※ Chapter 38 ※

Meihua's POV »☆●

I stand there rooted to the spot, for what feels like an eternity; my hand, yet tingling from the mystifying woman's touch, and my mind, still reeling from the onslaught of her words.

The night seems to have grown colder since her departure, densening the air with an unfathomable weight. It keeps me frozen in place and I ponder what just happened.

I try not to dwell on her words, to brush them aside as gibberish. Afterall, whatever is that supposed to mean? Forbidden love? Rebirth? True destiny? It's utter nonsense, the disjointed musings of a stranger, who is, indeed, strange in the actual essence.

Yet, those words refuse to banish, replaying relentlessly in my mind. Why did she choose to impart such things to me? Who could she possibly be talking about? And what does she mean by - 'See you soon'?

"Are you here?"

A voice pierces through my conscious, but I struggle to tear my gaze away from the shadows that consumed the woman, and register the words being spoken to me. Only thing I could decipher is that the voice belongs to Se, distant but gradually gaining clarity as his footsteps draw nearer, his presence growing more pronounced.

"Angel?"

Again, he calls out, but my focus remains ensnared by the disquieting feeling that woman left behind. Before I know it, Se's form materializes before me. His brows etch with concern as he approaches and finds me ensconced in my frozen state, posture rigid and gaze fixated on nothingness.

With a voice laced with softness, he inquires, "What's wrong Angel? Did something happen?" His eyes probe mine, searching for answers.

I hesitate for a moment, tempted to confide in him, to divulge the bewildering encounter with the veiled woman. But I seem to draw a blank. The words feel like fragile glass, ready to shatter into a million shards should I attempt to vocalize them.

I turn to him, lips quivering slightly as I try to muster a reassuring smile, "Nothing happened, I merely required a moment to clear my thoughts. So much is going on, so I felt overwhelmed," I look up to meet his eyes, "And I apologize for abruptly leaving you earlier."

"Between you and me, Angel, there's no need for apologies," he assures tenderly, placing a hand upon my back, "But you appear quite shaken."

"Perhaps it's the frigid night air," I muse, gazing skyward at the shifting hues, as the the deep blues transition to the rich depths of darkness, "You know, I've a feeling that a very heavy rain may grace us tonight."

As I speak, wisps of clouds gather on the horizon. And the once-bright stars gradually succumb to the encroaching darkness. The petrichor-laden earthy scent of the impending rain wafts on the breeze.

His gaze intensifies, and I realize that he's trying to access my thoughts through our mindlink, seeking the truth that I'm withholding. Quickly, I redirect my thoughts to mundane, unrelated topics, like the pitter-patter of rainfall and the taste of my cherished tea.

He sighs, realizing that I'm not gonna reveal what happened. He hesitates a moment before gracing me with a gentle smile, "Come now, let's head back inside. If rain is indeed approaching, we shouldn't linger in the open."

I nod in acquiescence, and together, we retrace our steps to the grand hall. I draw another deep breath, the night air now more calming than unsettling.

As the sounds of mirth and melody once again seep into my consciousness, I find myself drawn back into the festivities. But as we stroll beneath the glittering chandeliers, I detect a faint undercurrent of voices murmuring in the dimly lit corner — hushed words, almost too low to discern. The first voice that breaks through the veil and reaches my ears is undoubtedly Linyi's.

"You shouldn't speak of our Luna in such a manner. She's shown us nothing but kindness!" he utters in a tone of protest. Luna? Is he talking about Aunt Sandara, or...me?

Curiousity piqued, I tilt my head slightly and catch a glimpse of Amy in front of him, rolling her eyes dismissively.

"Except we're still not confirmed if she's truly our Luna. Even Alpha doesn't know for sure if she's his mate," Amy counters with a sharp edge in her voice. Alright, definitely me.

Se's grip on my hand tightens, his anger roused by the mere hint of criticism aimed at me. He takes a step forward to confront them. But I halt him with a gentle yet firm tug on his arm.

"Don't," I murmur softly. I want to know what his pack has to say about me, about us, even if their words may be less than flattering. He presses his lips together, nodding in defeat as we quietly persist in eavesdropping.

"But there were signs, obvious ones. The day Alpha encountered her is the very day fate meant for him to find his soulmate. There may be some mishap that delays confirmation, but they are undoubtedly mated," Linyi asserts.

Signs. The day Se and I met, that fateful day, he was meant to meet his soulmate. Was it mere coincidence that we met, or something of greater profundity?

Could I have unknowingly bound myself to him that day in some irreversible way?

My actions were impulsive, driven by the compulsion to save his life. Have I, in my attempt to be a savior, unknowingly become the harbinger of a catastrophe?

Doubt gnaws at my resolve. Yet, voicing these fears prematurely would be a grave mistake, especially without concrete evidence. I need more information, I need to be sure of the connection between us. It's a burden I alone can carry, for Se's sake, and mine alone.

"That's highly unlikely. Such a colossal mishap can't happen, especially with an Alpha. If she were indeed his mate, he'd know by now. The encounter of that day was a mere coincidence," Amy snorts, brushing off the notion, "Besides, it's exceedingly rare for a human to be a werewolf's mate."

She might be right.

"Rare, yes, but not impossible," Linyi argues, "The previous Luna is human, isn't she? For all we know, it could be a family cycle."

Amy scoffs, "And look what did that bring us. Luna Sandara was, and is, weak and incapable of shouldering leadership responsibilities because she's a human. Alpha Seungri bore the full burden of our pack. We can't afford a repetition of that now, which will most certainly happen if this foreign princess becomes Luna. If it's a family cycle, it must draw an end, now."

I can't help but feel a sense of vulnerability creeping over me. I never intended for my presence to be a source of discord. These merciless judgments pierces me like sharp daggers, momentarily rendering me voiceless. Is there gonna be more to this conversation that could further challenge my place here?

How much more?

"You underestimate Gongzhu. She's not just any human, she was reared as a warrior, trained even by Alpha himself," Linyi presses on, "And she vanquished the D.O. in a duel. That's a feat a feeble soul could never achieve. She even managed to rally the entire army to her cause. Should we really question her leadership capabilities?"

"Exactly!" Amy snaps, "Her allegiance lies with her kingdom, with her mission to reclaim her throne. She's wholly engrossed in her own ambitions!"

I listen intently, absorbing her words. Each syllable, like a bitter poison, seems to wound deeper, and I stand there, feeling exposed and wounded. It's as if my very soul has been stripped bare for her scrutiny.

With a fleeing glance, I assess Se, whose jaw has clenched. I can sense the storm of emotions brewing beneath his calm exterior. He's bristling with indignation at her words, struggling to contain his anger.

Amy looks up to Linyi, sighing deeply, "She won't commit to our pack, Linyi. She's only marrying Alpha to secure support for her rebellion against King Wang. This alliance is nothing more than a strategic move on her part. In reality, she doesn't care about our pack, or even Alpha himself."

Her words hang in the air like a noxious cloud, and the conflicts between love and doubt swirls within me once again. My hand trembles slightly, my heart wracks with a heavy ache from Amy's assessment — her notion that my motivations are purely self-serving. I wonder how Se is taking all this. Does he, too, harbor such suspicions?

Amy drives her point home with a harsh reality, "The odds of her little rebellion succeeding are slim at best, and it puts Alpha's life at risk. That endangers us all, the entire pack. And if, by some miracle, she does succeed, she'll not hesitate to leave Alpha, and render the pack bereft of a Luna," her voice, laced with a critical edge, lashes out like a whip in the night, triggering something deep within me. And I feel...suffocated.

Linyi shakes his head, "I don't think she's that sort of person. She and Alpha have been close since their tender years. They care about each other deeply."

Amy retorts vehemently, "Bullshit!" her voice now a venomous hiss, "Alpha has been led astray and blinded by her. I mean, he can't just abandon the pack to support her, right? But I wouldn't put it past her to make him do exactly that."

The harshness of her words, her merciless conviction, feels like a blow to my chest. It's more than mere skepticism — it's a condemnation of my intentions, my feelings, and my character. For a moment, I feel like I'm sinking, struggling to regain my footing upon shifting sands.

I silently muster every ounce strength of within me, desperately trying to hold back the tears that threaten to brim over. I can't afford to appear weak. Not now.

Without another word, I hastily flee towards the exit again, impelled by an incredible force that I can't quite fathom. The farther I get away, the more the sound of their conversation fade.

This is it, this is what I'm running away from.

As I sprint, my eyes burn, reddening from the tears that I struggle to restrain. And as soon as I blink, a solitary tear escapes my eye, running down my cheek to meld with the dense, suffocating air I leave behind. I can't endure another second here, amid these crucible accusations.

This time, I don't glance back for a second. I don't care if someone's behind me. I burst outside through the threshold to the open air, greeted by the delicate pitter-patter of raindrops that slowly emerges on cue.

The vast empty courtyard lies before me. And beneath a peach blossom tree, I collapse; its petals, adorned with droplets, gleam like scattered jewels — the only clear indication that it's already raining. Leaning my head back against the trunk, I feel the wet bark pressing against my skin — cool and slightly rough, grounding me in the moment. Drawing deep breaths, I attempt to quell the tempest within.

I close my eyes, and the world blurs into a symphony of sensations. Raindrops tap gently on the leaves, creating a soothing melody. The air charges with the scent of damp earth. The fragrance of flowers, mingled with petrichor, wafts to my nostrils — an intoxicating aroma that should calm my soul, but tonight, it only deepens the ache.

I begin to recall those cutting words, pricking at the fragile bubble of hope I had built around myself that things will finally turn around. But no, I don't belong here. At the end of the day, I'm just a foreigner that can never fit in with their world.

The rain intensifies, a rhythmic percussion on leaves, petals, and the ground beneath. I yearn to shut out the world, to shut out the agonizing truth. But it persists, a relentless ache in my chest. I can offer Se nothing, not even love. On the contrary, he's prepared to sacrifice everything for me. My presence here causes nothing but burden to him and his people.

Gradually, the gentle murmur evolves into a heavy downpour, mirroring the storm within me. It's as though the heavens themselves share my anguish, mourning on my behalf.

I want to leave. I want to escape this tangled web of expectations and doubts. I'm not the Luna they need, not the mate Se deserves. And I can't ever be what they want me to be.

The world blurs in the veil of water, and I surrender to the downpour. I hug my knees, feeling the wet fabric against my skin, seeking solace in the curve of my own form. The sobs, suppressed for too long, escape, merging seamlessly with the rain's relentless rhythm.

My hair, once meticulously styled with Winter's artistry, now clings to my face like a cascade of liquid ebony, the strands sticking to my downturned face. The rain embraces me tighter, and I let it wash away my tears, each drop delicately caressing my skin like nature's attempt to console. The weight of Se's love, so pure and unconditional, feels like an anchor dragging me down. And I feel guilty. How can I reciprocate a love so deep when I'm drowning in my own uncertainties?

The courtyard, once a sanctuary, feels like a cage trying to confine me. I want to run so far away, where the rain can wash away the traces of my existence. Maybe then, in the anonymity of solitude, I can find my peace of mind.

Suddenly, as if a current of awareness sweeps through the air, the world shifts. The fine hairs on the nape of my neck stands on end, tingling in alert of being watched once more. But this time, it's not the unease of scrutiny, or the eeriness of the veiled woman. It's pleasant.

Incredibly pleasant.

It's as though someone tenderly caresses me with their eyes, an intimate touch that brushes over me. It prickles along my skin, igniting a delighted shiver that races down my spine. My back bends instinctively under the weight of this gaze, surrendering to the intensity of this unseen touch.

Yet, there's no fear, only a delightful thrill coursing through me. My skin blazes with warmth, and I'm enveloped in a sensation so intense, so electrifying — that sets every nerve on fire. Anticipation hangs in the air, a vibrant excitement that contrasts with the serene rain-soaked night.

With a slow, hesitant turn, I cast my gaze over my shoulder, behind the tree, my eyes latching onto the distant shadow. And there it is — a silhouette of a man against the canvas of rain.

To Be Continued »☆●