<h4>Chapter 75: _ Sneaking Out To See Her</h4>


    I threw off the covers, my entire body still tensed from the dream. My skin was damp with sweat, but it wasn’t just the heat of the nightmare—it was the gnawing certainty in my gut.


    Something was wrong. María José was in trouble. And it was my fault.


    I shouldn’t have left her alone after confronting her father. Of course, what was I expecting? That he’d learn from his mistakes and turn a new leaf?


    He most definitely wouldn’t. Dios mío, I was only trying to make life easier for her. Thanks to the Moon Goddess for showing me Imitted a foul.


    I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood, rubbing a hand down my face. Hugo stirred in my head, buzzing with excitement at the prospect of seeing María José again.


    What the fuck was his obsession with her anyway?


    "You’re obsessed," he musedzily.


    Huh? Speak of the pot calling the kettle ck. Obsessed with my little sister?


    Maybe yeah... in the most tonic way possible.


    "No, I’m obsessed with justice," I shot back, yanking a shirt over my head.


    "Right. Justice smells like violets and warm honey and makes your heart race like a lovesick pup."


    <i>Was my heart racing?</i>


    <i>Maybe yeah. </i>However, it was from the vision the Moon Goddess had infused in my sleep—not from anything else.


    For the Moon Goddess to particrly put this vision in my sleep, it must only mean that María José was special to her.


    It meant she was taking particr interest in the youngdy and wanted me to look out for her. It wasn’t every day that the Moon herself would look out for a wolf.


    So... the question is; why deny her of a wolf if you think she is a special child?


    "Your head is filled up with thoughts of María José day in and out." Hugo continued to hum in my head, disrupting my very logical thoughts.


    "Shut up."


    I shoved my feet into my boots, grabbed my jacket, and crept toward the door. The house was quiet at this hour, which made sneaking out easy—or at least, it should have been.


    I moved like a shadow down the halls, slipping past the grand staircase and toward the exit. I had done this plenty of times before, but tonight, my father’s aura in the house felt a lot more overwhelming, as if he could sense my disobedience in his sleep.


    The moment I reached the gates, the guards sprung at alert.


    "Beta Axel?" One of them straightened, eyes widening. "What are you doing out thiste?"


    Okay, what I was doing was against protocol as every pack member was expected to retire to their respectful homes at ungodly hours.


    That way, when atrocities weremitted in the pack, we knew where to begin the investigation from – outsiders.


    I squinted my eyes, exploiting the power bestowed on me. "Are you questioning me?"


    The man swallowed hard. "N-No, sir! Just—well, you don’t usually..."


    "Exactly. Which means if I’m out, it’s for a damn good reason." I crossed my arms. "Do you have a problem with that?"


    "Of course not, Beta!" He and his partner scrambled to open the gate. "Forgive us, sir!"


    "Don’t let it happen again." I strode past them, rolling my eyes.


    The pack’s security was a joke. They barely even questioned me further before letting me through. If I were an assassin disguised as Axel, they’d be dead already.


    I found my way through the woods, moving fast but silent. My wolf was aiding my senses as I reached Don Diego’s estate. The walls were high, but I had scaled worse.


    With a running start, Iunched myself upward, gripping the rough stone and pulling myself over with a grunt. Inded with a <i>thud</i> inside the courtyard, keeping low as I took in my surroundings.


    The estate was quiet, except for the asional shuffle of guards patrolling the grounds. I walked in the shadows, avoiding open areas and keeping my ears sharp for any movement.


    A guard stood near the side entrance, half-asleep with his riffle resting in its sheath.


    Sloppy. If this were my father’s house, he’d be dead for that.


    I crouched behind a decorative stone fountain, inhaling deeply—searching for her. Her scent. It was not the type that could be duplicated, hence, palpable.


    María José’s scent was faint but distinct—sweet, warm, and familiar. I tracked it through the vi, careful to avoid the few workers still awake. A kitchen servant shuffled toward the fountain, humming softly.


    What the fuck was she doing sote at night?


    I ducked behind a column, waiting for her to pass. Finally, a male worker joined her and they jumped in each other’s arms, kissing right after.


    Ugh.


    I could throw up.


    I muttered every curse in existence while waiting and further invented some curses of my own until they passed.


    Just as I reached the main corridor, I heard footsteps. I pressed myself against the wall, my heart pounding. Fuck it. Someone wasing.


    Suddenly, "Axel," Hugo whispered between chuckles. "Look at that."


    I peeked around the corner and froze.


    Cam. Oh, no, no, no.


    The girl drifted through the hallway, arms outstretched slightly, eyes wide open but ssy. She walked eerily and mechanically which could make anyone mistake her for someone possessed.


    I clenched my fists, suddenly regretting not possessing some magical invisibility power like some other supernatural creatures.


    Like witches.


    Had I been caught? Had she sensed me? She was a wolf, she must have sensed me.


    Then she spilled out the least of the things I was expecting.


    "I am the Moon Goddess," she rumbled. "Bow before me, mortals."


    I blinked.


    What. The. Hell.


    How the fuck was she the Moon Goddess or was María José’s bitchy sister going insane?!


    Hold up, since this was a mission bestowed upon me by the Goddess herself, could it be that Cami had indeed been possessed by the Moon herself?


    <i>Huh?</i>