Chapter 36(The Strange Woman)

Chapter 36(The Strange Woman)
Kaelenya's pov

Ever since the physician confirmed me pregnant, I have had mixed feelings. A part of me was very happy, another part scared, and a tiny part, worried.

What if it happens again? The thought me hard.
What if I lose this one too? What if my cursed aura destroys the child before it even has a chance?

I pressed my palm harder against my belly, as if I could shield the tiny life growing inside.
“Please,” I whispered into the still air. “Please stay with me. Please live.”

A knock at the door startled me, and I flinched.
“Yes?”

Janet stepped in, carrying a bundle of folded linen. Her eyes were bright, almost mischievous. “Luna,” she said, “the Alpha asked me to tell you something.”

Roman? I sat up straighter. He rarely sent me messages directly.
“What is it?”

“He wants you to go out today,” Janet said, smiling as if she were giving me the moon. “He said you should… experience the pack.”

I blinked. “Go out? Like outside the quarters?”

“Yes. Past the garden. Past the chamber gates.” Janet grinned. “He said you should see the market, and walk the streets.”

For a moment I just stared at her. My chest tightened, and my voice came out as a soft, incredulous whisper. “He said that?”

Janet nodded. “You should get ready. A guard will go with us.”

I rose slowly, my knees weak. Six months. Six long months since I arrived here. Six months of walls, of gates, of breathing the same stale air inside the Alpha’s quarters. I had almost forgotten what the world outside even smelled like.

And now… freedom.

Typical Roman. Whenever I get pregnant, he gives me little freedom, like a reward for giving him what he wants. Well that's his business. The thought of going outside this quarters brings me great joy.

The gate creaked when it opened and the guard moved to the side. As I stepped outside the big gate, it was like a prisoner being set free. The sunlight hit my face, welcoming me to something new. It was bright and warm and almost hurt my eyes. I took one small step forward even though my legs felt stiff and shaky

The air came next, It touched my face like a soft hand. It smelled fresh and full of life. I caught the smell of pine trees and also warm bread from somewhere far like the market. My lungs opened wide like they had been waiting a long time for this breath

I turned to Janet and tried not to grin too big but I could not hide it. “It’s… beautiful,” I said, my voice a little shaky

She gave a tiny laugh and said, “It’s just the village, Luna.”

But to me it was not just a village. It felt like a whole new world waiting behind the walls

We started to walk on a narrow street, there were small shops that sat close together on both sides. Bright cloth hung from wooden poles and swung a little in the wind. Children ran between the stalls and their happy laughter went up into the air like little birds trying to fly. The sound bounced off the walls and made the whole street feel alive and awake. It was easy for me to move about freely, because no one really knew who I was. The baker pushed his door open with his shoulder and came out of the shop with a big heavy tray full of hot bread. Steam rose from the brown tops and drifted into the air in little white swirls. The smell was sweet and warm and thick, all at the same time. It wrapped around me like a soft blanket that wanted to pull me closer. My stomach gave a small twist and then a low growl even though I had eaten not long ago. I put my hand on it and almost laughed because it felt silly to be hungry again so soon. But the smell was too strong. It made my mouth water and made me want to take a bite right there in the street even if the bread burned my tongue

My eyes took it all in….the pale stone of the houses, the sharp blue of the sky. The way sunlight scattered across the roofs like gold dust.

“Janet,” I said softly, “I want to see everything.”

She chuckled. “We’ll see what we can.”

I started to walk faster without thinking. I needed to see it all, I don't know when next, I will get this kind of freedom again. My heart skipped with every new thing I saw. Sparks shot out from the blacksmith’s hammer like tiny bits of fire and I stared at them until they faded. A woman sat by her shop and moved her hands quickly as she wove baskets. A small boy walked past with a stack of apples on his head and the crowd laughed when he wobbled but never dropped them

The central market came into view and it felt like the world had spilled every color and sound into one place. Stalls were full and spilling over with fruit and meat and shiny scarves that moved in the breeze. Carved toys and little stones with paint on them lay in small wooden boxes. Drummers beat a fast song in the middle of the square and dancers twirled around them with skirts of red and blue that flashed when they spun

“This way, Luna,” Janet said as she tried to pull me toward a quieter street

But my eyes caught something ahead and I could not look away. Near the fountain a small wooden stage stood with bright cloth hanging on the sides. Actors in painted masks jumped and bowed as they played. The crowd clapped and shouted when one of them leapt high into the air and landed with a deep bow that made even the drummers miss a beat

I tugged Janet’s sleeve. “Let’s watch.”

She shook her head quickly. “No, Luna. Too crowded. It’s not safe.”

But I was already pulling her forward. “Just for a moment. Please.”

She sighed but followed, muttering under her breath about stubborn Lunas.

The play was wonderful. Even without knowing the story, I laughed when the masked villain tripped over his own cape and nearly fell into the fountain. Children squealed with delight. Merchants shouted for the actors to kiss. The drums quickened and the air pulsed with energy.

For the first time in months, I felt light. Normal…Happy.

Just as I was engrossed in the play, a hand gripped my arm. I gasped and turned sharply to
a woman standing beside me. I had never seen her in my life. She wore a dark cloak even though the sun was hot on the square. The hood threw a shadow over half her face so I could only see part of her. But her eyes caught me. They were gray and sharp. They held me still and I could not look away

“Be careful,” she said. Her voice was low and quick like it was running out of time. “Be very careful… they are coming for you.”

I opened my mouth to ask who she meant. The words sat on my tongue but would not come out fast enough. Before I could speak she moved. She slid into the crowd like smoke. People passed in front of me and then she was gone. It was as if the earth had opened and swallowed her whole. I turned left and right and still I could not find even a piece of her dark cloak

“Luna?” Janet’s voice snapped back into my ears. “Who was that?”

I turned wildly, searching, but the woman was gone.

“I… I don’t know,” I whispered. My arm tingled where her hand had gripped me.

The guard stepped closer, scanning the crowd, but he found nothing. The actors played on, the drums beat louder, and the market roared with laughter.

“We have to leave now Luna,” he said. “It's no longer safe.”

I didn't argue with him, I just nodded and walked away with Janet, but I turned my head occasionally, to see if I could catch the glimpse of the woman.