Moonlight Betrayal
Chapter 88

Chapter 88: Chapter 88

Chapter 88

Astrid’s POV

The next day, the muscles in my legs and back ached with a satisfying burn, a physical reminder of the exhilarating run with Kaeleen. The memory of it, the wind in my fur, the sight of his powerful black wolf running beside me, the sheer, unadulterated freedom was a warm glow that stayed with me all morning. It’s been a while since I was able to just enjoy freedom like that.

That warmth was a welcome shield as I sat in the passenger seat of Rebecca’s car. We were on our way to see Serena, and Rebecca had been quiet for most of the drive, a rare occurrence. Her driver, Thomas, gave me a smile when he saw me. I was getting used to seeing him around since I spent time with Rebecca.

"So, just so you know," she said finally, "Hunter... he’s not doing great. I know you already know about his condition but um...we have to be us. Let’s pretend like the cloud of possible death isn’t looming over us. Can you do that?"

I saw the worry etched around her eyes, the slight tremble in her bottom lip that she quickly bit back. This was hurting her deeply.

"I can do that," I promised, my voice soft.

We pulled up to a house that was utterly charming. It was a lovely two-story home with a black picket fence and a garden bursting with colorful, meticulously cared-for flowers. It looked like a place where only happy things could happen, which made the reason for our visit feel all the more jarring.

Serena opened the door before we even knocked. She looked exhausted. There were dark circles under her eyes that no amount of makeup could hide, and her smile, while genuine, didn’t quite reach them. But she pulled us both into tight hugs.

"Astrid, it’s so nice to see you." she said as she opened her arms for a hug which I returned.

"What about me? It’s not nice to see me?" Rebecca asked her.

Serena chuckled. "You are a pest. One that’s been bugging me since we were young so of course I don’t care if I see you or not. I’d rather prefer I don’t though."

Rebecca gasped in mock outrage making me laugh.

"I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to your welcome party." Serena told me as she released me.

"No problem." I said to her genuinely.

Rebecca said, her voice bright and breezy. "Where’s your husband? Since you don’t want to see me, maybe he will."

"Hunter!" Rebecca called out as she breezed past us. "Are you hiding from me?"

"Never," a voice called from the living room.

We followed Serena inside, and I saw him for the first time. He was sitting on the sofa, a controller in his hands, and when he looked up, a wide, welcoming smile spread across his face. But the smile couldn’t hide the devastating reality of his illness.

Kaeleen had told me his sister’s mate was sick, but the word didn’t prepare me for the sight of him. His head was completely bald, a stark contrast to the man with luscious braids I had seen in the pictures Rebecca had shown me. His frame was thin, his shirt seemed to hang off his shoulders, and his skin had a pale, fragile quality to it. He was a shadow of the vibrant, strong man I was sure he once was.

Yet, his eyes were bright and full of life. They sparkled with warmth as he looked at me.

"So, you’re the famous Astrid," he said, his voice a little weak but incredibly kind. "It’s good to finally put a face to the name. Kaeleen hasn’t shut up about you." He winked, and I felt a blush creep up my neck. "I can see why. You suit him."

I laughed, a genuine, surprised sound. "It’s so nice to meet you, Hunter."

"Likewise," he said. He patted the empty cushion next to him. "Don’t just stand there. Come play a game with me. Serena’s useless at it, and I need a real challenge."

"Hey!" Serena protested from the doorway, but she was smiling. "I’m getting better!"

"You are, love," Hunter said without taking his eyes off the screen, his tone full of affection. "But a tortoise is also getting better at running a marathon. It doesn’t mean it’s going to win."

Rebecca snorted with laughter. "He’s got you there, Serena."

I sat down next to Hunter, the warmth from his body a surprising comfort. He handed me a controller. On the large screen, brightly colored cars were zipping around a fantastical track full of twists, turns, and flashing power-ups.

"Ever played Apex Racers?" he asked.

"Once," I admitted, remembering the chaotic ten minutes Kaeleen had tried to teach me a few days ago. "I wasn’t very good."

"I take it you didn’t have a good teacher?" He probed.

"Maybe. But you tell me, is Kaeleen a good teacher?" I asked him with a smile.

He laughed. "Kaeleen is good but I’m an excellent teacher," he declared.

For the next hour, the house was filled with the sound of laughter and bickering. Hunter was, indeed, an excellent teacher, better than Kaeleen, but I was a hopeless student. I drove my little race car off cliffs, into walls, and backwards down the track more times than I could count. Each failure was met with squeals of laughter from Rebecca and good-natured, helpful advice from Hunter.

Even Serena, who had been hovering anxiously, began to relax. She sat on the sofa, next to Rebecca who had a plate of fruits in her hands as she screamed at the television.

"You know," I said during a brief pause between races, after I had all but crashed into a giant, smiling pineapple. "I heard you’re an amazing tattoo artist."

Hunter’s face lit up. "Heard? From whom might I ask?"

"You know who." I replied with a laugh.

He chuckled. "I am or I like to think I am," he said with a proud grin. "But I’m retired for now, although the itch is still there."

"Well," I said, meeting his bright gaze. "When you get better, you have to promise to give me one. My first one."

His smile softened. He looked from me to Serena, and a silent, profound conversation seemed to pass between them.

"It’s a deal," he said, his voice firm. "When I get better, you’ve got yourself an appointment."

The promise hung in the air, full of hope and unspoken fear.

We played one more game, but I could see the energy draining from him. The light in his eyes began to dim, replaced by a deep-seated weariness. His movements became slower, and he started leaning more heavily against the arm rest which made Serena move from where she was sitting.

She noticed and she gently took the controller from his hand. "Alright, the almighty excellent teacher." She said, making him laugh as she disappeared into the kitchen and came back with a small plate of food, some sliced fruit and a piece of toast. She gave him the plate and he managed two slices of apple and a single bite of toast before shaking his head, a look of apology on his face.

"Sorry, love. No appetite today."

The sight sent a sharp pang through my chest. The laughter from moments before felt like a distant memory. This was the reality. The brutal, unforgiving reality of his fight.

"I’m just... really tired," he said, his voice barely a whisper.

Rebecca and I immediately stood up. "We should get going," I said. "Let you get some rest."

"No," Hunter said, his voice gaining a hint of its previous strength. He looked at us, his gaze imploring. "Please. Don’t go. Stay with Serena. She... the only company she’s had for weeks is me. She needs to spend time with other people too even though I know I’m excellent company."

"Cocky much?" Serena asked with a smile even as her eyes welled up with tears. She quickly looked away, but not before I saw the raw pain on her face.

"Okay," Rebecca said softly, her own voice thick with emotion. "We’ll stay."

Hunter gave her a grateful smile. He tried to push himself up from the sofa, but his legs trembled with the effort. Serena was there in an instant, her arm wrapping securely around his waist, taking his weight.

"I’ve got you," she murmured, her voice a rock of unwavering strength.

He leaned on her heavily, and she guided him slowly towards the stairs. He paused and pecked her on the lips, a gesture so full of love and history it made my own heart ache. "I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too," she whispered back, and together, they made the slow, arduous journey up the stairs.

Rebecca and I stood in the silent living room, the cheerful sounds of the video game replaced by a heavy, somber stillness. Rebecca walked over to the window, staring out at the perfect garden, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.

A few minutes later, Serena came back down. She walked with the controlled posture of someone trying desperately to hold themselves together. But the moment she saw us, her composure crumbled. Her shoulders slumped, and a deep, shuddering sigh escaped her lips. She sank onto the sofa, burying her face in her hands.

I walked over and sat beside her, placing a tentative hand on her back. I didn’t know what to say. What could I possibly say that would make any of this better?

So instead of offering empty platitudes, I decided to offer her what Hunter had asked us to, a distraction. Something else to focus on.

"Serena," I said softly. She looked up, her eyes red-rimmed and full of a despair that was terrifying to witness. "I need your help with something."

She frowned, confused. "My help?"

"Yes," I said, leaning in, my voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. Rebecca turned from the window, her curiosity piqued. "I’m planning a surprise birthday party for Kaeleen. And I have no idea what I’m doing. I was hoping you and Rebecca could help me pull it off."

A flicker of surprise crossed Serena’s face, momentarily chasing away the deep sadness in her eyes. She looked from me to Rebecca, who was now slowly walking towards us, a thoughtful expression on her face. For the first time all day, a tiny, genuine spark of interest lit up Serena’s features.

"A party?" she asked, her voice quiet. "For Kaeleen?"

"A huge one," I confirmed, a small smile touching my own lips. "And it needs to be perfect."