Knight's Tempus [16+]

Chapter 4

"Are you sure about this, Realyn?"

I nod my head. He sighs, "you know the price of your decision. Are you certain?" I nod my head. Father smile at me though I can see the sadness in his eyes. My heart feels heavy as well because of my decision but with this ability, I can help our little community. I don't have much of a choice.

~

"Hey"

What could that dream be? Who was that man? Who was that girl? Why are they familiar?

"Hey!"

She gritted her teeth in annoyance and lightly bang her head on the table, frustrated. She pause from banging her head and look up hoping for a another daydream to appear but none. She sigh exasperatedly, what was she doing before taking a nap for her to have that dream? Red will gladly do it again for another chance to have a more vivid dream. She will do anything, she has this nagging feeling inside her.

"Hey!!"

She bit her lower lip and covered her ears as she placed her forehead back in the table, softly hitting the table with her forehead.

Father... She called the man in front of her, father. Was it really just a dream or was it something else? Could it be one of her forgotten memories?

"Ugh!!" Why can't I remember anything? If it was a memory why is it so unclear? If the man she called father's face is clearer she would draw it for basis. Supernaturals are immortal-- uh nope, they are not entirely immortal since they can be killed but, they live longer than human unless they are killed so if she has a sketch of the man she called father, surely someone must know him. She's half-werewolf and half-human, her father could be a werewolf and if he is, she can ask Ava to help her look for him or anyone related to him. She is willing to do anything just to know a part of her life, but how can she be sure of the visions she sees if it's not even clear and incomplete?

"HEYYY!!!" She straightened and snap her gaze to her right to see the same man who tap her shoulders a while back. He's grinning from ear to ear as he approached her and sat next to her, "you sure are in deep thought."

She scratches her temple and smile awkwardly, "yeah, sorry about that. Do you need something from me?" She asks.

He laughs while Red remained looking at him bewildered. Okay then, should I laugh with him? She thought because the man is still laughing. "Uh..." She laughs along with him. The latter stopped laughing and so she stop too.

"Why were you laughing?" He asks wondering.

Red shrugs, "you were laughing without a reason too, so, I thought it'll be nice to join you." Lie. She though it looks weird that he's laughing without a reason or maybe there is a reason but only him knows, so she joined him as to not make him look like a crazy man laughing while she looks utterly baffled.

He looks at her and chuckles, "thank you then."

She nods her head and placed her head back in the table and sighs.

"Hey, you okay?" She shakes her head. "What's the matter, maybe I can help you?" She turn her head towards him, he gave her a small smile.

"Hmm, how old are you?"

"210 years old. And you?"

She stilled with that question. She almost laugh and facepalm. Right, how old is she? She looks at him and smiled unsure, "Three?"

He frowns. "What?"

She shrugs, "I don't know how old I am. I woke up three years ago in Tirada, so... I'm three years old now."

He stood up and pointed her, clearly surprised of what she told him. "You mean to say, you have an amnesia?"

"Amnesia..." she mumble and slowly nods her head, "perhaps that's how I am now."

"f**k?" she look at him when he muttered those words and shakes her head. "You don't like when people swear?" He asks.

"Uh no, not really. I shake my head to answer that I don't know if I've been to bed with a man." She stated.

"Huh?"

She tsked, "I meant to say I don't know if I'm virgin or not."

He nodded then eventually his eyes widen, he took a step back and pointed her again. "You... How could you say that blatantly?!" He exclaimed looking to his left and right.

Red frown. "You were asking me." She spoke calmly unlike the unknown man in front of her whose all tensed.

"I didn't asked you that!"

Red looks at him her head titled a little. "You said 'f**k?'. Weren't you asking me?"

The man facepalmed. "The fuck." He sat back beside her gripping her shoulders softly for her to face him, her forehead knitted. "It was a... I just said it out of, surprise? Shock? Like that." Red tilted her head.

"Uh, okay then."

Silence enveloped the two of them, Red busy thinking of what to do to dream about the same dream while Beta Charles is busy staring at her, wondering who could the woman be if she doesn't have an amnesia.

"Hey by the way, your name's Red?" Beta Charles began with a small smile, Red turns to him and nods her head. "Just... Red? Without surname?" She nods her head again. "I see, well, I'm Charles Allen, the Beta of Draekkus pack." He offered his right hands to her, "nice to formally meet you, Miss Red." Red stared at his offered hand and then looks at his face and slowly take his hand in a shake.

She smiles to him. "Nice to meet you too, Beta Charles."

"Oh shush, just call me Charles, we're friends now."

Her forehead crease but nodded anyway. If he insists then who is she to deny it? And, she has acquired a new friend. Wow, she never knew she's a friend a magnet.

"Why are you here alone, Red? Why not go outside and meet new people. I'm sure the pack would love to meet you, Luna's best friend and savior." Charles stated. Red's face turns into an unknown expression upon the mention of going out and meeting new people. She can't do that, at least not when she's alone. She doesn't know what to say. She can't keep on asking them questions and she's not sure if she can answer their questions if ever.

"I'll... pass. I have things to take care of." She declined. Maybe she will, next time. When will that next time happens, she doesn't know. Just... next time.

Charles' eyebrow quirks and looks at her suspiciously. "I have heard you're not a fan of crowd, seems like it's true huh." Then his lips tugs a small smile.

Red avoided his gaze embarrassed. Hopefully that fact about her is now announced in the entire pack. It would be more embarrassing for her.

"Beta— I mean Charles, you're meeting with Ava and the others is done?"

"Yeah, you wanna know what it's about?"

Red shakes her head. "I wanna ask where Ava is. I have something to tell her, if she's not occupied of something." She tells him.

"Unfortunately she's occupied by someone right now."

Red looks at her new friend, Charles, while he's saying that he has weird smile. It looks creepy that Red can't help but cringe internally. He's expression is telling her that he knows something that she doesn't, but what could it be? Could it be related to Ava?

Her eyes turns slits as she warily looks at him whose unaware of her suspicious eyes directed towards him because he's in a really deep thought.

"Where is Ava?"

Charles looks at her and then glances around as he neared her. "Don't tell anyone else about this but..." He leaned closer on her, his mouth nearing her as she almost took a step back, "I think we'll be expecting Alpha and Luna's pup." It took seconds for Red to realize what he said. Her eyes widen as her mouth agape.

They're expecting?!

"Are you certain? They really are ex—"

"If you two are planning to flirt with each other, do it somewhere private." Both she and Charles snapped their eyes towards the newcomer, it's Ava's otherworldly beautiful brother, Knight. He's looking at them with his dark orbs clearly irritated of what he witnessed inside the kitchen.

Red couldn't take her eyes of him and she doesn't know why.

Red*

My eyes are directed only to him as if no one is around the room. There is really something about him, perhaps because of how beautiful he is but it's more than just that. It's more... internal. I'm intrigued by the coldness in his voice, curious of how uninterested are his eyes and bewildered by the fact that one look from him and I'm already lost.

He's Ava's brother and aside from that we are complete strangers, even so, he's... familiar. It's a distant feeling that even I can't explain, there's just this nagging feeling inside me that I couldn't explain and it has something to do with him.

He looks at the man, uh, Charles with me and his eyebrows quirks a little, too little I can't help but wonder if I clearly saw it right because the moment I blink he's back to his usual uninterested expression. I wonder if his face is not stoned yet in that expression.

"Al— Knight! You're still here, I thought you came back to your man—"

"My whereabouts has nothing to do with you." He coldly interjected whatever Charles is about to say. My face contorted in disbelief. Otherworldly beautiful and otherworldly grumpy as well.

His eyes then directed to me and I instantly look away, I don't want him to think I'm keeping an eye on him all this time the moment he entered, that is too shameful.

"I did not know someone like her is your type, Charles."

Type? Type? Charles' type? Her? Who? ME?!

My eyes widen like a saucer and I shake my hands in front of him glaring and gesturing at Charles to clear up whatever misconception he has between us.

Charles' forehead crease and sighs eventually, "you got it all wrong, Knight. Red and I, we're f---"

"It does not matter, it's not my business anyway."

I dropped my hands and looks at him in boredom. "If so, why must you be making that side comments about me? You popped out of nowhere and somewhat insult me then you'll say it's not your business, that's great that you know." I grab Charles hand and looks at him again, "next time, I suggest you to keep those snide remarks to yourself and mind the way you speak to others especially if they're nothing but polite to you." I then drag Charles away from the kitchen and away from him who seems to carry all the burden of the world.

"Red---"

"Sorry about that, I... I just can't stop myself from saying that because no matter how magnificent of man he is, he was being rude." Oh moon goddess! Why do I have to include the fact that I find him utterly mesmerizing?! I glance at Charles profile awkwardly and covered my face when I find him smirking at me.

"You have a crush on him huh." That conclusion again. Maggie told me the same thing, I am not even sure as to what that word actually means. Perhaps it's the same thing as liking someone?

Huh, if I have a crush on that man, I like him then? I cringed. No I do not. Not even a bit.

I shake my head. "I don't have a crush on him, I am merely stating the truth that he is good-looking."

He laughs, "what's the difference? You have a crush on h---"

"Charles, there is a huge different between liking someone and recognizing the truth of how attractive they look." I completely faced him. "Take this as an example, I find you really attractive," he smirks at me and winks and I took a step-back at his gesture.

"I know..."

I sigh exasperatedly. "BUT, I don't like you. Not in a romantic way. See the difference now?"

He think about it for moment and answered, "Nah, it's the same way still."

"Why did I even bother in the first place?" I asks myself for than him but he laughs loudly after I said that.

~

I woke up with a start the next day, falling out of bed is a good start, I have a feeling today will be auspicious day. I fell from my bed, I woke up late, Ava left because I was still sleeping, Alpha Nico is busy and Beta--- I mean Charles is nowhere to be seen despite being in the pack. Still a good day, right?

Goodness, who am I fooling? This is probably one of the worst day of my three-years life! I'm all alone in the pack house, wait no, Maggie! Maggie could be here! But how am I supposed to find her in this huge territory? I need to go out of the pack mansion, I have 99.99% chances of crossing paths with weres I don't know, what am I supposed to do then if that happens?

I can't hold conversation, since that is the case, I might as well stay in my room. I'm used being alone anyway, I will be fine.

My stomach grumble. Of course, my stomach has to remind me of its existence. I don't have any food inside my room, I should start keeping food in my own room, it doesn't matter what people or weres say.

I am fine being alone in a room but I am never fine being hungry in a room, never.

I peek outside as I slightly ajar the door. Great, no one's around. I carefully went out of my room and stealthily walk towards the kitchen, it's downstairs and hopefully, no one is there as well. It feels different walking in the pack's mansion without Ava around, she would always tell me whose room we passed or the purpose of the room.

I was casually walking when Owen, the were from last week, the one I fought with against those rogues suddenly went out from one of the room, he looks clearly surprised seeing me. "Miss Red!" He greeted.

I smile at him. "Hello..."

"Luna Ava told me to watch after you in case no one's around to accompany you." He informed. I almost frown at that, Ava, I don't know if I should thank her or not. Asking Owen, a pack warrior to watch after me, somehow, it made me feel like a kid. Oh right, I did told Charles I'm three-years old. Wow, the karma from saying that yesterday. Is this the sign? Should I just embrace being a three-years old?

"Miss Red?"

"Yes?" Did I space-out too long? Urr.

"Where are you going Miss? I will acco---"

"Oh no no," I quickly cut what hes about to say, "you can do what you have to do or what you want to do, I'll just be going to the kitchen to eat. I'm planning to stay on my room today." I told him.

He shakes his head, "I cannot do that Miss, Luna Ava's order is clear. I must watch after you."

I keep my smile while thinking of what to reason out. His dedication and loyalty to Ava is heartwarming, however, I wish he won't be so stubborn.

"You want to watch after me eat? Watch after me inside my own room?" I asks, his eyes widen and his cheeks tinted red as he avoided my gaze, obviously embarrassed. "That would be inappropriate." I added. This time his ears are also tainted red. SORRY!!!!! Gah! I hope he won't push it anymore, I don't want to see him embarrassed in front of me too, I know how it feels but I don't want him tailing me all day either if he can do some things more productive.

"That-- That's not what I---"

"I know, I do not mean to you offend you in any way Owen but I really want to be alone. I promise that if I'm in need of help, I will look for you." I smile at him, I wish I don't sound harsh or ungrateful, it would be the last thing I want especially after they showed me kindness all this time.

He started at me for quite sometime I can't help but wave my hand in front of him. I clap my hands, that seems to snap him of whatever trance he is. "I-if that's what you like, just call for my name and I'll be there as soon as I can." I nod my head with a small smile, thank the moon goddess he isn't offended or anything. "I.. I'll go ahead then, Miss Red. Take care!" He waved his hands and walk away.

"Thank you, you too!" As he disappeared from my view I'm left alone, I then decided to go where I plan to be. Kitchen, also known as the tasty haven!

I can hear people talking in the kitchen, I had to stop from completely entering the kitchen. The odds, how unlucky I am! I can hear multiple voices inside. Gah! My stomach grumbles again, indeed, this is not the time to be embarrass.

"What do you mean? She captured Head Knight's attention?" I stop again from entering, they are talking about Knight? Ava's brother?

"I heard from some of the people here, during the attack he saved that woman." Another voice said. How am I supposed to enter if they are gossiping? Maybe I should just wait for them to finish--- my stomach made another sound--- I can't. I can't wait.

The first voice laughs, it sounded sarcastic in my opinion. "Saved that woman? Probably because she was friend's with his sister." I stop myself from entering, again, but this realization hits me. They are talking about me. "I bet he wouldn't spare her another glance, he was doing it for Ava not because of something else."

"Shh! Why are you calling Luna Ava with her name, Gemini? We must address her as Luna!" A different voice exclaimed. "It's a disrespect to call her by her name especially if you aren't given permission." The voiced added, I can hear the edge on her voice, she's nervous.

So it's a disrespect to call someone of high position to call them by their name's if you are not given permission to do so? Hmm, I'm Ava's best friend and she never told me about this, I can call her by her name. I wonder what she'll do if I start calling her with pleasantries?

"Disrespect? Hah!" I gritted my teeth, clearly, she is not taking Ava as a Luna seriously. How dare she mock my best friend?! Preposterous! "It's not disrespect, we both know my cousin Mhelanie would have been the Luna if she didn't die and if Head Knight didn't pass his position to Beta Nicolo. Duh, it's luck that placed them in their positions. I don't understand why that Ava has to be the Luna, she's weak! She's nothing compared to Mhelanie." This harpy! She did not only insult my best friend but also Alpha Nico.

I inhaled deeply before entering the kitchen, all eyes snap on my direction as soon as I entered. I glance at them and smiled despite wanting to claw their eyes out. The woman in the middle, she has a strawberry blonde hair and tan, she's beautiful. If only she's beautiful inside too. The other two are both black haired and shorter compared to the one in the middle.

The strawberry blonde raised her brows at me, I knew it, the way her eyes regard me from head to toe and raised her brows clearly curious of who I am, but as her head titled to the side realization somewhat dawned on her.

"Who are you?" Her question doesn't sound like a question at all, it sounded more like a confirmation of my identity. I know she already have an idea of who I am.

"I'm Red, you are?"

She directed her eyes somewhere else, I saw the subtle roll in her eyes as she did that. "Gemini."

"Hmm, Gemini, versatile, youthful, curious and fun." Her eyes gaze back at me in question, "that is Gemini in zodiac sing." I shrug.

"Oh, so you know horoscope?" she asks, her expression gave her away, she finds that amusing.

I shrug, "kind of." I don't. I saw it in Ava's phone once and I just remembered. I never knew I have a good memory.

"You... you are Luna Ava's friend?" I look at the girl on the right and nod my head. "Is that so? How long have you been here?" She asks. She must be worried since the three of them are facing against the kitchen's entrance that they might not notice me, however, as I entered awhile back, I made a sound on purpose. Huh, worried being caught talking behind someone else's back?

"I just entered didn't I?" I grab a glass of water and drank from it, I wipe the side of my mouth after drinking and look at them only to find them staring at me. The two girls are looking at me curiously while Gemini is eyeing my with detest. I smile, "but I was outside for quite some time, long enough to hear you talking about Luna Ava and Alpha Nicolo being undeserving of their position."

Their eyes widened, except for Gemini, the two girls turned as pale as paper.

"Miss... R-Red! Please don't---" The girl from the right tried to approach me but Gemini pulled her back.

"What are you doing? Beg her to not tell them? So pathetic." She snickered at her with her spoiled-brat-accent voice. She then glare at me and smirks, "so what if I said that? It's the truth anyway. What will you do? You're just a human."

I shrug at her. I must have smelled like a human in her nose, well, that's better.

My lips formed a smirk. Underestimate all you want, it'll be more entertaining if you do that.

"Oh, so the human best friend has some guts to smirk? What are you so proud of? Right, Ava is backing you up." I tried to remain smirking, I did not let her words falter me even though I really want to wipe that smirk off her face.

"Even without Ava, I'll still smirk. It's not like Ava has some sort of remote control to manipulate my facial expression." I roll my eyes. I cross my arms, "however, I heard addressing Ava as Ava without permission is a not light offense. I should thank that woman who said that a while back," I glance at the two minions beside her, "the information is very useful." I added.

"You..." She glare at me then directed her eyes at her glued to the spot minions. ".. you two are stupid!" She yelled at them and they visibly flinch. Her eyes threw daggers at me when she glance back, "You are too proud. Go on, tell them, they won't dare punish me. I am Gemini Shaw, I am Mhelanie's cousin."

Mhelanie, whoever that woman is I'm sure she has a great footing in this pack.

"I don't who that woman is, but, I'm certain she won't walk out of her grave to defend her disrespectful cousin." I chimed and her eyes widen.

"HOW DARE YOU!" In the blink of an eye, her claw is aiming at my neck. I tsked, so slow. I step on the right, she fell. There there, that's what happens when you attack while being so emotional.

I look down on her. "In this pack, Ava, Luna Ava to you, is one of the pack's foundation and you, as a pack member must respect her." I step on her back when she tried to stand, "I hate it when someone as insignificant as you dare to talk behind her back and disrespect her. You. Don't. Qualify." I lift my foot to and step-back. "That woman named Mhelanie that you recognized as your Luna? She's dead and even if you keep on thinking she's supposed to be the Luna, she is dead. If you want her to be your Luna, why don't you bring her back to life and—"

"SHUT UP!" I flinched upon the voice that boombed around the kitchen. I look behind me to see Knight, his hands formed into a fist and glaring furiously at me. "HOW DARE YOU! YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO MENTION HER NAME!" His eyes shifts color and veins are becoming more visible. I can feel the tension, the room suddenly felt heavy and small, his aura screamed dominance and Gemini's two minion quickly helped her stand looking paler than they already are. They are shaking, I glance at Gemini and she is too.

Knight carries the aura of death and his eyes has the clear intention to kill.

I can almost taste fear in the air, I felt goosebumps rising as I stare at his dark eyes shifting from black to silver.

I should feel fear yet I don't. I held my ground and glared back. He won't scare me. I am not part of this pack, he is not my Alpha. Why would I fear him?

"You dare casually mention her name like you know her..." His cold voice whispering sounds terrifying, dangerous.

I smirk. "Why can't I? Because she was supposed to be the Luna?"

"Enough!" My eyes widen when he appeared in front of me and swing his now clawed hands in attack, I swiftly step away from him. s**t. He's fast. That was so close! His silver eyes instantly found me and he growled.

"You missed, wolf boy." I mock and he growled again. Pissing him off is a bad idea but I can't help it. This guy needs some slap of reality. I can't have him being so furious at me for mentioning that name especially if that name is the reason why Ava is being belittled and look upon.

Such impudence is not acceptable!

"You are so mad because I mention that name, you didn't even bother knowing the entirety of the conversation yet." I gritted my teeth and jump back again, this time landing on the dining table. "I will not let that name be the reason why Ava is being insulted!" I growl at him and kick his chest when he launch at me, I flip on my right side landing carefully, keeping an eyes on him. He looks a little taken aback, his forehead knitting. I laugh sarcastically, "why? Surprised? That name is being used by this woman—" I pointed the horrified Gemini, "to belittle my best friend and now you react like this upon the mere mention of her name. Now I know why she has all the confidence to act so mighty, it's because of you. She knows how dear that name is to you that's why." I shake my head, "I don't care who that woman is in your life or what she is in this pack but no one, nothing, not even her name that you hold so dearly can be the reason Ava is being stabbed and talked behind her back." I regard him from head to toe, "you protect that name so greatly yet you can't even defend the name of your own sister." I shake my head and turn my back, heaving because of anger I've never felt before. Ava.... No one can talk about her like that again. I won't allow it. Not on my watch.

~

After I close my room's door I heaved a deep sigh and sat on my bed shaking my head. Only when I entered I realize something. I WASN'T ABLE TO EAT! I just had a glass of water, I'm freaking starving. 

I sigh again, doesn't matter, I will not go out of this room, not until Ava arrive. 

Was I too harsh? 

Perhaps I was too harsh on him, that woman named Mhelanie must be so important to him. I run  my hands on my face, she could be his mate! Why did I not think of that possibility?! He wouldn't react that way if she's just someone important. The way he protected even her name, it makes sense now. He could be hurting up until now because of her death, damn it. Was I too insensitive? I don't know if it's better or worse that I don't know the story and acted so harshly or not. 

I groaned and hit my head, "that was so cruel of me to say that!" I hissed on myself.

I look up on my ceiling and cleared my head, indeed, it was cruel and harsh of me to say but it was the truth. He may be in pain because of her death but that does not mean Ava has to suffer that kind of disrespect not just as a Luna but also as his sister. Moon goddess, I hope that if he learns the truth about how that Gemini and her perception of Ava he realize how painful it is. It pained me to hear that harpy said that, what more if Ava was the one who heard those words.

My stomach grumble, damn to the tenth power, I can feel my large intestine and small intestine fighting, the organs in my stomach are eating each other because of hunger. 

I laid on my bed and sighs, I might as well sleep to let my hunger pass than stay awake and experience this torture. I closed my eyes and snap then open again.

Should I say sorry to Knight Rochester? 

I shake my head, I should talk to Ava first. I will say sorry to him for being harsh but I will not say sorry for the things I've said. No wait, actually, why would I say sorry for speaking the truth? It was indeed harsh but it was the truth. I shake my head again, one more shake of my head and it might roll out of my own body. 

Gah, creepy.

~

"Us given a special ability is both a gift and a curse, Realyn." Her melodic voice rings on my head. This lesson will be forever embedded in my mind. "You know why, right?" I nod my head. Of course I know why. The moment I learned about what I am capable of, both Mother and Father has been with me, telling me the exchange if I choose to cultivate my ability. "Remember Althea?" I nod my head. Althea is also a friend of mine, the four of us, I, Lola, Marinette and Althea are the second generation of this village, we grew up together and trained together and the four of us will protect this hill together. "You know what happened to her, right?" I slowly nod my head.

Althea has the gift to heal, she's a human and to be able to fully cultivate her ability to help the village, she paid the price, she's not a spell-caster, a vampire or a werewolf that's why she suffered the aftermath of cultivating her ability the first time.

In order to heal, she lost all her senses except her ability to feel, especially pain. She lost her ability to wonder her eyes and be mesmerized by the beauty of nature, lost her ability to listen to her own mother's wonderful voice, lost her chance to taste the dishes both Lola and Marinette does, lost her ability to be intoxicated by the scent of flower the four of us grew in our garden.

Despite that, she can feel. She can feel us but she can feel pain more than anything. I always asks her why? I always wonder why she has to choose suffering but then Althea was happy. She was happy to heal, I just wished she also heal from her scars that not even magic can cure.

"Realyn? How are you? Can you feel---"

I sadly shake my head. I can't feel her anymore and it's the price I had to pay.

To fully cultivate my ability I... I had to give up a big part of who I am, the part where no one can ever replace. To manipulate time, I had to give up my soul. 

To become the Tempus, I had to sacrifice my wolf. And it's tearing me into pieces more than I can imagine.