"Hunter?" Jonea was surprised.
"Sorry, Jonea. My stupidity should not be forgiven. I always come late. I hope what I did at the last second didn't disappoint you."
Jonea took Hunter's helping hand. The young man picked up Jonea and helped her out of the front of the truck.
"Bring the leader of this rebel army to me!" shouted Hunter to his men.
The masked man was forced to kneel in front of the Hunter. Hunter pulled the man's mask off and hit him hard.
Jonea, who was standing behind Hunter, immediately looked away. Miller was already conscious even though the condition of his muscles which had been numb, had not fully recovered.
"Why are you still hunting down the Fallon family? You heard the leadership of the Abraham Pack passed into my hands. Cassandra Abraham is no longer in power. I've even sent him into exile! Who gave you the order this time?"
Jonea was stunned to hear that.
'So, Hunter really fulfilled his promise. He got rid of and punished his mother. Then, what about my own promise?'
The masked man was silent. He didn't want to confess.
When Hunter threatened him, the man suddenly bit his tongue off and died immediately.
"Fuck!" Hunter cursed. "Who else is meddling in this matter?"
Hunter also turned to Jonea. When Hunter was about to examine the wound on Jonea's neck, Miller suddenly pushed Hunter's hand away.
"Keep your dirty hands off, my sister!"
Hunter looks sad and hurt. He really didn't deserve to touch Jonea. However, Hunter still hopes to get the chance to get the promise made by Jonea.
"Is there still a chance for me, Jonea?"
Jonea stared at Hunter in disbelief. She couldn't give any answer right now.
"Alpha," one of the troop commanders reported. "We have combed the attack site to remove the rebels."
"Thank you for your hard work. Take the rest of our injured members and give them the best treatment. We will return to the center of Blue Sapphire City soon."
Hunter returned to Jonea and Miller. "Even though I know you still hate me, give me a chance to take you home."
Jonea and Miller gasped in realization. They looked at each other and quickly left from there.
“Sorry, Hunter. We have to find our parents."
Hunter realized he had not broken the sad news to Jonea and Miller. Hunter has confirmed himself to the village where the Fallon family is. The married couple had died in the attack.
"No, Jonea. Don't go there alone. We will escort you."
Jonea sensed something was wrong. Meanwhile, Miller suddenly let out a long howl. Her instincts had told her something was wrong even before they got stuck at the border.
"Come on, Jonea. We have to go right now!" asked Miller.
Jonea refuses Hunter's help. She climbed onto Miller's back, who turned into a lycan. They returned to the forest via a cutting path to go to the village where their parents were.
***
Three months later….
 
"What's with your face, Elmar? Are you fighting again? Ever since you returned from Shora City and helped your friends, you often come home with a face of wounds."
Suzanne attacks Elmar with so many questions.
"Oh, here. No, Mom. I don't fight. It's just I'm learning to be a real man. Three months ago, I started to meet one of the girls involved in my life. I cut them off and apologized. And this is the punishment I received. I had one or even two slaps I received from every girl. It's not uncommon for them to punch me."
Elmar smiled proudly at himself and the brave decisions he had made.
Suzanne just shook her head.
"I thought you would never stop being a loser. Does this mean you will be serious and bring me a daughter-in-law?"
Elmar looked at his mother with affection. Suzanne is looking prettier and much fitter in the months since sober.
"Thank you, Mom. Because of your help, everything went easily. If you hadn't met and persuaded Mr. Ares Abraham, perhaps Mrs. Cassandra Abraham would never have stopped her bad intentions."
Suzanne just held her son's hands. She nodded with emotion.
"I'm proud of you, Elmar. Although I really hope you can bring Jonea to our house."
"I will definitely take it, Mom."
***
Edison was busy at a soccer field that had not been used for a long time. He gathered all his men consisting of mobsters in the entertainment district and gangsters. They all had bruised faces and bowed heads.
"I told you not to use violence and attack residents while working. Continue to attack and intimidate them, even destroying their belongings. I will be the one to give you punishment. This is the last warning! Understand?"
"Ready, got it, Alpha!" they answered in unison.
Beta Jay approached. He whispered the schedule that Ed had to attend that day.
"Oh, is this the day? The day I've been waiting for since three months ago.
Beta Jay nodded. "Do I need to send our special forces Alpha?"
"Are you crazy? We're not at war. Yes, this is a personal war to fight over Jonea at the hands of my three best friends. But, let me finish it myself."
***
Aland was alone in the cave behind the waterfall he and Jonea had visited. Aland felt the cave wall where he had first marked Jonea as his mate.
"This full moon night will be decisive. Which Alpha will you choose as your mate, Jonea? Even though I'm sure your feelings and mine are reciprocated, I don't dare to hope for much. I was afraid you would make a different choice."
Aland took a deep breath and let it out slowly. His eyes closed, and he let the waterfall splash wash over him.
Aland was bare-chested and only wore black trousers. He felt the scar on his stomach that had been covered by the tattoo. His chest muscles throbbed. Aland shook his head weakly. One earring in the left ear swayed with the wind.
"Now is the time for you to make your choice."
Aland bent down at the mouth of the cave. He turned into a gray wolf and jumped over the waterfall curtain. He ran towards the place they had agreed on, followed by his troops.
***
Jonea stood between the graves of her parents. The wind was blowing very hard, hitting her face, hair, and the hem of her knee-length white dress.
The burial ground was even still wet. She had just sprinkled flowers over the tomb. Jonea held the flowers and could not hold back the tears.
"I failed to protect you! I can't keep you guys till the end. Forgive me, Daddy and Mom."
Someone stepped closer from behind. Jonea heard the sound of the soles of shoes stepping on the rocks. The girl quickly wiped her tears.
For the last three months after the attack on the border, Jonea has been living with her uncle's family in the village.
"Come on, Jonea! It's time for us to go."
Miller tugged at Jonea's arm carefully.
"Our parents are already resting in peace. We still have tasks to complete. Life goes on. We can't stay here, Jonea."
Jonea turned to Miller and sobbed. Miller really grew into a very mature young man. He hugged Jonea tightly. Their travel bag was slung on his back.
"Autumn is coming to an end. We don't have much time before winter comes."
Suddenly the atmosphere became frozen. The autumn wind that blew with cold air made Miller stiffen. Every nerve in his body became alert.
"Someone's coming!" he exclaimed.
Several men and women appeared behind the shady trees surrounding the tomb. Some of them were shirtless, and some wore unbuttoned shirts.
Miller was ready to open his jaw, and Jonea was prepared with her silver stake.
"Jonea, we are coming to pick you up!"
"Hunter?" Jonea was stunned.
Miller went ahead and protected. "I told you not to come near my sister anymore!"
"Miller, please let Jonea make up her own mind. It's about life and its future. If you love Jonea, give her the chance to decide for herself."
Miller clenched his fists tightly and moved his jaw. Miller had promised his parents to take Jonea away and find her real family. However, in the last seconds of their departure, Jonea suddenly hesitated.
Jonea let go of Miller's hand.
"Miller, just give me some time for tonight. Let me finish what I started. Could you wait for me at the border? If I don't come after you within a week, I beg you to leave without me."
Miller is eager to protest Jonea's decision. But he held back and swallowed back his rebellious words. Miller just glanced sharply at Hunter.
"If you guys trick and manipulate my sister again, then you're the first person I'll be looking for!"
"Take my word for it," said Hunter. "I will look after and protect Jonea."
Jonea looked up at the sky, which was starting to turn orange. That night was the peak of the full moon. The night when the werewolves will hunt and find their partner. That same night, Jonea will fulfill her promise to choose which man will become her mate.
Miller hugged Jonea tightly before backing away and running out of the cemetery. Miller went first to the border. Miller still kept hoping that Jonea would catch up with him soon. And they can together find their family of origin.
 
– EPILOGUE --
 
Jonea came to a flower field on a ridge. That night, she wore a bright red dress and a red cape that fell to her head.
The girl's long black hair fell down her back in cute curls. Jonea looks away, shining because of her dress's red color and the full moon's reflection.
Jonea stood in the middle of a flower field. Various aromas wafted around her. Everything is sweet and beautiful.
On the four cardinal directions, Elmar Delamo, Edison Fuller, Hunter Abraham, and Aland Hamilton stood, respectively. Each Alpha is accompanied by its best troops.
Tonight is the determination of who Jonea will choose as his mate.
The girl looked down and was very nervous. Of course, she really wanted Aland in her life. How much love she had for Aland. However, Jonea must fulfill her promise to Hunter.
Hunter had gotten rid of the mother with his own hands. Jonea knew Hunter was deeply hurt by his decision.
'This is really a tough choice,' thought Jonea.
Meanwhile, Elmar and Edison never fail to make Jonea happy. They were always able to cheer Jonea up in their own way and always made her feel special.
"If it's difficult for you to choose, we can do it traditionally. The method we have always used for centuries," said Aland.
"We will duel to the death to determine who will win you, Jonea!" welcome, Hunter.
Imagining the four friends attacking each other and even killing just to get it made Jonea angry and frustrated.
"No! I won't let that happen. After all, no one should hurt each other between you."
They all knelt on one knee, and one arm crossed over their chest to pay their respects to Jonea.
Jonea looked up at the bright sky with the full moon's light.
'Moon Goddess, give me your hint. What should I do? If I had to choose one of them, I wouldn't be able to continue with Miller. If I decide to do a search of my family tree, then there will be many hurting hearts.'
"Forgive me. Whatever my decision, I hope you will remain friends and support one another. I really don't want to ruin your friendship."
Jonea turned around and watched each Alpha in front of her individually. They all lowered their heads and waited for Jonea's decision.
Now Jonea really had to make a choice. The girl is barefoot. As she walked, her red robe swept across the ground. Jonea headed in one direction, to where the man she had decided would be her future.
Jonea treads carefully. She stood before a group of werewolves and touched the Alpha's head.
"Aland Hamilton, I choose you as my mate."
Aland immediately looked up. A pair of blue-gray eyes twinkled. Aland is so happy.
He wasted no time and hugged Jonea. Aland even lifted the dad's slender body and turned it around.
Elmar and Edison raised disappointed faces. However, they still smiled and applauded Jonea's choice. While Hunter still looked down while holding back tears. He clenched his fists hard against the ground.
Pain raged inside Hunter's chest. However, he still had to be mature and accept Jonea's decision.
That same night, witnessed by the Moon Goddess, Aland kissed Jonea so gently and long.
"Be my Luna, Jonea. Be the Goddess in my heart."
Aland put a necklace on Jonea's neck with a crystal pendant shaped like a water drop.
"This necklace pendant contains the runes of life. We will always be united no matter how far apart we are."
Aland wrapped his arms around Jonea's waist and pulled the girl's back so their bodies were pressed together. Aland could feel Jonea's pulse and heartbeat. Everything feels so real and alive. The girl's cheeks were red.
"Hi guys!" cried Elmar. "Don't do it here. Good grief. Can't you take care of our hurt feelings?"
Aland glanced at his three best friends and smiled. Jonea felt very embarrassed. She hid her face and kept her head down.
The most injured Hunter. He struggled to stand up straight. His eyes were wet, but he tried to accept and looked at Jonea, who seemed so happy with her choice.
No one noticed besides Hunter. Suddenly Hunter's gaze turned cold and wary. He ran the way Jonea and Aland were.
Jonea was confused and scared. "Is Hunter angry?"
Aland was completely unprepared for the sudden attack. Hunter pulled Jonea away from Aland.
Only screams and frantic screams could be heard from Jonea.
They just realized that something had grabbed Aland and sent him flying away.
"Aland!" she shouted. "No! Stop it!"
"Jonea, don't chase me!" said Aland in the distance. "This is… dangerous!"
"Save Aland!" Jonea screamed hysterically. "Anyone, please save him!"
The entire werewolf troop was running to hunt down Aland, who was carried away by something. No one could see that figure other than Hunter.
Hunter saw his sudden appearance. He thought the figure wanted to take Jonea. Because of that, he ran and pulled Jonea not far away. Unexpectedly, the figure grabbed Aland's shoulders and sent him flying away.
 
– THE END –
Next in RED MOON GIRL: BRIDE OF THE LYCAN KING