Never Getting The Luna Ritual Chapter 08

Never Getting The Luna Ritual Chapter 08

“What do you think? Pretty luxurious, right?” I said, gesturing around the cave. Forrest’s gaze swept the space, his eyes widening a fraction.

The space was fully furnished, split into three levels. It had everything stone fireplace, natural gas line, generator, coffee maker, treadmill, upholstered sofa, even a pair of 19th-century oil

paintings.

I brewed him a cup of coffee.

He couldn’t help but ask, “How did you get all this?”

“I pick up work in the human world sometimes,” I said. “They have all sorts of gadgets. I even installed streetlights for Ancientgrove. Can you believe they didn’t have any six months ago?”

Talking about the pack’s transformations, I couldn’t help smiling.

Forrest sat on the sofa, clutching his hot tea, staring at his lap and avoiding my gaze. Snowflakes still clung to his black coat, slowly melting into damp patches.

“How long has it been since you ate a proper meal?” I asked.

He froze, muttering softly, “I have been eating.”

“What, exactly?”

He fell silent.

I sighed, rising to head for the kitchen. I heated up a bowl of oatmeal.

He stared at the bowl, motionless.

“Eat,” I said.

He took a spoonful, then suddenly burst into tears.

Tears plopped into the oatmeal one by one, but he didn’t notice, just shoveling spoonfuls into his

mouth.

I said nothing, simply sitting across from him and watching.

“Meredith,” he whispered through a lump in his throat, “I’m sorry.”

After a long pause, his voice rough as sandpaper, he asked,

“Do I… do I have no chance at all?”

I didn’t answer.

He looked up, searching my eyes for any sign of hope.

Finally, he bowed his head and finished the last of the oatmeal.

Setting down the spoon, he stood up.

“Thank you for the oatmeal,” he said, “I’ll come back tomorrow.”

“Forrest.”

He stopped in his tracks.

“Don’t bother.”

His back went rigid.

“I don’t hate you,” I said, my voice gentle. “I don’t blame you. But I’ve moved on. That’s why I asked you here. To show you. I’m doing well without you. I’m fulfilled. I’m happy in this life.”

“I’m not lonely anymore.”

Forrest froze, then hurried toward the exit. He vanished into the pitch-black forest, a faint whimper carried on the wind.

Another month passed.

Winter faded from Ancientgrove Pack, and spring arrived.

My work grew smoother by the day. Rowan said he had a gift for me.

I opened the package to find a photo album.

Serena roared inside me: “Are you kidding? He dares to provoke you! Let me tear his throat out!”

“I’ll admit, it crossed my mind too,” I said seriously to her, “What’s even in here? A challenge

letter?”

1-flipped it open. Inside were photos of me with Ancientgrove’s I’d arrived.

sidents-

Pictures of me holding mystical creatures.

Snapshots of me chopping wood and carving wooden sculptures.

I suddenly remembered Rowan had been taking photos of me lately, claiming he was practicing his photography skills.

Beneath the photos, a handwritten note read:

“Meredith, you may have to leave eventually,

but I hope you’ll remember these beautiful moments.”

I held the album, staring at it for a long time.

Sunlight streamed in, warming the photos and the words written on them.

I thought of Forrest’s words suddenly.

“Only while I’m waiting for you do I feel truly alive.”

I smiled.

Now, I’m living every second for myself.