I Am The Luna By Moonlight Muse

VALERIE.

It's been nearly two weeks since we've returned. Since then, things have been extremely hectic. The tension has been rising, with Zade working on trying to break the code on the system that controlled the microchips.

Another thing that brought great concern... considering the Arkan had access to it despite the security on it. Were they just good hackers? Or did someone grant them access?

Either way, it's a race against time, with several more deaths happening over the last few weeks. And while Zade and the others work on their fight, I am in a race to slow down the progression of the disease, as rumours now spread in the media that it was caused by a mutation in the werewolf gene. Another lie.

I feel as if I'm trying to grasp onto time that hopelessly feels like water leaking through a bucket full of holes.

Every day passes in a blur. In the morning, Zade wakes me up at the crack of dawn and then we start training, or as I call it; The Hunt.

It is terrifying and, in some twisted way, thrilling. He works me to my limits and then tells me to get up and pushes me beyond what I think my body is capable of. Yet somehow I break through all the barriers as my body screams for reprieve.

With each passing day, despite the pain that remains, I can feel I'm getting better at sensing him, faster... stronger. I can feel my powers pulsing through my veins, a heightened sense of smell, sight, and hearing.

Zade's teachings are different, yet I'm beginning to enjoy them despite the brutality of the sessions.

Plus, somehow the depraved sexual thrill I feel when he catches me too soon and punishes me only satisfies me further. Always leaving me wanting so much more despite how exhausted my body feels. Who knew pain and pleasure went so incredibly well together?

"Valerie?"

I look up, coming out of my reverie when Cassian calls me.

"Sorry, I got distracted," I remark.

"No need... are you alright?" he asks, observing me.

"Yeah," I answer, returning to testing Shelby's blood. So far I have not gotten any answers, yes I found out she is free from the disease, but she is dying... and it is by a natural cause. Making me realise that we really have no cure for her, for death cannot be stopped.

Something I know they've all accepted, but even then, I'm going to keep trying, keep looking for an answer until her last breath.

Over this last weekend just gone, she and Hugh had gotten married, and although I had attended on a day trip, Zade hadn't, saying he had things to do. I didn't want to push him, he will take things at his own pace. Although I wish he had been there, I respected his decision.

I did feel like part of it was because of Atticus, something I didn't ask him but I also didn't manage to ask Atticus, with the wedding. But right now I feel asking Atticus might be the better choice since Zade's anger when I mention him is obvious.

"Here, the bloods you sent matched. Want to share what you were checking?" he asks, holding out a file to me.

Ada's bloods matched?

My heart skips a beat as I take the file. This means... After Shelby's bloods came clear of any trace of the disease, I still wanted to check Ada's and compare them to a patient inflicted with ARK.

"It was the blood from a werewolf

net

who is in a coma and who is clearly inflicted with ARK, although they don't have the same symptoms humans do. I just wanted to know if she could possibly have the disease and it seems they can..." I say as I

skim through the papers, wonder if this is why she isn't waking up...

"Hmm... I don't know if that could even be possible, considering the healing speed of a werewolf. There is no way the disease can remain in their body long enough for them to be inflicted. I'm sure the results are wrong." He reaches for the file, but I hold them out of his reach.

And how exactly is he so confident about how a werewolf heals?

"No, they are correct... and maybe the fast healing is a reason we don't have any recorded cases because anyone with the disease recovers This is a national pandemic it seems and if it's affecting both races... then it's even worse. Things need to be contained before it becomes a global threat," I say as I recheck the

file.

"But it's not proving a threat to werewolves, so there's no need to mention that to the authorities, it might just cause more fear,” he says, frowning slightly.

I look up from the pages, narrowing

ve?

my eyes as I fold my arms. "Really? Do you actually think that? Everyone is quick to judge us, yet to make everyone feel better, we shouldn't let them know that we're being affected? The math isn't mathing, Cassian." My voice is colder, but I'm not sure what it is, Zade's words are making me question everything.

His training isn't just pushing my body, but pushing my mind...

"I'm just saying why scare the public? There already a lot of concerns-"

"Why are you so worried? Do you want everyone to think we are immune? And keeping things from the authorities? We are being paid to research this by the government, aren't we? Withholding vital information from them is not even legal."