Night came fast, Damian and Kevin ready to leave. Damian's heart heavy, the thought of leaving Alison without any explanation hurt him but he can't say anything yet.
The stars shimmered above the trees like spilled diamonds, the moon glowing soft and silver. The silver that reminded him of the eyes of his mates, no he can't leave without a good memory.
Damian pulled Kevin aside behind the mess hall.
"Can I…" he hesitated, voice quieter than usual, "spend a little more time with her? At the stream? I don't want to leave without seeing her"
Kevin gave him a look. "Just don't take forever, Romeo."
"Shut up!!" Damian pushed the grinning Kevin
"Don't take long" Kevin reminded him again
Damian nodded with a tight smile and took the path he knew by heart now. Where she always waited, barefoot, in soft laughter.
Alison sat on a rock by the water, letting her fingers skim the surface. The stream glowed under the moonlight, their shared world of whispers and wonder.
"You're late," she said playfully when she saw him.
"I had to argue with my personal bodyguard," Damian replied, smiling
"Does Kai know you always come here?" Alison asked
"Yes, don't worry he is reliable and knows how to keep secrets" Damian assured her as she looked worried after knowing that Kevin knew about their nightly meetings. "Come on, let's splash"
They laughed and splashed each other lazily. But there was something different tonight. Their laughter faded sooner. The silence between them felt… loaded.
"Isn't it too quiet today? As if something is going to happen and the silence is the warning" Alison asked while watching the moon
Damian leaned back on his hands, watching her. "Do you believe in wolves?"
She blinked. "Wolves? I know wolves,"
"I mean werewolves, supernatural beings that turn into wolves" Damian explained
"I don't think they are real, they're fictional right " Alison said
"There's a story," he began, his voice dipping into a steady rhythm, like a lullaby. "Of a hidden world, a world of all supernatural beings. Filled with different kingdoms, kingdoms of supernatural beings. One of them ruled by werewolves powerful, fierce, royal."
Alison turned to face him fully now, the water quiet around them.
"The prince of that kingdom…" Damian continued, "ran away. He didn't want the throne without knowing how life without royal duties and responsibilities felt like. He wanted freedom. He wanted… love. So he left to find his mate. The mate chosen for him by the moon Queen,"
Alison's heart beat louder. "And… did he find her?"
"He did, in the human world" Damian said softly. "A girl who made him feel alive again. She didn't know it, but she saved him. And the only thing he could promise was… he'd always find her. Wherever she went."
"Wow! That's a lovely story. Did they ever get separated?" Alison asked
"Yes, they did at one time" Damian answered
"Did he find her like he promised" Alison asked again curious to know more about the story and how the characters ended up
"He did, he looked for her and told her the truth about everything. About his true self and brought her back to the kingdom of Arvendale, the kingdom of werewolves and made her his Luna. And they lived happily ever after " Damian finished the story,
"That's nice, I am glad he kept his promise. But that would be hard finding out the person you like is not human. But I believe if you love someone whole heartedly, you will accept them the way they are. As long as they love you too." Alison found herself saying all those words, hope formed into Damian's heart. Her words gave him hope that one day she will accept him, she only needs to love him and for him to love her more.
Damian found himself saying it out loud " I will find you, always "
"Uh? What did you say?" Alison asked
Damian reached for her hands, held them gently.
"I like you, if we ever get separated. I will find you like the prince."
She didn't get a chance to ask again, because he kissed her. It was slower this time. Deeper. A kiss filled with everything he didn't have words for.
A promise.
A goodbye
After swimming and laughing, they changed into dry clothes in silence. Taking turns to change behind the tree
He walked her slowly to the cabin. His heart in pain, not wanting to leave her. But he held a promise to find her
Before she went in, he stopped her. "Goodnight, moonlight."
Alison smiled, a little breathless. "Goodnight… stream boy." She gave him a peck on his cheek and went inside.
She didn't know it was a goodbye and he wouldn't be there in the morning.
The Next Morning Alison woke up early, heart racing, words ready on her lips. She was ready, ready to build something beautiful with him. And she was going to say it today, no this morning.
She sprinted to the dining hall, the stream, the cabins, but there was no sign of him.
No Damian.
No Kevin.
Just emptiness. Even in their room, there was nothing. It's like they vanished, no longer here.
She stood in place, frozen. Not knowing what to do, she wanted to scream and cry but she couldn't. She just stood there frozen
"I… like you too…" she whispered into the morning air.
Sara and Kira found out about the two guy's disappearance and they looked for their friends. They found her sitting by the fire pit, eyes blank.
"Alison? Are you okay?" Kira asked.
"I… I think he left," Alison said, her voice cracking.
"Oh sweetheart," Sara said, sitting beside her and hugging her. "That jerk left without saying goodbye?"
"No. I think he didn't want to say it…" Alison's voice faded.
Kira rubbed her back. "I'll hunt him down. Just say the word."
But Alison smiled faintly. "He told me he'd find me. Maybe that was his goodbye."
"How dare he hurt you! I will punch him so hard," Kira snarled anger fuming out of her
"Count me in,.. I'm glad camp ends tomorrow so we can leave this place, you will forget about him dear." Sara hugged her and Kira joined in too, comforting their friend.
That afternoon, new "camp counselors" arrived men dressed formally, but their energy was wrong. Alison felt it but she brushed it off as she was still sad
"Who are they?" Alison asked
"I heard new counselors, they will be closing the camp trip tomorrow" Kira explained
"Okay" Alison said as sadness overwhelmed her again
Kevin's informant was right. The king had sent guards, but they were too late. So was Betha's spy, who returned to her with frustrating news.
"He's gone," the spy said. "But there was a girl. A human girl."
Betha's face darkened. "What girl?!"
"We don't know yet. But it seemed serious. They were close."
Betha stood. "He was mine. He was supposed to be mine. If that girl thinks she can take him, she has no idea what's coming. I am the only Luna of Arvendale, only I will stand beside Damian when he is crowned Alpha king. Only me!."