Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Ashley

After roaming the forest for over five to six hours, I was beginning to doubt that there was any river out there.

The sun was showing its distinct qualities to planet earth as if it was auditioning for the job of melting people alive.

The heat and the sun made the experience even more annoying.

I was so exhausted, that I staggered to a get to a nearby tree to relax, I pulled out a water bottle from my bag and gulped down the remaining content.

I have trekked so much, and am still unable to get to the river. The bad part is I don't even know where I am at the moment.

I don't know where I am and don't know where I am headed, I might as well build a shelter for myself here because I don't think I can ever make it out of this place.

The gentle breeze that caressed my skin as I sat under the tree shield made me feel asleep as my eyelids were becoming very heavy to carry.

But, While I was still struggling to stay awake, I saw the she-wolf from last night.

The one that came before the rogues, she just stood there looking at me and I may be crazy but it felt like she was trying to tell me something.

I wiped my eyes, trying to get rid of the sleep to have a better view of the she-wolf.

She gestured for me to follow her.

I was a bit reluctant as I looked around to ascertain that she was alone and that I was not walking into a trap.

There was this calm familiar aura that came with her presence. I may be wolfless but I felt a strong connection to her, it was as if I had seen her before.

She smiled and gestured for me to come quickly and I had to follow my instinct.

I stood up and followed her directions, she was ahead of me while I was walking behind her. After about forty-five minutes of walking, we got to the river.

To think that I have been roaming around just to find this place that wasn't so far baffled me.

“Thank you,” I said to her as  I rushed over to refill my keg of water and took some of the plants that were required of me to bring back with me.

Alex is going to be so proud of me, I told myself as I was filled with excitement.

I don't know why I can't get Alex off my mind, even if I keep reminding myself that he is way off my league.

When I was done I looked around to see that the she-wolf had left.  I looked to see if there was any sign of her but she was nowhere in sight.

It was getting late in the evening, and I decided to walk some distance before camping.

After walking for some time and it was getting too dark to continue, I stopped and set up a campfire to keep warm.

I was half asleep when I heard movement beside me, I opened my eyes and saw it was Jessica.

She was looking tattered and unkempt,  I wonder what happened to her. I wanted to rush toward her to ask her what the problem was.

But when I remembered how she abandoned me with the rogues, I decided to remain seated and also so I don't get slapped.

As she moved closer, I noticed she was no longer holding her bag, and this heightens my curiosity.

But I was always careful not to piss her off.

Even though she was looking frail, she looked at me with so much disguise that I felt so uncomfortable with her presence.

****

Jessica

After wandering in the forest the whole day with no food or water, I thought I was going to die at some point.

I finally got to where the river is and that was when I saw the slave girl, I was surprised as to how she was able to find her way there.

My first instinct was to kill her right there, the river site would be a perfect spot to kill her, so I can dispose of her body in the river. That way nobody will ever get to know what happened to her.

I had to stop my plans when I saw the she-wolf with her. I could recognize her from last night when I was beating the slave girl up.

I wonder what the relationship between the two is. It's almost as if that wolf is protecting the slave girl and I don't know who the fuck the she-wolf is.

Not that I won't be able to kill the both of them if I wanted to, but there is something about that wolf that made me think twice about killing them.

Maybe Derrick's assumption that the slave girl is their true mate of Alexander, is true after all. And that the moon goddess has sent a protector to guild her from all harm.

And what if I kill the slave girl and Alexander is heartbroken and decides to tear the entire kingdom down?

Alexander's anger is not something that anyone would want to see.

But can I submit myself to a common slave?

Nevertheless, I don't have to kill her, at least not for now, I will pretend to be friends with her. That way when I finally strike no one would suspect me.

It's going to be difficult but I will try.

After reaching that decision I waited for the slave girl to finish what she was doing at the river.

I watched her with envy as she cut the flowers that were requested of her.

I was also waiting to see if she was going to communicate with the she-wolf, but I noticed that the she-wolf had left unnoticed by either of us.

I secretly followed the slave to this place all the while trying to keep myself from strangling her.

I can see that she is not so thrilled to see me and honestly the feeling is mutual. But if I am going to pretend to be her friend, I should try to make her accept me back.

“I'm sorry about last night, what I did was despicable, I realized my mistake as soon as I left and I tried coming back for you, but you were gone," I said calmly, even though the words were heavy for me to say.

I looked at her and wonder what was going through her mind, her expression shows that she is surprised by my apology.

“It's okay, it's good to have you back,” she said with a faint smile.

“Thank you so much, you have a kind heart, I can see that you have gotten the flower that was asked of you, how we're you able to locate the river,” I asked, waiting to see if she would spill any information about the mysterious she-wolf.

“I don't even know how I got there, but I am really happy that I did,” she said, unable to hide her happiness.

“I know with all that has happened between us, you properly think the worst of me. But I want you to know that I now have a change of heart,” I said convincingly to her.

“It's alright, I'm glad you said that, what happened to your bag,” she said as she sighed deeply.

“I misplaced it and can't seem to find it was that I left it,” I said as I sit close to her.

“We will go looking for it in the morning before returning home,”

“I don't think it's very important, what's important is that you have what you came here for, I am sure Alexander can't wait to meet his Luna,” I said to her in a fake smile I tried plastering across my face.

She smiled and blushed as soon as I mentioned Alexander, but she was quick to switch her mood.

“I have some snacks if you don't mind,” she said opening her bag to bring out some chips and handing them over to me.

My stomach was seriously rumbling at the sight of food finally, I thank her before collecting the snacks and within minutes I had munched them all.

She offered me water that I took and after some time I felt a bit of energy.

“We need to sleep now, tomorrow is going to be a long day,” she said getting ready to go back to sleep.

“Yeah, don't worry I will watch over you as your protector,” I said

“You look like you need a lot of rest,” she said playfully.

“Protectors don't rest, that way they keep safe the luna of the kingdom. I have a feeling we are going to be great friends,” I said as I stood up to pretend to take a patrol of the night.

“I'm sure we will be,” she said with a nice smile.

“One last question though,” I asked as soon as I noticed she was getting comfortable with me.

“Yes, what is it?”

“How did you manage to get away from those rogues?” The question seems to have thrown her off a bit.

“I ran like my entire life depended on it,” she said with laughter.

I laughed along with her, even though I didn't believe a word that came out of her mouth. There is no fucking way she could have outrun those rogues.

Something happened last night and I will not rest till I find out what happened.

Within seconds she was already asleep and snoring disgusting, at least that was what it sounded in my ears.

How gullible to fool.