Ruby usually lectured Sophia on her actions since her daughter was not very respectful at times to the village women, but she had the realization that her time with her daughter was precious and she didn't want Sophia to have any ill feelings since her days were now numbered. Chastising her child would do no good if she wanted to die in peace.
Deep down, Ruby knew her daughter already had resentment toward her. And if she could lighten that before the full moon, it seemed like this could be her chance.
Beth had once been fond of Sophia's father in the past which was a part of why she had hatred toward Ruby. But he never returned her feelings making Beth extremely self conscious since she was much more attractive than Ruby during their prime. The woman then married a successful man giving birth to three children taking pride that her husband made good money..
As time passed, Beth's jealousy grew toward Sophia who had no connection to the original problem. Even though the woman tried to justify her feelings, Beth's daughter never felt any ill will toward the Red women making it her mother the one with the issues. In fact, Beth's daughter was joked to be an Angel that was sent by the skies to the village.
"Mother, are you alright?" Came the kind voice of Sophia to Ruby's left.
Smiling at her child who just handed some coins to the Baker for the bread they had bought, she gave her daughter a small nod. Sophia was truly remarkable in her mother's eyes.
"Let's go home." She said realizing their last days would be better spent in private than around the town.
On the way home, Sophia could sense sadness coming off her mother in rays making her ponder about the women in the marketplace.
Was it the things they said? Was she worried over winter?
Sophia had already cut enough firewood for this winter year, but she couldn't help to wonder if she needed to do more so her mother could be prepared. Sophia was the one who took care of the small home so her mother could rest, but she needed to do more.
Although villagers knew of her mother's illness, no one offered help to the women. It was as though they ignored the misfortunes of the two who lived up on the hill away from the center.
"What did the councilman want to speak with you about?"
Sophia snapped her head to her mother who gave her daughter a knowing look. Randel had spent a good amount of time with her daughter. Even though Sophia didn't seem bothered to speak about it, her mother was curious.
Sighing, Sophia looked ahead as they continued to walk down the dirt pathway.
"He told me he plans to speak to the rest of the council about Madam Clarices' decision. He's claiming she's gone mad."
Scrunching her eyes, Ruby didn't like the sound of one of their leaders going against the seer.
"I'm sure he didn't mean to make it sound like that.." Ruby mumbled finding it hard to see a councilman arguing with the chosen picking.
"Trust me, he made it very clear." Sophia snorted knowing her mother had a hard time seeing any fault in the town. Her mother was clueless to her which made Sophia wonder how she married someone like her father.
Even though her father had once stood for the rights of the townsfolk, Ruby stayed behind claiming he was overthinking the seriousness of the council. She loved her husband but never truly agreed with his thoughts.
"Well, I doubt anyone will say the seer had become crazy. She had been the same since I was a little girl!" Ruby laughed trying to make light of the conversation.
"She is a bit different." Sophia paused and thought over her time with the woman. "Is it crazy to think she's a genius?" She asked her mother in all seriousness.
Ruby laughed over the question she heard. "I'd have to agree child. She really is always two steps ahead. At my worst times, I've even approached her for advice."
Sophia stayed quiet as she processed her moms words. She never knew her mother to approach anyone in the village for help.
The two women entered their home in a manner of minutes with Ruby heading toward the fireplace to prepare some food for the night.
"Can I help you with anything?" Her daughter asked.
"No. I'm quite alright. You've had a busy day with everyone at the village. Take a moment for yourself."
Nodding at her mother's words, Sophia decided to go out in the field where she usually went when she felt like she needed alone time so she could think to herself without anyone judging her. She smiled as she walking gracefully knowing it was the same thing her father did when he too needed to think deeply.
Walking along the weeds that were reaching her waist, she let her hands trace the greenery surrounding her as she walked around with the sun starting to set. Her hair blew as the air of the outside touched her skin softly.
It was as though the music of the birds brought a serene feeling making her humm a tune she once heard her mother sing when she was younger. Something inside her loved being outside near the trees. She felt something here that she never felt in the village market.
Freedom.
Unbeknownst to the girl, the golden eyes had spotted her from within the forest the moment she stepped out of her little cabin as though waiting all day just to see her. Her sweet scent filled the air mixed with the pure freshness of the trees surrounding him. His anxiousness was calming as he watched her carefully noticing every tiny detail of her outfit to her expression.
He had known for the past year that he would be the one to chase the chosen through the woods. So in his spare time, he would roam the lands to memorize the passages for his next hunt not wanting to repeat what happened his last time.
He was large and very cunning when it came to hunting making him the most feared in the packed save the Alpha. And his beast was growing more annoying as the time of the full moon was approaching.
Almost in the beginning of that time of receiving the honor to chase the human girl, he had come across a little cabin during his run that was closer to his domain than any of the other village homes making his curiosity win over.
Why would someone be so stupid to live so close to the woods where they could hunt them?
Humans were weak and knew better than to leave their own and be isolated when the Wolfmen had a habit of taking a bite when they had the chance. But during his run letting his beast stretch and run, he learned of a cabin that was farther away from the village than was probably safe.
He first saw her when she had no idea about who she was to become and secretly he hoped it wouldn't be her which was a thought that surprised him. She was breathtaking and didn't seem to be real. His beast tried to approach her seemingly memorized with the little rabbit which he reprimanded not liking the animal to every take over.
She had a wild spirit as she ran through the field closing in to the trees and he enjoyed the small human girl acting with grace and no care in the world. She knew better than to enter the home of the Wolfmen since it was forbidden to the village humans, but she came closer everyday almost tempting him to take a bite since she liked to play with boundaries. And although she smelt delightful, he didn't want to immediately take his prey that night, but rather enjoy her everyday like a dessert.
He was memorized at the graceful performance before him today as the dark haired woman walked with no fear so close to his home once again. Unlike at the picking where she kept her face void of emotions, right now the beautiful girl smiled making her more breathtaking than any other being he had ever laid eyes upon.
He had recognized her from the picking almost immediately and remembered their shared moment of staring into one another's eyes. Even though he shouldn't have showed himself so easily, he had to be sure it was the same being he had been watching for the past year.
He should have stopped staring, but he felt connected to the fragile weakling and somehow he felt like she was making him to soft making a growl escape him from deep within.
Shaking his head, the creature turned around in the forest making his way deeper into the woods wanting to clear his mind. She was to be hunted and he knew he had to kill her quickly so she wouldn't feel any pain.
The girl had brought out a mixture of emotions that he had a hard time deciphering, so he needed to find something to distract himself with.
Was it hunger? Thirst?
Hearing a twig crack to his left, the creature snapped his head noticing a deer who hadn't seen the monster absentmindedly eating some grass and drinking a liquid. It was peacefully taking a drink from a puddle of water seemingly believing to be safe although he was within the domain of the Wolfmen. But it would be the last day the deer ever lived.
Seeing his prey, he slowly crept around the trees with his golden eyes intently watching his meal knowing it was an animal that could run the moment it heard anything.
Waiting a moment to enjoy the look of innocence, the creature decided it was time to strike ready to make the deer suffer and succumb to him. Jumping toward the deer, he clenched his sharp teeth into the neck and felt the deer go limb.
Dropping the deer to the ground roughly, he began to feast upon the meat ripping the flesh off of the bone enjoying the taste of food he longed for.
Although his eyes were golden, they turned black as he gave into his animal instincts. He tried to be more humane then the rest of his kind, but he couldn't resist the joy in attacking.