CELESTINA VILLARAMA’s POV

It continued, "I've been waiting for you, and I know that you wouldn’t believe me. You won't believe anyone, but I have been watching you for a long time."

I kept on attempting to speak, but no words came out of my mouth. The only thing that I was capable of doing was to think as I listen to this person blabbering.

"But you will believe me now. I've waited a couple of years for this moment to come." The stranger stared directly into my eyes. Then, it reached out a glowing hand and placed it in my chest. I gasped at the shock of electricity that ran along the hand, making me shiver. "I can't say when I'll be able to visit you again. So please forgive me, I wish for your safety and a magnificent life. Though, it would be best for the both of us to forget each other."

Before I knew it, the stranger vanished into the darkness. He was replaced by a shining portal that emitted an aura that contained the same color as the sky, as if it was the pathway for me to go to heaven. Even if I didn’t want to cross over the portal, it was as if there’s some sort of gravitational force which was pulling me in.

A few seconds later, I couldn’t see anything anymore. None of my senses were working, I couldn’t even hear any sound nor feel anything touching me. As I stood there wondering what the heck just happened, the same voice spoke once more, whispering into my ears.

"Welcome to the Realm of Xenon!"

The Realm of Xenon, huh… That's a rather interesting name.

Everything around me turned white, I covered my eyes with one of my palms to block the light. Even if it felt warm and welcoming.

I turned my head and noticed I was surrounded by people, they didn't seem to notice me though. They had all different shapes and colors of hair. I didn't recognize most of them at all, as if it was the first time that I have ever seen them in my entire life. I felt confused at first, but then I realized I hadn't moved at all since I came here. The only thing I saw were these people, each one of them had significant appearances. Some had sharp teeth, others looked soft like a puppy, most of them wore clothes that resembled mine. They were chatting with each other like they knew each other quite well.

"Where is this place? Where am I?" I asked in a loud voice but no one answered me.

I walked through the crowd, trying to find my way. I ended up near a fountain where a beautiful lady dressed in a black robe with gold accessories, a white cloak and black leggings, with long, flowing red hair and pale lips stood in front of a tall building made of stone bricks. As she watched me, she smiled.

When I walked up to her, she nodded and motioned for me to follow her. When we arrived in front of the door of what seemed to be a castle that belonged to the royalties, it opened and she entered.

Inside the castle I was greeted by rows of silver chairs facing a stage that faced me. There, sitting on one of them was a boy wearing red clothes with black stripes. He was staring directly at me, and somehow it felt as if we met before, although I wasn't sure if I'd ever seen him before. He looked familiar.

Did I know him from somewhere? He also seemed lost at what to say. After a few seconds, he simply stood up and walked slowly over towards me. "Your face is unexpectedly identical to someone…"

I froze, unsure if I wanted to hear his answer. "Who are you pertaining to?"

He hesitated for a second, but still, he continued, "your parents." His words rang clear in my mind. His expression showed his sadness, as if he was reliving memories that we have left forgotten long ago.

Suddenly, I was taken aback by the fact that I don’t even recall having anyone to call as mom or dad. It sent an aching sensation to my heart as the veins on my brain somehow pumped.

"Do you remember them?"

I didn't answer. I had no idea who he was referring to, if I did, I definitely wouldn't have ignored him.

When both of us no longer spoke, the woman who guided me in earlier intervened. “It seems like there’s still a connection between the two of you,” she said with a cheeky smile.

My eyes winced, wondering what they know about me.

The suspicious woman held her golden necklace as tight as she could before showing it to me. “This is the symbol of our realm. I’m the only one who has this version, but I am giving this to you until the day comes wherein you would be in need of my presence,” she explained. Just as she said, she removed her necklace and gave it to me, which I unconsciously wore without any rebuttals.

The golden necklace was somehow heavy for me to hold, but it felt like it wasn’t there at all when I wore it.

“Before anything else, I would like to tell you that I am the creator of the Realm of Xenon and also the Moon Goddess, Sarina. I’ll be more than willing to teach you the basic knowledge about this realm,” Sarina introduced herself as she bowed in front of me while holding onto both sides of her black robe.

To be honest, I don’t feel good about this. It seems to me like I was just born today, I don’t even have any memories of what happened yesterday or from a year ago. My mind’s all fuzzy as if I have just woken up from a deep slumber.

“I also want to tell you in advance that you should be careful. The ‘people’ that you see aren’t really humans. Most of them are what you call werewolves, ferocious beasts that wouldn’t give you any mercy once you get on their nerves,” Sarina warned me and from that point onwards, I knew that I really was in huge trouble.

CELESTINA VILLARAMA’s POV

Quite a lot of hours were spent in Sarina’s explanation about the existence of this realm and everything else that I needed to be aware of.

As much as possible, I really didn’t want to believe what Sarina mentioned earlier. But now that I am stuck in a dim forest after letting my feet bring me anywhere it desired, I had no other choice but to believe her. Even from afar, I caught a glimpse of the body shape of a werewolf that seemed to be feasting on a person or an animal. It might even be of the same kind as it.

I immediately covered my mouth with both of my hands and attempted to step backwards to start dashing out from the woods, but my feet were completely frozen and there was nowhere else that I could possibly go to at this point.

“Somebody, please help me…” I begged within the depths of my mind and soul, knowing that no one would be able to hear me. Even so, I had a faint hope that I’d be saved.

My shoulders were continuously raising as I was literally gasping for air.

The wolf roared which echoed throughout the entire place. There were crows which rampaged out from the branches of those trees and flew away together, heading over to the direction where the wolf was. It’s like they were able to communicate with one another with just a simple roar.

My conscience has been telling me to get out of this place right away, but my body betrayed me. I instantly lost focus on the crows, and the next second that I blinked, all of it was coming at me. “A-ah!” I blocked those with my arms as I crouched in my position.

“Who are you?” An unfamiliar voice asked, which is most probably a man based on the tone of his voice.

I didn’t have time to answer. I simply tilted my head upwards to glance at him, but he was already gripping onto my cheeks with just his left hand. Our faces were only a few centimeters apart from one another, I could even feel his cold breath touching the tip of my nose.

“Don’t make me repeat my question.” He taunted me with his deadly gaze.

“C-Celestina Villarama…” I unconsciously told him my name.

He let go of my cheeks as harshly as he could. I almost had my head banging on the ground, fortunately I was able to control the weight of my body.

“There’s no one named Celestina among my pack. Who sent you here?”

“I-I wasn’t sent by anyone… I have just arrived in this realm a few hours ago,” I replied with pure honesty, I even raised my right hand just to show my sincerity. It wasn’t difficult to notice the change in his facial expression because of his unnatural paleness. It was as if he’s dehydrated. “A-are you thirsty..?” I bit my lower lip due to utter humiliation of myself.

A smirk appeared on his lips. “You’re quite an amusing woman,” he commented.

Just like the clock ticking its hand, he stepped forth in a heartbeat. He knelt one of his knees as he stepped one foot on the ground. Raising my face with the usage of holding my chin, he stopped moving closer when our lips were a millimeter away.

Despite that, I was able to get a grasp of his tongue as he playfully wet his lips. I couldn’t maintain my eye contact with him, he was way too daring and I felt like my bones were about to collapse if I stared any longer.

“Look at me, Celeste.” He ordered me with a nickname.

His words were absolute. I couldn’t defy him. He was beyond superior to me and there wasn’t anything that I could do to get out of this situation.

“Didn’t you know that I can seriously drink your blood until its last drop?” he inquired.

Before I could even shake my head as a response, he was able to secure my lips. In that spur of the moment, my eyes widened due to shock as he immediately moved away from me.

The man wiped off his lips and I noticed how his forehead was filled with sweat.

“W-what’s wrong?”

He pointed at my face, though I have no idea specifically which part of my face he was trying to point out. “That necklace… It couldn’t be…” he mumbled.

I grabbed on the golden necklace which I got from the moon goddess herself. “Do you…” I was about to ask him another query, but he was already nowhere in sight. That man didn’t even bother to introduce himself to me. He freaking stole my first kiss and now, I don’t even know where I should go just to search for him.

The darkness of my surroundings wasn’t enough to hide his emotion. I know for sure that there was a hint of rage and sadness that was hidden in his eyes. There wasn’t any need for him to explain himself, I can read his expression just like an open book.

I glanced over the golden necklace. “I should head back to the castle and ask Sarina about this.” It was supposed to be my plan, but I failed once more.

There were no castles nor was there any evidence left that the kingdom of Sarina existed.

I frowned in confusion as I clenched both of my fists. I tried to call Sarina out from the golden necklace, but it was no use.

“Excuse me.” A child approached me. “You’re being summoned by the beta of the Crimson Moon Pack, and I was ordered to look for you. You’re Miss Celestina Villarama, right?”

I nodded. “Yes, you’re correct. But, I don’t remember having a scheduled appointment with the beta of your pack. I don’t even know who you are, why should I trust a child?”

“Even as a child, I knew much better than the rest of the pack wolves. You’re not from this realm, that’s the only thing that I can give as a reason for you to trust me.”

I was completely speechless, I haven’t even told anyone yet that I wasn’t really born in this place.

CELESTINA VILLARAMA’s POV

This pack house is located in the same forest where I was unconsciously brought to a while ago. It’s at the foot of mountains where the clouds almost cover the entire sky. There is a castle built atop the mountain overlooking the city below.

The main entrance and hallway is lit with warm light, illuminating all corners of the house. There is even a staircase on the side of the hall that is built into the wall, leading up to an upper level, though it may also lead to an underground facility.

The child has given me a lot of stories regarding the wolves who reside in this castle. He told me that the Crimson Moon Pack used to be extremely proud wolves. They pride themselves on being the best hunters as well, even though they’re striving to avoid any hunters out there who are out to treat them as prey.

They’ve begun to get weaker because of the fact that their alpha didn’t have any wife, or what they call as luna. He hasn’t found his mate for years and they have already lost hope in him, to the point that they have challenged the alpha to duels, which no one ever managed to achieve and be victorious against the current alpha.

On my way here, I noticed that there wasn’t any path that'd lead me out from where I came in. As if I’d basically be trapped inside this castle for as long as they want.

“Master Kristoffer Wong, Miss Celestina Villarama has arrived,” he announced in front of the oak door. He didn’t need to knock on it to be noticed.

As if on cue, he opened the door without waiting for the beta’s response, giving me a way to enter through his room which seemed to be more like an office.

It felt as if time stopped on purpose the moment that I made direct eye contact with the man who was called Master Kristoffer Wong, the Beta of Crimson Moon Pack. His black hair was still fixed in the same style as the last time that I saw him, though his eyes no longer showed the shade of blue.

“Y-you’re…” I raised my index finger as I pointed at him.

“I was worried that you might be taken by the Silver Moon Pack after leaving you alone. Please accept my sincere apologies for I have not been able to introduce myself formally to you, but I’m pretty much sure that this child has told you about me already,” Kristoffer mumbled as he bowed his head at me.

From the insides of my body, I knew that my blood rose to my face as I got embarrassed with what he’s doing. “R-raise your head,” I muttered in pure confusion on what I was supposed to address him.

“You can call me whatever you like. I’m also sorry for stealing a kiss from you. If only I knew that you’re… then I wouldn’t have dared to lay a finger on you.” The way that he delivered his message was way too convincing for me to have doubts with his words.

I gritted my teeth as the thought that he’s still hiding something from me entered my mind. I am aware that he has his own reasons, but it would be better if he can tell me about it if it concerns me.

‘You should avoid this man at all costs, Celestina.’

Words that I didn’t think about flashed through my brain. I roamed my eyes around Kristoffer’s room to check if there was someone else inside other than the three of us, but there was nobody else.

‘I’ll soon bring out the best in you, but it’d hinder my plans for you if you get too close with this filthy wolf. I don’t want to put your life at risk, Celestina.’

There it is again. “Who are you?” I asked out loud.

“Didn’t you already know my identity?” Kristoffer butted in, which made me gaze upon him for the second time.

I shook my head repetitively. “S-sorry. I’m not feeling well, can we talk again some other time? I’d like to rest.”

My hands were trembling in fear of uncertainty of what’s happening to me. I wasn’t familiar with this feeling and neither was I aware of who this voice belongs to. It wasn’t from Sarina and it wasn’t from the child that I met in the castle either.

Kristoffer nodded twice and motioned the child to show me the way out. “Bring Celeste to her room.”

I no longer protested since I didn’t have a house to return to anyway. As the beta ordered him, he brought me upstairs. Using the master’s key, he opened the door and crossed its threshold as he switched the lights on.

“You can rest here in the meantime, Miss Celestina Villarama.”

No matter where I lay my eyes upon, all of the things that surround me are dazzling like the stars in the night sky. The moment that I was left alone in the room, my heartbeat became abnormal. It kept on skipping countless beats to the point that I was unable to stand on the ground.

I held tightly on my chest as if it would help ease away the pain.

‘You have to accept me once the clock strikes twelve midnight, Celestina. You’re officially going to be known as Siege Wong’s mate. His scent will lead you to him, his aura will make you go crazy, and his body will heat you up until the bits of your luscious desires.’

I was getting dizzy, my eyesight was slowly fading away until I could no longer see anything other than pitchblack. I felt myself falling to the ground, but it didn’t hurt me at all. My hearing seemed to grow when I heard several footsteps that were approaching where I was located, it kept on thudding louder.

‘You were supposed to be Siege Wong’s mate, but I guess… the moon goddess wants to play with you for a while.’