chapter 17

__Safia

 deeply asleep safia suddenly felt a whisper right into her ear * wake up sleepy head * she knows that voice, its dad, she manage to murmur * why....* the whisper came again * to go jogging my dear...* opening one sleepy eye, safia glance towards the windows which curtains are slightly apart, * its still night papa * safia state, she heard him sighs, then came his voice full with kingly authority 

 * you are a princess, I'm a king, we need to and must keep our bodies in shape for the public eye, now get up, get ready, and meet me outside in 10 minutes * she heard the door open and closed

 safia lazily got up, removing her night gown she put on the attire only she is allowed to wear in the entire kingdom, she too ONLY on days like these.

  White jean short that went past her knees a little, and paired it with an oversized sparkling pink hoodie, slipping on white sneakers and hair tied Into a very messy bun, most covering half her face, safia made her way to the palace side gate where her father awaits her, its a small gate at the side of the palace, everyone is well aware of it because only the king and princess use the gate, thus its well guarded 

 upon reaching the gate she sight her father standing, clad in a gray wool sweater, she remembers when she and her mother made that sweater, the king paired it with black pants and white sneakers, looking so casual, something safia gets to see only on special occasions when the sun's still asleep, 

 walking up to him she greeted * good morning dad * * morning dear, ready to get fitting *her dad reply, * not really, getting up at 5am!, and why jogging again, have I gotten fat or something* the king chuckles

 * you're not fat, but you are fragile, jogging will help you develop a strong body, and besides when you marry you'll be queen to two kingdoms, getting up early would become your normal everyday routine * confused, safia ask * queen to two kingdoms? * 

    answered her dad *yes, you'll be the queen to his kingdom and this kingdom, and he'll be the King to his and this kingdom too, not that I'm retiring soon though,* safia just smiled, thinking "oh dear, how'd I put myself into all this marriage Fiasco, couldn't I have at least tell some other thing, but no, dump me has to mention, start looking for a groom" she signs and her father said, "oblivious to what she's actually thinking" *  I know it sounds like lots of work, but trust me, when you start ruling you'll never want to stop. * safia frown and ask  * why wouldn't I want to stop*

with a happy glint in his eyes king Travis answer * because my dear, ruling is power..and power is exciting, you'll understand what I mean when you become queen yourself, you wouldn't realize when you'd start doing whatever it takes to reign forever *

  replied safia  * IF forever exists that is, and besides, doing whatever it takes sounds a bit too...  intense,* with a chuckle king travis state  * nothing is intense when it comes to power dear, nothing*  and with that he opened the door at the side of the gate and step out, gesturing safia to come along

 Stepping one foot out before the other follow safia's jaw almost drop to the floor by the sight before her, around a dozen palace guards line up, all armed * papa its just jogging not war, why bother any guards at all! * safia let out loudly 

Hushing her, king travis replied * wrong, it's not just jogging, it's the King and the crown princess going jogging, many will take this as an opportunity to attack,*    *oh father, not every single soul in this world is trying to attack us, they definitely have something that needs their attention more than us* 

  With a smug smile the king spoke  * are you underestimating how popular we are* safia replied *no..but being popular doesn't mean everyone is trying to kill us, and even if we were to be attacked, it'll only be because we show them we're the royals, but if we just go jogging like a normal boring father and daughter, no one will recognize us or even pay any attention to us, and beside, jogging is supposed to be fun, and taking a dozen guards doesn't make it fun,* 

 The king does not like how safia is so interested in a normal life, she's a princess, she's suppose to hold her luxurious life dear, not be naive and simple, so he changed the topic * we're heading to the forest by the way * and just like he aimed, safia quickly forgot why she's fussing over too many guards or some normal life * the forest, like the forest outside the kingdom walls! *

With a satisfied smile the king reply * yes, do you see now why we need many guards, we are the royals of black moon kingdom. We can afford security, but if we were just some boring father and daughter, we couldn't afford any security to go to the forest, or would we? *

 As her father talks, safia was deep in though, she miss the forest, she miss Hunter, its only 2 days but it feels like months to her, she won't get to see him now but tonight she definitely will, he must be so worried about her, realizing that her father is waiting for her reply she quickly answered * yes father you're right, let's go * 

 They didn't venture deep into the forest but only stayed at the side, surrounded by the dozen guards, this isn't her first time jogging with her dad, so she knows its pointless to even try start a conversation, but its been so long since they jogged, maybe, just maybe, he'd talk to her

 * This feels nice, doesn't it? * .....* its been long since our last jog *....* would we be doing this more often now? * ....* dad?.... Feeling frustrated, safia suddenly stopped making everyone halt, her father turn to look at her and ask * What's wrong? * she replied, a little annoyed * oh now you're talking to me *

 The king sigh and started * we can't run and talk at the same time safia, jogging isn't a time for conversations * flop! Safia sat down on the floor, earning a scowl from the king

She spoke * fine....I'm tired let's just rest for awhile * pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration, king Travis spoke * you're tried this easily because you kept talking while running....just this once I'll allow you to rest, because its been long since you jog, and keep this in mind, a princess Does Not just sit anywhere she likes, especially the floor, and no matter how tired, she should never show  *safia just looked at her father, rolled her eyes and lay down on the floor,

 But something wasn't right where she layed down, turning her head to the side, inside the bushes, she met a pair of ocean blue eyes staring at her intensely, before she could react a guard suddenly shouted * Who's there! Show yourself! * and just like that, the person disappeared

 All the guards turn their weapons towards the bush, king Travis quickly pull safia up and held her behind him, guards instantly surround them while the other guards start searching the place, king Travis ask * Are you alright dear? * safia nods, still in a little daze, the kings voice came again

 * Did you see who it was behind the bushes? * after a minute of silence, safia reply *....no I didn't get to see, I just saw a glimpse of ....hair * king Travis ask again * What color was the hair? * * um...it was dark, I couldn't tell what color it was..* he sighs * alright, you're not hurt are you? *

 * no I'm fine....I'm not hurt * * good, let's head back..* still holding onto his daughter's hand king travis and the guards surrounding them start heading back to the kingdom, this time, safia was quiet, not uttering a single word throughout, which is the opposite of what's going on in her head

 " that was hunter...I'm sure its hunter, what's he doing outside so early? Did she see my face? .....I pray he escapes in time before the guards....ahhh I don't wanna think about it..." She shivers.

 The guards searched the entire area but they couldn't find a single thing out of place, confirm whatever or whoever it was has long escaped, they call it quits and head back too.

 As they arrive at the castle, king Travis spoke * don't worry my dear, its probably one of those dogs, we'll find him soon, you go get some more sleep, okay * Safia weakly smiles and nods, head filled with worried thoughts,  the king had a guard escort her to her room, when she entered he left.

__Hunter

   Hunter wakes up his face damp with tears, he remembered the last time he cried was when his parents died and they barely escape with their lives, wiping his face with the hem of his shirt, he looked at the photo and the little box still tightly held In his hand, with a determine expression he stated 

 * today I will tell safia the truth..but its been months since we met.... Oh no wait, 2 days...its been 2 whole days, will she come today perhaps? .. it doesn't matter...I'll go to her instead, and I will tell her everything about me, the entire truth *.

 Moving closer to the kingdom walls, Hunter hid behind some bushes and started looking out for a way in, spotting a little crack at the side of the wall, he aimed to enter through but there are guards right atop the wall, so he needs a distraction, before he could proceed with anything he heard several heavy footsteps coming towards him from inside the forest (he was able to hear them from quite a distance dew to his super hearing as a werewolf)

 He quickly changed his hiding place and hid behind some large bushes ( overgrown forest grass that tangled with each other ) as he waited for them to pass, suddenly a girl flops down right next to the bushes, hunter froze, talking to the girl was the one person who's face he'll never forget or forgive, Kong, his parents murderer, base on their conversation hunter conclude she's the princess, he shook his head and thought inwardly ( he doesn't even allow his own child live in peace..)

 Hunter clenched his fists, here they are so close to him, he could end everything here once and for all, take the princess..or even get rid of Kong, but all the guards are armed, its too close to the kingdom, one good shout and several reinforcement will arrive, its just too risky * but...if I get a good hold on the princess, with my speed I could actually make it.....shit * she's looking at him

 Hunter squint his eyes and tried to get a good  look at the princess, but her hair is all over her face and all the pink and sparkly is blinding him * Who's there! Show yourself!..* ah great, he's caught.

 Quickly and silently, Hunter swiftly jumps up atop a tree and blends in with the darkness between the fat leaves and thick branches. He watches them as they search the whole area but none of them has the humor to even look up, when they finally leave, hunter jumps down and heads back to his mountain home.

 Even sadder he didn't get to see safia.