Bound under the moon gaze

Freya’s POV

I remember pushing my aunt. It wasn’t intentional. It just happened—like a sudden burst inside me, something I couldn’t control. Now I think… maybe I’m turning into the monster she always said I was. She never made it easy for me. She always pushed me, like she wanted me to break.

“You’re no different from your stupid mother! She was a real monster. That’s why she was killed!” Her words echoed in my mind, sharp and poisonous.

They hurt more than anything. They lit a fire in me I didn’t even know existed. Without thinking, I pushed her so hard. I didn’t know how I did it. It shocked me. Was I really a monster? Like she always said? I don’t know. But something inside me snapped. Something changed.

Now, I’m alone. In this forest. The one she said I was born in. She said my mother gave birth to me here, under the trees, under the moonlight. She said this forest would be my grave if I fought her. Maybe she was right. Maybe I belong here. Maybe this forest is all I have left.

I sat, my back against a tree, the wind blowing through the leaves. But it didn’t comfort me. I felt nothing but emptiness. Lost. Confused. Broken. I hated it. I hated feeling like something was wrong with me. But what choice did I have?

I heard a growl of something I can’t describe. When I follow the sound, I find it. It was unmistakably the shape of a man. He was on all fours, his body contorted in a way that seemed impossible for a human. He looked very pale.

“What’s that creature? Is he not human? Or is he? But it’s not an animal either,” I mumble to myself as he growled. He fixed his eyes on me, and I froze. This was my first time seeing something like that. I could feel my whole body trembling.

“Was it the kind of monster my aunt described me as?” I mumble to myself again. Suddenly, he transforms fully into a very handsome guy, but he’s naked.

That’s really embarrassing as my face turned red instantly. I can’t bring myself to look at him. I turned away and shut my eyes.

“I didn’t see anything,” I said quickly as I turned my back to him.

“Could you help me with your jacket?” he asked, his voice trembling. Even though his voice trembled, it was so soothing that it made my heart melt. I turned to face him, not minding his nakedness anymore. He looked so helpless. I couldn’t cover my eyes to help him, and he couldn’t help himself. Seeing him acting that way, he covered his hands over his body, protecting his private parts. His body was shuddering as he struggled to maintain his balance. I flipped my jacket to him. He caught it and covered himself.

After he had covered himself with my jacket, he struggled to stand. I watched as he had difficulty balancing, and before I knew it, I rushed to his side. I held him by the arm to help him up. As I held him, my body reacted to his, and I couldn’t understand it. He looked up at me with his pale face. His eyes were sunken, and his skin was slick with sweat.

“Aren’t you afraid?” he asked me. Even though I was afraid—this was the first time I’d seen a creature like him in my life—I wanted to reassure him that I wasn’t afraid. Maybe I was embracing my true form, seeing him, realizing I’m really a monster, but what kind of creature is he?

“No, I’m not afraid of you. But I’m wondering what you are,” I said, still looking him in the eyes.

“I’m kind of a monster you should be afraid of. I might kill you,” he joked, but then he chuckled. His words echoed in my mind. “A monster,” just like my aunt always said.

Was this the kind of monster she meant? I thought to myself, as I chuckled with him.

“Everyone seems to be seen as a monster. Even me. I’m a monster. You should stay far away from me,” I said, still chuckling. He locked his eyes with mine and cupped his hand on my face. I felt a tingling within me, looking into his eyes, and that’s when I realized how handsome he was. But what is this feeling I’m feeling right now? I can’t really explain it.

“You are indeed an angel. You are not a monster. You are not in any way a monster like me. I’ve been going through these episodes for weeks now. I lose control and… and transform. You should be afraid of me. I’ve been living with this curse,” he said. I could feel the sadness filling his eyes, and for a moment, I was really afraid, but I knew I had to help him. He was helpless and homeless. At least, he could stay at my secret hut for a while.

With pity sealing up inside me, I held his hand tightly, feeling a spark of sensation all over my body, but I just couldn’t explain it.

“It’s okay. I’m here for you. You need to come with me at once,” I said. I didn’t know why I was feeling so attached to him. I didn’t even know his name or where he was from, but deep down in my heart, I felt like this gentleman held the answers to who I really am. I was just tired of my aunt reminding me that I was a monster and how I acted sometimes, how people feared me. He recoiled from my hold.

“I’m afraid I might lose myself completely and might kill you,” he said, still with his voice trembling. I stood by his side as he gasped in pain, and somehow his body was burning up.

“Ouch! That hurts,” he gasped again. I couldn’t just leave him like this, not when he was clearly in pain. His body trembled under my jacket. When I gently touched the side of his stomach, he winced. I hesitated for a moment, then carefully reached for the edge of the jacket, not wanting to make him uncomfortable.

“I just want to check,” I said softly.

He didn’t stop me, but he looked away. Slowly, I pulled the jacket aside, just enough to see his stomach—and that’s when I saw it. A deep, fresh wound sliced across his skin.

“I need to get this treated,” I said.

He forcefully tried to remove my hand from touching the wound.

“Come on, that’s not a big deal,” he said, removing my hand from touching him. Before I could even realize what was happening, his wound healed, and I couldn’t see it anymore. My eyes widened in shock. What kind of creature is he? I remember having wounds just as deep as his, and in the instant I looked at it, they disappeared. I couldn’t see the wound anymore.

“Was I something like him?” I thought. There’s no way I’ll let him know. I’ve finally gotten the answer I was madly seeking for.

“I'm a monster. Don’t you get it?” he yelled, probably trying to scare me. Even though I was feeling that fear, there’s no way I was going to let go.

“I don’t care,” I said. “You’re not alone anymore. I’m here.”

He looked at me like he didn’t believe it. I reached out and grabbed his hand. A wave of warmth rushed through me. I couldn’t still explain, but it was strong—strong enough to make me stay.

He still looked worried. “You don’t know what I might do. I don’t trust myself.”

 I smiled sadly and held his hand tighter. “Then let me trust you for now.”

Freya’s POV

He stood there, his eyes glum to mine as he pulled away from me.

“You have to let go of me. I need to get out of here,” he yelled.

His voice made me flinch. I didn’t expect him to yell. It scared me—but I couldn’t let him go. I needed to find out why I was the way I was. Why I behaved like I wasn’t human. Deep inside, I believed he held the answer. I didn’t know why, but I felt a strong connection to him, one I couldn’t explain.

“I can’t let you go. I just… can’t,” I replied, my voice trembling. I didn’t even realize I was pleading until I heard myself speak.

He smirked, but there was no warmth in it.

“I swear, you don’t know what you’re asking for. You’re just… pathetic,” he said sharply.

His words stung. Why was he being so rude when all I wanted to do was help? Couldn’t he see I was trying to care for him? He should’ve been thankful instead of acting like he was perfectly fine.

“I’m not pathetic,” I said quietly. “I’m ju