Chapter 8: The Moonlight Festival

“Two weeks and three days.”

That’s how long it had been since Vander disappeared. Two weeks and three days since he smiled at me like I was the only person in the world—then vanished without a trace.

And no, I’m *not* looking for him. Absolutely not. Why would I? It wasn’t like I missed his cryptic comments, his infuriating smirks, or the way he seemed to know exactly how to unravel me.

“Hey!”

The sudden tap on my shoulder jolted me from my thoughts.

“Oh, crap!” I spun around, clutching my chest, only to find Isabel grinning at me like she’d just caught me doing something embarrassing.

“What the fudge, Isabel!” I hissed, trying to steady my breathing.

She laughed, plopping down on the bench beside me. The university grounds were buzzing with activity, transformed into a glowing wonderland for the annual Moonlight Festival. Lanterns of every shape and color dangled from trees and poles, their soft light casting a warm, magical glow over the bustling courtyard. Booths selling trinkets, floating lanterns, and mooncakes filled the air with the mingling scents of sugar and incense.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Isabel asked, gesturing at the decorations with childlike wonder.

I nodded, though my mind wasn’t entirely on the festival. My eyes scanned the crowd without thinking, searching for a familiar face. “Yeah, I had no idea this was such a big deal.”

“You’ve been living under a rock, Cassie,” Isabel teased, giving me a playful nudge. “This is the most romantic night of the year. According to legend, the Guardian of the Night walks among us during the brightest full moon, blessing those who cross their path.” She wiggled her fingers dramatically for effect.

“That’s… cool, I guess,” I said, shrugging, though a faint shiver ran down my spine.

Isabel grinned. “Come on, it’s past six! Let’s go buy our lanterns before they sell out.”

Before I could protest, she grabbed my arm and dragged me through the throng of students. The paths were packed, the chatter a constant hum of excitement. Somewhere behind us, someone called my name.

“Cassie!”

I turned to see Maica, one of my classmates, waving frantically.

“You came!” she exclaimed, beaming.

“Yeah, I’m here,” I replied, trying to sound more enthusiastic than I felt.

“Don’t forget to stop by our booth! We’ve got a photo booth with moon-themed backdrops and costumes,” Maica gushed. “It’s super fun—think night creatures, enchanted forests, all that mystical stuff.”

“Sounds… festive,” I said, forcing a smile. Posing in cheesy costumes wasn’t exactly my idea of fun.

Isabel leaned in, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. “I’m skipping that booth. There’s a ridiculously hot guy making mooncakes. Priorities, you know?”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help laughing.

Despite my initial reluctance, I ended up at Maica’s booth. Nathanyel, the class photographer, shoved his DSLR into my hands before I could protest.

“Just point and shoot! I need to take a call,” he said, disappearing into the crowd.

I sighed, fumbling with the camera as a line of eager participants began posing against the elaborate backdrops. The minutes blurred together as I snapped shot after shot, struggling to keep up.

Then, amidst the chaos, two familiar figures stepped into the frame.

Vander.

My breath hitched. Two weeks and three days without a word from him, and now he was here, looking… different. Happier. Lighter.

And Laura was with him.

Her hand rested casually on his arm, her laughter bright and melodic as she leaned closer to him. My grip on the camera tightened as I adjusted the focus, my chest tightening with each passing second.

“In three… two… one,” I said, forcing my voice to remain steady.

As I clicked the shutter, Laura turned and kissed Vander’s cheek. Her lips lingered, and Vander’s arm moved around her waist despite looking shocked at what Laura did.

My stomach dropped, the world tilting beneath me.

I shoved the camera back into Nathanyel’s hands the moment he returned and walked away without a word.

---

The lantern ceremony began shortly after. Isabel stood beside me, her excitement palpable as she held her glowing lantern. Around us, hundreds of others prepared to release theirs, the anticipation thick in the air.

“Make a wish, Cass,” Isabel said softly, her voice cutting through the haze of my thoughts.

I closed my eyes, clutching the lantern tightly as the weight of the evening bore down on me.

*True self,* I whispered in my mind. I want to find mine. I want to uncover all my questions.

I released the lantern, watching it ascend into the night sky. For a fleeting moment, as it joined the countless others, I felt a strange sense of peace.

But it didn’t last.

A rustling noise caught my attention, and my head snapped toward the edge of the forest. The shadows there seemed darker, deeper, and something shifted within them.

Eyes.

Yellow-green eyes stared at me from the darkness, their glow piercing through the night.

Before I could think, my feet moved on their own, carrying me toward the forest. It was as if an invisible force was pulling me, guiding me through the moonlit trees.

The rustling grew louder, and then, it stopped.

A massive wolf stepped into the clearing, its brown fur glistening under the moonlight.

My breath caught as it growled softly, its gaze locked on mine.

“Don’t hurt me,” I whispered, my voice trembling as I backed away.

The wolf’s eyes narrowed, but it didn’t move to attack. Instead, it stepped aside, revealing another figure.

A larger wolf emerged, its fur a striking bluish-gray that shimmered like frost under the moon’s glow.

“Vander,” I breathed.

His glowing eyes met mine, and the world seemed to shift, the air growing electric.

A chorus of howls echoed in the distance, and I turned to see a pack of wolves emerging from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with the same eerie light. My pulse quickened, but I held my ground.

“I’m sorry,” I said, my voice shaking. “I didn’t mean to intrude. Please, let me go.”

The bluish-gray wolf glanced at the brown one, who gave a subtle nod.

As I turned to leave, a voice stopped me in my tracks.

“You’re not scared,” it said.

I spun around, startled, to see a young girl standing where the brown wolf had been moments ago. She couldn’t have been older than sixteen, her confidence startling as she stood completely bare under the moonlight.

“I’m Salva, Vander’s cousin,” she said, her voice light and teasing. “And you’re fucking weird, Cassandra.”

I shrugged off my cardigan and handed it to her. She took it with a raised eyebrow, draping it over her shoulders.

“Thanks,” she said, grinning. “I like you. You’re strange, but I like you.”

---

As I left the forest, Salva’s words echoed in my mind.

Strange. Peculiar.

They’d always called me that.

But tonight, under the full moon, surrounded by wolves and mysteries, I felt it deep in my bones.

I wasn’t just strange.

I was different.