What The Moon Hides.
Chapter Eight: What the Moon Hides
Aldrich walked into the kitchen and immediately froze.
Smoke. Everywhere.
“This is a mess,” he said, waving the smoke away. “Should I just order something instead? Ugh…wait, I don’t even have a phone anymore.”
From the other side of the smoke cloud, he heard Aiden cursing like a sailor.
Aldrich chuckled. “At this rate, you might actually burn my mansion down. What are you doing?”
“I was trying to make omelets,” Aiden said, dramatically slamming the spatula down. “And I burned them. I’m starving, this is cruel and unusual punishment!”
Aldrich sighed. “Get out of my kitchen. Now.”
“But I was trying..”
“I already had the staff make breakfast.”
“Oh, whatever. You’ve lived for centuries and can’t cook, so I guess we’re even.”
Aiden followed him out of the smoke-filled war zone and into the dining room. His eyes lit up at the feast on the table—eggs, toast, fruit, pancakes, and things he couldn’t even name. His stomach growled like a beast.
Aldrich pulled out a chair for him, then took the seat across from him, eyes locked on Aiden almost the entire time they ate.
Their conversation flowed like it always did...easy, teasing, full of warmth. Aiden had him laughing so hard at one point he nearly choked on his drink.
And Aldrich couldn’t stop watching him…his expressions, the way he waved his fork mid-story, how his eyes lit up when he got excited.
Then Aiden grew quiet.
“You know what I’m scared of?” he said suddenly. “Not passing my finals. I’ve missed so many classes…I’m literally cooked. It’s over. Goodbye future.”
He laughed it off, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.
“What about you?” he asked. “What scares you?”
Aldrich’s smile faded. He looked down at his plate, then up again. His voice dropped low.
“I’m not scared of anything in this world… except losing you. Like I lost my first mate…Liora. I watched her die in front of me, Aiden. I swore I’d never let that happen again.”
The room fell silent.
Aiden reached across the table, grabbed Aldrich’s hand.
“I feel safe around you. You and the others…you treat me like family. I’ve never had that before. And I might… feel something for you, Aldrich.”
Aldrich smiled gently and leaned across the table to press a soft kiss to his forehead.
“Hmm… can I borrow your phone?” Aiden asked.
“Who’re you calling?” Aldrich handed it over without hesitation.
“Prince. My best friend. He’s also a nursing student.”
“I’ll get you a new phone before… actually…” he checked his wristwatch, “…before afternoon.”
Aiden pressed the call button. It rang. Then…
“HELLO?” a voice shouted from the other end.
“It’s me. Aiden.”
“YOU RASCAL. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?! I’ve been doing your assignments! You owe me your soul and half your GPA!”
Aiden laughed, pulling the phone away from his ear.
“I’m sorry. I’ll be back soon, I promise.”
“I was worried, idiot! I even went to the police!”
“It’s not funny,” Prince snapped. “Stop laughing!”
“My bad, sorry, Mom,” Aiden tried to keep it together but failed miserably, laughter slipping out.
“Get your ass back to campus. I miss my best friend.”
“I’ll come see you soon.”
“You better. Bye.”
“Bye.” Aiden hung up.
Aldrich raised a brow. “You two seem… close.”
Aiden gave him a look. “Don’t start.”
“We should go out today,” Aldrich said, ignoring the heat creeping up his neck. “There’s something I want to show you.”
Aldrich transformed into his beast form, and Aiden climbed onto his back. They rode through the dense forest, deeper than Aiden had ever been before.
They stopped before a cave entrance, hidden by vines and stone. A large stone tablet stood at the mouth.
Aldrich placed his paw on it. It glowed. The stone shifted. The cave opened.
He shifted back to his human form, reached for Aiden’s hand, and led him inside.
It was cold. Silent. The deeper they went, the more Aiden felt something ancient in the air...something powerful.
They reached a hidden underground chamber. In the center stood a glowing moonstone tablet, etched in runes and silver.
Aiden’s fingers brushed across the surface.
“What is this?” he whispered.
“The Prophecy of the Moon’s Child,” Aldrich said quietly.
The tablet read:
“An Omega born of two worlds—wolf and witch. Chosen by the goddess. Destined to bear the Alpha’s heir. A cub born under the blood moon shall reshape fate.”
Aiden took a step back. Blinked. Read it again.
Then turned to Aldrich with wide eyes.
“Wait…wait, wait. Who’s having a cub?!”
“You and I,” Aldrich replied without blinking.
Aiden burst into laughter.
“Is this a joke? Please tell me this is a joke. I know you’re ancient but you’ve read a biology book before, right? I’m a guy.”
Aldrich looked unamused. “You’re an Omega. Omegas can carry children, regardless of gender.”
“Huh? No. What? Huh??”
Aiden stumbled backward, nearly tripping. “You’re telling me… I could… get pregnant? Like…baby in the belly me?”
“If you had grown among your kind, you would have known this already.”
Aiden's hands ran through his hair in complete panic. “Oh my god. Oh my GOD.”
He started pacing like the floor was on fire.
“Also…your mother might still be alive,” Aldrich added, voice softer now. “The council captured her. She hid you, tried to protect you. Placed you among humans so you could live… without being hunted.”
Aiden froze. Eyes wide. “You’re saying my mom… is alive?”
“We don’t know for sure. But there’s hope.”
Aiden’s voice cracked. “This is too much.”
“I’ll teach you everything,” Aldrich said, stepping closer. “How to control your power… and what it means to be a mate.”
“This ‘mate’ thing… is it like marriage?”
“It’s deeper. It’s a bond between souls. A promise made under the Moon Goddess herself.”
Aldrich wrapped his arms around him, whispering in his ear:
“I’ll be by your side. Through all of it.”
Their lips met, slow at first, soft. Then deeper, hungry. Aiden moaned softly as Aldrich’s hands slid under his shirt, fingers exploring, pulling him closer.
Then…
“We need to stop,” Aldrich said between kisses. “If we keep going… you might get pregnant.”
Aiden shoved him, flushed red. “STAY AWAY FROM ME, YOU BEAST.”
Aldrich just smirked.
Later, the training grounds had been set up....secluded and fortified. Grant, Fiona, and Merrick worked together to keep it secure.
Aldrich stood in front of Aiden like a coach with secrets.
“Your training’s split into three parts: sorcery, weapons, and beast form control.”
Aiden squinted. “What do you get to teach me, huh? Big guy.”
Aldrich leaned in, eyes gleaming. “Would you consider breeding?”
Aiden blinked. Froze. Then slapped his arm. “What the hell have you been reading, perv?!”
“Fiona said I should try social media,” Aldrich grinned. “Maybe I went too far.”
“You’re disgusting. Go away.” Aiden jogged off, ears burning.
The training began.
Aiden was a natural…golden aura flaring around him, his powers growing with each session. He could summon wind, create force blasts, even enhance his senses.
“This is so freaking cool!” he howled mid-air.
Then accidentally launched Merrick across the field with a golden blast.
“OH SHIT.”
Fiona and Grant doubled over laughing.
“I’m so sorry,” Aiden ran over.
Merrick groaned. “I’m fine. That was awesome.”
---
That night, Aiden tossed and turned. Couldn’t sleep.
He reached out…no Aldrich beside him.
He found him on the balcony again. Shirtless. Bathed in silver moonlight. Always thinking. Always guarding.
Aiden stepped closer. “You’re thinking again.”
Aldrich pulled him into a hug from behind. Their hands locked together.
“I need you to trust me to protect you.”
“I don’t know how to trust people… but when you look at me like that, I can’t help it.”
Aldrich turned him around. Cupped his face. Kissed him like it was the only thing keeping him alive.
Then lifted Aiden up, bridal style, and carried him back inside.
They disappeared into the warmth of the bed.
But out in the woods…
A shadow moved. Watching. Waiting.
“You survived, witch offspring. And now you’re with him,” the figure whispered, voice like gravel. “It’s time to finish what started… two decades ago.”
They tossed a coin into the air.
And vanished into the dark.
