Beneath the Alpha's Moon
Chapter 254: New Beginning

Chapter 254: New Beginning

Eldur’s POV

I sat on the cold, stone chair, my hands clenched into fists, not out of anger but to hold back the storm brewing within me. The walls of my father’s castle loomed around me, cold and unfeeling, much like the way I felt about my family sometimes. They were too protective, too suffocating, and I needed a break. I needed something that wasn’t tied to the supernatural, something I could control—something that wasn’t tied to the constant pressure of being Eldur Daegon. The boy no one liked but were only starting to tolerate. I needed out of that life.

My father, Adrian, sat across from me, his gaze sharp, as if he could see through my words before I even spoke them. He always had that look in his eyes. His black hair fell in waves around his face, his violet eyes flickering with a depth of experience, and that eternal, ever-present smirk that always made me question his intentions. He was a vampire, a force to be reckoned with, and the last person I wanted to upset. But today, I had something to say, and I couldn’t let fear stop me.

"Why do you want to leave, Eldur?" His voice was smooth, like silk over gravel, as if he’d already anticipated my request. "You’ve never shown any interest in the human world before."

I inhaled deeply. The seriousness of my decision tightened around my chest, but I had to do this. I had to lie, even though the truth was gnawing at my insides.

"I just... need a break, Dad." I leaned back in the chair, trying to look as nonchalant as possible. "The supernatural world is... too much sometimes. I want to go to a regular school, you know? To just be normal for a while."

I could feel his piercing gaze on me. Adrian didn’t miss a thing. He had that vampire ability to sense everything, to see through every little façade. And yet, today, I hoped I could pull it off.

"You expect me to believe that?" My father raised an eyebrow, leaning forward, his voice dropping into something darker. "You, of all people, want to escape from the supernatural? The same world you’ve grown up in? The one you’ve been bred for?"

I clenched my jaw, resisting the urge to snap back at him. My hands were starting to tremble, but I forced myself to remain calm.

"I’m serious, Dad. I just need space. I can’t keep being reminded of... all of it. Of Mai. Of Liam." I turned my gaze to the distant walls, pretending to focus on the cracks in the stone, my mind swirling with thoughts that weren’t the ones I was voicing. I was lying, and it stung more than I wanted to admit. But for Nova, it was worth it. For her, I’d lie through my teeth, bend reality to fit whatever story I needed to tell. I wanted her. I needed to be near her. To learn what we could be, together... if anything at all. The truth was, my past was fading away as I stepped into something new—and I was damn sure it wasn’t because I couldn’t let go of Mai. It was because Nova had started to mean more than the past ever could.

My father studied me for a long moment. His cool demeanor didn’t change, but I saw something shift in his eyes—perhaps understanding, perhaps amusement.

"You think you can escape it all by going to some human college?" He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "You can lie to me, Eldur, but you’re not fooling anyone. You say you’re trying to forget Mai and many other things; but I feel like there’s more to this than you’re telling me."

My heart skipped a beat. I had to force my voice to stay steady. "Maybe."

"And what’s this college called?" He seemed to be toying with me now, a smirk curling at the edge of his lips. "Something... simple? Something with no connection to this world of ours?"

"Yeah," I muttered, trying to keep my composure. "It’s called Westbridge University. It’s a... human school, Dad. I think it would be good for me to just go and try something normal for once." I said it like it was nothing—like it wasn’t part of a much larger plan that involved Nova and my need to be near her.

Dad didn’t respond immediately. He just sat there, letting the silence stretch between us. Then, in his usual smooth way, he turned to my mother, who had been sitting quietly beside him, her sharp eyes never leaving me.

"I don’t know," Dad muttered, almost to himself. "What do you think, love? Should we let him go off to this... ’normal’ school?"

Mom looked at me, her expression calm. She was beautiful, strong, and not one to show emotion easily, but I could see the concern in her eyes. She had always been the one to keep me grounded, to pull me out of my darker moments.

"I think it might be good for him," she said, her voice strong but soft. "He’s been brooding for too long. He needs something to take his mind off everything. Maybe it’ll help him open up again."

My stomach twisted as her words hit me harder than I expected. She was right. I had been brooding, hiding away from the world. From everything I’d lost.

"You’ve been distant, Eldur," she added, her gaze softening slightly. "A little time away might be just what you need to... process things. You know, less brooding, more living."

I forced a chuckle, though it felt strained. "Yeah, right. Maybe I’ll come back a whole new person." I rolled my eyes for effect, pretending like I wasn’t dying inside at the thought of seeing Nova without the heavy burden of my past constantly weighing me down.

Dad shot me a knowing look, but it was Mom who spoke next. "Let him go, love. He’s old enough to make his own decisions. If it helps him heal, then let him try. The boy needs some space."

Her words hit me like a wave of relief, even though I knew they were coming from a place of genuine care. I could see the faintest trace of a smile playing at the corner of her lips, a silent acknowledgment that I had somehow managed to convince her. I could feel the weight lift off my chest, but there was still one hurdle left to clear.

I threw my arms up in mock frustration. "Fine, fine. I’ll go to this human college, and then I’ll be... less broody. Happier, maybe. You won’t even recognize me." I gave them both a forced grin, hoping it didn’t look as pathetic as it felt.

Mom laughed softly, her expression softening. "Oh, I’ll recognize you, Eldur. You’re not the type to change that much. But I do hope you find what you’re looking for."

Dad, ever the smooth talker, leaned back in his chair, his smile sly and calculating. "If it helps you, son, then by all means, go. But remember, the supernatural world isn’t just going to forget you exist." His voice was teasing now, almost too knowing. "I’m sure you’ll find a way to get caught up in something... interesting. It always happens with you, doesn’t it?"

I rolled my eyes again, this time genuinely annoyed. "Not everything’s a game, you know."

"Oh, but it’s always fun when it is," Dad replied coolly, his smirk widening.

I couldn’t help but laugh, despite the heavy tension. It was the first time in what felt like forever that I’d actually laughed—genuinely laughed. And it felt good.

"Alright, alright," I said, getting up from my chair and stretching, trying to shake off the lingering unease. "I’ll go. And I’ll be back... less broody, like you said." I shot them both a mischievous grin. "But don’t expect me to change too much."

Mom gave me a knowing look, and for a moment, I saw the warmth in her eyes—beneath the tough exterior. "You’ll always be our broody son, Eldur," she teased, ruffling my hair playfully.

"Yeah, sure," I muttered, brushing off the teasing. But inside, something in me stirred. Maybe, just maybe, this college thing could be the fresh start I needed. It would get me away from all the ghosts of my past. It would give me a chance to focus on Nova, to see where things could go.

I walked out of the room with a little more confidence than I had when I entered, my mind racing with thoughts of the future. The supernatural world may never truly leave me, but I had my reasons to try and escape it, even if just for a while.

As I made my way down the stone corridors of the castle, I couldn’t help but smile to myself. It wasn’t a real smile—not yet. But it was a start.

And that was enough for me.

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