Blood Moon Reckoning

Chapter 10: Past and Secrets

The tension in Estella’s home seemed to pulse with every breath Ariston took. Days had passed since Devon had found him at the edge of the forest, wounded and near death. Estella had healed him with that mysterious vial, but her wariness toward the stranger had not faded. He moved around her home as if he belonged there, helping with small tasks at the shop, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to him than he was letting on.

On the other hand, Devon had taken an immediate liking to Ariston. The young boy was curious and bright, often sitting by Ariston’s side as he recovered, asking a barrage of questions about everything from the woods to werewolves to the moon. Ariston answered in short, clipped responses, but there was a softness in his tone when he spoke to Devon that Estella noticed.

But Estella wasn’t so easily charmed.

“You don’t need to help with the shop,” she told him one morning as she caught him organizing herbs in the back room. “You’re still recovering.”

“I’m fine,” Ariston replied, not looking up from the bundles of dried herbs he was sorting. His deep voice carried a quiet authority that unsettled her. “Besides, I can’t just sit around doing nothing. It’s better to stay busy.”

Estella crossed her arms, watching him warily. There was a precision to his movements, the way he organized the herbs, the way he carried himself. He wasn’t just any man. She had her suspicions, but she hadn’t dared voice them yet. “What are you running from, Ariston?” she asked finally, her voice firm.

He paused, glancing up at her with those piercing eyes. “I’m not running.”

“Then what are you hiding?” Estella’s tone sharpened. “You show up out of nowhere, nearly dead, with injuries that no normal person would survive. And now you’re just… here. I need answers, Ariston.”

He stared at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he rose to his feet, towering over her. His presence filled the small room, making it feel as if the walls were closing in. “You saved my life, Estella. I won’t forget that. But, I can’t tell you my reasons. One thing’s for sure, I won’t hurt you or the people around you. You can trust me on that.”

Estella narrowed her eyes. “Trust is earned.”

A long silence stretched between them, thick with tension. Finally, Ariston gave a small nod. “I understand.”

Before Estella could respond, Devon bounded into the room, breaking the silence. “Mama, Ariston! I saw a rabbit outside! Can I go chase it?”

Estella’s stern expression softened as she looked at her son. “Not too far, Devon. Stay where I can see you.”

Devon grinned and dashed back outside, leaving Estella and Ariston alone again. The tension from before lingered, but neither spoke of it. Estella turned back to her work, and Ariston, for once, left her to it.

That night, long after Devon had gone to bed and the village had settled into the quiet of darkness, Ariston slipped outside, moving with the stealth of someone who knew how to remain unseen. The full moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow over the trees and fields. He walked to the edge of the forest, far enough from Estella’s home that he wouldn’t be overheard.

From the shadows, a figure emerged- a tall man with sharp eyes and a serious expression. His presence was as imposing as Ariston’s, though his movements were more deliberate, less animalistic. This was Hyde, Ariston’s most trusted servant.

“You called for me, Alpha,” Hyde said in a low, respectful tone, bowing his head slightly.

Ariston’s eyes flickered toward the village, making sure no one had followed. “What news do you have?”

Hyde’s face darkened. “Hugo is still under treatment, but he’ll be stable in a few weeks. The damage from the experiments was extensive. They injected him with a powerful d**g that we can’t figure out, but it was a very dangerous one. It nearly killed him. Fortunately, you managed to save him before it was too late.”

A flash of anger crossed Ariston’s face. He clenched his fists at his sides, his jaw tight. “They’ve taken this too far.”

“Indeed, Alpha,” Hyde said grimly. “It’s worse than we thought. The People’s Hospital… it’s a front for their experiments. They’re targeting the villagers, using them as test subjects. The missing villagers were taken there.”

Ariston’s eyes narrowed. “The Erylis family… Looks like it’s related to them. I’ve heard rumors, but now it’s confirmed.” He took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady. “We can’t let that experiment be successful. But we can’t move too quickly. I don’t want to tip them off.”

“What do you want me to do?” Hyde asked, his voice laced with urgency.

“Investigate further,” Ariston ordered. “Find out everything you can about the hospital and the experiments. Especially that d**g. I want to know who created it and what it is for. I need more information before we act.”

Hyde nodded. “And what about you, Alpha? When will you return to the pack?”

Ariston hesitated for a moment, glancing back toward Estella’s home. His voice lowered, filled with determination. “Not yet. I have other matters to take care of first. I’ll stay hidden in the village for a while longer.”

Hyde raised an eyebrow but didn’t question his Alpha’s decision. “Understood. I’ll continue the investigation.”

With a final bow, Hyde turned and disappeared into the night, shifting into his wolf form as he vanished into the trees. Ariston watched him go, his mind racing with plans and strategies. There was a lot to do, but for now, he would remain here, in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike.

***

The following morning, Estella found Ariston already awake, sitting on the porch with Devon, who was chattering away about the rabbits he’d seen the day before. The sight was almost surreal- Ariston, this dangerous, mysterious man, sitting so calmly with her son. For a moment, Estella allowed herself to relax, but the unease quickly returned.

“Good morning,” she greeted them, her voice soft but guarded.

“Morning, Mama!” Devon chirped, his face bright and cheerful. “Ariston said we might go for a walk later. Can we?”

Estella’s eyes flicked to Ariston, who met her gaze evenly. “I thought a walk through the woods might do us all some good,” he said, his tone neutral.

Estella frowned, unsure whether to trust him, but Devon’s excitement tugged at her heart. “All right. But stay close.”

They set out after breakfast, walking through the forest that bordered the village. Devon darted ahead, chasing birds and kicking up leaves as he laughed. Estella kept a close eye on him, while Ariston walked beside her in silence. The tension between them was palpable, but neither spoke of it.

“You care for him deeply,” Ariston said after a long stretch of quiet.

“Of course I do,” Estella replied, glancing at her son with a soft smile. “He’s my everything.”

Ariston’s expression softened for a moment, something almost wistful passing across his face. “He reminds me of someone I once knew.”

Estella raised an eyebrow. “Who?”

“A younger version of myself,” Ariston admitted, his voice low. “Curious, fearless. But innocence doesn’t last.”

Estella studied him for a moment. There was a sadness in his voice, a weight that he carried. She wondered what burdens he held, what memories haunted him.

“Why are you really here, Ariston?” she asked quietly.

He didn’t answer right away, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. “I told you. I can’t tell you yet.”

Estella sighed, frustration bubbling up inside her. “You can’t just answer me that. I want the truth, Ariston. How can I trust you if you’re not telling me anything?”

Ariston stopped walking, turning to face her. His eyes, dark and intense, locked onto hers. “And what about you, Estella? Are you ready to tell me your truth, Estella Erylis?”

Estella’s heart skipped a beat. “How do you know about that?”

“I know more than you think,” Ariston said, his voice quiet but firm. “You’re not the only one with secrets. But I promise you, I won’t hurt you or Devon. I swear on my life.”

Before she could respond, Devon’s voice broke through the tension. “Mama! Look at this cool rock I found!”

Estella forced a smile, pushing her questions aside as she focused on her son. But as they continued their walk, the weight of Ariston’s words lingered in the air. Secrets, it seemed, were all they had between them.

That night, long after the house had settled into silence, Estella lay in bed, her mind racing. Ariston was hiding something - something dangerous. But the truth was, so was she. They were both trapped by their pasts, both running from things they couldn’t outrun.

And yet, there was a strange connection between them, a shared understanding that neither of them could deny. She didn’t trust him, not fully, but she couldn’t deny that his presence had stirred something in her - something she hadn’t felt in a long time.

In the darkness, Estella sighed, knowing that the longer Ariston stayed, the more complicated things would become. She wasn’t sure if she was ready for what lay ahead, but one thing was certain: their lives were now intertwined, and there was no turning back.