Chapter 111: She’s Human

AARON "Thanks, Aaron," Helena replied, her eyes meeting mine. For a moment, I felt the room grow a little warmer, the air between us charged with a tension that made my pulse quicken. I quickly looked away, focusing back on the stew. "Well, I think dinner's ready," I announced, grabbing a ladle and dishing out portions into wooden bowls. "Let's eat before Luna starts complaining again." Luna rolled her eyes but took a bowl gratefully. "Fine, but if I get food poisoning, I'm blaming you." We settled around the fire, eating in comfortable silence for a few moments, the only sounds being the crackle of the fire and the occasional owl hooting outside. "This is actually really good," Helena said after a few bites. I grinned. "See? Even Helena confirms. Told you I could cook. No matter how many times you refuse to admit." Luna smirked. "Okay, okay, I'll admit it….this is one of your better meals. But don't let it go to your head." I laughed, feeling a lightness in my chest that I hadn't felt in a while. This was nice. It felt like old times…just the three of us, away from the chaos and danger of our lives, sharing a moment of peace. "So," Helena began cautiously after a while, "What's Lunaville really like? I mean, beyond the obvious werewolf thing." Luna leaned back, her expression softening as she thought about her hometown. "It's... hard to describe," she said. "It's wild and beautiful. Dangerous, sure, but also full of life. The forests are dense, and there are mountains in the distance that look like they were pulled straight out of a fairy tale. And the people—well, they can be rough around the edges, but they're loyal. Family means everything there." I nodded in agreement. "It's a place where you can feel the magic in the air," I added. "It's where we were born and raised. There's a kind of... raw authenticity about it. Nothing is hidden in Lunaville. Secrets don't last long there." Helena listened intently, her eyes sparkling with interest. "It sounds... incredible," she said. "I can't wait to see it." There was a pause, and then Luna spoke up again, her tone more serious this time. "You know, Helena, if things go wrong... if the disguise doesn't hold... you could be in real danger." Helena nodded, her expression solemn. "I know," she said quietly. "But I trust you both." I felt a swell of pride at her words. She was brave, this human who had somehow become such an integral part of my life. "We won't let anything happen to you," I promised. "Not on my watch." We fell into a comfortable silence again, the fire crackling softly. I watched Helena as she stared into the flames, her face lit by the soft light. There was a quiet strength in her that I admired. I couldn't help but feel drawn to her, my heart stirring with emotions I didn't fully understand. I knew I loved her, but to come to full terms with it was something else…. 'So, Aaron," Luna broke the silence with a mischievous grin. 'Are you going to tell Helena about the time you tried to cook a rabbit stew and almost burned down the entire forest?" I groaned. 'Luna, come on. Not that story again. That happened decades ago." Helena laughed. 'Oh, I have to hear this." 'Fine, fine," I said, shaking my head with a grin. 'It was a long time ago, okay? I was young and inexperienced... and maybe I didn't quite understand the whole ‘don't leave a fire unattended' rule." Luna burst out laughing. 'He went to fetch more firewood and came back to a blazing inferno! It took the whole pack to put it out." Helena laughed too, and I couldn't help but join in. 'Okay, okay, I admit it—I was a disaster back then," I said. 'But I've learned a lot since. I mean, I was head chef back in Henley and tonight's stew didn't set anything on fire, right?" 'True," Helena agreed, still smiling. 'You've definitely improved." We continued to chat and joke, the atmosphere growing lighter as the night wore on. I felt a growing closeness between us, a sense of unity that made me feel hopeful about our journey ahead. As the fire began to die down, I noticed Helena's eyes drooping with sleep. 'You should get some rest," I said softly. 'We've got a long day tomorrow." Helena nodded, stifling a yawn. 'Yeah, I suppose you're right. Goodnight, Aaron. Goodnight, Luna." 'Goodnight," we both replied, watching as she curled up in her blanket and quickly fell asleep. I stayed by the fire, staring into the dying embers. Luna moved closer to me, her voice low. 'You love her, don't you?" she asked, a teasing note in her voice. I sighed. 'Yes. Yes I do. She's... different. Strong. Brave." 'She's human," Luna reminded me, though her tone was gentle. 'I know," I replied. 'But I can't help how I feel." Luna nodded, understanding. 'Just... be careful, Aaron. We're walking a thin line here. One wrong move and it could all fall apart." 'I know," I repeated. 'But for now, let's just focus on getting to Lunaville." Helena wasn't an option to keep or take. We sat in silence for a while, watching the last of the fire die out. Then, Luna stretched and yawned. 'I'm turning in," she said. 'Don't stay up too late." 'Yeah, yeah," I muttered, smiling as she went to lie down. I remained by the fire, my senses on high alert. The night was quiet, almost too quiet. A slight unease settled in my stomach. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was out there, lurking in the shadows of the forest. Just as I was about to dismiss the thought, I heard it—a faint rustling in the trees outside. I stiffened, my eyes narrowing as I listened intently. There it was again, closer this time. I rose quietly, careful not to wake the others. Moving silently, I slipped out of the cabin, my breath visible in the cool night air. The forest was dark, the moon hidden behind a thick blanket of clouds. My instincts kicked in. I moved slowly, my senses stretched to their limits. Whatever was out there, it was watching us.