My Luna is a Witch

18

Chapter 18

There was this unsettling feeling in Scarlet's heart that she couldn’t pinpoint. She was worried about Xavier. He was getting vulnerable with every passing day; he refused to eat and leave his room. If Luna Regina were here, she would have exactly known what to do, but Scarlet is not Luna Regina; she’s Scarlet who at one point loathed Xavier, but what was this new emotion she was feeling— compassion? Pity? Empathy? She didn’t know. All she knew was she was not relishing this. For the first time in forever, she wasn’t ecstatic about looking at Xavier in a miserable position.

Her chain of thoughts broke when Sal entered her room in dead silence, “Hi,” A polite smile was playing on his lips.

“Hi,” She forced a smile and told him to take a seat.

“So? Still not coming out of the room?” Sal asked.

“No, and also hasn’t eaten anything in the past 48 hours,” She massaged her forehead.

“You know. . . school’s been hard on him lately. I’m surprised how he finds the courage to get up every morning and—” his eyes met Scarlet's sharp ones and sealed his mouth immediately. He felt the protectiveness in her eyes for Xavier. She didn’t just want to admit it.

“He is the future Alpha of the Crimson Stone. He ought to get over it. Aren’t you endeavoring to make him understand?” Sal said in a calm tone.

Scarlet snapped at him, “Do you think I don’t know, and how can you assume that I am not trying?”

Her bed sank when Sal plopped on it; he put his hand on hers, “I don’t mean that,” he began to make circles on the back of her palm with his thumb, “He needs self-assurance. You told me he is recovering— he needs to start training immediately. What’s most important is the mindset. Scarlet, you’re a smart girl. You can counsel him better than anyone else, so talk to him.” Sal uttered, and Scarlet's eyes widened in realization. He is stating correctly. Why is she not making an effort to talk to him? Is she scared that he is going to blame the calamity on her? So what? This is not the first time they have thrown daggers at each other. She can take it for the pack and her parents.

Sal scratched his head; lately, he was getting nervous around her, “I came here today to ask for help with homework.” Sal didn’t overlook the glow on Scarlet’s face. He had always admired her and had a silly crush on her all his life, but lately, something had changed about her. Was it her tone? Her beautiful long luscious crimson hair, bright ocean-blue eyes, and puffy pink lips. Her once petite body turned up to be a—

He shakes off his thoughts. He can’t think about her in this way. She was her beloved friend and the future Luna of the pack. Whatever he has been feeling lately, it needs to stop.

Scarlet rolled her eyes, a smile cracked on the corner, “Of course you do,”

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It was late in the evening. Scarlet stood outside of Xavier's room. Her fist was clenched and ready to knock on his door. Why is she hesitating? She is doing this for the pack also because she isn’t feeling good looking at him in this state. Sal is correct. He is the future Alpha; he has to run the most extensive pack; if one mishap can cause him to break down, how will he rule the group? So she did what felt right. She entered the room and found him standing in front of the mirror— he was shirtless, staring at himself in the mirror.

Scarlet's eyes widened in horror when she saw him. Xavier lost most of his body mass. She could see the outline of his spine. He looked horrifically petite— it scared her to see him like that. She felt a lone tear running down her cheek. Her ocean-blue eyes met his forest green, staring back at her with fierceness.

“What the f**k are you doing here? Laugh at my miserability? Are you having a good show?” He retorted.

Scarlet shut the door behind her and walked closer to him. “I need you to calm down,” she whispered.

“Get out!” He yelled at her.

“You can’t lock yourself forever,”

“Get out, Scarlet!”

“Just listen to me for once.”

Her eyes widened in horror when she saw him picking up the lamp and throwing it a few inches from her head. A piece passed, cutting her cheek, blood oozing from her skin as she watched him breathing heavily. It didn’t hurt— his behavior or the cut didn’t hurt her. She knew Xavier didn’t mean to hurt her— he wished to throw it at her but couldn’t. What hurt was looking at his vulnerability.

His gaze met hers, and for a second, there was a glimpse of guilt on his face— his eyes widened when he saw the crimson-red blood on her cheek— his head began to throb with unbearable pain.

Scarlet took long strides and held him before he could fall, “Xavier? What is happening?” she asked in a startled tone.

Xavier tried to get out of her grip, “Y-your touch— it burns,” he uttered in pain.

Scarlet brows frowned, listening to him. What? She couldn’t comprehend the situation. Now that she recalls— every time she’s around— Xavier gets weaker. This could be all in her head, but she tried to remember what had happened that night. The night that changed him— is he stating the truth? Is he in this condition because of her? Does she have anything to do with this? Nothing made sense, but she couldn’t help but blame herself. Her mind froze, and she closed her eyes to focus.

Xavier found himself close to a crimson-black hole. He felt the lasting hold sucking his energy— he also knew that he would forget about this when he got a hold of himself. He was in chains— watching the crimson hole sucking the life out of him. He didn’t know how he came here and what this entity was. All he knew was that he was one step closer to his death, and there was no one to help him get off these chains— get out of here, so he did what he always does— closed his eyes and waited for the pain to end.

His eyes opened when he felt a c***k in the chain— another crash, and one of the chains broke down. What is happening? The other chain broke down a minute later, and he found himself freed from the grip. How? What is happening? He heard a familiar voice and looked around for Scarlet.

Is Scarlet here? Is she also stuck like me? “Scarlet!” He yelled her name again and again.

“Scarlet! Scarlet!” The crimson hole was still in front of him, watching him, but he suddenly stopped to suck the energy out of him. “Can you hear me? Scarlet!”

He heard a gentle voice, “Xavier. Open your eyes,” he recognized the voice. It was Scarlet’s. He couldn’t understand her. He was wide awake; why was she telling him to open her eyes?

“Scarlet! Where are you? Can you hear me?” He yelled.

“Xavier,”

“Yes, it’s me. I’m stuck somewhere. Can you get me out of here? I want to get out of here!” He yelled in a desperate tone. In all those days, it was the first time he hadn't felt alone. He looked around for her again and again. He turned around and found the crimson hole in front of him, the eye in the spot staring at him.

“Not you again,” he whispered.

He saw the crimson hole coming closer and closer to him, “What is happening?” This had never happened before. Usually, he gets exhausted and wakes up in his petite body, but this time, he felt like the crimson hole wanted to engulf him. Did they suck out all my energy? Am I just a waste?

He found himself drowning in the hole, his eyes closed— before he was completely enveloped in the darkness, he heard it— her voice, calling him out, “Xavier,”

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Xavier’s eyes widened in horror. He gasped for oxygen— his vision a bit hazy, his mind numb. He tried to comprehend where he was.

He had no headache for the first time in the past few weeks. His throat was dry— he got up swiftly to get a glass of water. What was happening to him lately? He was having these weird dreams but could never remember any of them. The human world has given him nothing but suffering.

He descended the stairs and walked into the kitchen to get a glass of water. He took a big gulp and turned when he found Scarlet; Sal and Mr. Patel, looking at him with wide eyes. He gulped the water down.

Why are they still here? What time is it? Has he gotten skinnier than ever? Are they disgusted looking at him? Sal and Scarlet got up. Their gazes met before a big smile cracked on their lips. Are they making fun of him?

“Xavier. You—” Mr. Patel was also stunned, looking at him.

Xavier's brows frowned; he looked at his reflection in the fridge to see how much more disgusting he had become in a single night. His eyes widened in shock when he saw his previous self back. He was back to his old physique; his pale skin turned into a lovely dark shade, making him more handsome than ever.

He touched his face, his pecs— his abs. He observed himself— he couldn’t believe it. He turned to look at Scarlet, who was beaming with joy. He engulfed her in a big hug— picking her up from the floor and twirling her around. Her laughter sounded like a melody to him.

“You’re back!” She yelled as he put her down.

“I am back!” He answered in the same ecstatic tone.

“Good to see you all better, man,” Sal said, to which Xavier nodded.

No one had the answers to what happened. Xavier and Scarlet were too happy to think about anything else— Sal joined them in their happy moment.

Mr. Patel was standing quietly— his brows frowning at the events that occurred with the kids in the human world. He needs to inform the pack that the kids are not safe in this world. Something is coming for them.