chapter 20

__Hunter 

 Making his way into the little living room in malik house, hunter tiredly flops down next malik, uncle malik ask * How is she doing?* Hunter reply * she's...stable, she manage to stop crying and we made her drank some water, she's asleep now *

 They are talking about the woman whose sons went missing that morning, her name is Tiana, mother to Greg and Beckett, after her husband's demise they are the only two she has left, and now..she has no one but the werewolf community.

 Sighing malik spoke out * this is so frustrating, here we are doing everything we can to avoid bloodshed but they just keep attacking us one by one, they won't even spare the kids they just...don't care *

 Not knowing what to comment, Hunter kept silent and held onto Malik's hand, he mourned for the innocent children and their helpless mother. 

  __Safia 

 Making her way into her room safia spoke out loud as she flops down on her bed * finally..how can taking measurements for just a few dresses takes...the whole day,  but no worries since I made it back on time* 

 Getting off the bed safia proceeds to wear her pajama, a simple dark green nightgown thats has long fluffy sleeves, putting on a black cloak and black slippers, she went and locked her door, arranged pillows under the blanket then pick up a small basket that has a woolen green shawl draped over it, then she  slips out to the forest.

  __Hunter 

  meanwhile. Hunter's head was resting on maliks lap, the two father and son were discussing the plan ones more but suddenly hunter sprang up to a sitting position, he longingly looks towards the door then back at malik with pleading eyes,

 Understanding, malik smiles a little and helplessly whispers *fine...go to her * hunter quickly hugs him * thank you dad * and ran out through the door, secretly hoping she would come today.

  In no time at all hunter reached the little lake, he came to a halt and his smile fell, safia isn't there, she did not come today too, feeling like all of his energy left his body hunter slowly turn around contemplating whether to go to her himself or wait for her, in the middle of his thoughts he heard the sweetest voice called him from behind * Hunter...*

 Slowly hunter turned around and broke into the widest, brightest of smiles he ever had, there she was, safia had finally made it.

 __ safia 

 This feeling is overwhelming, hunter is standing right there smiling at her but safia found herself stuck, her feet feels too heavy for her and her breathing staggering * What's wrong with me? * safia inwardly thought, but soon hunter moved a step closer to her, he reach out his hand towards her  

 As if her body was waiting for that safia drop the basket with a soft thud and ran full speed to hunter, he ran towards her too, they meet middle way to which he immediately took her up and twirl her around before softly dropping her to her feet, then hugs her gently, he whispers * I missed you so much...* she whispers back * I missed you too..*.

 After they broke the hug hunter went and picked the basket, then they both sat on the log overlooking the serene lake, he spoke * I came here for the past 2 days, but you never came, I was so worried i started to think that, maybe something has happened to you or you were caught and grounded for life * 

 Safia chuckles * no its nothing like that, I'm fine...so you came here and..waited for me? * Hunter nods then ask * you seem worried, are you sure you're fine? you can tell me..I might not help much but at least I'll understand * safia sighs, trying to avoid the conversation she quickly grab the basket and spoke * I'm hungry..are you hungry, you must be hungry? *

 Hunter smiles a little, for her sake he played along * yes I'm famished, this smells so good *  safia smiles and proceed to open the basket, she brought  two slices of pie neatly packaged, she offered hunter one and took one for herself.

 * wow this is really good, did you make it? * hunter spoke as he munches the pie, safia reply * I wish, the pa….chief made it..* hunter caught on * pa chief..that's an odd name * safia nervously chuckled " palace chief!, really safia you dumb dumb " she inwardly scolded herself.

 Hunter gently touches safia's hand that's holding the pie and guided it to her lips, he urge * eat it before it gets cold, its really tasty, pa chief did a great job * safia nods and starts to munch on the pie too, in seconds hunter was already done with all his pie, looking towards safia he watches her as she slowly take small bites of hers with a distant look in her eyes, he thought inwardly " what is bothering you safi....is there really nothing i can do to help ease your troubles..*

* Hunter I..* safia's voice cuts hunter's worried thoughts, he answer * yes safia..* taking a deep breath safia drops the bomb * we can't see each other anymore, we..* hunter hurriedly spoke out * I'm sorry I'm really really sorry its all my fault, whatever it is its all my fault, safia you can punish me all you want but please don't say that I ..I. * safia shushes him

 * shhhhh, I'm not breaking up with you hunter, I will never * * you're not? * he ask * no, never * safia confirmed, phew, hunter breathed in relief then ask * But then why did you say that? * taking another deep breath safia continue 

 * The ball is too close, we'll all be busy, especially me, because...I'm the princess maid..one of her maids and...and we need to be there to am...get her ready.....for the ball..* It took everything in safia to lie to hunter like so, its necessary and important he does not know she's the princess yet. Safia thought inwardly * and besides..this is not a lie, its a noble lie..*

 Hunter spoke out * oh right...I um..I understand, so you are the princess maid, that means you see her often and can enter the palace..* * safia slowly answers * yes and...no, I can enter the palace but...it has heavy security and the princess....the princess we don't see her often...because we are maids and only clean so um...we rarely see her that's why I....I haven't given her your messages yet...she's really guarded *

 Hunter smiles and spoke * its okay safia you don't have to explain anything to me, I trust you * ..* you...trust me..* hunter assured * yes, I trust you with all that I am safia, you are my everything * safia could only stay silent and look at the ground, avoiding eye contact with hunter . She thought inwardly " I don't deserve your trust hunter..."

 Seeing safia avoiding eye contact with him hunter gently hugs her and whispers * don't cry my safia, I'm not lying I really do trust you, don't cry okay..* he pats her head comfortingly  as he thought inwardly too " I trust you..but you shouldn't trust me safia...I can't even tell you I saw the royals jogging or what my true intentions towards them are...or who i truly am.."

 As hunter absentmindedly pats safia's head deep in his own thoughts, safia too was deep In her thoughts " this is not right....this is no noble lie I'm directly deceiving him, I can't ask if he was the one hiding in the bushes this morning, or why he was there because ....I'm not completely honest about who I really am..* 

 With a sprang like they've been pushed both Hunter and safia broke the hug calling out to each other orgently * Hunter!..* *safia!..* but before any of them could spill out their secrets hunter heard footsteps coming from the forest towards them, he quickly spoke * wait ...I think I heard something..stay here I'll go check..* safia nods and hunter tiptoad towards the sound disappearing into the dark looming trees.

 Not very long hunter came back and announce * its black moon soldiers, there's 3 of them and they are coming this way * safia shockley let out * soldiers!...what are they doing here this late..* hunter whispers * I don't know but its dangerous for us to stay here any longer, let's head back and tomorrow we'll meet, will you come tomorrow? * 

 Safia agreed * yes let's go back, I will be here tomorrow, I promise * hugging each other goodnight and a kiss on the cheeks hunter watches as safia quickly disappear heading towards the kingdom, he listens to make sure she went far before hunter shift into his werewolf form right when the soldiers arrive where he stood.

 Before they could grab their weapons hunter has already leapt over them and disappeared into the forest, leaving only a gush of dust behind.

One of the soldiers laughs and spoke out * no worries at all no worries, very soon I'll get my hands on of those dogs..and my blade through its head..hahaha * all the 3 of them laughs as they start heading out of the forest.