Days passed by at Camp Ravenpine like petals drifting on a lazy river, slow, soft, and sweet. And though no one noticed the subtle changes, something profound was blooming.
Alison and Damian were growing closer. Something beyond friendship was growing between them, the mate bond. It grew inside them, Damian knew it but didn't want to rush it as for Alison she didn't understand what was happening to her. Everything was new for her.
They shared quiet glances across the bonfire, unspoken jokes during kitchen duty, unspoken closeness during the camp games and their nightly walks to the stream had become their little secret world. Their world where they would laugh, smile, tell stories and swim under the moon and stars. Alison even forgot about her weird dreams, she forgot of the strange moon crescent tattoo on her wrist. The only thing she thought of were these magical moments she spent with Damian.
One night at the magical stream. Damian and Alison rushed to the stream, competing who will arrive first
"Last one in gets splashed!" Damian called, already pulling off his hoodie and leaping into the stream. He used his wolf speed without changing into his wolf form, Alison had sensed something strange about him but she pushed it back. She didn't want to think of anything strange, she was tired of her mind making her think of things that were not real.
"You cheat!" Alison laughed, running in after him with a splash.
Water sprayed around them as they played like kids, splashing and teasing.
"Do you ever have weird imaginations?" Alison asked
"Like?" Damian asked
"I don't know,.. Forget about it maybe I am crazy" Alison shrugged it off
Damian went turned towards her and looked at her. "Tell me, I want to hear "
"I used to have dreams, weird dreams. A woman running and calling me Althea, then I also saw a wolf. I don't know honestly just strange stuffs, but lately I have stopped having those dreams. I guess my mind was just stressed and I needed a trip to relax it" Alison explained while Damian watched her and listened to her, she was very pretty.
As she talked and Damian listened. The moonlight above danced on the water, casting silver threads across Alison's face. Her silver eyes shone and the stars reflected on her eyes,
Damian swam closer, voice low. "You've got stars in your hair and eyes"
Alison stopped talking and blinked. "What?"
He gently tucked a wet strand of hair behind her ear, fingers lingering on her cheek.
Then he leaned in. He kissed her, suddenly, unexpectedly. Lexus smiled inside, he was happy beyond happy. All these nights he waited for Damian to kiss her but the boy was slow like a snail and today finally he did it. Lexus felt happy,
The kiss was soft. Slow. Gentle. The kind that pauses time. Alison not sure what to do, frozen like an iceberg, following what Damian did.
But the moment it ended, Alison pulled back sharply, her heart racing, not knowing how to react or what to say. The only solution that came into her head was to run away
"I….uh…I need to go."
She turned, but Damian grabbed her wrist softly. "Alison, wait."
She froze. «What! No what should I do?» she asked herself internally
"I like you," he said plainly. "I know it might feel sudden, or strange. I just… like you. You're the moon that lights my life, I'm not good with words but I like you"
Alison looked at the water. This is sudden , this is new, she has never dated or even lied anyone apart from her friends and father. She has never entertained these type of relationship, but now she didn't want to reject him, how could she reject him when she also felt the same way. "I've never liked anyone before apart from my father and Sara and Kira. I don't know how this is supposed to go, I need time maybe. I don't know"
"That's okay." He offered a small smile. "I'll wait. Take your time. But for now… let me like you. Let me do the liking while I wait for your heart to be ready, okay?"
Alison's eyes widened. Her heart did something weird. But she nodded. She was happy beyond happy, the best day of her life.
They walked back together in silence, a soft blush on her cheeks. This guy, handsome guy liked her. She wanted to scream,
"Goodnight moonlight " Damian said
"Goodnight Damon" Alison replied shly as she rushed into her the girls cabin room
That night, Alison curled up under her blanket, her lips still tingling from the kiss.
She fell into sleep with a smile. After a long time dreams came tonight, the dream was not peaceful.
She stood in a snowy forest. A majestic white wolf with golden eyes stood in front of her calm, regal. The wolf she saw in the forest when she was nearly attacked by the bear, Alison went forward and caressed the wolf's fur with a smile.
But suddenly the white wolf disappeared and behind it, a brown wolf with green eyes lunged at her, teeth bared.
She screamed, no one helped her. She wanted to wake up, the brown wolf snarled and said " He is only mine"
Then she woke up, breath short and skin cold. What's this dream? What's happening?
Morning came with tension. Kevin pulled Damian aside near the cabins.
"What! Hey what's wrong?" Damian asked after he was pulled aside by Kevin who's face was tensed
"The King knows. My informant said guards are being sent here tomorrow."
Damian's face hardened. "How?"
"How? You know your father, he is powerful. And I the council must have already found out about your escape and cause chaos, that's why your father must be working hard to return you back. Also Betha has been constantly going to the palace, crying and acting sad. Guilt-tripped them. Classic manipulator." Kevin scoffed. "We need to leave tonight."
"Tonight? What about Alison? I have just found her! " Damian asked frustration written all over his face
"I don't know Damian, we will think of something but for now we need to leave. Of we don't leave and the king gets you, you won't see Alison ever again." Kevin advised
They spent the day acting normal. Laughing during archery. Helping counselors. Damian even carried Alison's backpack without being asked.
"Why are you being extra nice today?" she asked, amused.
"Because it's you," he replied simply, he wanted to tell her everything but he knew it was not the right time. She wouldn't understand, everything is new and weird for her. No he will leave but he will find her, no matter what.
"Are you okay? You look tensed." Alison asked
"I am fine," Damian lied
"Are you guys dating?" Sara asked
"Umh! No.. haha.. no" Alison denied awkwardly
"I like her" Damian announced
Sara eyes wide, she looked at both Damian and Alison. "Are you serious?"
"Yes, she's nice, amazing, kind, beautiful and more. I like her but she is not ready yet," Damian explained
Alison didn't know what to say, she didn't expect for him to blurt out everything like that. Sara looked at Damian
"You better be serious with her? I don't care how much of a macho man you are, if you hurt her, I'm not letting you off" Sara warned
"I won't hurt her," Damian assured
"Kira! Come here, it seems the trip was a great idea " Sara announced loudly towards Kira who started approaching them
"What happened?" Kira asked
"It seems these people who were ready to bite each others a few days ago are now in love" Sara spoke while pointing at Alison and Damian
"Hey! " Alison complained
"Oh! That's why they have been strangely close these days. Hey you! Treat her good or you get this" Kira pointed a punch at him
Damian smiled knowing he could never be thrashed by these humans, but he admired how protective they were of their friend.
"Yes madam!" Damian raised his hands to show his surrender
"Alison, I'm so happy for you " Kira tried hugging Alison who pushed her back
"We are not dating, I'm still thinking about it" Alison defended herself from these mother hen friends of her
"Yeah yeah, we only have two days left of camp. What are you thinking of? You should date this guy, look at him. Handsome, arrogant but he can change for you," Kira spoke
"I promised to wait until when she is ready so don't pressure her please " Damian said