THE UNTAMED LUNA

CONSIDERATION

"Yes, I was. I wanted to assure myself that you were okay. I hope that doesn't bother you," he said.

"No, not at all. In fact, it helped to reduce the pain." I told him honestly.

"I'm actually surprised you could smell me from that distance already. It's impressive." He praised me, so I felt a blush on my cheeks. While I stare at his adorable smile as always.

"Next is touch. That is a big one. And, obviously, I have been avoiding it." He confesses.

"But why exactly? Don't you want to hold me?"

I asked with a little insecurity. I looked at him right in the eyes while waiting for his answer.

"I want to hold you more than anything in this world. Don't ever doubt that. But once we have made that connection, the pain will get worse when we are apart. It speeds up the bonding process. I want to be as close to you as possible, but I also don't want to see you suffer. So, I decided that I shouldn't touch you at all until we decide to be permanently bonded." He explained.

"Okay, please explain that further. What do you mean by permanently bonded?"

"Well, it's different than you would expect. At a wedding ceremony, for example, the bride and groom would exchange rings and their vows in front of their friends and family. Those wedding rings show the world that I am yours, and you are mine."

I nodded at him in acknowledgement. Then he continued and said, "But for us, it's a little more personal and private. I would bite your neck. My mark on you shows that you are mine. Our scent will change slightly after that. Mine and yours will mingle, and people of our kind can smell it."

His words left me perplexed, making it difficult for me to grasp the reality of my situation.

"My mom has a mark on her neck. I asked about it once when I was little. She said she would rather not talk about it. She has always worn her hair long and tries to cover it. I just assumed it was a scar from something bad that happened to her." Marvin tells me.

"Oh really?"

"Yes, I have seen it. She showed it with pride when I was young. We had a little celebration here at our house for her and your father. Sort of like a wedding reception."

"So, what will happen after I receive my mark"? I asked him.

"We will be having a celebration the next day, as I mentioned. Some people go all out and have a full-on wedding. After we wear each other's marks, our bodies and minds stop trying to get us together. So, the pain stops; the headaches and inability to concentrate stop." He explained well.

"That's great! So why don't we do that now?" I sincerely asked

"Well, there are more lessons and rituals that must be done, not just receiving my mark. You have to agree with that. Also, you need to reach the age of eighteen. You also need to know more about our way of life. Your father never explained those things to your mom. She didn't understand that we are one family. That's why this detailed information left her hanging when he died."

"Okay. That makes sense. I want to learn more about your way of life. I want to know everything about you. I want to be a part of it." I said. I think this is the first thing that I should learn from the beginning.

"You have no idea how happy I am. There are so many things I want to share with you. But our people are very private about what makes us different. We don't disclose it to anyone else. We will make an exception for your dad. I know you are very close to him, so I would never do anything that would cause any problem between you and your dad." He reassures me.

"Let's head into the kitchen and see what's going on with our moms. I have a feeling that there is a big meal today." He suggested. So I followed Marvin until I saw the two women cooking and talking like old friends. I'm so glad Mom has Jolina back.

I realize, It was such a horrible time after Dad died. The whole family suffered the loss, and I'm sure Mom feels the same. She wanted to forget everything, so she left the town and stayed in Surigao with me until she met my stepfather.

"Hey, how did it go?" Mom asked me hesitantly.

"It went very well. I've agreed to learn more about the family. I'm very excited," I said. Mom gave me a hug, and the same for Jolina.

"Let's eat," Jolina said.

We did stop our drama, and we all sat down around the kitchen table, eating like we were starving. We don't say anything significant about our recent revelations. Just normal, everyday chitchat. Then I tried to ask "Mom, how do you feel about me dating my teacher?"

The three were all silent for a moment. Mom, looks at me.

"Well, I can't really disapprove, since I love Marvin. But that doesn't make sense because... your father was my college psychology professor too." Mom confesses.

"Whaattt...? " I said in shock.

"Yes, sweetie, we dated secretly. The books in the library are only witnesses to how we loved each other."

"You really did it, huh?" Jolina said.

"I can't help it! I'm sure Robert too..." Mom replied. I knew it! Mother likes a daughter. Being blushing for myself, I feel shy in front of them.

Her teacher was her soulmate. They dated. They marked each other as theirs. And she got pregnant with me? How did they manage that without anyone finding out?

Mom noticed me in silence.

"We can talk about that later, sweetie. I will tell you everything. I promise." She assured me. Alright. But I don't think Dad will accept my situation, as he accepted and loved Mom. And I'm also younger than she was. Not much, though.

"Abby Jezz, soul mates are bound to each other, no matter the obstacles. Our people don't let things like that stand in our way. We are on your side, one hundred percent. Don't worry. We will help you with all the logistics. You need to spend as much time together as possible for your health. Also, you need to know what to expect when you turn 18. There will be some significant changes. And I want you to be ready for that." Jolina told me.

Huh? What kind of changes? I wonder. Did they think of a good plan for my future? Or are they setting me up to marry his son? I stared at Jolina in confusion.

"We will talk about that later too." Jolina said, patting my hand. I look at Marvin. He had no reaction; instead, he started to get the pork and spoon placed in front of him and started eating; the same with the twins.

Then I suddenly remember last week, I ventured outside my house and spent some time in the backyard. As I indulged in my book, I suddenly caught wind of someone approaching me. With each step, the tree above me displayed broken and lifeless branches. Droplets of saliva had fallen to the ground, leaving a distinct scent in the air. It wasn't Marvin's scent, nor was it present in Jolina's place or at school. Despite the peculiar odor, I brushed it off, convinced that there was nothing out of the ordinary. Or so I thought. It crossed my mind that perhaps it was just a stray dog aimlessly wandering about.

These past few days, as my mother pulled over on the way back home, I detected a familiar scent in the air. Numerous individuals walk past, but one figure stands out - an elderly man seated at a distance, clutching a dog leash. His canine companion sits beside him, observing his surroundings. The man's face remains hidden beneath a hooded shirt, revealing only his muscular physique, hairy arms, and a lengthy mustache. As I gaze at him, a peculiar sensation accompanies the wind, which unexpectedly whispers my name in my ear.

"Jeeezz. Jeeezz."

Who is he...?

As I daydreamed, I failed to notice the curious gazes directed towards me. It seems they believe I lack an appetite.

"Sweetie, are you alright?"