MOONLIGHT FATE

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2

Emily woke up the next morning feeling much better than the night before. It’s her birthday! She opened her eyes yet not leaving the bed, she felt different. She felt her lunar sense heightened. Her thoughts swayed, and then she remembered the night before when she met the stranger, her suspicions came again. She knows that the stranger is up to something and she has to figure it out, but not today. She sighed as she stepped down from the bed. At first, she couldn't feel her feet because of the changes that took place. She eventually stepped down and went to the bathroom to freshen up, humming under her breath. She got out a few minutes later only to meet her brother sitting on her bed with a gift in his hands.

"Happy birthday little sissy," Leonardo said as he stood up to hug her.

"Brother mine, thank you," she said tearfully.

"No! No!!, Don't cry today; it’s your birthday, not a day of tears,s, so clean up your eyes." Emily nodded in response, not wanting to say anything because she knew that she was going to break down. Leonardo led her to the bed as they sat.

"So what do you have for your baby sissy?" She asked anxiously with a smile on her face.

'Close your eyes, it is a surprise." Emily closed her eyes in anticipation, ready to receive whatever her brother had to offer her.

"Tada!!" Leonardo exclaimed as Emily opened her eyes. He handed her a small, intricately carved wooden box. Emily's eyes widened as she opened the box, revealing a beautiful silver necklace adorned with a small, glowing moonstone. She stood on her toes as she hugged him tightly.

"Thank you brother mine." Leonardo finally left her room leaving her to her dressing. There is something about Emily, she doesn’t like to be dressed by maids but by herself.

The Grey packs buzzed with activities. Emily's family and friends gathered in the grand hall, adorned with balloons and streamers. She bent her head slightly to everyone who greeted or wished her. Emily raised her eyes and saw her best friend standing at the entrance of the door with a teasing smile on her face. The two ladies found themselves running towards each other. Then pulled themselves for a hug.

"Happy birthday, bestie."

"Thank you, Flora. You said you were not going to be around because of the responsibilities you have to carry out."

"Oops!, you believed that blockhead? How and why will I be busy on my friend's birthday? Let’s go cut your cake."

Cake? Flora, you brought cake for me? Oh, I so much love you." Emily said happily earning a grin from Flora. They got to the big cake with four steps decorated with moon ice with candlelight lit around it.

"Everyone gathers around as her lady blows the candlelight." Flora voiced out. Emily stepped into the middle of the crowd with pride as she blew the candle off signaling the beginning of the birthday party. Emily pulled Flora along to the setters made up for the birthday girl as they sat down.

"Flora, how did you escape your husband? I mean, both of us know that your brother does not release you to go on occasion. Why is this exceptional?" Emily asked curiously.

'Well! Well!! Well!!! I spent five days before today trying to convince him to let me go. At first, he proved adamant and insisted I wasn’t going to come, but when I told him of the relationship between us, he let me go. Emily was about to reply when Leonardo came interrupting their discussion.

"Flora dear, thank you for coming, but please, can I hijack my little sissy from here. I need to discuss something with her."

"It’s no problem, Leo. You don’t have to ask. Emily, run along with your brother while I remain here to watch over the party." Emily smiled in appreciation, pecking her cheeks before leaving with her brother. Leonardo faced Emily's concern written all over his face.

"Emily, we need to talk."

"Brother mine, hope no problem?" Emily asked worriedly following Leonardo to a silent corner.

"I need to know who you met at the forest last night; it has been bothering me, so you have to tell me. We did not end up discussing it yesterday because you slept off." Leonardo asked with furrowed brows. Emily hesitated on what to tell him. She does not want to reveal who she met in the forest and racked her brain for something else to say.

"Brother, you don’t need to be bothered. It was just a passerby. I did not see the person's face though." Leonardo looked at Emily suspiciously not convinced. He shrugged it off. Now was not the time to pressurize her.

"If you say so, little sissy, but be careful of outsiders, we can't trust them." Emily nodded in understanding as her mind wandered back to Ridan. What secrets did he hide?

As the celebration wound down, Emily excused herself, seeking fresh air and breathing space from the choking presence of the crowd. The night was crisp with the stars twinkling above. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, Ridan.

"I did not expect to see again so soon," Emily said, her heart racing. Ridan's smile was enigmatic.

"I could not stay away." Emily's instinct screamed a warning, but her curiosity kept her rooted.

"What do you want?" Emily asked, trying to sound firm.

"I want to know you, Emily." Ridan eyes locked onto hers. Emily's pulse quickened. No one has ever looked at her that way before.

‘I don’t think that is a good idea.” Emily said trying to step back. Ridan’s hands reached out, his fingers brushing against hers.

“why not?” The touch sent a shiver down her spine.

“Because you are dangerous. Because I don’t know what you are capable of.” Emily thought. But could not bring herself to say it.

“I need to go,” Emily said instead, pulling her hand away. Ridan’s eyes lingered on hers, and for a moment, Emily felt trapped.

“Goodnight, Emily,” Ridan said, disappearing into the darkness. Emily watched him go, her heart racing. What had just happened?