Okay... I took an extremely long hiatus again. But Hi everyone! I saw a lot of new readers with The Lovely Paradox added to your libraries through these months and I couldn't be happier. Currently, we have quiet readers but I am grateful that you're here. :)

Thank you for 7K Reads!! | 4/21/23

Also shout out to @guccichanel- ~ Thank you for checking out TLP. This chapter is for you.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN | AMARA POV

The day passes through unusually quickly, another meal alone on an unnecessarily vast dining table. Everyone refuses to meet my eyes still.

Hyacinth attempts to bide our time by teaching me more in detail about the history of the Mazzeo past. Originally from Italy, but fled to Mountain View centuries ago. In a small town, it was hard to hide the fact that they were different.

Humanity does have a history of killing everything they feared or didn't understand.

That thought had my heart clench in pity. I can't imagine what they've must've endured. Looking at Hyacinth now, gentle, soft spoken yet bright and bubbly. It's hard to imagine her as a monster.

But there's always two sides of the spectrum.

I turn towards the open windows. The sound of the soft cackling of fire and squeals of excitement below nudge my interest.

"It must be time for the harvest moon."  Hyacinth says, excitedly. "You've arrived at my favorite part of the season. If that's at least something for you to look forward to after the awful two days."

Before I could get a word out, She loops an arm with mine and pulls me with her down the spiral stairs until we're on the ground.

The smell of smoke wafts through the breeze, I turn to the source and see a few people preparing a large bonfire. Beyond it are various booths, from this distance it reminds me of a farmers market back home.

"What exactly is the harvest moon?" I inquire, walking idly through. 

She pauses at this, thoughtfully searching for the right words. "Our strength is at its peak during the harvest moon, it feels like a lightning of energy is running through us at this time. We celebrate our continued life."

I nod allowing her words to sit with my thoughts, a whole world under our noses. How is it possible that humans coexist so obliviously?

"While they are setting up the bonfire, let's have a look at the booths shall we?"

As we walked towards the festival, each step feels like we're walking into a different world. The air is thick with the scent of woodsmoke, spices, and roasted meats, and the lively sounds of music and laughter.

The colorful stalls and tents are adorned with twinkling lights and vibrant decorations. Both wolves and their human forms alike bustled through the crowds. My gaze couldn't help but follow them, the intricate costumes and masks, each one more dazzling than the last.

We made our way through the festival with Hyacinth's commentary as she guided me to different tents. I admit, everything feels.. exhilarating. Just a few days ago I thought that the world was black and white. Now I feel a new sense of wonder and excitement that I haven't experienced in a long time. Everywhere I look, there's something new and fascinating to discover.

The bonfire in the center of the festival was particularly mesmerizing, its flames casting flickering shadows across the faces of the revelers. Even from this distance, I could feel a prickle of the heat. I gazed into the dancing flames, entranced by their hypnotic rhythm.

Despite the chaos and revelry, my heart tugs slightly. The colors of the festival seemed to swirl around me, and the sounds of laughter and music filled my ears. A strange sense of belonging enters.

An upbeat melodic tune resounds and suddenly the air energizes around us. I turn around and see people rushing to join hands and assemble in a circle around the fire, Hyacinth grabs my hand in hers and startles me in the process. Before I could protest, she pulls us to link in the circle and another hand joins mine. A much smaller hand. I turn towards it and a young girl looks up at me with a toothy grin. We begin to move to the right towards Hyacinth, and everyone follows to the beat with coordinated steps, their feet stomping on the ground in perfect unison. I struggled to keep up, as the young girl next to me let out giggles with my clumsy steps.

As the music picked up pace, everyone spun around, arms outstretched, laughing and shouting with joy. The bright atmosphere feels contagious, as if in a single swoop the nightmare of the days prior disappeared- 

almost.

Abruptly, I am pulled forward, both hands release mine and instead we are thrust forward. I fall forward into the arms of someone else, a man with a kind gaze and hearty laugh. He loops his arm in mine, and guided me through the steps. Just as swiftly as we were partnered, I'm met with another. Partners are switched left and right, a minute ago I was palm to palm with an older gentleman who could be my grandfather, the next with another young girl.

And the next- 

hazel eyes that pour passively into mine. This moment feels longer than the others had. Our palms touch, barely. My breath hitched in my throat, as his hand found the small of my back and guides me in the steps. He leans forward, until his lips almost brush my ear, "I think it's my turn now."

Cheers erupt around us, bringing me back to reality. The band bows, as the crowd applauds. 

Ezra clasps my hand in his, and swiftly pulls me away from the crowd.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"Somewhere more relaxed." He jests, vaguely.

We walk together in silence, albeit a peaceful silence. It becomes apparent that our hands are still interlocked despite the time that has passed. As much as I don't want to admit it- I don't want to let go.

The air becomes thick with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the soft rustle of leaves underfoot. The fire is now a soft glow behind us, with the light of the full moon illuminating our path instead. The garden is secluded, with tall hedges and a wrought iron gate. Ezra raises his hand and pushes the gate open.

"This is my safe space, If I ever needed to time to myself...and now it can be yours too." 

The soft light of the moon filters through the trees, casting a gentle glow on everything around us. Ezra turns to me, our eyes locking. The way the moonlight plays on Ezra's face, highlights his sharp cheekbones and the curve of his lips.

The tension is enough to suffocate me.

"Thank you," I say, and pull my hand from his. Before he could protest, I take a step forward to begin exploring. 

"Amara." 

I turn back to meet his gaze, his lips parted to speak, but stays in a pause as if he were sifting for the right words.

"What can I do?" 

I furrow my brows in confusion, "What do you mean?" 

He shakes his head at this, bringing his damp tongue across his blood red lips. "I could give you anything, why does none of it satisfy you?

"Because none of it is mine."

A wave of confusion washes over his expression at this, to which I continue.

"I haven't earned any of this. I've never liked being handed things."

"Then I will ask Troy to bring your things here." 

I shake my head incredulously, "You're not understanding. I want the freedom to do that."

"I do understand. I'm not your enemy, Amara. I want to give you everything that you want, but we need to trust each other." He lowers his gaze, with an earnest expression. "At least give me that." 

I pause at the ardent tone of his words, then nod hesitantly.

"Okay, if you prove to me that I can." 

END OF CHAPTER

What do we think of this chapter? I know it's a long time coming- and it went through a lot of edits. I hope the romance is picking up nicely for everyone. :)