Lahat ng Kabanata ng Rise Of The Broken Luna: Kabanata 51 - Kabanata 60

DerekI stared at Celina as she slept, her exhaustion evident even while asleep. She swatted at a mosquito and adjusted her position while mumbling something before falling into a deeper sleep. Originally she was leaning against the tree, but by now she had slid down, her neck bent at an awkward angle. Well, that sure didn’t look comfortable. She will be in for a deal of pain in the morning if she spends the entire night like this. Leaning forward, I raised my hand and pushed her head up, aiming to let her settle down more comfortably. But to my surprise, the moment I touched her head, she latched onto my hand, her grip surprisingly strong for someone asleep. Then she leaned on my shoulder and let out a deep sigh before her breath slowed down once again. Though my first instinct was to pull my hand away, I looked down at her sleeping serenely and hesitated. Well, I wasn’t planning to sleep anyway, and having her lean against me wasn’t going to make a difference to me. If it helps her

~Celina~Even though Derek looked completely fine, not even breathing a bit harder, he took one look at me before announcing that we were going to rest for a while before climbing the mountain. Though I just wanted to meet the Elder as fast as possible, I was feeling worn out and I agreed to his decision wholeheartedly. Munching on our dry rations, we sat under a tree, and my mind flashed back to the moment I woke up leaning on his shoulder. Shaking off my thoughts, I looked back at him again.“Any idea how long it will take before we reach the Elder’s dwelling?”“A few hours at most. We will be there by this evening if nothing else happens.”That’s right. This entire journey was full of unpredictability. I just hope we won’t be facing any more of those surprises before meeting the Elder. Once I felt better, we started walking again, and surprisingly, the climbing didn’t feel as tiring as the hike through the forest. Maybe it being free of any traps helped?With occasional breaks, we

~Celina~“You can spend the night in my cabin.”Elder Alexander said, his voice calm and impossible to argue with.For a moment, I simply stared at him.Derek was the first to respond.“We will leave before dawn. We don’t want to impose.”His tone was firm, almost instinctive, but Alexander’s pale eyes moved to him with quiet disapproval.“And send a pregnant woman down a mountain path in darkness?”Derek stayed silent in response. His jaw tightened for a moment before easing.“No,” he said at last.Something warm flickered in my chest at the way he said it, not reluctant, but resolute.I looked at the elder with a curious expression. A cabin and a cave together on a mountain? But why? As if sensing my question, a faint smile bloomed on the elder’s face.“For warmth, food, and rest, I use the cabin. When I want to feel more human, I spend more time there. Reading, writing, just reminiscing. The cave is where I spend my time when I want to feel closer to nature or be in my wolf form.”

57~Celina~The next morning, I stepped out of the cabin even before the sun rose. Tilting my head up, I took a deep breath of the cool mountain air. The scent of pine and smoke from last night’s fire lingered in the air. Even though I had wokrn up early, Derek was already waiting outside.As he stood there with his back toward me, I took a moment to watch his silhouette. His broad shoulders illuminated by the pale morning light, he looked as if he stepped out of a painting. As if sensing my arrival, he turned towards me, and for a moment I felt my breath catch as I saw his handsome face, the stubble lining his jaw only adding to his rugged masculinity. As Derek walked towards me, even though he hadn’t even spoken to me yet, I had a sudden feeling that something felt different with him. As though the mountain had left something heavy on his mind.I studied him for a moment, but before I could ask, Elder Alexander emerged from the cave.The Elder moved with unhurried grace, silver ha

~CelinaOnce Henrietta was gone, I turned to Derek, my eyes wide with disbelief. It all just felt too surreal. Did we really meet the guardian of the Enchanted Forest, or was it just another elaborate illusion? Then my gaze fell on the little creature curled beneath my feet. I could feel the energy humming between us. No, it was all real.“Let’s go,” Derek said simply, as if unfazed by everything that had just happened. Well, when had anything ever seemed to rattle him?Shaking my head to regain my senses, I started walking beside him and saw the little beast trotting after me. I paused, looking down at her once again.“Are you really coming with me? You are ready to leave this forest, your home?”I asked. If she doesn’t want to leave, I will find a way for her to stay here even if it is bound to me. I will never take anyone’s freedom away. She looked up at me with gentle eyes full of understanding. Then she bowed her head and nudged me. Though she couldn’t communicate in words, someh