chapter 10

As hunter kissed safia, she found herself kissing him back, it started sweet and slow, then it turned into something more passionate, when they broke the kiss for air, they're both out of breath, like they ran a thousand miles,  

 safia has never experience a kissed before, but only read about it in the romance novels she sneaks into her room without her Father's knowledge,  

 now passionately looking into Hunter's deep ocean blue eyes, trying not to get lost in them and also paying attention to what she's feeling

  safia feels light headed, her vision a blur and thoughts unclear, she's breathing just fine but she feels like someone is stealing half the air before she inhales it, through all that she understands only one thing, she liked it.

 unbeknownst to her hunter is going through a similar thing, he tries to look away or say something, anything, but he couldn't, all sounds have gone off and he can only hear the soft short breaths safia takes, her beautiful eyes that paralyze him, and plush lips stealing any sane thoughts he has replacing them with a burning yearning

 unconsciously without any thoughts, slowly hunter just saw his hands removing safia's soft hairband, letting her long dark hair cascades behind her

 he whispers * ....do you wanna see something cool....* still not in full control of herself safia nods a yes, excitedly hunter held  her hand and lead them deeper into the forest, not saying anything or asking where he's taking her, safia trustfully followed him

  after a long time, maybe hours safia wasn't keeping track, she's too lost in looking at hunter carefully leading her through the forest to a different path she's never seen or heard of before, different beautiful flowers blooming happily all around, some small and some big they had to go around them

 suddenly hunter stopped, he looks towards safia with a shy smile,  he spoke * you staring at me like that....* his words brought safia back down to earth, she quickly looked down and smile, she stammers trying to cover her embarrassingly redding face

 * I...well..it's...you're....* hunter chuckles and softly spoke * safia....we're here * he gestures, safia raise her eyes to look at the unfamiliar place

  immediately her eyes widen at the picturesque scene before her, in a big clearing surrounded by pretty flowers, a cherry tree stood firm and real, not just any cherry tree,  but the one close to the werewolves, 

 its roots and branches are silver, its leafs are a deep color between reddish pink and light green,  so many delicious looking plump Cherries popping out

  the sight left safia speechless, the only thing she managed to do is keep staring with her mouth agape, hunter smiled and close her mouth, saying, *yes, that's the cherry tree where you'll find the werewolves, ...even though they haven't been seen for a long time* 

.safia's thankful that the werewolves aren't here, because she haven't decided who's story to believe yet, and if it turns out her father is right, then they could be in serious danger, but if Hunter's the one who's right, then she needs to find the werewolves as soon as possible, but for now, she's going to live in the present.

  *wow..... it's so beautiful* safia breathed out, but hunter heard her due to his super hearing as a werewolf, he corrected * we....I mean, the werewolves don't call the tree it, they call her cherry, *  * that's amazing, but...how come nobody knows about cherry but the werewolves* safia asked, hunter answered, * that's because nobody has the courage to venture this deep into the forest, 

 but the king knows, he also knows that anybody who dares to get close with ill intentions will be destroyed by cherry, no matter how powerful or many, and she protect the innocent ones, with pure hearts, 

 be it a human or a werewolf, and only offer her fruits to the ones who truly deserve it,..... she once offered me her fruits when I was little, when my parents were murdered, she's like...magic, she doesn't need any season, her fruits are always there, eternal*.

 And right that moment cherry extend one of  her roots towards safia, safia was a little surprised, she looked at hunter, and knowing what she's thinking, he said * she's welcoming you, don't be afraid, go to her* trusting him again, safia accept Cherry's extended root, and moved closer to her, 

 the tree started to glow and soon safia can be seen in the middle with lots of colorful leafs surrounding her, and when they settle she saw a silver tree branch close to her, she looked towards hunter and he nods smiling, so she took the pinkish twin Cherries and whispered, "thank you" 

 she offered hunter one, he took and brought it to her lips, wanting to feed her, she shyly took a bite, and Oh My GOD, if euphoria could taste like anything, it would be this, hunter eat the rest, seeing what he did, she did same with hers, then she hugged him, and says, * thank you,.... thank you for showing me this hunter,* he tightly hugged her back, safia was sad before, but now, she's happier than ever.

She asked, * Hunter, I saw some similarities between your parents murder, and the King's and Queen's, they were both slowly poisoned by the one they trust?* hunter gave a short nervous laugh and replied, * no no, it's a complete...coincidence, *noting that he's obviously lying, she decides to leave it for later, so she says, * okay* and hugged him again

  she thought (  maybe his parents were friends with the late queen and king..or relatives perhaps?)

While they're busy embracing, inside the huge mountain behind them, through a small gap, the only gap on the mountain, shaped like a mini window, a particular middle age man with light brown skin was watching them, he smiled a sad smile and went back inside, 

As safia lets go of hunter, she realize that it's very late, they took too long to get hare, so she said * I think I should go back now, thank you for this hunter, I really appreciate it *   *  you don't have to thank me, I'll do anything for you* 

 safia stared at hunter with disbelief, she whispers * but....we just met..* hunter replied confidently * even better, I'll have more time to get to know you....understand you...cherish you, adore you, protect you...* safia cuts him with a *shhh....hunter this is...*

 he shook his head, held both her tiny hands in his big ones and spoke with a soft but sure voice while looking into her beautiful round eyes * I mean it safia, I meant every single word i said, safia you are special to me, much more special and precious than you could ever think.*

 safia was speechless, her heart did several backflips, butterfly dance a tsunami in her tummy, she tries to speak, to nod or even do anything, but she couldn't, all she could do was stand there and stare with teary eyes

 it has been so long since anyone called her special or precious, since her mother pass her life dulled, she was no longer her mommy's little precious, or daddy's cutie...she was just princess safia and can only carry out her princess duties

 but today, hunter...the stranger that stole her heart without her permission, the person that hunts her dreams and the very one she knows she can never have or be with for real, has now called her precious and special

 seeing safias teary eyes hunter smiled warmly at her, and softly patted her head, he whispers *safia....* she hums * hmm..* * it's late...come I'll take you back * safia nods

 so hunter led them back to the lake where they bid goodnight and parted ways.

_Hunter

when hunter reached the mountain home, it was already very late into the night, he head straight to his house aiming to rest, but was shock to find his uncle malik seated on the couch waiting for him

 he silently went and sat next him, uncle malik sighs before he state in an almost disappointing tune * ...you told her about the past* hunter kept quiet but nods

 his uncle spoke again * I'm not angry at you....I'm just concerned, you've only recently met her, it's still not safe to trust her completely.....but I know you're also sensible, and I hope you'll continue being sensible...*

with that uncle malik got up and left, leaving hunter seated alone with only his running thoughts, he sighs and lay there on the couch, eyes close and a deep frown on his handsome face

 _Safia 

when safia reached the comforts of her room, she's thankful that her dad is not banging at the door like last night, so closing her eyes she drift to a peaceful slumber

 .

.

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 when morning came, safia had her breakfast with sir Anthony, and like always he kept talking non stop, quickly getting up safia announce she's full, asking sir Anthony to go ahead first as she needs to use the bathroom

  but Instead she went to pick up a book about politics in the library, wanting to ask her history tutor to teach her more about politics, but when she reached the library and slowly peek through the double doors, to see if her father is there

 and he was there, but not sitting and reading like usual

 Instead she saw him entering the secret stairway holding a big cage filled with baby bunnies. She wondered, what will her father do with all those baby bunnies down there?....