Descendent of the Moon

~Earlier the same day~

Noah's POV: 

I sat in my car, watching her walk along the sidewalk toward our university. She walked gracefully as if floating along the path like it was hers alone. My heart thumped quickly as I thought about the night I had planned. 

No one would ever guess Phoenix's beauty. She held it close to her, humble by nature. Her once young and scrawny figure filled in with curves and temptation. Her pale complexion throughout the seasons highlighted her darker features. 

Her long, blood-red natural curls were captivating, but she slicked her hair back and twirled it in a bun, holding it securely in place with a ball cap, hiding her other prominent facial features.

I melted into my seat at the image of her dark blue eyes, the way they circled in what almost looked like a dark purple. Man, I shivered just thinking about it.

She was a sight for sore eyes. 

We have known each other since we were toddlers. We were neighbors, although our cabins were far apart in the country. Our moms became close after so many play dates.

It didn't take long for Phoenix and me to become inseparable. Our parents raised us similarly, so we understood each other in an unspoken way.

We were most certainly the product of true hippie, earth-loving parents, and I'm grateful for that and the way it's always bonded us. 

My feelings for her grew rapidly since we were only 10. I knew Phoenix had a special place for me in her heart, too. She had accepted my request for us to be "official" when we were 20.

We had stuck by each other's sides even before then.

Phoenix was not one to kiss or touch much, but I didn't care. She was reserved this way, but I saw a free-spirited side of her that would draw anyone in. 

I loved the way my cheek tingled anytime she kissed it. 

I knew it wasn't considered normal to many people for your girlfriend not to kiss you on the mouth, but I was patient and would never rush her.

My need to care for her and make sure she was safe was far too strong to deny.

Many years ago, I promised her mother, Josie, that I would always keep her safe. Despite that promise, my dedication to her surpassed it.

I watched her for a moment longer after getting out of my vehicle. I took a deep breath before jogging up to her. 

I hope she says yes.

Phoenix POV: 

"God dammit!" I groaned under my breath. "Not again." 

The thin royal purple rings around my eyes glowed to a beautiful violet. I put my head down. The ball cap on my head shielded my eyes from anyone's sight.

When it surfaced, I could feel it, but I didn't know how to control it or why it happened. 

'Relax,' Nat cooed in my head. Natus Iterum was my wolf, but I called her Nat for short. 

I took a deep breath as my eyes returned to normal, and that's when I could smell him. That sweet, earthy, familiar smell was inching closer. 

"Phoe, wait up!" I heard a familiar voice behind me. 

His heart was beating abnormally fast. Was this from running to catch up to me, or was there something else? I wondered to myself before I turned around.

Noah picked me up at the waist and kissed my cheek. Noah was human, and I hadn't told him or anyone else what I was.

Noah was tall, 6'3, an entire foot taller than me. His shaggy dirty blonde hair rested wildly across his forehead as he looked down at me in his grip. His bright blue eyes smiled at me as he held me for a moment.

Ugh, he was adorable. My cheeks flushed under my freckles as I felt his muscles embrace my small frame protectively.

"Happy Birthday, love! How does it feel to be 22 officially?" he asked, setting me down.

Fuck, it's happening again! I thought as I shifted my eyes to the ground feeling my rings glow, just a flicker this time.

"Thank God," I sighed under my breath.

I felt his warm finger under my chin as he lifted my head to face him. 

"Are you okay, Phoe?" he asked; I could hear his heart still beating fast as he studied my face for a moment. 

'Something is happening to me Nat. I wish you could just tell me what's happening,' I said inwardly. Nat whimpered but gave me no other response. 

"Oh. Sorry I'm okay Noah; I just don't feel well today. Must be a bug going around or something. Thank you for the birthday wishes, you have always loved my birthday more than me." I hated lying to him but what was I supposed to tell him?

Sorry my eyes are glowing purple, and I don't know why? 

We walked slowly in silence to the entrance of Helmington University, our fingers laced together. Noah squeezed my hand as we approached the doors.

I could feel and hear his heart beating, slower than before but still fast. 

"Hey Phoe, I have something planned for you tonight," Noah said as he ran his fingers through his hair nervously when we reached the front door. His heart was beating faster as he talked about having plans.

Why? Why does he seem more nervous than normal? I wondered as I smiled at him. 

"Of course you do! I'll call you later after my classes! I'm going to be late thanks to your shenanigans." I said with a soft giggle, kissing his cheek and running off to class.

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Noah's POV:

It had been four hours since Phoenix was supposed to meet me for her birthday surprise.

The tiny box with the ring I would use to propose to her today was now burning a hole in my pocket. Do I still propose? Probably not tonight, at least, I sighed to myself.

An hour after she was late and did not answer my call, I came to her house immediately. Her parents have no idea where she is, and I'm now in a full-blown panic.

I've been pacing around in their living room while we have all been texting and calling her phone incessantly. I had called everyone I could think of who knew her and could possibly know where she would be.

Nothing. We have come up with nothing.

"Why haven't we called the cops?" I said, raising my voice. "Sorry, Josie and Gerald, I don't understand why we haven't called her in as a missing person!"

Before anyone could respond, I saw a glint of light down the driveway.

Her headlights.

I knew it was her, just like I knew many things I couldn't explain.

Dread flooded my body as I thought about the gnawing feeling I had been having the last week. While Phoenix hadn't been acting all that much differently, I felt like we were on the verge of something shifting.

Not in a way that I wanted.

At the same time, relief flooded me. She was home, finally.

But where has she been all night?