Written by the Moon

22~ ZAFEYA

I can already see the others in a distance. Even Forest just arrived with a wild pig. I guess, I came last. Cloud is still beside me talking nonsense. I sighed as she hasn’t stopped bugging me. As soon as we arrived at the practice ground, I lazily dropped the pig.

I saw Cloud immediately run to her brother who has been relieved on seeing me. I walked towards Markus. He smiled warmly when he saw my tired face. I rolled my eyes when he gave me a pitying look.

“Where were you? Forest came first but came back to the forest to look for you,” he tapped my back.

My eyes widened a fraction as to what he said. Forest came first but came back to the forest to look for me? Why the heck would he do that? I turned to Forests’ direction. His face is evident of exhaustion. He looked worried but relieved. I raised my brow at him and he just sighed at me.

Cloud kept on bugging him but he didn’t look at his sister. I sighed heavily and nodded at Mark. It wouldn’t concern me if he did look for me. well, at least he’s seeing me now. I blinked a couple of times

“I’ll be in my room to rest.” I walked away.

“Are you not going to talk to him? He was worried, Nav. We also came to look for you because he couldn’t calm down.”

I gritted my teeth. So, what? I’m here now. safe and sound. Not a scratch but with an annoying little girl. I puffed a lot of air and just laugh it out.

“Nothing happened, Mark. Everyone is fine.” I shrugged my shoulders.

I walked to the porch. Everybody was still looking at me even if I was walking away. I’m just tired. Emotionally, physically and mentally. I want to go to bed and sleep. I just wished I didn’t have to come with Forest or with the others.

I’m drained thinking about Forest. As soon as I arrived in my room, I went to my bed and got my pen. I immitted the light. I called for the Moon Goddess. I believe she’s the only one who can comfort me. With my problems concerning Forest, she’s the only one who can answer my unanswered questions.

I closed my eyes as I chanted a prayer, calling for the Moon Goddess. It’s almost night and I really need her now. I continued my prayer and my pen never stopped glowing. It drained me more when the Goddess never gave me answers. I used my powers for what?

I shouldn’t be this worked out especially that my powers are limited. I gave up and slumped in my bed. I stared at the ceiling for a while as I thought about Forest. It must be impossible for him to feel that way towards me.

It’s just impossible and immoral for his mate. But as long as I don’t reciprocate, I can handle this. Nothing is really confirmed yet. Everything is just an assumption as of now. I am scared of knowing the truth.

I am scared for the truth. Maybe that’s why the Goddess hasn’t answered me yet because I am still afraid of her answer. But if that’s the case, her answer might be the one I don’t ever want.

While I’m in-depth about my thoughts, my phone rang. I turned to my bedside table. I looked at my phone and saw an unregistered number. Either way, I shouldn’t have answered it.

“Hello?”

[“Are you in good condition?”]

His voice echoed in my ear all the way to my system. I closed my eyes and bit my lip. Damn it.

It took a while for me to answer.

“Did you see me without a limb earlier?” I tried to sound sarcastic.

[“I’m serious, Nav.”]

I swallowed hard when I realized he is really serious here. I sighed as I stood up on my bed and went to the balcony. I sat on a chair and gazed up at the sky. The moon isn’t up yet.

“I’m fine.”

[“What took you so long?”]

I thought about it then I closed my eyes. I can’t tell him that I’m bothered because of him. I licked my lips before answering.

“Ask your sister.”

[“Did she bother you?”]

“Obviously, yes.”

I heard him chuckle a little.

[“Sorry about that.”]

I shook my head even if he wouldn’t see me.

“She gave me good company, though.”

I waited for him to talk but there was a long pause. Silence but it was comforting to me. somehow, it comforted me. I smiled unconsciously and gazed up again at the sky. I can see the moon despite the bright sky. The night is nearing.

He hasn’t hung up yet. All I could hear on the line was his calm breathing. I pouted. It’s been minutes yet he didn’t bother to talk back. Has he forgotten that he’s still on the line?

[“I’m happy that you’re fine.”]

I blinked as I stared at the moon. I sighed heavily and ended the call without a word. I pursed my lips when I felt my cheeks going up for a smile. I looked up to the Moon and laughed a little. Why do I feel like the Goddess is playing with me?

I shook my head.

“Did you perhaps give me this special bond with my wolf, huh?” my eyes narrowed to the moon.

I went back inside. I sighed. As soon as the young witch turns eighteen, I can finally breathe properly. I haven’t confirmed any of my assumptions but I just want to make things clear for me. if he continues and the council knows about this, he might be punished.

It’s sad how this world doesn’t have any freedom. Freedom for the Witches and Wolves to choose the people they can love. But in my situation, I am happy he can’t choose in case my assumptions are real.

I received a text from Sham saying it’s time for dinner. I’d already expected that Forest and his friends hasn’t left yet but I still find myself shocked seeing them comfortable talking with Christiana at the table.

The dinner is louder than before. With the three Wolves, everything seemed fun but I was just quiet, eating my dinner. My mind is still occupied with Forest. The possibility that what he is possibly feeling now might destroy him. And also, me.

My mind was too occupied that I didn’t even notice that Forest has been eyeing me from time to time. He checks on me regularly. And of course, Cloud is watching us with her grin.

I lowered my head when Forest caught me red-handed staring at him. He smiled gently after I avoided my gaze. Cloud has been grinning but then pouted when I avoided my eyes.

“Are you avoiding my brother, old hag?”

Everybody just snapped their heads at Cloud then to me. I rolled my eyes. She just literally called me an old hag in front of the food. I sighed.

I looked at the others but their more concerned for my answer than a fifteen-year-old saying such words.

Wow.

If she were in Paredes, she would have punishments for two months.

I blinked a couple of times before answering the child,

“We just had a small argument. Nothing serious for me to avoid him,” I looked at Forest and made a small smile just to show everyone that were both fine but he only nodded and never replied with my smile.

It was late for me to realize that I actually explained to the child rather than answer her sarcastically like what I usually do. I wanted to facepalm but what’s the use. I can’t take back what I said now.

“Nav and Forest, fix things up between you two. We don’t want any ruined friendships here,” Christiana smiled genuinely.

I nodded and swallowed hard.

“They’re friends?” Cloud asked out of the blue.

“Well, I’m not sure with Nav.”

I wanted to roll my eyes when Forest said that. I smiled sarcastically at all of them.

“Were… civil.”

Cloud made an o shape and was even more intrigued by what Forest and I have which is just a civil relationship. Nothing more.

I turned to look at Forest and he made an intense stare at me. I raised my brow at him with a smirk. But then everything felt half-hearted. I was determined to show only sarcasm and playfulness in my expression just to show that it was just civility I can offer him.

He pursed his lips and nodded once. He returned to his food and I did as well.

Whatever Forest is feeling now, I need to clarify to him that the only thing I can give him is my civil treatment. I am here to do my job well. I am not here to go back to Paredes in a failure to accomplish my mission. This is supposed to be a simple job to do but why does it feel so hard now?

After dinner finished, they went to the practice ground to learn some archery. I naturally would go back to my room and be rotten there but I gave myself a chance to just go out for once. I sat on a single chair and they’re all on the practice ground. I only watched them.

It’s entertaining though. I like watching them fail every bow they let go. I smiled looking at Cloud who has been in tantrums because she couldn’t make a bull’s eye.

My eyes suddenly went in Forests’ direction. I caught him staring at me. I was not surprised anymore. I already expected it. He smiled at me but I only nodded at him. I was supposed to look away but he walked closer to me while the others were busy with archery.

I raised my brow when he sighed as he went to me.

Confront him, my mind thought. I think it would be best to talk to him somewhere private. If the Moon Goddess can’t give me answers then I’ll just find it for myself. I opened my mouth to talk when he stopped coming closer. My brows furrowed when he looked into the vast forest.

“Hey,” I tried calling him but I think he just ignored it.

I stood up when he looked alerted and the other Wolves noticed it. I watched him as he prepared to run to the forest.

“What’s up, Kuya?” Cloud asked as she began to run with her bother.

My brows even furrowed with the term she used at Forest.

“Zafeya,”

It was a faint whisper but I heard it.

Zafeya. Who is she?

Without a word, I lost Forest in my eyes.

To be continued…