A Vow under the Moonlight

Chapter 4: Lurking Stranger

Cassandra knew that she always had eyes on her. Even as a young child, she was used to people watching her every move. So at first she did not mind the presence she felt observing her. However, it had unnerved her, as the eyes were feeling more and more predatory for some reason.

As someone who used to be at the top of the food chain, it unnerved her that someone was looking at her like she was prey. With a sharp intake of air, the mana mobilized at her command to locate who was stalking her. This seemed to make the other amused, and she felt a playful response in the mana she sent.Not amused at being entertainment for the other, she momentarily lost control of herself.

If someone were to see her now, they would notice the darkening of her green eyes and the enlargement of them in her annoyance. In one more burst of mana, she tried to lure whoever it was. But clearly the other had more composure than her; it only teased her and didn't show itself at all. Cassandra understood that if this continued, she was bound to lose if the other was with any ill intent.

So, she took a deep breath and felt the surroundings with her senses. Still, she cannot pinpoint where the person was. This frustrates her; it reminded her of her helplessness years ago when she was young and naive enough to believe no one would try to attempt anything on the grounds of who she is and what she represents.

Since she cannot find the source, she figures out that she needs to get away and make sure this lurker cannot follow her to her children. Making sure that she would not be seen by an unfortunate human, she went in the direction of an old shed in the garden. There she allowed her body to shift and run off to the forest.

Feeling the wind against her, Cassandra went to the lake at the heart of the forest. She thinks the place is good enough for a confrontation if the lurker is still following her. Far enough for humans to see anything off and to protect her children from the unknown presence.

Stopping at a rather steep rock, Cassandra turned to look at the direction of the mansion. The still and calm waters of the lake reflect a majestic wolf with raven fur as the moon's beam gently engulfs its features. Green eyes gleaming with calculating intelligence as it smelled the air for any foreign smell.Picking up a smell that was not natural with this forest environment. Teeth bare and threatening to whoever was following her. And out of precaution, she let the mana run free and spread under her influence to act and protect her if danger abounded.

She could feel something was indeed following her. The presence is obviously a skilled hunter. It stalks, it takes its time, and it was obviously deliberating on how to strike her. This reminded her of when her parents had taught her to hunt, a waiting game where the one who loses patience first dies.

Used to such a game, she was in no hurry. All muscles in her wolf body are tense. Her eyes were alert and her paws wide with her razor-sharp claws all out, anchoring her on the rocks she was standing on, ready to strike at the slightest hint of the lurker. She could take her time; her children are safe, the people are occupied in their vanity fair, and she was itching for a brawl she had not had for years now.

Her ears twitched as she heard amused laughter as someone was coming to view the clearing. The sound was melodic; she found herself momentarily enthralled before snapping out of it. Growling in the lurker's direction, she finally saw who was following her.

It was a man with blonde hair and the clearest blue eyes that Cassandra's eyes had ever laid upon. He was tall and quite well-built. He was dressed luxuriously, indicating someone holding a rank in society. And what really captured Cassandra's attention was how the mana reacts to his presence.

She didn't know who the man was, but he is no human for the mana to love him so much. Not even wolves of her caliber were that pampered by the mana, nor did her children, who were foretold by destiny, get this treatment. Instinct-wise and her own education tells her that the man should not be a bad entity for the mana to cling to them. Mana is notoriously selective about whom it interacts with, one of the many reasons why humans in general rarely have any magic.

"Pretty little wolf," he said with a smile, approaching with the careless confidence of someone who feared nothing. "You've taken such a long trek to lure me out here. Why don't we introduce each other?"

Cassandra did not deign to respond and protectively hunched her form to either attack or run at a moment's notice. The man saw this and stopped his approach at a distance. His eyes met hers directly as if reading her soul.

"Well, you're not pleased with my presence," the man said as a matter of fact. "Was it with how I suddenly intruded on your territory?"

Cassandra didn't respond still. She made no shift of her posture. Her eyes broke no contact with the man who was attempting to get a response from her.

"Okay." The man willingly backed away a few steps backward as Cassandra more or less made her stance clear. "It's rare for a wolf to come to this kingdom. Elves made sure that this place was free from foreign presences that didn't exist here prior to their downfall."

This made Cassandra's ears twitch for a moment at the mention of the Elves' role in this kingdom. While she didn't investigate in detail, she knew various treaties and pacts were made during the elven era that were made specially for humans. This knowledge was only available at the highest floor at the Tower of Knowledge back home for those who had earned great merit at the academy or had contributed to their kingdom significantly for them to gain access to restricted knowledge from previous species eras.

"Judging from your reaction, there is at least one elf involved in your presence here." The man easily made a connection. "Elves don't like to help wolves due to them being their downfall in the previous era. To think they helped one is a... wonder of time."

Cassandra knew that this man was more than knowledgeable enough to make a connection so easily. As she had not seen this man back home nor had she seen any records for anyone with his features among their population, she reckons he should be one of those of older species who either laid low after their eras passed or one of those free-spirited ones who does not want to be tied to anything. Most of these species do not need to access the tower to learn ancient secrets, as they often inherit knowledge through their bloodlines, or their own elders keep their own records and pass them through teaching or oral narratives.

She had to admit—she was curious about who the man was. Her wariness stemmed more from his sudden appearance and shadowed lurking than from any sense of threat. So far, the man’s calm response and his civil demeanor suggested he hold no malice toward her.

"Who are you?" Cassandra finally spoke, her voice low but firm.The man smiled, clearly delighted by her response. With a graceful bow, he said, "Alister Arsini, my lady. And you are?"

"Cassandra." That is the only thing she will tell this creature about herself. She could make up a lie for her name, but lying to this person feels weird. Like if she dares to lie in front of him, the other's displeasure will impact her badly.

"Beautiful name, my lady." The man smiled at her willingness to provide him a name. "Would you like to take a walk with me?"

"I would rather not, sir." Cassandra refused far too quickly. While she knows the other will not harm her subconsciously, something is seriously off about the man. Going with him is not advisable, as she does not know what he wants from her.

"That's a shame." The man looked downcast at the rejection but was still gentlemanly enough not to force her. "How about escorting you back to the mansion, if you don't mind, my lady?"

"I mind." Cassandra once again refused as she bolted away from the man. Her intuition was telling her that she is currently in a type of danger that is not really a threat to her life. But nevertheless, it will affect her in the long run.

Over the years she learned to listen to her intuition. It kept her and her children safe from most of the schemes thrown their way. Multiple times it saved her life on her journey to Ronin from threats she does not know to exist.

Her black fur blended her perfectly in the dark once she reached the trees. Here, where the moon's light was obscured by the branches and thick canopy of leaves above, finding her would be a challenge. With practice and ease, she lightened her steps to minimize any sounds coming from her movement.

She would have used mana to just distort the space and appear somewhere else. But the man's affinity with mana made her hesitate doing so. She felt that the man could more than disturb her command and spells by simply willing the mana to not listen to her.

She was a distance away from the lake, still in the direction away from the mansion and people. Not taking the risk of the man following her, she decided to linger longer in the forest. Until she was certain enough that he was no longer following, she wouldn't go home, at least until the break of dawn.

Besides, it had been so long since she had shifted as a wolf. She kind of misses being with nature as the wind brushes her fur. The way the moon gently lulls her to tranquility away from many expectations and judgments. And how it briefly made her feel like a young child who has no worries and let her curiosity drive her to be passionate.

Feeling, without whispers on her head, of the words she does not want to hear, of the mantras she has to live by just to raise her children away from her clan, she felt the urge to howl at the moon. To call upon her brethren as they used to do back home. Each howl represents a life, of someone who will always have her back, of a family who are willing to lay down their lives for each other.

Closing her eyes, she refrains from doing so. No one could respond to her howl here. The Williams' blood in this kingdom was way too diluted to bring forth their wolves. Her children are too young to be able to shift and join her. And most importantly, humans will likely organize a hunting party to slay the beast in the forest.

She supposed being this free for a moment was something she should be thankful for. With a gentle huff, she once again sprinted to the forest with the energy of a young wolf, should she be in her age among her people. She should still be at the academy, socializing with peers and making alliances for the family through schooling, making a name for herself and her people, and without worries of men who wanted to exploit and use her.

Letting out repressed urges and living with people who cannot know her secrets. She ran, bathed in the moonlight, followed the fireflies, and even teased the prey she was doing while she was goofing around.

Perhaps it has indeed been too long. She lost track of time and the fact that she does have a lurker following her every movement. Unknowingly, she sparked an interest from a man who will turn her already upturned life even more upside down.