Nova's request to the Moon Goddess...

"Ember" Nova cried out, breaking into tears,

Ember rushed out to comfort Nova, she knew something had happened.

"Why did my parents leave me in this cruel world'' Nova blurted out, holding her chest in pain.

"They all detest me because I don't have wolf-like features, can I ever find happiness again?" Nova asked, locking eyes with Ember.

"You will be fine Nova, trust me" Ember enunciated, kissing Nova on her forehead.

"Thanks, Ember, your words are always comforting, I have to go now, bye'' Nova gestured to Ember with a cracked voice.

Nova left Ember's cottage to continue her unfinished work.

Nova felt weary, done with her work, and craved for a long night's sleep. She walked to her cottage but stopped in her tracks as she overheard some ladies giggling, she sneaked in the direction of the voices, curious to know the words they were muttering.

" I can't wait for the full moon" A lady said with an elfish smile towards the other ladies.

"I heard the moon goddess grants people's request when it's the full moon and the full moon night is tomorrow," another lady said with a haughty smile, plastered on her face.

Nova smiled, she felt at ease as she clung onto those words to be her new hope.

"finally, I can get a mate" Nova giggled.

Nova went to her cottage to have a good sleep.

" Can't wait for the full moon" Nova muttered to herself, gazing at the ceiling.

"I must be given a mate to take me out of this mess"

The next morning,

"Argh not again", Nova groaned, waking up from a screeching sound that almost made her ears bleed.

She stood up, freshened up, and left the cottage to do her work. Then all of a sudden, It started raining, Nova did not halt her work but continued nevertheless, the rain increased enormously, she went to the nearest shelter, which was Ember's cottage.

Nova sat on a crooked wooden chair next to the fire to warm herself. Ember entered, giving Nova a cup of tea to drink.

"Thanks" Nova said with a smile.

"Uhmm Ember can you tell me more about the moon goddess, I heard she grants people's requests during the full moon, can you tell me more about that," Nova said under her breath, smiling sheepishly.

Ember shook as she hears the moon goddess,

"Do you have a request to ask of the moon goddess?" Ember asked with curiosity laced in her voice.

"Yes, I want a mate, a person who cares for me". Nova muttered with a smile.

Ember told Nova more about it and she must give the moon goddess something precious. Nova was devastated, she had nothing precious apart from Ember, nevertheless, she won't give up. Nova stood up and went to her cottage, patiently waiting for the full moon to be out. Everyone left for the full moon festival next to the shrine.

As the full moon rose high in the midnight sky, Nova heard the howl of her pack of people, feeling dejected because she couldn't transform like others. She left for the shrine, wearing a cloak to hide herself from everyone.

Nova entered the shrine, and took an incense stick to offer to the moon goddess.

"I have nothing to offer, I have been in bondage for long, I am weak, wolfless, and matless, all I want is a mate" Nova cried out with a cracked voice.

She left the shrine, feeling uneasy with a lot of people around the shrine, hoping none would notice her. Nova got to her cottage and felt so happy.

"I can't wait to see my mate" Nova squealed joyfully.

Three ladies barged into Nova's cottage angrily, and she became terrified.

"Who do you think you are to request something from the moon goddess" Maia scoffed at Nova.

"I-iii only a- asked for a mate," Nova stammered, trembling.

"Urgh, why are you dumb, you don't have anything to offer to the moon goddess and you requested something" they mocked Nova.

"I don't think anyone will take a weakling like you as a mate, stop dreaming, you can't get what you want," the third lady said, laughing at Nova.

Nova broke into tears, feeling worthless.

"STOP IT PLEASE!!! JUST GET OUT." Nova yelled profusely at them, while in tears.

They scoffed at Nova, then left. The words resounded in Nova's ears till she fell asleep. The next morning, Nova left her cottage to do the needful, there was no resilience left in her, and she accepted her fate.

"I think they were right, I was happy to think I am important" She muttered to herself and sighed.

The people were drinking, dancing, and enjoying themselves, they were merry the next day after the moonlit night. Nova had nothing to do, she sat in a corner staring at everyone. The sound of horses resonated in Nova's ears. She left, feeling like an outcast amongst them, the people welcoming those on the horses.

***

He felt a strong connection within his midst, looking for the source of it, he followed his inner beast instinct, he walked endlessly still in search of her, he entered every cottages craving to see her. Then he entered a cottage.

"I found you," he said with a smirk, sending shivers down Nova's spine.

"Who are you?" Nova asked, raising her eyebrows.