SO! In all my boredom I decided to continue with this book (yay!) so READ IT! LIKE IT! and ENJOY! chapter SIX of MOONLIGHT!! :D
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Luke's P.O.V.
Along my route to the river I race. My mind is set on Zoe and only Zoe, unable to bear being separated any longer. I wonder if she feels the same, I doubt it. At least until I tell her about my true self. I wonder if she will be able to take the news.
My feet skid to a stop, causing me to nearly slip on a wet leaf if it were not for the tree I grip to keep myself balance. The feeling of hurt and dismay hits me like a shockwave, causing my stomach to twist in dread. Immediately I recall the sensation, turning in the direction Zoe must be. Why is her mood so glum? It pains me just to feel her hurt, but understanding it will be a different scenario.
There she sits, her head between her knees as gentle tears fall down her cheeks. My arms yearn to comfort her, to wrap themselves around her as I would whisper softly into her ear. She turns to look up at me as I step toward her. “Zoe-?” My confusion seeps into my words. One instant she’s curled up on the floor and the next she’s pressing her moist cheeks into my chest as she continues to shed tears. Only then do I allow myself to hug her, rubbing her back soothingly. I do not ask, only shift through her thoughts in search of something, anything that I may use to understand her situation.
Her thoughts scream his name, Noah! That bastard! It surprises me she even thinks of such language, because I know hearing it from her own mouth would not suit her beauty. That boy must have done something to her. “Zoe,” I call her name lightly. She hugs me tighter, pressing herself closer to my body. My face is pressed against the crook in her neck, her sweet, sweet aroma of spices and herbs mixed with… that boy we met the other day? I gently brush her hair back as her head nestles itself in my chest. The strongest scent I pick up is where a mark is placed on her fragile skin, causing my grip to tighten dangerously around her. She whimpers softly, and I then realize my grip had tightened too much. “Shall we go to the river?” I suggest, and she nods, moving away from me.
“I apologize. It is just that- that- I cannot explain. I do not want you to get mad at him,” she stammers. “My friend, I mean,” she scratches the back of her head, unsure of what to do next, so I begin to lead the way to the river.
How can she expect me to not be furious? On account of her multiple bruises, I have a feeling I know exactly what happened, but thankfully she was not taken completely. I do not know what I would do if she was, because then it would seem as though my life was torn away from me completely, and my love would be gone forever if that would happen. I curse myself for not being there for her, for I could have stopped it instantly instead of leaving her to fend for herself.
As we reach the river, her brilliant smile returns as she starts toward the water and kicks off her boots. Her tan skin even shows where her boots cover as she dips her toes into the water while holding her pants up to reassure they do not get wet. “How deep does it go?” She asks me.
“Fairly deep, but I do not want you going any farther,” I warn.
“Why not? It is fun. I would love to go swimming. Will you join me?” She asks, a hopeful glint in her eyes. I take a large gulp, knowing what that would mean, but she must not think anything different of it. Before I know it she begins to undress, and unfortunately for me she wears nothing underneath. “Come on, I do this all the time,” she reassures me. All the time? Does she mean other men see her like this? No, she mustn’t!
