Chapter 14: Moonshadow princess
1427words
I left the study, my fingers lightly touching the moonlight pendant on my chest, feeling its power and promise. My life had completely changed, but one thing I was certain of—whether human or werewolf, my feelings for Jay were real.
...
The stage lights at the art festival were dazzling, the audience seats fully occupied. I stood backstage, fingers tightly gripping the moonlight pendant, trying to calm my racing heart.
A week ago, I learned my true identity; six days ago, I began learning to control my abilities; three days ago, Jay and I decided to publicly display our collaborative work "Moonlight Covenant" at the art festival—a series of paintings depicting belonging, transformation, and love.
"Nervous?" Jay came to my side, asking softly.
I nodded, telling the truth. "A bit."
"Don't be afraid, I'll always be by your side," Jay's eyes held a gentle smile.
Since the truth was revealed, our relationship had deepened. Without the barrier of secrets, we could completely open our hearts. Jay taught me to control my moonlight abilities, while I helped him incorporate more emotion into his art.
"Is Luke okay?" I asked, recalling Luke's concerns at the family meeting this morning.
Jay sighed. "He's worried Victor might take action. But don't worry, Aiden has arranged 'monitors' in the audience, and Noah has prepared emergency plans backstage."
I smiled. "The Moon family is always so thorough."
"Protecting family is in our nature," Jay gently caressed my cheek. "Especially you, our Moonshadow princess."
"Don't call me that," I pretended to complain, but my lips curved upward. "I'm still the Ella Grey who was rescued on that stormy night."
"No," Jay said seriously. "You're Ella Grey who found herself, who bravely faces the truth. The girl I love."
Our gazes met, and I felt a warmth surge in my heart. Just then, the stage manager signaled us to prepare.
"Ready?" Jay asked, extending his hand.
I took a deep breath, grasping his hand. "Ready."
On stage, our work "Moonlight Covenant" was presented in multimedia form—painting, music, poetry recitation, and live creation combined. I stood before the canvas, moving my brush with the music, moonlight from the skylight gilding my silver hair with a mysterious glow.
In the audience, William, Luke, Noah, and Aiden sat in the front row, their faces bearing proud smiles. Lina excitedly took photos beside them, tears glistening in her eyes.
As the performance reached its climax, Jay walked towards me, and together we completed the final piece—under moonlight, two figures embraced, surrounded by wolf silhouettes and moonlight.
When we turned to bow to the audience, thunderous applause erupted. I felt an unprecedented sense of achievement and belonging. In this moment, I was no longer a lonely orphan, but Ella Grey with family, with love, with identity.
The celebration was held in the school hall, with teachers and students gathered to discuss the brilliant performances of the art festival. I was surrounded by classmates inquiring about my creative inspiration and techniques.
"Seriously, you and Professor Jay are a perfect match!" one girl exclaimed excitedly.
I smiled, my gaze searching for Jay over the crowd. I saw him talking with several teachers, but his eyes were also searching for me. When our gazes met, we smiled at each other, as if we were the only ones in the crowded room.
Just then, I felt a strange unease. My senses suddenly became acute, detecting a threatening presence. Looking around, I saw Victor standing in a distant corner, coldly watching me.
He raised his phone, gesturing for me to look at the screen. My heart raced—on the screen was a photo of Jay and me kissing in the forest, with Jay's eyes reflecting the characteristic glow of a werewolf in the moonlight.
Victor made a "come out" gesture, then walked towards the back door.
I hesitated. I knew facing Victor alone was dangerous, but if those photos were made public... I looked at Jay, who was surrounded by professors, unable to break free.
After making my decision, I quietly followed Victor to the school's back garden. Moonlight bathed the grass, silvering everything.
"Moving performance, Ella," Victor leaned against a tree, his voice cold. "Especially the part about 'belonging.'"
I kept my distance, fingers lightly touching the pendant, feeling its power. "What do you want, Victor?"
"I want the truth," he looked directly into my eyes. "About your true identity, the last heir of the Moonshadow clan."
My heart skipped a beat. "How do you know?"
Victor smirked. "My family has tracked the Moonshadow bloodline for years. When I first saw your heterochromatic eyes, I had suspicions. But it wasn't until I saw your interaction with the Moon family, saw your reaction to moonlight, that I was certain."
"So that's why you approached me?" I felt a surge of anger. "From the beginning, it was to confirm my identity?"
"At first, yes," Victor admitted. "But later... I did fall in love with you, Ella. That's why I can't accept that you chose them, chose Jay Moon."
I shook my head. "You don't know what love is, Victor. Love isn't control, isn't lies."
"Perhaps," he shrugged, raising his phone. "But I know what these photos mean to the Moon family. Werewolves exposed to the public... imagine the consequences."
I felt the moonlight pendant grow warm, as if responding to my emotions. "What do you want?"
"Come back to me," Victor stepped forward. "Leave the Moon family, leave Jay. With me, I can protect you, teach you to control your abilities."
"Through threats and blackmail?" I scoffed. "This is your love?"
Victor's expression darkened. "This is your only choice, Ella. Either come with me, or watch the Moon family's secret be exposed."
I felt a power surging within me, the moonlight pendant flickering with light. I recalled the control techniques William had taught me, took a deep breath, letting the power of moonlight flow throughout my body.
"You're wrong, Victor," I said calmly.
I raised my hand, and suddenly the moonlight became unusually bright, shining directly on Victor's phone. To his surprise, the phone screen flickered a few times, then went completely black.
"What... what did you do?" Victor looked at the dead phone in disbelief.
I stepped forward, my eyes flashing with moonlight. "I choose to protect those I love, to protect my family."
Victor's expression changed from surprise to anger. "You think this is over? I have backups! I'll let everyone know the truth!"
"No, you won't."
Jay's voice came from behind. I turned to see Jay, Luke, Noah, and Aiden standing there, their eyes flashing with the characteristic glow of werewolves.
Victor stepped back, fear flashing across his face. "You can't hurt me, this is a public place!"
"We won't hurt you," Luke said calmly. "But we will protect our family, whatever the cost."
I walked towards Jay, who immediately pulled me into his arms, protectively embracing me.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly, checking if I was hurt.
I nodded. "I'm fine. I... I used my moonlight ability."
Jay looked at me in surprise, then smiled proudly. "You're incredible."
Victor watched this scene, his expression changing from anger to pain. "You really love him, don't you?"
I turned to Victor, my voice firm. "Yes, I love him. Not just because of who he is, but because he helps me become a better version of myself."
Victor's shoulders slumped, as if all fight had left him. "You'll regret this, Ella. The union of the Moonshadow clan and the Moon family will attract attention. Some people... some organizations won't allow such an alliance to form again."
He turned and left, his silhouette lonely yet dangerous in the moonlight.
"What did he mean?" I asked, looking at Luke and Jay.
Luke's expression became serious. "It means our troubles may have just begun."
Back home, William convened a family meeting to discuss Victor's threats and the plans ahead. But before the meeting began, Jay pulled me aside.
"Tonight, on stage, watching you create, watching you shine..." he said softly, his eyes full of love. "I've never been more certain of my feelings."
I smiled. "Even knowing I'm from the Moonshadow clan? Even knowing this might bring danger?"
Jay cupped my face. "It's precisely because you are you, regardless of identity, that I love you. Moonshadow clan, werewolf, artist, orphan... these are all just parts of you, and I love the complete you."
Under the witness of moonlight, we kissed again, this time without fear, without hesitation, only deep love and a promise for the future.
