I
Grazziena cleared her throat and smiled at Governor Draeko then looked at Lumaro. “Lumaro this is Governor Draeko, my boyfriend, and Sweetheart, this is Lumaro, a friend.”

Governor Draeko looked at Lumaro and offered his hand for a handshake. Lumaro stood up with a nonchalant expression and accepted the handshake offered by Governor Draeko.
"So, this is the Governor of this province?" Lumaro thought while having a handshake with the Governor.

The two men looked at each other, both with assessing looks.

Grazziena cleared her throat again. “Sweety, Lumaro, excused me, I will just prepare a coffee.”

Governor Draeko nodded, smiling at her but Lumaro just nodded with an unfathomable expression.

Governor Draeko took his seat and then glanced at Lumaro. “So Lumaro, you are just new here in Albaya?”

“Yes, I am just here for a visit,” Lumaro replied while giving Governor Draeko an assessing look.

“You have relatives here?” Governor Draeko asked again.

Lumaro shook his head, “I was in search of someone, but I found her already,” he replied with a firm tone.

“I see; good for you Lumaro,” The Albaya Governor answered but something disturbed his mind.

“Thanks, Governor Draeko.” Lumaro smiled at the Governor for the first time.

“Here is your coffee Sweety.” Grazziena interrupted the two men as she put the coffee on the center table in front of Governor Draeko. She also brought the fried banana snack that Aling Lumen cooked.

“I will not stay that long Sweetheart; I really just wanted to know if you are fine because you did not answer my messages and calls and of course, I wanted to meet your parents.” Governor Draeko suddenly stated after sipping his coffee.

“Sorry, I left my phone here at home. I just arrived when you came.” Grazziena apologized. She feels guilty actually.

Governor Draeko nodded. “It’s alright Sweety, I understand. By the way Lumaro, you can have a hitch with us if you don’t have a car going back to the city. It will be difficult to find a vehicle here in the nighttime.”

Lumaro shook his head. “I don’t need a car to return to the city Governor Draeko. Thank you for your offer anyway.” Lumaro smiled mysteriously.

“Oh, alright, no problem Lumaro.” Governor Draeko smiled but deep within something is bothering him about Lumaro; not only his obvious admiration to Grazziena but there is something about Lumaro that Governor Draeko could not yet determine.

Before finally leaving, Governor Draeko whispered to Grazziena when they reached the front door. “Grazziena, Sweetheart, be careful with Lumaro, I can sense something and I feel not too good about him.”

Grazziena looked at him and nodded. “I will Sweetheart. Don’t be jealous of him, okay?”

Governor Draeko smiled. “I’m sorry, but I can’t help it, Sweetheart. I can sense that Lumaro likes you a lot,” he murmured again.

Grazziena smiled and shook his head. “He just came here for a mission, don’t worry, he will be back to his place soon, anyway.”
“Alright then. I love you Grazziena,” He said looking at her affectionately.

“I love you more Draeko,” she whispered, avoiding for her parents to hear what she said.

Lumaro, having a sharp hearing for being a wolf, heard everything that Governor Draeko and Grazziena’s were telling each other. His jealousy grew more and felt a bit of anger when he heard Governor Draeko warn Grazziena to be careful with him. In a way, Governor Draeko was right, he has the intention to take Grazziena and bring her to Mt. Reveree, but she will not harm Grazziena, instead, he will make sure to take care of her, love her, and make her completely happy.

II

After Governor Draeko left, Grazziena faced Lumaro again. “Lumaro, I cannot remember the last statement you said before Draeko came. Can you please refresh my mind?”

Lumaro nodded. “As I was saying Grazziena, maybe it might help if you will come to me when I go back to Mt. Reveree, to our Cold Mountain Pack Village, and then we can visit Tuthaara, the witch. You can ask for forgiveness if indeed your parents have offended her in the past. Tuthaara might remove her curse to you.”

Grazziena nodded. “You have a point Lumaro, but let me think about that first. I need to consult also Mamang and Papang and of course Draeko.”

Lumaro kept his silence for a while. He was thinking about how to put Governor Draeko out of his way when it comes to Grazziena.

“Grazziena, did Governor Draeko know about the truth about you?” Suddenly Lumaro asked.

Grazziena shook her head, feeling uncomfortable with Lumaro’s question. But Lumaro continued to talk.

“Why not tell him? If he really loves you, he will accept you for who you are Grazziena.”

“I will but in due time Lumaro.” She suddenly felt awkward about letting Lumaro know that Draeko never knew about her secret.

“This might be a piece of unsolicited advice, but Grazziena prolonging your agony for not telling him the truth will not do you good in any way. Men do not want to be lied to or cheated on Grazziena.” Lumaro’s words seemed to be giving Grazziena a warning and Grazzeina’s fear grew more.

Lumaro saw Grazziena’s expression and his eyes lighted. Seeing her expression, he knew, he has the chance to have her. He smiled secretly.

“Grazziena, you think Draeko loves you enough for him to accept everything about you?” he asked again. In his mind, Lumaro wanted to dig deeper and know how strong the relationship of Grazziena to Governor Draeko is.

Grazziena looked at Lumaro. “I know and I can feel that he loves me so much Lumaro. I feel the same to him,” Grazziena replied frankly and Lumaro’s heart has been torn into pieces upon hearing her words.

“You might be wrong in surmising what you feel Grazziena. You are a she-wolf Grazziena and you have had a destined mate since the time you were born and it is me, the future Alpha of the Cold Mountain Pack. You are my future Luna Grazziena.” Lumaro was not able to control himself; he was able to divulge whatever was in his mind.

Grazziena was stunned. She looked at Lumaro with an expression full of disbelief. “Lumaro, I know what I feel and I love Draeko; you cannot question that.”

“But you are not sure Grazziena if he will accept everything about you,” Lumaro said with conviction and Grazziena was not able to retort back.

Lumaro continued, “I am wholeheartedly accepting everything about you Grazziena and I want you to bear that in your mind. Be my wife and be the Luna of the Cold Mountain Pack.”

Grazziena was stunned and was not able to utter any word. She just looked at Lumaro with shock and confusion.