Dark Moon Rising

Chapter Eighteen: A Little Wicked

Crypta's Point of View

The s*x was incredible. However, at the moment, I am overwhelmed by the situation with Adrian. It doesn't feel like a soulmate connection, or that's how I perceive it. Argus and I have long felt our experiences have left us too scarred to find a destined mate. I wouldn't grant my brother or me such a bond if I were the Moon Goddess. Not because we don't deserve it, but because neither of us genuinely believes we could love someone how we are meant to.

Adrian and I smoothly shifted from lovers to friends until our hormones took over. What began as harmless fun turned into a deeper intimacy, proving that my friend wasn't the 'safe option.' I can't pinpoint if it was when we showered together or when I drifted off in his embrace, but something shifted between us. I am in a complicated situation now, wondering if it's too late to revert to being friends with benefits.

Honestly, being in Adrian's embrace made me feel safe and cherished. However, I can't say I felt genuinely accepted because he didn't know me, only the version I revealed to him. Interestingly, Eyrx, an acquaintance, knew more about me than Adrian did. As I pondered about the enigmatic man in the forest, I sensed an unfamiliar yet compelling connection that puzzled me. I needed to contact Argus, and I wouldn't mind spending time with Eyrx again - even if I had to do it blindfolded.

Are you being unusually quiet, Nyx? I teased my wolf, hoping to distract myself.

Thaddeus is as much my friend as Adrian is yours. If I lose him because I supported you being intimate with Adrian, I'll never forgive myself, Nyx expressed sorrowfully.

Why would you think you'd lose Thaddeus? And why would I lose Adrian as a friend? I asked in surprise.

You mentioned it yourself. There was a shift between you two. Something has changed. Seraphina, you and Adrian can never return to being 'just friends', Nyx said with a tinge of bitterness.

I will not lose Adrian. He's one of my best friends. We'll figure this out, Nyx. We always figure things out, I declared.

It wasn't an empty promise to my wolf; I always found a solution and would do so again. Losing my friend was not an option.

Although there was a quick fix available, I hesitated to use it. However, I would consider it if it could alleviate Nyx's concerns. Unlike Adrian, who was still adjusting to his vampiric powers after being raised in a pack, Argus and I had discovered our ability to compel others at a young age by chance. This skill became a means of self-protection against those who posed a threat and a way to erase memories too painful to bear.

Please do it. Make sure that Thaddeus does not remember either, Nyx insisted.

I maneuvered my body so that I was straddling Adrian. He offered me a wolfish grin, and I almost lost my resolve. I leaned in to kiss him passionately, pouring all my desire and affection for my friend into the kiss. He drew me closer and tenderly held me as our kiss deepened. A single tear rolled down my cheek when I ended the kiss.

I gently held my friend's attractive face, gazing deeply into his eyes. With focus and determination, I silently urged Adrian to forget our recent intimate encounter. I would allow him to retain memories of the earlier casual intimacy but replace the rest with a scenario of us playing "Halo Wars" together in a cooperative game. These new memories would form a connection without disclosing their true origin.

As I delicately modified his memories, I sensed his mind resisting, holding onto what it perceived as accurate. Despite facing opposition, I persisted, my determination weaving through his thoughts like an intricate web. Every memory was meticulously broken down and replaced. While I would remember, Adrian would not. Erasing the memory of the beautiful evening we had shared was genuinely heart-wrenching, and it left me with a sense of losing a part of myself. My heart was heavy as I persisted, completing my compulsion with the utmost care and tenderness.

Adrian's eyes fluttered shut as he drifted off to sleep. I knew the night before would be a blur when he woke, a hazy recollection of a game night between friends. While he slept, I meticulously removed any trace of what we had done in his room, showered, dressed, and left to clear my head. Compelling Adrian proved more challenging than expected, and I preferred not to be around when he woke up.

I made my way to the forest, intent on connecting with Argus. I needed my brother right now, and I hoped that he was available to speak with me. I sat on one of the logs in the clearing and dug out my burner phone. Argus answered after the first ring.

"I'm in a secure location," I blurted out before my brother could ask, my voice trembling as I did.

"What's wrong," Argus whispered.

"I used a compulsion to make someone forget something. My friend. It was the right thing to do, but f**k, it hurts," I laughed bitterly.

"Was it Adrian? Did you two finally..." my brother's voice trailed off.

"Yeah. I let him remember the casual encounter. But when we were together and feelings started to develop, I erased those memories," my voice broke.

"You did the right thing. It would compromise the mission if you hadn't. I must warn you that the Collective uses drones for aerial surveillance. That wasn't Adrian I saw you messing around with in the forest. The magical barrier obscures voices and facial features, but I knew it was you and that it wasn't him," Argus revealed.

"It wasn't Adrian. It was Eyrx. He's the forest guardian's adopted son," I replied.

There was an awkward pause, and then my brother cleared his throat.

"I may not be able to answer immediately when you call again. We got lucky this time. Lucious has been keeping a close eye on me recently. I will remain here to support our cause for as long as possible, but if things continue, I may have to consider Selene's proposal to join the Dark Moon pack. If that happens, we'll need a convincing cover story. Please put your brilliant mind to work and help me devise a plan because it could be just days before I join you," Argus whispered.

"I love you. Be safe," I whispered back and ended the call.

I returned the burner phone to the secret compartment in my purse, then lowered my head into my hands, finally allowing the tears I had suppressed to flow.