Dark Moon Rising

Chapter Nine: Him & I

Crypta's Point of View

Adrian, Rogue, and I spent the morning shopping for new clothes and other personal items that we needed or wanted. My priority was to get hiking boots, as I was eager to visit the forest more often, connect with my surroundings, and enjoy the scenery.

Is that what we're calling it now? Nyx roared with laughter.

Shut up, I grumbled at my wolf.

After returning from our shopping trip, I contacted Selene. Fortunately, she answered my call immediately and reassured me that the presence I felt in the forest was indeed watching me at her request. It sounded like the Moon Goddess was stifling a laugh as she commented.

"You're not telling me everything. What's going on," I demanded, annoyed.

"What are you referring to, Seraphina?" the Moon Goddess responded sweetly.

"Selene, spill," I growled.

"Oh, fine," Selene laughed.

"Eyrx may have a little crush on you. It didn't take much convincing to have him keep an eye on you," the Moon Goddess explained.

Eyrx. That was an unusual name. I was going to need to Google its origin and meaning. I liked how it sounded. What did the man behind the name look like?

"Seraphina, he's completely innocent. Please be kind to him. The forest guardian is his adopted mother," Selene advised.

I knew it! I f*****g knew it! I did a little dance in my room, very pleased with myself that my instincts were correct yet again.

"Does anyone else know this?" I asked, curious.

"No, not even Wesley. Please respect Aralia's decision to wait to tell Wesley. She will, but it will not be a simple conversation," Selene advised.

No kidding! In all fairness, Aralia discovered that Wesley was her mate, and they quickly mated and marked each other. They also had to deal with an impending attack from the Hunter Foundation.

"I won't say anything," I assured the Moon Goddess.

"Thank you. Please know that I only reveal secrets when necessary, and I believe this is one such instance. Eyrx has only interacted with Aralia. She rescued him when he was abandoned in the forest as a toddler. Aralia has raised him as her own, and you are the first person he's expressed an interest in getting to know," Selene responded.

Well then. That was unexpected.

Are you blushing? Nyx teased.

No, I am not. I'm flattered, that's all, I snapped.

I think you protest too much. I'm pretty sure you are blushing, Nyx laughed.

"Seraphina, are you arguing with Nyx again?" Selene asked.

"Not exactly," I sighed.

"I recently connected with Argus and encountered Eyrx in the forest. Eyrx was mysterious and refused to reveal his identity or show himself to me. His voice was alluring, and I can't stop thinking about it. He was truly intriguing," I admitted.

"You do love a challenge," Selene chuckled.

"So you're not telling me I can't pursue him," I said tentatively.

"No, but I am warning you to be careful. Eyrx can enter the Dark Moon pack because he has been blessed with my mark. He is not a werewolf and can be dangerous, even to you, as a vampire-werewolf hybrid. Aralia has worked tirelessly with Eyrx to help him control his urges. Don't toy with this young man, Seraphina. It would do irrevocable damage to play with his emotions," the Moon Goddess warned.

"But he's not 'off limits' exactly, right?" I asked.

"Seraphina! Did you not understand a word I just said to you?" the Moon Goddess groaned.

"I did, but you piqued my interest even more by highlighting his potential risks and challenges with self-discipline. The hidden intensity that lies within him must be truly captivating. He seems quite charming. I picture Eryx being just as alluring as he sounds," I rambled.

You could always scratch that itch with Adrian. It would be safer from the sounds of it, groaned Nyx.

"I need to adjust my mark due to your risky behavior. It seems like you're heading to the forest to find Eyrx. I will let you go so I can address that matter promptly. If Eyrx departs quickly at any point, do not pursue him," Selene warned.

The safer option, please choose the safe option for once, Nyx pleaded with me.

I just ignored my wolf. She was probably right, but at the moment, it was my libido and hormones guiding my actions.

I looked through the bag in the back of my closet. It contained my purchases from earlier when we sent Adrian off on his own so that Rogue and I could shop at the lingerie boutique. I placed the sense-heightening black-out blindfold I'd purchased in my purse. I grew excited at the thought of using it as I intended. It would fit snugly and securely over my eyes and effectively block my sight.

Now that I knew that the mysterious presence was known to the Moon Goddess and she had asked him to watch over me, I was no longer hesitant. I had a recurring fantasy that I felt compelled to pursue with Eyrx. It included the blindfold and the log I sat on during our previous meeting.

I quickly chatted with Rogue and Adrian before leaving for the forest. They were enjoying the video game I recommended. While my friends excelled as keyboard warriors, I realized they also needed to enhance their tactical abilities. Introducing them to an online game focused on this aspect could help them ease into improving their defensive and offensive skills through proper training.

I hurried through the forest to the familiar tree stump where I had sat before. I could sense his gaze on me. It was as if Eyrx was drawn to me when he felt my presence in the forest. I enjoyed that feeling. It made me feel powerful.

I sat on the tree stump, dug through my purse, and put on the blindfold. I grew even more excited as I anticipated his reaction. I wondered if Eyrx would react as I hoped.

"Seraphina, what are you doing?" his amused voice was music to my ears.

Wait a moment. s**t. Selene told him who I was.

I ripped off the blindfold and groaned in frustration.

"What's wrong?" Eyrx asked, his voice gentle and full of concern.

"I've been thinking about you, and when I saw this while shopping today I had an idea I was excited to try out. But if you know I am Seraphina, you would likely not be interested," I muttered.

"Why wouldn't I be interested?" Eyrx asked, confused.

"Crypta is very different than Seraphina," I mumbled.

"Regardless of your name or persona you chose to present, I am very much interested in you," Eyrx's deep voice responded. It was husky and seductive.

"You won't let me see you, but I wanted you to be near me. I know your name is Eyrx, and Aralia is your adopted mother. But that is all I know, and I want to know more," I admitted.

"And what would covering your eyes accomplish exactly?" Eyrx asked.

"I thought you would sit near me if I wore the blindfold. Perhaps if you knew that I meant no harm, you might let me see you," I said.

"Interesting. But how do I know that you will keep the blindfold on?" Eyrx asked. I could hear a smile in his voice. This entertained him. Good. This was what I wanted.

"If I keep it on while we talk, then I want you to kiss me before I leave," I said.

He didn't say anything and an awkward silence hung between us. I took a sharp breath. Maybe I was mistaken. Perhaps Eyrx only wanted a friend and nothing more. Maybe I was the only one affected by our interaction, and the chemistry I perceived between us was only in my mind.

"Put it on then," Eyrx said in a quiet voice.

I quickly put on the blindfold as I sensed him approaching and sitting beside me. I could tell he was tall, well above 6 feet, and his presence felt muscular. The magnetic attraction I felt was heightened with Eyrx sitting close to me. We chatted about our interests, and it was such a novel thing to interact with someone without pretending to be someone I wasn't. There were no expectations, just simple conversation. I enjoyed his company, and that voice would be the soundtrack in my mind while I pleasured myself later in the evening.

"You are a gorgeous and captivating woman," Eyrx whispered in my ear, and I shivered at how close he was to me.

"Does this mean I get my kiss now?" I asked, eager to feel his lips on my own.

"If that is what you wish, you may kiss me," Eyrx said.

He recognized my vampire-werewolf hybrid status and acknowledged my heightened senses. I grinned, pleased by his apparent receptiveness.

I extended my arms, touching his broad, strong chest. He was impressively muscular. Gradually, my hands moved upward along his body until they reached his face. I moved my body forward, crawling onto his lap to straddle him. I could feel his arousal become apparent underneath me. Wow, that was quite the package he had. I gently bit my lip as I inched closer to him, our bodies intertwining. His hands encircled my waist, drawing me nearer, and I sensed his lips tenderly brushing against mine.

When our lips met, a spark ignited, prompting me to intensify the kiss. I playfully licked his lower lip, causing him to gasp, inviting my tongue into his mouth, where our tongues intertwined in a dance. His taste and scent enveloped me, creating an unforgettable moment. Craving more of him, I kissed him with abandon. Eyrx emitted a muffled sound before easing back. Strong arms then lifted me and settled me softly on a tree stump. And just like that, he disappeared.