A Snow moon christmas

Found

*Merida*

I wake up to the sound of hounds baying, stirring from my cozy spot nestled against Chester beneath the draperies. I can feel his body tense beside me, indicating that something is amiss.

"It's morning. The storm has passed," Chester says, throwing back the covers and getting up from the bed.

I watch him in fascination, taking in the sight of his bare backside as he walks towards the window. The dim light from the dying fire paints an impressive silhouette of his sculpted form… flesh, muscle, sinew, and bone.

"It's a search party," he continues, turning back to face me.

I can't help but smile at the sight of him. Does that make me a wanton?

"Is my father among them?" I ask, my voice filled with concern.

"Unfortunately, yes. Your brothers are there too. Along with Lightfoot and both Snow Moon twins." He says.

Chester gathers his clothes and kneels beside me, cradling my face in his hands. "Tell them that you made your way here but got stranded due to the storm. You have been waiting it out… alone."

Confusion fills me. "But you will be here with me."

He strokes my cheek, and I see sadness in his eyes that threatens to bring tears to my own. "No, I won't let your reputation be tarnished by us being found together."

My hand presses against his chest. "But if they discover us, it will force us to marry. My father will insist on it."

He holds me close, tucking me beneath his chin. "Merry, I want you more than anything in the world, but I won't risk bringing you shame or causing you more pain than I already have. And I won't do what Lightfoot did and force you into a marriage." He kisses me tenderly, conveying a multitude of emotions… love, care, and goodbye.

Then he rushes out of the room as if pursued by demons, while the Alpha’s hounds grow louder, signaling their approach. Feeling lost and bereft, I mechanically slip back into my stiff but dried riding habit. As I button up the last of the pearl disks, a door slams open, and heavy footsteps echo through the room.

My father bursts through the doorway first. "Merida, thank the Goddess. What happened, girl?"

"I... I got caught in the storm. I wanted to go ice skating," I stammer.

Lightfoot comes forward, draping his coat around me. "You must have been terrified."

"Only of the ghosts. They say the manor is haunted." I tell them.

"The tower and the dungeon," the Alpha interjects, studying me closely. "Not the manor itself."

"Well, then, I had nothing to fear." I say with a relieved smile.

Beta Raphael speaks up. "I suppose you haven't seen Alpha Chester? He is missing too and we have been unable to find him."

My mouth feels dry as I shake my head. "No, our paths didn't cross, but I'm sure he is fine. He probably went for a walk. He knows the outdoors well enough to find shelter."

Lightfoot places his arm around my shoulders. "Come, we must get you back to the residence. You must be famished."

"Indeed," I reply, allowing him to lead me away, but not without stealing a glance back at the room. Beta Raphael has a speculative gleam in his eyes as he surveys the disheveled draperies. He has a reputation as quite the rogue, and I desperately hope he can't guess what truly transpired here.

*Chester*

From the master's bedchamber upstairs, I watch as the search party retreats towards the manor. For a few precious hours, I held in my arms all the dreams I have ever had, only to let her go once again.

To be with her would mean tarnishing her reputation, and I love her far too much to do that. But the thought of her being with Lightfoot is unbearable.

"Thought I would find you somewhere around," Beta Raphael's voice breaks through my thoughts.

I turn around, facing him. "Trying to protect Miss Merida’s reputation?" Beta Raphael asks.

I sigh deeply. "I remember you doing a similar thing for Anne."

"And it nearly cost me a lifetime of happiness." He points out.

"I could never be happy if Merida suffered because of the scandal," I confess. “I do not want to see her forced.”

Beta Raphael walks over, leaning against the window frame and looking out. "Suppose I could say I found you at the abbey ruins."

I shake my head. "Too risky."

"Then we will have to wait here for an hour or so to make it believable." He says with a small shrug.

With a nod, I press my back against the wall and slide down to the floor. I glance up as Raphael offers me a silver flask. Silently, I take it and drink deeply. Rum. Perhaps it will warm the coldness that has settled in my chest since I watched Merida walk away without even a backward glance.