Chapter 1: Chapter 1: New Moon
3rd POV
A car sped towards Beacon Hills, the road stretching endlessly ahead. Inside, two passengers sat in a comfortable silence at least on the surface. The driver, Lucian, was a 6'5" behemoth of a man, his presence commanding and undeniable. His well-defined, muscular physique hinted at power tempered by grace, and his long, curly hair often tumbled over his eyes, adding a veil of mystery. His eyes, however, were what truly captivated striking amethyst in color, they seemed to hold the light, drawing in attention with their vivid hue. Yet, for those who knew him well, the intensity of his gaze often betrayed the storm brewing within.
Beside him sat Hope, her warm complexion glowing in the fading sunlight. Dark, wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing her delicate features. Her hazel eyes were expressive, carrying a quiet warmth that invited trust. There was a subtle elegance to her, reflected in her movements and the simplicity of her style. She had known Lucian for years long enough to recognize the small tells that something was wrong.
"Hey, Luci," she asked softly, her tone cutting through the steady hum of the engine. "What's on your mind? You look anxious."
Lucian's jaw tightened, his grip on the steering wheel growing firmer. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye before responding, his voice low. "Nothing, Hope. Just... nervous, I guess. New place and all that."
Hope's brow furrowed. She watched him closely, noting the slight tremor in his hands and the way his shoulders were drawn up, as if bracing against an unseen pressure. "Come on, Luci," she pressed, her voice firm but gentle. "Don't lie to me. I can tell when you're lying."
Lucian hesitated, his gaze shifting to the road, the tension in his shoulders becoming more pronounced. Finally, he sighed deeply, a sound filled with unspoken weight. "I don't know, Hope. I've just been feeling... off lately. And coming to this town, it's like that feeling's getting stronger, and I don't even know why."
Hope's face grew tense, the playful light in her eyes dimming as her expression tightened. She could see the strain in the way he held himself, the tightness around his eyes. She exhaled softly, her fingers absently tracing patterns on her lap as she tried to lighten the mood. "Maybe it's just the idea of us being alone together for a while," she teased, offering him a playful smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "You know, living with a beautiful girl like me could be intimidating."
"You should be the one worried," Lucian shot back with a grin, though his eyes remained distant. "Being this close to a stud like me might just drive you crazy with lust. You know the rumors back in our old school, right? What a beast I am in bed."
Hope rolled her eyes, her cheeks flushing slightly. She knew how lustful he could be, and the thought of being alone with him made her blush. Yet, beneath the teasing, she felt a pang of discomfort as she thought about how their dynamic might change.
"Yeah, all the girls wouldn't stop talking about how good you were in bed and how you were such a playboy. Do you know how many girls' hearts you broke? Like fifty, and that's low-balling it."
She was glad for the change in topic but felt a sting of embarrassment discussing it. Her gaze turned to the window, where the blur of the passing landscape offered a distraction from the conversation's edge.
"Anyway, why did Uncle and Auntie send just the two of us to this town?" he asked, still puzzled about his godparents' insistence on them moving here. After the death of his parents, they had been the ones to help him through his darkest times.
"They had a lot of work and had to stay behind," Hope replied, her tone growing serious. "You know how busy they can get. After all, they're lawyers."
"But why are we moving here?" Lucian pressed, his voice tinged with frustration.
"Luci, did you forget?" Hope's tone was measured but firm. "You nearly ripped a guy's head off after he insulted me, calling me a slut."
Lucian fell silent, the memory flashing across his face like a storm cloud. In their previous school, Hope had been the most beautiful girl, and many guys had tried to approach her. She'd declined every one of them, saying she already had someone in her heart. Then one day, one of the popular football players handsome, athletic, with a bright future ahead of him asked her out. Everyone thought she'd say yes, but she declined, stating the same reason: her heart was already taken. Angered, the guy hit her and started cursing.
Seeing this, Lucian had grabbed him by the throat and dragged him off somewhere. No one had tried to stop him everyone had seen the rage and fury in his eyes. Later, the boy was found with missing teeth and a swollen, unrecognizable face. He needed seventeen surgeries to fix the damage. If it weren't for Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair, Lucian would have been in jail for aggravated assault.
Remembering this, Lucian stayed quiet, his jaw clenched. But if one looked closely, they could still see the anger simmering in his eyes at the memory.
Finally, they arrived at their new home an elegant house nestled in a wealthy neighborhood, one of the perks of having rich godparents. The house stood tall and imposing, with large windows reflecting the sunset's golden hues.
"So this will be our home for the next few years, huh?" Lucian said, surveying the property. His voice carried a note of resignation, mingling with the weight of his unspoken worries.
"Yeah, come on. Let's unpack our stuff," Hope said cheerfully, trying to lift the mood. "The moving company will be here in two days with the furniture. Man, I can already see it a TV over there, a sofa over here. I can't wait!"
"Okay then, I'm calling dibs on the master bedroom," Lucian said with a grin, attempting to ease the tension.
"No fair!" Hope cried out, though her smile was tinged with genuine surprise.
"All's fair in love and war, darling," Lucian replied in a deep, sultry voice.
Hope flinched slightly at the tone, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. Lucian didn't notice; he was already hauling his bags to the master bedroom.
=======================================================
Timeskip 1 hour
After unpacking their luggage, they met again in the dining area, their stomachs rumbling. The faint scent of old wood and distant sea salt lingered in the air, mingling with the aroma of fast food.
"So, what do you want for dinner?" Lucian asked, leaning casually against the counter. His casual posture belied the impatience in his voice, a thin veil over his inner tension.
"Mm... I don't know." Hope fiddled with her phone, her gaze distant as she tried to distract herself from her swirling thoughts.
"Okay, then McDonald's it is."
"No, not McDonald's. I don't like their burgers." She wrinkled her nose, a hint of distaste in her eyes.
"How about Chipotle?" He sighed, trying to keep his voice light despite his growing frustration.
"No, I don't feel like that either."
"KFC, then?" His shoulders slumped slightly as he threw out the suggestion, his patience wearing thin.
"Okay." She shrugged, giving in with a resigned tone.
"Thank God," he muttered under his breath, a teasing glint in his eyes as he smirked.
Ten minutes later, their order arrived. Lucian had ordered the family meal for himself, while Hope settled for a two-piece chicken and fries meal, absently picking at the fries as she stared out the window, lost in thought.
As they ate in comfortable silence, the moon rose high above, its silvery light casting a soft glow through the windows. The house seemed to come alive with the moon's presence, its light painting long shadows on the walls and filling the space with a serene, almost haunting beauty.
After finishing their meal, they both headed upstairs, ready to finally sleep. Lucian's footsteps were heavy, the sound echoing down the hall as if carrying the weight of his unspoken fears. Hope's steps lingered just a little longer at the door of her room, her mind drifting to the new beginning that awaited them in this unfamiliar town.
Lying in bed, Lucian stared at the ceiling, his thoughts a jumble of anxiety and unease. The moon's light filtered through the window, its soft glow providing little comfort as he wrestled with his worries. Hope, in her room, felt a similar restlessness. The moon's light offered a silent companionship as she contemplated the changes ahead.
The night wore on, and both Lucian and Hope found themselves grappling with their fears and the mysteries of their new home. As the moon continued its silent vigil, they each hoped for a sense of normalcy and understanding to break through the shadows of their new beginning.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone