Vespera thought I was missing!
I was in huge trouble now, she wouldn't hesitate to yell and hit me like she did all the time. I had grown used to it, but it still hurt.
I was running as fast as my legs could carry me, even my wolf was weak after the previous marathon.
"Vespera?" I called when I arrived at our house, no one answered. I checked the room, kitchen, bathroom but no one was home. Vespera must be out looking for me.
I walked back outside trying to find any traces of her, I couldn't even pick up her scent because, like I said, my wolf was still weak.
I asked a wolf who lived in the same neighborhood with me if she had seen my sister, she nodded and pointed a direction for me saying she saw Vespera walking towards that direction a while ago.
I thanked her happily and continued my search towards the direction she pointed.
'Vespera, where are you?' My heart raced loudly, I felt the breeze blowing through my hair as I ran faster, in search for my sister who was searching for me.
I stopped in my tracks, falling on my knees as I tried to catch my breath. I'd found Vespera, she was engaged in a conversation with some wolves, she seems to be describing what I looked like because I heard her say 'Not so tall with brown hair'
Her description matched me perfectly.
"Vespera" I called her name weakly but she turned almost immediately. Her wolf's hearing but have picked up my voice and scent. Her worried face turned into that of relief as she began to walk toward me. I stood up with the last strength I had, dragging my body to meet her, hoping to be embraced in a hug or something comforting.
I watched as Vespera's facial expression turned from that of relief to anger in an instant. I had barely processed what was about to happen when a sudden pain hit my face.
Vespera had slapped me, to my very own expectations.
My face hurts, I could feel a metallic liquid rolling down my tongue from inside my cheeks. It was blood.
I winced in pain, my head spinning and my body was out of strength. I fell to the ground numb, though I didn't collapse, I just wanted to rest!
I could see the wolves around us staring at me with pity in their eyes, I must be looking like a maltreated orphan right now, but I couldn't care less.
I'm sure Vespera used her wolf strength when slapping me otherwise, it wouldn't have hurt so much. My jaw bone was practically dislocated.
Vespera pulled my up to my feet and i groaned internally wishing I was still resting on the floor but the look in Vespera's eyes was enough to glue my feet to the ground.
"What the hell Ashira! " She yelled loudly, her eyes turning into a darker shade and I flinched.
"I'm so, sorry" I begged in a whisper, anything to stop her from hitting me again.
"To hell with being sorry! I thought you went missing, how could you sneak out even after I warned you severally?" Vespera questioned in rage, she fists clenched and her knuckles turned white. She was holding herself from hitting me.
What had I gotten myself into?
"I'm sorry Vespera, I swear I didn't mean to make you worried. I went to pray to the moon goddess about my mate and-"
"Your mate!" Vespera cut me off harshly. "So, all this ruckus was because of a goddamn mate? Why are you so desperate Ashira? You've been searching for your mate for months now to no avail, don't you think if your mate wanted you as much as you want him then he would have searched for you as well?"
Ouch.
I'd told myself repeatedly that I was desperate to find my mate and that nothing would stop me, but hearing Vespera call me desperate made me feel insulted.
I didn't want to allow her words get the best of me, still I couldn't help but feel she's right.
If my mate wanted me as much as I wanted him, he would have searched for me.
He would have found me.
"I'm truly sorry Vespera, this would be the last time I'll sneak out" I muttered with my head bowed.
Vespera sighed and rolled her eyes, she was about to say something when a young male ran to a certain corner and began call the attention of every wolf.
Vespera and I walked closer to the scene to find out what was going on.
"The full moon festival would be celebrated the next day at the Hall of Crescent Valley" The young wolf announced and everyone clapped and cheered happily.
"Tomorrow is the full moon festival! Ashira we need to get prepared. We need to get lovely dresses, all the wolves in Crescent Valley will be there. Oh My Goodness" Vespera spoke with so much excitement and enthusiasm, I almost forgot she just slapped me.
Typical Vespera.
I'm sure she'll bring the topic later on; I wouldn't be surprised if she chains me to the bed while I'm asleep.
***
After spending hours trying to find what Vespera call's 'the perfect dress for the festival'. We settled on a long, silky red dress with a slit for Vespera, and I got a blue off-the-shoulder dress with silver pearls embroidered beautifully on it.
The dresses were beautiful; I couldn't stop admiring it. Vespera also agreed that the dresses were stunning; she said mine brought out the color of my eyes.
I still apologized to her for sneaking out and making her worried, but she didn't respond, just shrugging and continuing to style my hair.
As I primped for the full moon festival, my mind wandered to my mate. Vespera's words still stung, but I refused to give up. I had to believe that my mate was out there, searching for me too. The festival was the perfect chance to find him. I took a deep breath, donning my blue dress and a determined smile. I'm ready to face my fears and trust in fate. Eagerly waiting for the festival, I feel a blend of anticipation and nervousness.
I really hoped to find my mate.