Dark Moon Rising

Chapter Twenty-Two: Hanging Out With My Best Friend

Rogue's Point of View

"You did what?" I exclaimed.

Maybe I heard him wrong. I'd always wondered, even wanted them to at some point, but I never thought they would actually do it.

"It was the afternoon I sent you to see Damian to tend to your needs," Adrian wiggled his eyebrows.

The reason for the lingering scent of intimacy in the house became clear. When I tried to sneak into the house early the next morning, I believed the smell had followed me home. I had attributed it to my remorse for leaving my friends hanging after committing to spending time with them. Our evening was supposed to be filled with pizza, wings, and video games on the Xbox. I had intended to return home, but once Damian and I got engrossed in one another, time slipped away.

"So you both decided to satisfy each other's needs then?" I shrieked.

Why are you freaking out so much? Zoé asked.

I don't know. It might be because they are my two closest friends! If one develops feelings while the other doesn't, this situation could turn into a huge mess, I groaned.

They are both adults, capable of making their own choices and taking responsibility for them, even if they were stupid ones, Zoé laughed.

Do you think this is why Crypta has been acting weird lately? I asked my wolf.

It would explain things. But Crypta has always been... well, odd, Zoé noted.

Adrian asked with a hint of concern and worry on his handsome face, "You're not upset with me about this, are you?"

"No, not exactly. I'm more concerned about the two of you and the repercussions of this. Are you sure Crypta seemed okay afterward?" I asked.

"She seemed fine. Crypta took a shower. Then we played video games, ate wings and pizza, and drank beer. We had fun and then crashed," Adrian shrugged.

"Wow, I can see that you enjoyed it," I said sarcastically, nudging Adrian and grinning.

"I was honest about wanting to be with her for quite some time. She's the best I've ever had. That girl has skills and toys I didn't even know existed!" Adrian exclaimed.

Despite my worries, I laughed. He seemed fine, but I still felt the need to ask.

"Did you feel a mate bond or anything towards her?" I asked.

"I felt something, but I wouldn't call it that. The night of playing video games was a bit hazy, but we were drinking a lot, so..." Adrian's voice trailed off, and he bit his lip, deep in thought.

"What's wrong? I can tell by that look," I said, narrowing my eyes at my best friend.

"Do you think she would have compelled me or anything?" Adrian asked, uncertain.

"Do you think the s*x was so bad that she needed to save your ego?" I teased.

Adrian sneered and threw a pillow at me.

"Funny girl. No, I don't think Crypta needed to save my ego. I know she was satisfied, trust me. It's just in my memories; I was kicking ass at "Halo Wars," and we both know I suck at it," Adrian said thoughtfully.

She has been acting strangely. Maybe Crypta did compel him, especially if one or both started to develop feelings. She would never do anything that she thought would risk their friendship, Zoé noted.

Regardless of the motives, tampering with someone's memories in that manner is not acceptable. We will resolve this, but it's essential to reassure Adrian to prevent any escalation, especially since we are all living together, I remarked to my wolf.

"I did spend time with you earlier, helping you refine those skills on "Halo Wars." Maybe you learned more than you realized. Just not enough to beat me," I laughed.

Adrian seemed to be satisfied with my explanation and turned his attention to the earrings I was wearing.

"Those are new and pretty cool. Where did you get them?" Adrian asked.

I blushed and shared that Damian had given me the labradorite earrings set in a design with subtle circuitry patterns. I also told Adrian about the bracelet my mate had given me, engraved with a binary code that translated to "I love you" and a moon and wolf symbol representing our werewolf nature. Luna Jo had helped him pick them out, and I treasured them.

"I know that things have gotten pretty serious between you two and that you've started opening up to Damian. I'm really proud of you, Rogue. I know how hard it was for you to do that. He's a good guy. Damian loves you. It's not just the mate bond. He truly loves you," Adrian said.

"I told him my real name," I whispered.

Adrian looked at me, stunned.

"I'm your best friend, and I don't even know your real name!" Adrian yelped.

"You are my family and my best friend. My name is Rogue because I recreated myself when I left my former pack. I'm not Evie anymore, and I haven't been for a long time," I huffed.

"Evie," said Adrian, as if testing the name to see how it sounded.

I rolled my eyes and waited for his response.

"It is a beautiful name, but you will always be Rogue Byte to me. My sister and my best friend," Adrian smiled.

"Do we share this information with Crypta?" Adrian asked.

I shook my head no.

"It's not who I am anymore, so I don't think it is important to share it unless there is a need to," I replied.

"Damian asked me again to move in with him," I shared.

"Do you want to?" my best friend asked, looking me in the eyes and giving me his full attention.

"Eventually, yes. Right now? Nope," I said, popping the p.

Adrian raised an eyebrow at me but didn't say anything. The wise man just waited for me to continue.

"I have a toothbrush and some extra clothes there. That's good enough for now," I shrugged.

"You are not staying here out of obligation to Crypta and me, are you?" Adrian inquired.

"No," I replied honestly. "I'm not ready for more than I've agreed to. I'll know when the time is right. Zoé will, too. Damian is trying his best to be patient, and I appreciate it."

"Where is Crytpa?" I asked, realizing that she'd been gone the entire day.

"She's often gone into the woods. I offer to go with her, but Crypta always declines. She usually doesn't stay out this long, though. I hope everything is okay," Adrian frowned.