Chapter 9 Separate

• FUKAYNA
• “You must be kidding me, wolf!” I answered him in my head, just as usual. But my eyes were still on the stranger’s. I could clearly see myself in those wonderful globes despite our predicament.
• Pain completely forgotten⸺or healed⸺it was all him I could focus on at that moment. I never thought time would practically stand still at that very second.
• Why was I drawn to him? He was merely human. How could I have a mate like him? This was impossible.
• “It’s rare but not impossible,” my alter wolf pointed out.
• “Still, this could be your mistake, Neb Er Tcher!” I protested. “You’re wrong! Something must have gone into your head when I drank the potion!”
• He sighed, and I could picture him scratching his head. “You brat! I’m sure of it! Potion or no potion!”
• “Hey, are you okay?”
• I heard the stranger ask me again. Hence, I blinked from my daze. His eyes fell on my wounded leg and thigh. The blood was still on my skin, but the wounds were closing up.
• “Y-yeah.” I stood up.
• He looked at me inquiringly. “We must get out of here fast,” he suggested, glancing around us to check if there were more vampires.
• I followed him, still in awe. There were pieces of slain vampires here and there as we progressed. By sunrise, all these will turn to dust. They would probably be blown by the wind and join the earth. May they rest in peace finally.
• “You’re bleeding,” I stated the obvious. His face was covered in blood. His clothes were soaked in red. He indeed had a rough night. I was glad he was alive. At the same time, I admired him.
• Oh, my savior! I had never thought I’d be saved by a mere human tonight. Back there, I thought my life would end, as the venom spread throughout my system. But now, I’m better.
• “I’m fine,” he said.
• I tore my dress and held his arm. He turned to look at me. It was easy to meet his eyes since we were of the same height. His build was a normal teenager, and he was average looking, not too handsome. His long light brown hair was becoming on him, minus the blood that was stuck in it. I could sense the soft side of him. He must be a nice person.
• “Just let me take care of it,” I insisted.
• He stared at me as I began to reach for his head to wrap the torn cloth around his head.
• “That’s better,” I said with a small smile.
• “Thanks,” his limited reply.
• We resumed walking cautiously. We could hear some screams in the distance, and we moved away from it. Howls followed. I recognized them as my father’s sentinels’. By now, they must have reported that they lost me and the “intruder.” Maybe they would realize it was just me, and I began to wonder how Caturix would feel if he’d realized it was me he had bitten and had almost torn to pieces. Anyway, I could just imagine his regret and more. For sure, he would swear to my father he would find me. Well, good luck with that.
• “Stop!” my wolf said suddenly.
• I automatically held my savior’s hand and urged him to hide behind a fat pine tree.
• “It’s Alpha Zygmunt,” Neb Er Tcher informed me.
• “Seriously? He hasn’t given up on me yet?” My eyes grew round. I did not expect he’d pursue me, too. What was he planning?
• “Your fathers have already reached an agreement, remember? You’re going to be his future Luna.”
• I scoffed at that, making my companion turn his gaze to me. I didn’t bother to explain what made me scoff. I just pulled him to move forward, since the Polish werewolf moved away, with his pack behind him. He must have followed my fake scent that I left behind. Thing was, the spell would always throw the chasers away from my direction. What a genius Relia was.
• “I think we must go our separate ways now.” My savior spoke a few hours later.
• My face fell. “What?”
• “It’s almost sunrise. I’m sure we’ll be fine now,” he said.
• “B-but you’re… my mate!” I stuttered.
• His face contorted into a frown. “What? What are you talking about?”
• I raised my chin. “You’re my mate! We shouldn’t be separated!”
• His eyes roved all over my face. “Don’t be ridiculous! Do you even know what you’re talking about?”
• “Of course! I’m Fukayna Lupu. What’s your name?” I asked instead.
• He shook his head. “There’s no need for you to know. We’re going to go our separate ways, understand? Forget whatever happened tonight, don’t talk about it to anyone, and let’s not meet each other again in the future. Understand?” His voice was firm, and his face was serious.
• The moment he said those words, my heart was gripped tighter inside my chest. No, it wasn’t the vampire venom that was probably still in my bloodstream. It could take a couple of days before it would be cleared out of my system.
• I was just standing frozen on the spot. He didn’t even turn to look at me when he left. I could hear my heart breaking that I could not breathe properly. My hand clutched at my chest. I rubbed it with my fist, trying to ease the pain away.
• “He must be in shock,” my wolf said, trying to console me.
• “And maybe you’re wrong. Maybe… maybe once he’s gone, this pain will go away, and I’ll be fine,” I countered, barely noticing the tears rolling down my soiled cheeks. I realized it when I wiped them away. “Maybe he finds me ugly, because of how I look right now. Just look what a mess I’m in. Maybe that’s the reason why he rejected me. Right, Neb Er Tcher?”
• I heard him sigh. Clearly, he had no words to say that could make me feel better.
• I stayed in my spot for a few more minutes until the sun rose in the east. There were no more screams. Only the gentle whisper of the wind could be heard.
• A glimmer of white light appeared before me.
• “This is it. Follow the light, Kayna,” my wolf coaxed me.
• I needed him not to repeat it. My feet seemed to have a mind of their own. They moved towards the light.
• “What’s waiting for us at the end of this light, Neb Er Tcher? Is it really safe there?” I asked, seemingly in a daze.