Panic

She sat down at the edge of her bed, Staring out the window. The moon was half full, and she tried to count the stars around it.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Kara said, walking in. Holding a bottle. Its content filled the air with a refreshing scent.

"What?" Acantha asked. Her eyes were not leaving the window.

Kara pointed at the open window "The moon." Her smile was evident under the dimly lit room.

"Ohh. Yeah, it's full? Acantha asked. Squinting her eyes nervously.

"No, It's not," Kara answered." It's unusually bright today. Many people can't wait for the full moon, but this is enough to make them feel a bit of its power. "Oh, I'm sorry, Luna." Kara quickly covered her mouth. I've misspoken."

"Of course not. You've not misspoken." Acantha chuckled. Her dimples are evident.

"Hey, look." Acantha smiled, motioning Kara to sit. "I know I can't feel the moon like you and the rest of the people here but that is not enough to rile me."

Kara nodded. "I knew you were different. Luna."

"Really? Acantha raised her eyes slightly, a bright smile etched on her face.

Kara looked around like a spy was hiding next door, then turned to Acantha. "When we heard the rumors that the moon goddess had finally blessed Alpha Ghod with a mate, we were jubilant."

"Why?" Acantha asked with a playful smile, a hint of amusement coating her face.

"Well," Kara shrugged. Anybody but Meliana will do.

"Oh. Is that so? Acantha dropped Kara's hands gently on the bed, her smile faltering.

"Yes, Luna. Can you believe she's so…" Kara said when Acantha cut her off?

"Kara, please stop." She raised her hands. "Please."

Kara was stunned to hear Acantha cut her in the middle of her sentence.

"You look downcast." Kara shook her head sadly, drawing closer to Acantha with a comb lying carelessly on the floor.

"Kara, have you seen Ghod today." Acantha sat properly as Kara ran the comb down her long black hair

"Huh." Kara thought, tilting her head sideways. "I saw him today. He was with one of the councils of elders."

Acantha nodded. Blinking twice, "What about yesterday?"

"Yesterday?" Kara furrowed her brows.

"Yes, yesterday," Acantha answered testily.

"Yes, I saw him yesterday," Kara answered quickly, her face falling.

"Everyone sees him, but his wife can't." Acantha murmured, " I won't be surprised if he's avoiding me."

"I think he is just busy." Kara dropped the comb, picked up the bottle she'd brought, and sprayed it on Acantha's hair.

"Busy?" Acantha bent her head sideways. Busy for his wife?"

"Have you checked his room?" Kara sprayed more ointment.

"Not there."

"Ohh." Kara pushed. "What about during supper? You can see him there, right?" Her face lit up.

Acantha scoffed at this, "He doesn't even come to dinner anymore. I waited hours at his door last night, but he would not come out. His guards said he was sleeping."

"That should be a pretty deep sleep for him to miss dinner." Kara chuckled. "You should go out someday, You know.

"I thought after that night, things should get better between us." Acantha mused. Her face fluttered as she stared into space.

"Ahh. What night?" Kara suddenly dropped the ointment, her eyes lit up, and a smile flashed across her face.

"Oh, never mind." Acantha flushed, her eyes looking out at the stars.

"Okay." Kara chuckled resignedly. A sly smile crawled on her face as she picked up the ointment. "A nice night, that must have been."

"kara!!" They both laughed.

"I hear no one goes out after ten." Acantha suddenly asked, Changing the subject.

Kara's eye lingered on Acantha's for a while. "Technically, you know there's a curfew. I sneak out sometimes, though. It's really easy. Many people break the curfew, too. You want to try?"

Really? I thought the gates were guarded. Acantha's eyes glimmered. "I've always wanted to go outside.

"You want to see how guarded they are?" Kara grinned wickedly

"I think so."

"Well, your black is good." Kara gave her a once-over. "Wear this burqa on your head."

"How are we going to go outside?

"Won't the Ghod be angry?" Acantha dubbed the burqa over her head. Hiding her excitement.

"You ask a lot of questions, Luna."

As they both walked towards the gate. Acantha could see lots of guards loitering around.

"Won't they take notice of us? Acantha was sweating under the burqa.

"Kara," I told you I won't let you go out after curfews again. A voice boomed out in a whisper. "The others are suspecting."

"I have something to go and do outside," Kara answered. "Look, I'm sorry, alright. But I will make it up to you.

Acantha could hardly see under the burqa, so she could not see the guard.

"And who is this?" The guard asked, making Acantha's heart jump.

"She is a friend." Kara placed her hands on the guard's chest and gave him a seductive look.

The next minute, they were out.

" Woah!!. That Was amazing. " You guys sounded like you were into each other,"

Acantha noted.

Kara shrugged, "Well."

"That's the market over there." Kara pointed. We can munch on some snacks.

"Nice. Acantha's face lit up. I've always wanted to do that.

"Hey! I've got snacks here." Someone called. She was standing five meters from them but had heard what they said clearly. A group of friends surrounded her. All of whom were breaking the curfew.

"We need to go, Acantha." Kara tugged at Acantha's dress hesitantly.

"My name is Laura." The girl who had called earlier walked forward. Stretching out a pack of snacks to her. She had double piercings on her ears. Her hair was jet black, which matched her outfit. " It's so hard to see a human down here."

"I'm not human." Acantha smiled, knowing that Laura must have tried to get her scent. " Well, technically."

"She shrugged, noting Kara standing behind her like a bodyguard.

"I think we should be on our way. Before someone notices your absence."Kara advised.

"Sure." Acantha agreed, Smiling at Laura,

"Alright, see you guys later." Laura waved

"You don't talk to everyone you see in the market like that." Kara chided. " Someone might recognize you.

Acantha scoffed. " Frankly, I don't care if I'm recognized. We will probably do this next time."

As they were talking, Kara's ears widened. She looked around, and it was like there was nothing there.

"Luna, we need to run." She suddenly grabbed Acantha's hands

You called me Acantha the other time. "Acantha laughed. Not noticing Kara's change in demeanor.

"Now is no time for all the titles we need to run," Kara yelled, her breath caught in her throat.

"Why?" Acantha's eyes widened as panic started to course around her

Instantly, a big black wolf sprang out of the bush.