JULY
"NO," I HEARD my neighbor Ruby whisper.
I, on the other hand, could not move and my brain could not process what I heard. All I knew was that I was just looking at Natalia, who was now still looking down.
The audience applauded loudly after Ely's announcement, except for the creatures on our table. Like me, the royals at our table were also speechless. My god. Why? Why is this happening?
"No!" Ruby could no longer restrain herself. She stood crying, looking at Ely. I clenched my fist because when I look at Ely, she smirks and looks at me with that smug look. "It's not true, isn't it, Ely? Tell me it's not true, Natalia!" Ruby is crying now. Her face was full of tears.
"Ruby, daughter, sit down. Let's talk about this matter like royals," the queen said emphatically but also full of sympathy, but Ruby could not be restrained.
She looks really hurt. I know I am too. Tears were threatening to come out of my eyes, but I held them back. I don't want Ely to see me in this state. This Ely woman can't see me crying.
Honestly, I have mixed emotions now. I don't want to believe Ely's announcement, but Ely also won't announce her and Natalia's engagement to the royals if it's just a joke, right? A part of me is saying that I should not believe her, but a bigger part of myself is saying that what is happening is true. I know my jaws are clenching and I think my wolf nails are going to come out because of the anger I feel.
"Cheers, supernaturals! For the prosperity and peace of the lives of those like us. Let's celebrate!" Ely shouted again, raising the goblet of her wine. I can't bear to see the width of her smile. Ruby's explosion was really ignored. Awkwardly, the audience said, "Cheers."
Perhaps Ruby couldn't take it. That's why she quickly ran out of the hall.
"Ruby!" shouted the queen, and she stood up to chase her.
I told the queen, "I'll talk to her."
I quickly stood up and followed Ruby. I have to do that. I had to stay away because if I didn't do that, I might not be able to stop myself from hurting the princess of serenity, who was foolishly smiling at me. Besides, my tears are coming out. The pain in my heart too was unbearable. The wolf was already crying inside me.
~*~
IT WAS A LONG TIME BEFORE I FOUND RUBY. I'm just a foreigner in this palace, so I got lost, plus my brain and mind aren't working well. I want to actually bump my head somewhere to check if this situation is real. It's like I'm a wolf zombie walking right now in the hallway of the palace.
I passed several mystical landscapes. The views were so beautiful that I couldn't appreciate them because of my heartache. I feel so gloomy. That's that. I saw a lagoon nearby and I almost went there to drown myself.
'Are you going to commit suicide?'
Wow, wolf, you are still alive?
'I am still alive. Even though I am dying, hurting, and my heart is crushed, I am still trying to be strong. For you, Juls. For the pack. Life must go on.'
Damn, that was heartwarming, wolf. Good job. But anyway, thank you very much for that heartwarming comment.
'It's true, Juls. Come on, I know we're going to get through this. You're strong, we are strong. Together, we can make it. We can deal with this crap.'
How about Natalia, wolf? How about us?
'Are you willing to fight for her?'
Of course, I love her. We love her, right?
'Then we will fight for her. She's our mate anyway.'
But she doesn't know she's our mate. She doesn't know about you.
'We will tell her. Soon.'
"Juls?" I heard someone call to me from behind. I immediately turned around because I also hoped she would follow me, but to my disappointment, that person was not the person I was hoping to see.
"Ruby," I called her, full of sympathy.
The tears were still visible in her eyes. The traces of pain are still showing on her beautiful face. Unknowingly, I open my arms wide, letting her know that I'll be willing to be her crying shoulder. She immediately understood that. She approached, crying, and hugged me tightly.
We stayed like that for a couple of minutes, and I just let her release all the pain she felt through crying. I just caressed her back until she calmed down and stopped crying. I don't know why I'm trying to be brave and not cry like this because our loved ones hurt us. Maybe because my wolf and I know that we haven't given up on Natalia yet, I can still handle everything.
Natalia and I just need to talk. As in heart-to-heart talk, I know it's not yet the time. I'm still looking for good timing. When? Soon. Very soon.
Ruby stopped crying, but she still clung to me. I just let her cry while stroking her back and loose hair. Eventually, she came loose from our hug and spoke.
"Thank you," she said softly.
I replied, "You are welcome. You, uh, want to talk about it?" Wow, I'm such a great comforter.
'I'm proud of you, Juls.' Thanks, wolf.
"She's cute," Ruby snorted. She was already smiling, but it didn't reach her eyes. I was confusingly looking at her. "Your wolf. She's cute." Ahh, that's what she was referring to.
'Well! I'm really cute.' My wolf interjects.
"She's cocky too," I said.
My wolf squirmed. Ruby giggled. I'm glad she can muster a laugh now, even though I know her heart is bleeding too. She's indeed, like me, in love with the other woman.
"You spoiled her," she commented and arranged to sit next to me.
I was sitting on a wooden bench with the green sea-like lake scenery in front of me. It was awesome, actually. I mean, the view. I am seeing beautiful birds and butterflies that I have only seen here in their kingdom.
"Yes, she is, but she is really nice." I looked at her, then I looked back again at the view. "Your wolf too? She's beautiful. White-gray fur with a diamond shape on the forehead. It's cute."
I heard her laugh softly. I don't think she was offended. She seemed to like what I said.
'Thanks.' I heard her wolf say.
'We're cuter than them.' My wolf smirked. My wolf is friends with Ruby's wolf immediately.
Thankfully, our wolves also calmed down, so Ruby and I just sat there quietly. We were both staring at the beautiful scenery in front of us.
I love the weather here in Faerie Landia. It's not too hot nor too gloomy. Overall, the weather here is just perfect.
A few more minutes passed, and Ruby and I just sat there quietly. When later, I heard her deep sigh. I did not speak, and later I also became infected with her, and I took a deep breath. Then we were quiet again.
We shared in that comfortable silence and no one seemed to want to speak. In that silence, my mind went back to my beloved brat. When I remembered her beautiful face, it brought comfort to my spirit but was also replaced by pain because of the recurrence of what happened today in my weary mind.
Suddenly, everything came back to my mind, starting with Ely's windy announcement. The wry smile of that princess. Natalia's silence on what was happening. The brat didn't even look at me. Ruby's almost scandalous act. The walk-out scene. And my heart was torn because Natalia didn't even give me an explanation.
Hey, will the brat give me an acceptable reason for what's happening now? What is the reason why she didn't stop Ely? Why would she just let Ely announce that? When did they just become lovers? As far as I remember, I was the only one who was with Natalia on the island, and I don't remember that she had a relationship with Ely if the basis is the brat's records or files. God, this is so confusing. Why did that suddenly happen?
And one thing I realized is that, even though my mate is Natalia, we haven't talked about the true state of our relationship. This is really another thing that makes my feelings heavier.
The thing is, we don't have Natalia's commitment. That I didn't declare that woman mine. She didn't even know that I imprinted on her. But didn't she feel that? Didn't she feel my love every time I look at her? How my eyes widen with joy every time I see her approaching me? Those fiery, warm kisses of mine that worship her whole being? I did love her, but I did not even tell her even once. Shit! I just thought of that now. But, but doesn't she feel that? I'm sure I'm missing that part because I planted in my mind the words, "Action speaks louder than words."
Damn, quotes!
"You really love her?" I heard Ruby ask.
"Who? Natalia?" I ask again.
"Uh-huh."
I took a deep breath before I answered her. "Yes. So much," I whispered my last words, but I knew she still heard it.
"I love Ely, too. But I'm always rejected." This time, I heard a trace of pain in Ruby's voice. I looked at her and gently stroked her back. She looked down and started playing with her fingers. She is crying again.
"She's not your mate?" Yeah, I'm gossiping now.
I'm an agent. That's also one of my jobs. I gather information on people or supernatural beings, especially on my enemies. Aha.
"I d-don't know yet. I'm still young; I don't think my mating hormones are working yet."
"But how---?"
"Even though I am not Ely's mate, ever since I was a kid, I already loved her. I have loved her since I was eight years old. I vowed my love to her even though she promised nothing to me. And even though I knew I would eventually find my mate, my brain and heart preferred Ely, even if Rulfie doesn't agree."
"Who's Rulfie?" I just looked at her again while she was looking straight at nothingness.
"My wolf's name," she replied. I just nodded. Actually, my wolf also has a name. I have a second name because it's hers. "You haven't named yours?" Why, this child can read minds.
I replied, "I did. Her name's Aaliyah. By the way, you said you're still young. How old are you?" I got really curious. She looks younger than I am. But maybe not so much.
"Nineteen incoming twenty. So, not so young anymore. How about you?"
"Twenty-two," I replied. I'm right. But Ruby is considered an adult now. "How about crazy?" Ruby looked at me with one eyebrow arched.
"Crazy?" she asked.
"Oh, I mean, Ely." Well, Ely is equivalent to crazy. Aside from being a flirtatious mammal, she can also be considered crazy because she drives me and my beloved's relationship crazy. She is a moron for claiming Natalia!
"She's thirty," Ruby said, ignoring my jab at her beloved.
'Fucking old crazy!' Yes, wolf.
"Hey, I heard that." Ruby heard our insults. "She's only been older than you for eight years." That is what I'm saying. She will really defend Ely.
I apologized, "Uhm, sorry."
Ruby seems offended. I understand because you don't want anyone to make fun of the one you love, right?
"It's fine," she said. "So, what are your plans for Natalia? Isn't she your mate?"
"I won't give her up that easily," I firmly stated. "Natalia's mine, and whatever Ely says, Natalia can't be hers. She's only mine. And we love each other."
Do we really love each other? Or am I the only one who loves her? But no, I felt, in the ten days we were together on the island, she loved me, she really loved me.
"I hope you still get Natalia." There's something in her voice that says, "Don't expect."
"Why is that so?" I asked.
"You don't know Ely. She's stubborn and if she wants something or someone, she will make sure to have them." That Ely's a bitch. But if she'll play it like that, then I'll play it. She will not get Natalia that easily. That brat is mine! "And I can see, she really likes Natalia, Juls. She won't announce the marriage if she doesn't really like Natalia."
I felt my jaw clench. I balled my fist. "I don't easily give up, Ruby. Your sweetheart is really looking for a headache and body ache." I smirked, picturing poor Ely's face, full of scratches from my long nails and bruises all over her body. It's so much fun to think that I am shredding Ely's body. "I can see that she is so frail and can't even compete with me in combat…" It's because Ely is a princess. She was probably always in her room all day, giving orders to her many housemaids.
Ruby shook her head. "Don't just look at her for her physical appearance. Looks can be deceiving. She's not just a princess. She's well trained in combat fighting and she's a gadget freak."
I don't believe you! I wanted to tell Ruby that, but I said something else.
"Let's see." I challenged Ruby. She just shook her head. If that means anything, I don't care. I'm itching to scratch Ely in this story. Is that okay, author? (A/N: *quiet mode*) "I'm not afraid of Crazy Ely."
July Aaliyah Mercado isn't afraid of Princess Ely Crazy or whatever her name is. I'll fight for Natalia. I'll fight for my love. I'll fight for my life.
"But Juls---"
"Excuse me, princess," the Faerie guard interrupted. "The King is calling you to the family room. You too, Miss July."
"Now?" Ruby asked.
"Yes, dear princess," the guard replied politely.
Ruby nodded and stood up. I just stared at her and seemed to have no intention of standing up because I was too lazy to face the king and queen. What will they say? That they will apologize to me? I don't need sympathy right now. All I want is to get Natalia away from here. We will return to WH and there we will continue our failed love affair due to the nosy creatures here at Faerie Landia. I keep regretting why Natalia and I went here. And if I see Crazy Ely, I will want to bald her!
"Come on, Juls. Prepare yourself for your first encounter with your opponent in Natalia's heart."
When she said that, my wolf suddenly felt determined.
'Let's make Crazy Ely's life a living hell!'
Yes, wolf! We will!