The Luna’s Redemption

Three

LILA

Regrets came in the morning when I rolled down to my right and saw that I’m the only one laying on the grass.

The sun has risen up, and with it, my conscience. What was I thinking? I don’t know the man. Last night was the first time I met and saw him. I couldn’t figure out what I had thought about giving him the chance to kiss me and do all those… things.

I shielded my eyes from the sunlight. My entire body’s naked and the clothes I was wearing last night was on the other side of the ground.

I cursed under my breath and crawled on fours to grab my clothes. I felt stupid… no, to feel stupid is an understatement. I feel worse than that.

I got up, my feet wobbling and my face painted with embarrassment. Quickly, while none of the guards have awakened yet to do their usual rounds, I slipped on my dress and undergarments.

After that, I did my walk of shame.

I reached home and let out a relieved breath when none of the guards or father noticed my absence the night before. I guess that’s because of the hunting feast that they couldn’t even tell if I was there or not.

“A good morning to you.” – said Opa when I got into my private quarters. I was wrong. Someone noticed.

I gasped and turned to face her. She was sitting on the foot of my bed, right leg placed above the other. She was drinking her morning tea with her right hand. Pinky raised on the air and the other hand holding a saucer, supporting the teacup.

“Stepmother, I-“

She clicked her tongue continuously and shook her head. She didn’t even give me time to explain for myself. Her eyes, as usual, looked like arrows pointing at me, ready for release.

“I always knew you’re gonna be trouble. Your father would be very disappointed that once again, you disobeyed his orders.”

Opa looked at me like I’m an insect, from head to toe and I made sure that she doesn’t notice the difficulty I’m suffering to stand tall and steady.

“Alone in the forest in the most dangerous time of night. If something happens to you…”

She circled me, looking at me from head to foot. I followed her with my eyes.

“Isn’t that what you want? You can stop pretending you care, Opa.”

With no warning, she pulled my hair, making me lean backward. The pain I felt in my knees worsened and I let out a sound of pain.

“Don’t play cute with me, you little crap. I’m trying to be nice here.”

I gulped. I didn’t say anything anymore for the fear of what else she’ll do to me.

“You went to the forest alone, disobeyed your father, and now you’re getting on my nerves.”

Opa still hasn’t let go of my hair. It hurts, making my head throb.

“Not alone. I was with someone.” – my tongue slipped.

Opa finally let go and raised one of her brows. Right down the rabbit hole I voluntarily jumped.

“Someone? You have no friends in the Glasswood. Who is this someone?”

I bit the insides of my cheeks. It’s like I said something to cause my own incrimination.

“I’m sorry… I meant I was alone, yes.”

But taking it back seemed to be impossible already. I already admitted it to Opa, surely she won’t let it go anymore.

“Make sure you’re not lying. Your father may be very loving of you but don’t test his limits. He can take away your liberty anytime.”

As if that wasn’t partially taken away from me. It is… especially on most days. Like during the hunt when I’m not allowed to join because I haven’t had my first transformation yet.

“I won’t do it again.”

I lowered my head. Besides, even if I keep on explaining, Opa will only listen to herself.

She got back to the foot of the bed where she was sitting on a while ago. She took the last sip of chamomile tea from the cup and left the utensils on the table.

She walked out of my room humming, claiming her victory on an early morning.

Now that the door’s closed, I had no choice but to drop the act. I crashed on the bed and closed my eyes. Remembering the night before wasn’t that hard as it never left my memory.

His skin against mine.

His breath on my ear.

His lips grazing my neck.

I grimaced… I haven’t even asked for his name. And… whether or not I shall see him again. I want to see him again. He knows my name. He knows my wolf tribe. I hope that’s enough for him to find me.

But then of course, there’s a knock on the door to disrupt my daydreaming again.

“Give me a minute!”

I used the time to change my clothes into a more decent one. I already have a clue on who’s the person on the other side of the door is. I don’t want him to see me looking like this. Who knows? There may be some mud patches on the soles of my dress.

After I looked at my reflection on the mirror and fixed the strayed hair on the side of my face, I walked to the door and faced my intruder.

“What took you so long to open the door?”

As what I expected, it was the king.

“I was changing my clothes, my king. I just woke up.”

These days, I’m already getting used to me lying. Dad frowned. I hope he bought it.

“Okay, then. Breakfast has been served in the main hall. You might miss it.”

That’s it? Did Opa told him something?

“I’ll be there shortly, my king.” – I said and curtseyed

He nodded and just when I thought he’s getting out of the room already, he held a finger.

“One more thing. I talked with an oracle last night. She said this month is going to be very fateful for you. She said she has a feeling you’ll have your first transformation on the next full moon. You will be an official she-wolf.”

I raised a brow.

“You don’t believe in oracles, I know. But you have to open yourself to the possibility.”

The oracle must be correct. I’ve been waiting for so long. I crave to be a wolf already. I want to belong. I want to hunt. I want to feel valued like the rest.

If she’s right, that means I’ll meet my mate soon too. Or maybe I already did.

There’s a problem here though. That tattoo on his right shoulder… I recognized it. It’s the mark of the Vargulfs.

He’s a Vargulf. Dad’s gonna kill me if he knows.