Chapter 8

"Be sure not to get your shoulder wet. Rest and don't do anything heavy unless you want your shoulder muscle to tear." The old man took a vial that contains a brown color liquid and passed it to Ayesha. "Apply this regularly and massage the swollen area gently. I already fix the bone. That should do it."

"Yes. Thank you very much, Grandpa Fer." The girl replied at the old man and received the medicine.

Today, Hector and Ayesha drove outside the forest and visited a doctor named Fernan from a human settlement near the wolves' territory.

Their territory expands across the heart of the Irang Mountains. The mountain was well-known in the North for its dangers. No ordinary hunters would likely venture it unless necessary and involves life and death situations. Thus, it was like a natural fortress for the beast folk like the werewolves and other animals.

"The thing you ask for is inside. Remember to give me the herb I ask next time." The doctor toss a leather pouch on Hector. He frantically catch it and carefully put hold in his bag.

He glared at the doctor because of what he did but the old man just click his tongue at him.

Ayesha can't help but smile. They look like children bickering and throwing daggers with their stares. She knew how close they are since the old man has been checking on their family even when her mom is still with them.

He is a free soul. He travels a lot and doesn't stay in a single place. But he never missed to meet with them before winter arrives and provide them with medicine.

"Grandpa, why don't you stay until my birthday? Let's celebrate together!" Ayesha beamed.

It's her 18th birthday next month. Although so many things have changed but she still wants to create a wonderful memory during her day. She doesn't know if it will be her last so she wanted to make the best out of it.

"Child, this old bones of mine cannot withstand the cold. I need to go east before the snow drops. I will die if stay here during winter."

The Arnon Continent is divided into four large regions. North, East, West, and South. The East is known to be a tropical region with two seasons: wet and dry. That's why for someone like him, it's better to stay in such place.

On the other hand, the North, West, and South Regions experiences four seasons: Spring, summer, autumn, and winter. It's already the end of autumn season and cold breeze can already be felt announcing that the winter months are just around the corner.

Hearing what the old man said, the girl can't help but to feel down.

"Don't be sad. Look here..." He rummage through his belongings and took out a small wooden box.

"Is that mine?"

"Who else? It's not like I'm going to gift your father with a souvenir." The old man scoffed.

Hector eyed him sharply but he just shrugged.

The girl took the wooden box and slowly opened it.

"It's so pretty!" She exclaimed when she saw a crystal ball with a miniature of a snowing city inside.

"I can't stay somewhere cold so whenever I miss the snow, I look at it." Fernan's expression soften as if remembering something from his past.

"I never knew an old soul like you would be so sentimental." Hector tease.

"Oh shut up!"

Hector and Ayesha started laughing looking at the grumpy face of Fernan.

***

"The time is almost ripe Hector. What will you do?" Fernan was busy grinding a herb in the corner but his eyes were serious while talking to his friend.

Hector took a sip on his wine bottle, "I'm going to suppress it until I can."

"You idiot! The efficacy of the medicine will not last forever! If you continue using those herbs it will be dangerous!"

"Then do you have a better idea?! I never wanted this, Fernan! But it's the only way I can stay and protect my daughter!" Hector's expression look so painful that Fernan can only resign himself from arguing with his friend.

Hector took another gulp of the wine. Its so bitter but it cannot compare with the bitterness in his heart.

The two men was inside the house having deep conversation. So Ayesha decided to take a walk around.

The place is relatively smaller than the wolf village but the market is bustling. The place is quite lively with the people selling their goods and crowd haggling the price.

"Young lady, would you like some oranges? These are rare Valencia Oranges that only grows in summer. Just a silver for a dozen." A lady selling fruits said.

Ayesha's mouth instantly waters when she saw the small and round oranges in front of her. The bright orange color of the fruit makes it look so appetizing. But even though she likes them, it's a pity she doesn't have money. She doesn't even have a single copper let alone a silver which is equivalent to 100 coppers.

"I'm sorry but I don't have money, ma'am." She shook her head and refused politely. Her eyes still glued at the oranges.

She sigh and left the fruit stall looking so defeated. It's been a while since she had them. Hector is always busy with his duties. Maybe it was due to the succession and the preparation of previous ritual during the full moon. He doesn't give her grapefruit from the wilds anymore.

She can't go to the forest and take them herself! She can only feel downhearted.

Ayesha was deep in her thoughts and did not notice the lady from the stall calling for her.

"Young lady..." The lady was panting after running after her.

"Take these." In her hand was a basket of fruits from her stall. The girl saw the oranges earlier and her eyes instantly lit up.

"Are you giving them to me for free, ma'am? I appreciate your generosity but I cannot accept it." She inquired. There's so many oranges in there and she's sure that it's not just a dozen! She's well aware how expensive those fruits are. Although she wants them, her conscience cannot.

The lady put the basket on her hand and answered, "Don't worry, young lady. Your friend already paid for them."

Friend?

She barely knew anyone in this town. How can she have a friend?

"Ma'am, I think you are mistaken me for someone else. I don't know anyone here."

"How can I be mistaken? Isn't your name Ayesha?"

When she heard the lady, she instinctively took a step back.

Noticing her frightened look, the lady immediately explained to her.

"Oh, your friend told me your name is Ayesha. He told me that you like these fruits so he had to buy them for you."

The girl look at the lady and to the fruits. The lady doesn't look suspicious and the fruits are innocent. They look delicious. She can't blame them.

The lady told her that she needs to go since no one's left in the stall but before she left Ayesha ask what does the person look like.

"He's quite tall but I didn't see his face because the sunlight shadowed his figure. But I could tell he's a man and oh! Black hair... he has a black hair wavy hair."

A tall man with black wavy hair? Hector's hair had turned almost gray! The only black he knows is that perverted wolf with black fur but he can't transform yet.

Can he?

No, it can't be him! Besides, even if he manage to transform to his human form, why would he go down the mountain and follow them?

"No, impossible..."

"Ayesha, you've been muttering to yourself ever since we left. And what are you saying impossible?" Hector is now driving his truck returning to their territory. But he cannot stand it anymore.

His daughter is acting weird talking to herself while munching down a whole lot of oranges.

"Dad, do you perhaps know someone tall with black hair?" She turned to face him.

"Isn't that your aunt Eleonor? She's tall and her hair is black." He answered naturally and continued to face the road.

"Not aunt! I'm asking if you know a man---"

*Screeeech

"Ouch! Dad, why did you suddenly stop? My oranges!" The girl look at the oranges that fell from the basket because of the sudden brake not noticing the brewing storm in her father's face.

"Little lady, did you just ask me about a man?"

Ayesha gulp hard when she realize what she said.