I
Lumaro woke up with a growling stomach. He checked on the clock hanging on the wall and was mystified to learn that it is almost one o’clock in the afternoon.
Leslie has been awakened also and like Lumaro, her eyes grew wide as she saw the time. They looked at each other, both unable to utter any word. They both felt tongue-tied.
Leslie jumped down from the bed and quickly picked up her clothes that were scattered on the floor. After dressing, she walked out of Lumaro’s room still not muttering any word. She left Lumaro, who remained silent and dumbfounded.
Leslie ran into the corridor of the Triple K Hotel with tears rushing down her face. How a fool she could get to entrust her innocence to Lumaro who she knows did not even want her because he is crazy to get and be with Grazziena.

“Lumaro, chase our mate!” It was Lumao who ordered Lumaro but the latter shook his head.

“How many times will I tell you Lumao that Leslie is not our mate because it cannot be; she is human. Our mate is Grazziena and her wolf Grella.” Lumaro retorted to his wolf, Lumao.

“You are absolutely unbelievable Lumaro; I feel nothing about Grazziena or Grella. You can never be a strong Alpha if you will reject your real mate.” Lumao depended on Leslie while reprimanding Lumaro.

“Shut-up Lumao! If you feel nothing for Grazziena then that’s your problem because I feel something for her. I like Grazziena!” Lumaro shouted.

Lumaro felt so confused now. He came to Albaya to search for Grazziena, because Grazziena was the destined she-wolf for him; his mate, and his future Luna; the only daughter of the former Alpha and Luna of the Cold Mountain Pack. Leslie has no place in Mt. Reveree, in the Cold Mountain Pack nor in his heart. She is human and she will not fit in his world.

Lumao sadly kept his silence, feeling pity for Leslie, whom he considered as their mate. Why would the Moon Goddess confuse him and Lumaro like this? Lumao sighed and fell into such deep silence.

With his stomach growling with hunger again, Lumaro freshened up and went to the hotel’s restaurant to eat. He was eating his dessert already when suddenly he saw a flash report in the television, showing Governor Draeko and Grazziena walking out of the Provincial Hall, with the Governor’s arm wrapped around Grazziena’s shoulders.

Lumaro frowned but suddenly his face glowed with the thought that maybe Governor Draeko listened to his suggestion and tonight, Grazziena’s secret will be finally revealed to Governor Draeko.

“I should be around to pamper Grazziena when the time comes that Governor Draeko will shoo her away,” Lumaro murmured while releasing a triumphant smile. He immediately finished his food and returned to his room, still feeling triumphant.

II

At the mansion; Grazziena and Draeko are walking hand in hand going to the mini garden. Inside the mini garden is a canopy swing, where Grazziena decided to sit and relax. Both of them sat on the said adult canopy swing while inhaling the afternoon fresh air.

“It is good to relax from time to time you know,” Grazziena stated smiling.

Governor Draeko nodded smiling too as he started to move the swing. They both laid their backs on the canopy, close their eyes, and felt the peacefulness that enveloped them both. Grazziena wanted to savor this moment with Draeko, having in mind that it might be her last peaceful and sweet moment with him.

“What are you thinking Grazziena?” all of a sudden Draeko asked her as he noticed her sudden silence.

Grazziena was not able to reply abruptly. She opened her eyes and looked at the man, who owns her heart at the moment and most probably until she is alive.

“I am thinking if this will be the last that I will be having this kind of peaceful and sweet moment with you, Sweety,” Grazziena said with a hint of melancholy in her voice.

Draeko furrowed. “This will not be the last Grazziena; we will still have so many moments like this together.”

“I am hoping and praying that we will, but after tonight, I am not sure if it will still happen Draeko." She lowered her head and simply wiped the tears that she was not able to hold anymore.

Draeko could feel the loneliness in Grazziena’s voice. “Shhh, don’t say that; if only I could marry you now so that you will not think something like that, I will Grazziena,” he whispered trying to assure her. Grazziena made a forced smile; in her heart, the fear is gnawing at her now.

When the sun started to set in and the night slowly crept into the ray of light, Grazziena’s fear was like a worm that started to crawl all over her body. A few hours more and she will know her love’s destiny. Would she be having Draeko still the next morning?

Grazziena glanced at the setting sun and tears sprung from her eyes. May Draeko’s love for her be like that of the sun; it might hide in the meantime but it will show again the next day, to give her that ray of love and that light of hope.