The Luna Who was Spoiled Chapter 08

The Luna Who was Spoiled Chapter 08

I brought Nereus and Oscar back to my old cottage. The little merchild was fascinated by everything on land, running his small hands over the wooden walls and stone slab bed with the utmost caution.

Nereus was even more wary, his gaze lingering on the traces left by other males. Yet he said nothing, only burying his face in the crook of my neck.

I fetched a tub, intending to let Oscar soak in the warm water. As soon as I stepped outside, I found the woodshed stacked to the brim with firewood, some of which looked years old. I remembered clearly that it had been empty when I left. But none of that mattered now.

Later, I formally introduced Nereus and Oscar to my father. He was overjoyed to see the little one, hesitating to touch his silvery hair for fear of startling him. Oscar was surprisingly bold; he grabbed my father’s finger and blew a bubble, making the old man burst out laughing. At first, he’d been stiff around Nereus, but after watching the merman care for me and our son with such tenderness, he gradually relaxed, only urging Nereus to treat me well.

I accompanied Nereus and Oscar back to the cottage, then stayed with my father for a while longer.

On my way home that evening, I ran into Evelyn. She was on her way to her herb garden, a basket slung over her arm. She stopped when she saw me, her face filled with genuine remorse.

“Zoe, I heard you were back. I’m so sorry for what happened. I never thought things would escalate like that.”

I shook my head. “It’s in the past. Besides, you’re not the one who owes an apology.”

She seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “They regret it. Deeply… But some mistakes… remorse alone can never mend them.”

We spoke briefly. I learned how, through brewing fever-reducing potions and other remedies, she had not only earned the wolves’ respect but also secured her own herb garden and even a few apprentices.

Filled with admiration, I asked, “Evelyn, you know so much. Where did you learn all this?”

She paused, a faint, bitter smile tugging at her lips. “From a place… far, far away.” She didn’t elaborate, but a flicker of pain crossed her eyes. Just then, a tall, burly man with strikingly foreign features walked over. He went straight to her, took the basket from her hands, and laced his fingers through hers.

“Evelyn, didn’t I tell you you’re working too hard? What are you doing out here?” He nodded at me politely. Evelyn introduced him as Thor, her fated mate.

They’d had a fight, and that was why she’d come to the wolves alone. Watching their now-easy rapport, I couldn’t help but smile. Thor suddenly pointed toward my cottage. “Isn’t that your place? It sounds like a fight.”

My heart raced, and I hurried back home. The sight in the small yard sent a chill down my spine. Nereus was in his half-shifted form, his powerful tail slamming against the ground as he fended off three snarls of wolves. He was clearly holding back; mermen’s strength fades rapidly on land. He spent most of his time dodging and blocking. But in a split second of hesitation, Liam’s claws raked across his arm, sending scales flying and blood pouring forth.

“Nereus!” I roared, rushing in without a second thought. “Stop! All of you, stop!”

The three wolves froze, then shifted back into their human forms. “Zoe! He… he’s faking it! He let himself get hurt on purpose!” Liam snarled, his eyes blazing with murderous intent as he stared at the merman.

Nereus held out his bleeding arm to me gently. Blood seeped from the wound, staining his beautiful scales red. His face was pale, yet he whispered, “It’s alright, my love. Don’t worry.”

I whirled around and confronted the three of them. “Three against one, and you have the gall to say he’s faking it?!”

Caleb was livid. “Zoe, a man who manipulates you like this… he doesn’t care about you at all!”

“Shut up!” I stood firm in front of Nereus, a living shield. “The moment I left the pack three years ago, everything between us ended. I don’t care if you’re sorry. I don’t care about your excuses. Nereus is my mate. He is my one and only. In life or death, that doesn’t change. Now stay out of my life. For good.”

I didn’t wait for a reply. I took Nereus’s hand and led him inside. My little one scurried over, scared, and clung tightly to my hand. Nereus wrapped his arms around me gently, kissing away the tears I hadn’t even noticed were falling.

“I’m sorry for worrying you,” he murmured. The wound on his arm was already starting to heal. To him, it was just a scratch. To me, it was a catastrophe. I applied the ointment to it gently, my lower lip quivering.

“Let’s go home tomorrow,” I whispered.

Nereus looked down at me and smiled softly, nudging our wiggling son aside gently with his tail. “Alright, my love. Let’s go home. Back to our home.”

The three men stood outside for a long time, and it wasn’t until the sun dipped below the horizon that everything finally ended. That night, Oscar wiggled his way between us, his little tail thumping contentedly before he fell asleep. I rested my head on Nereus’s chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, and closed my eyes slowly, sinking into a deep, peaceful slumber.

All the pain of the past will turn to dust with the slow passage of time.