Chapter 13 A date?
Ryzen shifted his gaze to the woman on his left, who was looking at him with a wide, unguarded smile. Caught off guard, he straightened at once, shoulders squaring as if by instinct, and carefully set the small wooden box back onto the stall’s table. His fingers lingered on the lid for a brief moment, as though he hadn’t quite finished examining it.
The box itself was finely crafted, its surface smoothed by time and careful hands. The wood carried a warm, honey-brown tone, polished just enough to catch the light without looking new. Along the lid, delicate carvings spread outward in graceful lines—flowers etched with patience, their petals curling softly as if frozen in bloom. The design wasn’t loud or flashy; it was quiet, thoughtful, the kind of work that revealed more the longer one looked.
Beneath the carved flower, an hourglass was engraved into the wood. Its narrow waist divided the shape evenly, the sand inside carefully detailed, as if captured mid-fall. The symbol felt deliberate, placed there to be noticed only by those who took the time to truly see it. Time and beauty, bound together in a single image. Around the sides of the box, thin vine-like patterns ran along the edges, wrapping the piece in a sense of continuity, as though the design had no true beginning or end.
Ryzen cleared his throat softly, aware of the woman’s presence now. He glanced at her again, the easy confidence he usually carried momentarily replaced with something more reserved. “Didn’t mean to block the stall,” he said lightly, stepping aside just enough to give her space.
Still, his eyes drifted back to the box. The box reminded him of Selene in a way he couldn’t easily explain. It wasn’t just the careful craftsmanship or the quiet elegance of it, but the feeling it carried—soft on the surface, yet layered with meaning beneath. Just like her, the box didn’t demand attention, but once noticed, it was difficult to ignore.
The flower carved into the lid made him think of her calm presence, the way she carried herself with a quiet grace even when the world around her was anything but gentle. It was not overly decorative, yet it held a strength in its shape, as if it had endured time without losing its form. Beneath it, the hourglass seemed to speak of patience and restraint, of moments slipping by unnoticed until they were suddenly gone. It reminded him of Selene’s way of waiting, watching, choosing her steps carefully instead of rushing forward.
Ryzen exhaled slowly, his fingers curling at his side. He hadn’t meant to linger, yet there he was, caught between the present and thoughts he hadn’t planned to entertain. Selene had that effect—slipping into his mind without warning, grounding him even when his thoughts strayed elsewhere. She was like that hourglass, measured and deliberate, aware that time was both a gift and a threat.
He looked away at last, as if breaking the spell, and forced his attention back to the market. The noise and movement returned, but the image of the box stayed with him. Even as he stepped back, he knew the reminder would follow him, just as she always did.
“Why don’t you just buy it?” Selene asked, reaching for the box. “Don’t you have any money?”
Ryzen turned to her, momentarily caught off guard. His gaze lingered on her face, and for a brief second, he found himself distracted by her soft, natural, and unexpectedly beautiful smile. “This is a pretty nice box,” she said..
“Yeah, so pretty,” Ryzen added without thinking, his eyes still fixed on her rather than the box.
Selene looked at him then, only to realize he was already looking at her. The sudden awareness made her cheeks warm, and she quickly looked away, trying to hide the blush creeping across her face. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The world around them seemed to fade, the noise of the market dulling into the background as they stood there, staring a little too long.
The vendor cleared his throat loudly. “So,” he said, breaking the silence, “are you going to buy it or not?”
Both Selene and Ryzen snapped back to reality. Ryzen reached into his pocket, handed over the money without another word, and picked up the box. Without waiting, he turned and walked away, the box tucked securely under his arm.
Selene stood there for a second, surprised that he had left without her. She blinked, then hurried after him, weaving through the crowd to catch up.
“Do you love boxes?” she asked, walking beside him.
Ryzen didn’t answer. He kept his eyes forward, his expression unreadable.
Selene frowned slightly. “You’re a snob, aren’t you?” she added, half-teasing, half-annoyed.
Still, Ryzen remained silent, his grip tightening just a little around the box as he continued walking.
“Yep, you are!”
Ryzen finally slowed his steps and let out a quiet sigh, as if realizing he couldn’t keep ignoring her forever. He turned slightly, just enough to look at Selene from the corner of his eye. “I’m not a snob,” he said calmly. “I just don’t talk much when I’m thinking.”
Selene raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but a small smile tugged at her lips. “Thinking about a box?” she teased, walking beside him now. “You looked like it was the most important thing in the market.”
Ryzen glanced down at the wooden box he was holding, then back at her. “It reminded me of something or should I say someone,” he admitted, his voice lower than before. He didn’t say more, but Selene felt the meaning settle between them. Her teasing softened, replaced by curiosity.
“Well,” she said after a moment, breaking the silence, “since you’re already here, why don’t we just stroll around? The market’s more fun when you don’t rush through it.”
Ryzen hesitated, then nodded. “Alright. Just for a while.”
That “while” turned into hours.
They wandered from stall to stall, sharing small comments and quiet laughs. Selene pointed out things she liked—simple snacks, handmade charms, colorful fabrics—while Ryzen listened, occasionally offering dry remarks that somehow made her laugh more than she expected. They shared food, argued lightly over which stall sold the best sweets, and watched people pass by as the sky slowly shifted from bright afternoon to warm shades of orange and purple.
For once, Selene forgot about everything else. No plans, no grudges, no heavy thoughts. Just the sound of laughter, the glow of lanterns being lit, and Ryzen walking beside her, closer than before. Even Ryzen seemed different—more relaxed, less guarded—as if the night had eased something within him.
By the time the market began to quiet down, night had fully settled. Lanterns flickered softly, and the air had grown cooler. Ryzen stopped walking and looked at Selene. “It’s late,” he said. “I’ll walk you home.”
Selene shook her head almost immediately. “No, it’s fine. I can manage on my own.”
Ryzen frowned slightly. “It’s dark.”
“I know,” she replied, smiling. “But I’m not helpless.”
He studied her for a moment, then gave a small nod. “Alright. Just… be careful.”
Selene smiled wider. “I always am.”
With that, she turned and walked away, not looking back—but she could still feel his gaze on her, lingering long after the night swallowed the path behind her.
Once the lights of the market were far behind her and the sounds of voices faded into silence, Selene slowed her steps. The forest welcomed her like an old friend, cool and familiar. Moonlight filtered through the branches above, casting soft silver patterns on the ground. She breathed in deeply, letting the calm of the night settle into her bones.
Then she let her wolf take over.
Her form shifted smoothly, her body reshaping as white-silver fur spilled over her skin, catching the moonlight until she almost seemed to glow. When she stood on four paws, her coat shimmered like frost under the stars, bright against the darkness of the forest.
She ran.
Her silver form moved swiftly between the trees, paws barely making a sound as she leaped over roots and fallen branches. The wind brushed through her fur, and she welcomed it, her heart light and free. Every scent was clearer, every sound sharper, and the forest felt alive around her.
She ran without purpose, without restraint, simply because it brought her joy. Under the moon’s gentle glow, Selene let herself forget everything else, allowing her white-silver wolf to lead her through the night, wild and unburdened.
She slowed as the trees began to thin, her pace easing as the forest opened up ahead. The ground rose steadily beneath her paws until she reached the edge of a cliff, where the land suddenly dropped away. Selene came to a stop, her white-silver fur glowing softly under the moonlight as she stood tall against the night wind.
Below her, a vast lake stretched out in silence. The water reflected the moon and the stars above, its surface shimmering like scattered shards of light. Every gentle ripple made the lake glow, as if it were alive, breathing with the night. The cool air carried the scent of water and stone, calming yet powerful.
Selene lifted her head and let out a long, clear howl.
The sound echoed across the cliffs and rolled over the lake, filling the quiet night with her presence. It was not a cry of pain or anger, but one of release—of freedom, of belonging, of being exactly where she was meant to be. Her voice carried far, blending with the wind and the soft hush of the water below.
She stood there for a while after, watching the shining lake in silence, her silver form steady against the dark sky, the moonlight reflecting in her eyes as the night embraced her completely.
“Are you happy now?” Selene asked her wolf. The wolf couldn’t contain the happiness she felt the moment Selene let her take over but Selene did not not know that a rouge wolf was drooling watching her and ready to attack her.
“Are you happy now?” Selene whispered to her wolf, her silver fur glinting in the moonlight. Her wolf stirred beneath her, the joy of running free, of feeling the night, coursing through every muscle. Selene smiled faintly, unaware of the danger creeping closer.
At first, she only noticed a faint sound—a low growl carried on the wind. Her ears twitched instinctively, but she shook it off, thinking it was the forest settling around her. Then a shadow moved at the edge of the cliff, just past the trees. Something dark. Something watching.
Her wolf stiffened beneath her. Selene’s heart skipped a beat as the realization hit. She scanned the treeline and froze. Five rogue wolves emerged, their eyes gleaming in the moonlight, bodies low and tense, saliva dripping from their jaws. They moved slowly, deliberately, circling her as if savoring the hunt.
Selene’s tail twitched behind her. Her wolf growled softly, a warning rumble that vibrated through the air. Her silver fur bristled, reflecting the moonlight like a shimmering shield. She crouched slightly, feeling the surge of adrenaline mix with the lingering joy she had felt moments before. The forest no longer felt safe; it had become a stage for a confrontation she hadn’t expected.
The five wolves encircled her, their eyes fixed on her glowing form. They were larger than normal wolves, their movements calculated, teeth bared. Selene’s wolf snarled.
“What should we do?”