The Mute Luna

Chapter 7: Shadows

“Who are you?” A voice whispered in Carter's head. “Where are you, my love?” 

The voice was soft like silk but deep like a man's, gentle as if he were really there holding her as he spoke. It sounded like a soothing lullaby as Carter closed her eyes. She could feel him all around her, the warm touch of his skin, the brush of his cool breath against her lips.

A sigh escaped Carter silently as the feeling of the person surrounded her, enveloped her. She wanted to stay this way, in his embrace, in his presence forever. She wanted to open her eyes to see his face, see who the boy was, to see the person who was holding her heart in his soft hands, but her eyes remained closed as his warm touch continued to comfort her. 

“Where are you?” His voice whispered once again. “I want to see you. But where are you?”

Carter wanted to open her mouth to tell him, to tell him to come find her but she couldn't make the words come out.

“I'm waiting for you, princess.” The warm voice said softly.

Carter's eyes flew open. She looked around and saw she was still in her relaxing bath. She took a deep breath and tried to calm her fast beating heart. It's just a dream. She thought. Just a dream. Taking a deep breath, she tried to shake the voice from her thoughts but it was almost impossible to get that voice out of her head.  

Carter was in her relaxing bath for maybe half an hour before she got out and dressed in a long flowing black nightgown, her feet bare. She brushed her damp hair until it was mostly straight then went out into the living room. Joey was long gone so she was alone. She didn't feel like ordering any food or watching TV so she decided to go out onto the balcony. 

Her hands gently pulled on the handle of the sliding glass door and it slid open silently. Cool air rushed against her skin and she placed her feet outside, shivering at the coldness on the bottom of her feet. Her dark nightgown blew out behind her like a cape as she went to the silver railing guarding the edge of the balcony. Carter's eyes moved over the world below. 

People were still coming in but not as many. The lights hanging from the trees and around the pool came on as the other main lights turned off. The limo cars had finally stopped coming and Carter watched as they left. The sky remained dark but stars began to peek out, shining brightly. The cool air blew softly, bringing the smell of the nearby flowers to her nose. She breathed in deeply, not able to stop the smile from spreading onto her face. 

It had been nice at home but this was very relaxing. No one at home besides Joey really stuck by her side so she was used to being alone. But this was nice and relaxing. It felt like lying in the woods, like taking a swim in the river on a warm summer day. It wasn't home but it was good to be somewhere different. It felt like a vacation, one where she didn't have to worry of the looks of her fellow pack members, where she didn't have to worry of her father and his sorrow. 

I wonder when I'll be rejected. She suddenly thought. She wasn't sure why her brain had jumped to that all of a sudden but now she was stuck on it. When would she meet him? Where? On the dance floor? A special ceremony? Would she even find him? That last question had been nagging at her for a while but she didn't want to think about it or admit she cared. Her wolf was dormant, she did not shift or hunt like a wolf. So how would she meet her mate? Would he find her? Would the meeting bring her wolf back?

Something caught her eye. Since the balconies were next to each other in each hotel room with some space between them, Carter could see anyone or anything next to her on the balcony to her left. It was a shadow of a person, maybe a guy. She couldn't see his face but something about it nagged her. But instead of moving to back away, she leaned closer over the railing to see who it was. His face could not be seen but something was nagging at Carter. Something in her chest was different. An emotion she didn't know.

The shadow seemed to be dancing, though. Carter knew the owner was not. The owner's shadow glowed black in the silver moonlight. Carter didn't know but she felt like she had to find out who was across her. The shadow's head turned and she saw a pair of sapphire eyes staring right at her. She silently gasped and backed away in shock but the shadow stayed. Their eyes met and held until Carter heard the front door of her hotel room open and Joey called out.

“Cart, you home?” He called. But Carter couldn't look away from the shadow. But with a shake of its head, it moved and vanished into its hotel room. Carter instantly felt a sense of relief but also loss somehow. The shadow had both scared and comforted her. But who was it?

“Carter?” Joey called again. She reluctantly turned away from the opposite balcony and went back into the living room, where her best friend stood, looking around for her. His black hair was slightly messed up and he looked uncomfortable in his dark dress pants and white shirt. His black tie was loosely thrown around his neck. His soft eyes seemed to smile when he saw Carter walk in.

“Hi,” He grinned. “What have you been up to?” He handed Carter her white board. 

She thought for a moment, then shrugged. 'Nothing.' But her mind was far off on the shadow.