Page 49 of Chasing Luna
I shrug. “I don’t know, a grenade?”
He shakes his head. “A grenade would’ve blown up the entire body, not leave a limb or two. It would’ve also destroyed half the whole room where it transpired. But that blast seemed like it was contained, like it was concentrated solely on the victims.”
I ponder on Kenji’s words. “But that doesn’t explain how she even got a new power in the first place.” He sighs and puts the pitcher back in the fridge. We leave our glasses on the counter and head upstairs.
“Where’s your room again? Mind if I sleep over?” he teases and I elbow him on his side. He seems unfazed by it though.
“Don’t even think about it.” I laugh along with him. We reach the top of the staircase when we hear a pair of voices below.
Kenji pulls me along to the side, and together we crouch and silently peep at the unknown pair. “I’m telling you we’ll be unstoppable.” My ears prick as I hear Katarina’s hushed voice. I sneak a look downstairs.
“Your Highness, please. I’m not interested in you in that way.”
Gregory?I look at Kenji and he seems just as surprised at what’s happening.
“You don’t have to see me in that way right now. I’m just trying to offer you a viable alternative. Once Isabela has taken over the family estate, I’m going to move away and start my own pack. You may not know it now, but no one actually wants her to take over.” I can see her caressing his chest. Gregory stays perfectly still but takes her hand off of him. “I’m sure when I move away, she’ll be all alone here. And we can start our own pack. You as the Alpha, and me as the Luna. Sort of like a new version of the Raging Demons pack.” She giggles and I see Kenji visibly bristle beside me. I take his hand and tug, but he doesn’t budge. He nods to the odd pair below. “I’m sure even if you don’t fall in love with me,” Katarina takes a step forward and locks her arms behind Gregory’s head, “I can make you very happy in other ways.” She smiles before pulling him down, kissing him deeply.
Kenji sneakily stands and picks me up, but not before I see Gregory’s hand settle on Katarina’s hips.
Chapter Forty-Seven
It gets worse before it gets better. Pain comes first before pleasure,I think as Kenji closes the door in my room.
“Wow, and here I am, thinking he was into you,” Kenji mutters under his breath.
I thought so, too.
“Guess that’s less competition for me!” He laughs, thinking that I’d laugh along with him, but I just stare at the space between us. “Hey, I don’t know what Katarina was talking about earlier, but I can assure you people won’t follow her. You won’t be left alone. Not everyone likes her too.” He pats me on the back reassuringly. “Okay? So, stop feeling sorry for yourself. If anything, I’m here. I won’t leave.” I feel a slight tremble on my lower lip, and I try to furiously blink back tears. “If you ask me to, I’ll even move in here with you if you feel unsafe.” I scoff at that.
“Shut up.” I laugh at his joke.
“So don’t worry about it. Alright? I got you.” I nod and pull him in for a hug. He gingerly holds me in his arms, and it feels genuine. For a moment, in what seems like a really long time, I finally feel safe. “I’ll leave you alone to rest now, but I’ll hang out with you tomorrow. Just like old times.” He pinches my cheek and leaves.
“What is this nightmare?” I sigh, locking the door behind him. “I guess it was the right choice to let him wait.” I let myself fall asleep once more.
***
The next day, I head downstairs for breakfast, only to see Katarina and Gregory sharing the makeshift table set up in the garden. They spot me before I can leave quietly. Gregory beams at me, but I avert my eyes to the food on their table. “Oh, Isabela! Join us. We have your favorite pastries right here.” She points at the croissants lined up.
“Oh, no, I’m good. But thank you, though,” I say a little too quickly.
“Oh, we also have hot cocoa. It should warm you up real nice,” Gregory offers and I fight the urge to roll my eyes at him. A pair of arms wrap around me from behind; I instantly know who it is without turning my head.
My hero. I grin.
“Nonsense. I’m taking her away today,” Kenji cuts through my musings, and the air becomes thick with tension.
“Yeah? Where are we going?” I ask, placing my hands over his, holding him in place.
“Anywhere you want, princess,” he whispers, making sure Gregory and Katarina have a good view of what he’s doing.
“Oh, is that so?” Katarina raises an eyebrow at us. “You were never this cheeky when we were kids, Kenji. What makes you think Isabela will willingly go with you?” she challenges.
“Isabela and I have a… special connection.” Kenji nuzzles my neck and I can’t help but laugh at his stupid antics. “She’s mine for today.” He flashes them a cute smile, before taking my hand in his. “I asked the Queen if she’d let us out,” he declares.
“And? What did she say?” I press on, swinging both of our arms side-to-side.
“She didn’t say yes. But she didn’t say no either. She more or less just grunted and waved me off. So… I’m just going to take that as a ‘yes,’ anyway.” I punch him on the shoulder lightly.