The Hunted Luna

xxxix ◈ Council's lair

I woke up from the cold wind coming from the open balcony. I stared at it for a moment before realizing that I can hear all the sounds from the outside. The swaying trees, the chirping sounds of birds, the wind... My ears can hear it clearly better than before.

"Hey..." Tulala kong nilingon si Ross at sandaling natigilan. Isa-isang bumalik sa ala-ala ko ang mga nangyari kagabi. Simula sa pagtanggal sa collar hanggang sa masamang panaginip.

"How are you feeling?" I stared at him and realized that he's in my bed, lying next to me with his messy curls. Napapahiya akong nag-iwas ng tingin sa kanya. His curly hair looks adorable though...

I heard him chuckle before giving me a peck on the cheek. "You awake?"

I nod. I am.

Muling umihip ang hangin kaya bahagya akong napayakap sa sarili. The nightmares last night are still vivid in my memory. I think it will haunt me forever. Huminga ako ng malalim. My eyes felt sore from all the crying las night and Ross was there to comfort me. He didn't leave. Nagtagpo ang mata naming dalawa, buong gabi siyang nagbantay sa akin kaya alam kong kulang siya sa tulog. I want to hug him for that...

"I don't mind a cuddle in the morning." He said with a playful grin, stretching his arms wide open. I smiled and quickly lodge at his chest. Natawa pa siya sa ginawa ko pero hindi ko nalang pinansin. Ibinaon ko ang mukha sa leeg niya at dahan-dahang ipinikit ang mga mata. This guy is really something. I love his constant joking to calm me down and sometimes his dirty talks too, it's too funny.

Thank you for being here...I whispered at him before falling asleep again.

When I open my eyes I know that Ross is no longer in the bed. Czarina said that the hearing yesterday was postponed because of some intruders. Maybe they will resume it now. Bumangon na ako para tingnan kung nakaalis na ba sila. Mabilis akong nag-ayos at agad na lumabas ng kwarto. I want to be there for him this time. Habang binabagtas ko ang hagdanan napansin ko na marami ang nagkalat na guard sa baba at labas ng manor. Sabay-sabay silang tumingin at isa-isang bumati nang dumaan ako.

What's going on here?

I was looking for someone familliar but I don't see any Dawn members in here. Maybe they left already. Hindi nalang ba ako aalis? Pero gusto ko sanang pumunta.

"What are you doing? You look like a lost cat in a wolves den." Mabilis kong nilingon ang pamilyar na boses na yon. Sandaling napaawang ang bibig ko pagkakita sa kanya.

Benjamin...

He hissed, folding his arms under his chest. Siya ba ang rason kung bakit maraming guard ngayon? Dahan-dahan ko siyang nilapitan dahil nakaiwas siya ng tingin sa akin.

"I just arrived this morning." Aniya habang kunot-noong bumaling sa akin. "Stop being weird, Alissa."

I was taken aback when he said my name. Tipid akong ngumiti at tumango-tango sa kanya.

Ate, call me Ate Aliss.

Ilang segundo siyang tumitig bago ako talikuran. Mabilis ko siyang sinundan kahit pa halata sa mukha niya ang inis. I don't mind though, this is the chance that I've been waiting for!

"Don't follow me." Inis niyang sabi pero hindi ko siya pinansin. "I'm going to the Capital, hindi ka pwede don."

Parang nagliwanag ang mukha ko sa sinabi niya pero mabilis din ang pag-iling niya kahit wala pa man akong sinasabi.

I'll go with you.

"They said you're still recovering, so no. And look at your neck, there are traces of blood to the bandage already. Mama said wounds are prone to infection, so you better clean it atleast once a day before doing something stupid."