He became crazy. It’s like he was closing his heart all over again. He was obsessed with finding you because he knew you were in pain.”

I know. It’s all I could think of once I knew Damian had been linked with me since my childhood. Every time I got hurt, he was on the other end, feeling the blow and my pain with it. To think he looked for me for ten years...

Suddenly, I feel the need to be close to my mate. I want to see Damian, to be in my mate’s arms again. I want to look into his silver eyes. I don’t care for all those power struggles, the Clans tactics, or any battle. I want him.

I fight to calm my wolf and silence my urge. I massage my temples. What is wrong with me? Liam looks at me, intrigued, but I just shake my head as if it was nothing. We resume eating, and I take a few bites before talking again.

“You have a plan, don’t you? You wouldn’t have sabotaged this engagement party and brought me there otherwise.”

He smiles. “It’s more an idea than a plan, for now, to be honest.”

“Are you going to actually tell me about it, Liam?”

“Are you going to reconcile with my brother?” He asks right back.

What game is he playing? I don’t like his little smirk. So, what, he won’t tell me anything unless I forgive Damian? How can he toy with my feelings right now! I growl at him, but he ignores me and keeps eating, waiting for my answer.

“I’m still mad at him, you know!”

“I know.”

And yet he keeps smiling like some mischievous kid. I really don’t like his attitude! He is acting like I’m so gullible! Who said I was going to forgive Damian so easily? He got engaged to another woman, for Moon Goddess’ sake! Whatever reasons he had, how am I supposed to get over this, and it hasn’t been two days, either!

While I’m fighting with my emotions, my wolf is fidgeting, too. She wants to see our mate badly. She is angry, but she misses him a lot also. Can’t we go see him? I want to tell her to shut up, but I know she is me, too. A part of me that longs for her other half.

I’m still thinking it over and over when Nina comes to take our empty plates away. This time, Liam chooses the desserts for the two of us without even looking at the menus, and I don’t mind it. I’m too busy fighting my inner turmoil to argue over desserts right now.

“Talk with Damian.”

I glare at Liam, annoyed at him.

“I’m serious, Nora. Talk to him, at least. You two love each other.”

I hate that look he is giving me right now. Why does he have to be always right? And so sure of himself, too.

“I still don’t understand how I can help Damian.”

“Nora, you are much stronger than you think. You don’t realize it yet. I know you; you are not going to let that girl get Damian.”

My wolf starts growling. Hell no, he is our mate, ours! It takes me a few seconds to calm her down. I wish I were better at taming my inner wolf, but that whole fated mate thing doesn’t make it easy.

Nina brings our desserts, crepes topped with fruits and chocolate, with two hot chocolates covered with marshmallows. Gosh, how can Liam eat so much? He practically jumps on his dessert like he hasn’t eaten in three days.

I sigh. “Okay, I will talk with Damian. I don’t promise anything else.”

“Mm,” he replies, his mouth full.

I start eating my dessert, too, and though it is delicious, my mind is still lingering somewhere else. What am I supposed to say to my engaged mate? Liam just gave me a lot of information about whatever was going on, but I really need to hear it from Damian. Last night, I lost all trust I had in him, and now, it’s like picking up the pieces of broken glass. It’s sharp and painful, and I know the cracks will remain. I don’t want to go through something like this ever again.

“I’ve had enough with all the secrets.”

Liam raises his head, and I realize I subconsciously used my wolf’s voice to talk. He smiles and puts his spoon back on the table. His eyes wander outside, watching the rain and the sea.

“You know, I overheard my brothers’ last secret recently,” he says.

What is he talking about now? He keeps talking, his eyes still looking outside.

“There was a reason my father hated me, why I was the one he always wanted to beat up. Our mom... She got sick because of me.”

Because of Liam? They never gave me details about whatever their mother suffered from, but I know she died slowly, very weakened. Liam’s eyes are undecipherable, but he won’t stop gazing outside.

“Our father already fought a lot before I was born. Mostly against vampires. There were several Clans here, in Silver City, a few years ago, constantly fighting with us werewolves. One day, he attacked the wrong one. He killed a vampire’s loved one, so... that vampire took revenge on him.”

“...He attacked your mother?”

Liam nods. “Vampire bites are poisonous to wolves. Usually, we can survive if we don’t get too much of their venom, and our wolf form will heal it for us, but when that vampire attacked our mom, he wanted to kill her. Our mother was a strong wolf, though. She should have been able to fight him off, but... From Elena, you probably know that pregnant werewolves can’t shapeshift, right?”

So that’s it... Their mother didn’t die of sickness but from a vampire’s venom, because she was pregnant with Liam and couldn’t shapeshift to take her wolf form. Hence, she had no choice but to get poisoned. Past a certain level of venom, our wolf abilities can’t do anything; it’s too late. Their mother was infected…

“You didn’t know?”

He shakes his head. “I just thought our mom was sick. They never said a thing, and neither did she. It does explain a lot of things.”

It really does... Even their father’s hatred for vampires, why he chased all of them out. I think about Liam, and his brothers, hiding him the truth. Why they did it...

“It wasn’t your fault, Liam.”

He nods. “I know. I already had that talk with Nathaniel. He and Damian chose not to tell me so I wouldn’t be hurtor feel guilty. My mom probably felt the same, too. It doesn’t change the fact that our father was a monster, but...”

He turns to me, and grabs my hand, looking at me very seriously.

“It made me realize how much they have overprotected me, again. And this time, Nora, I’m not willing to let Damian make all the sacrifices by himself. I want to be the one to protect them, and I’m going to need your help with that. So please, don’t abandon Damian.”

Much later, I’m back in Elena and Daniel’s apartment, though the latter is now gone, off to spend the night with Bobo. I’m left with my cousin, who fell asleep a few minutes ago. I can’t sleep at all.

Everything Liam and I talked about today keeps circling in my mind, and I can’t shake it off. How many more hardships will the brothers have to face from now on? This war is coming... Damian, how is he going to face it? I keep seeing him, next to that woman. Remembering that scene still hurts, but I am a werewolf. I need to start thinking like one, and that includes everything that is going on for the Clans right now. I need to start taking decisions.

I get up silently, trying not to wake up Elena. In the living room, the clock indicates it’s one in the morning. It’s still pouring outside... I grab one of the blankets and sit in the kitchen. I take a few minutes, calming myself and observing the rain. This is going to be hard... I finally take out my phone and look for Damian’s voicemail to listen. He left it about two hours after I left yesterday. I take a deep breath.

For a few seconds, the message is entirely silent. I check several times if it’s really playing, but after a while, I suddenly hear some sounds. Oh my gosh, is Damian... crying?

I feel my heart tightening. It’s muffled, but I’m almost sure this is what I think. I feel my own tears running down my cheeks, hearing my mate’s pain. He breathes in, and finally, starts talking, slowly, with a broken voice.

“Nora... I’m so sorry, Nora... I’m sorry. I... I know I should have told you, I... I’m such an idiot. Nora, I never know what’s the right thing to do when it comes to you. Nora... I want to protect you so much. You’re the most important thing to me. I love you, Nora, I love you. I love you so much it hurts because I never know. I don’t know how to make you happy, and I don’t know how to protect you. I... That engagement, that woman, they mean nothing to me, Nora. They are nothing. I swear. You’re the only one in my mind, you’ve been the only one forever. I... I need you, Nora. I don’t care about any of the rest. My Clan, my people, my brothers... I can’t do this without you, Nora. I’ll go mad, and I... I can’t take it. I need you. I really need you. Nora...”

He breathes in, and I do the same, not holding my tears back anymore. But there’s more, Damian’s voice comes in a whisper.

“...I love you. I love your blue eyes, the way you look at me and make me feel like a better man than I am. I want you, in my arms, every single second that goes by. Nora... I don’t want to lose you, and I love you. I... I’m so, so sorry. Please, Nora. Don’t leave me, please. I... Can we talk? I want to explain to you. I know it’s late, but...”

He goes silent again, but I can hear his breathing, calmer than before. After a while, he chuckles.

“I’m a fucking idiot... And I’m always too late when it comes to you, aren’t I? I... I don’t want to lose you again, Nora. I can’t. I don’t know how long it will take, but... I just hope you will forgive me. Tell me what it will take, I’ll do it. I just want you back, Nora. I’m sorry. And I’m a dumbass.”

I can’t help but laugh between my tears when he says that. I never heard Damian pronounce that kind of word. A long silence, again, but I can hear his breathing, so I keep listening until he starts talking again.

“Nora... I hope you’ll listen to this. I don’t feel stupid, talking alone here. If I just imagine you are listening to this... I already feel better. I know I should feel bad, but I... Damn, I miss you already... I love you, Nora. I should have told you sooner, not in that stupid elevator, not like this... I told you, I’m always too late... But I’ll say it again. I love you. I’ll say it as many times as it takes, as many times as you want to hear it. I love you, Nora Bluemoon, I love you.”

I burst into tears, listening to his voice, whispering those three words again and again.

The next morning, I wake up on the couch. I fell asleep there, listening to Damian’s voice. My first reflex is to check that his message wasn’t deleted or anything, but it seems like my phone archived it on its own. It turns out the battery is almost dead because it stayed online most of the night. I use the last of it to listen to Damian’s message one more time.

It feels so unreal... Every time I hear it, I’m brought to tears. His voice breaking, his words, repeating how much he loves me. It takes me a few minutes to calm down. My wolf, too, is going crazy, begging to see Damian. I have a hard time taming her, and my heartbeat is going wild. Is the room spinning? And I feel hot suddenly...

I hear Elena’s voice, calling my name. What is wrong with me? I’m burning, and a bit dizzy... When I wake up again, I’m feeling cold. Elena is next to me, gently caressing my hair. I recognize her living room; I’m still on the couch... What happened? I’m so thirsty! She notices I’m awake when I try to sit up.

“Nora! How do you feel?”

She helps me sit up, but all I can think of is this hellish thirst.

“Elena, can I get some water?” I ask with a raspy voice.