CHAPTER 4 : Serendipity

Stuck and still worried for Alicia, Luna felt relieved that she heard someone walking towards her, not really thinking if it’s a friend or a foe. Actually, after realizing that it might be a someone or something that might put her life in danger, she started being on her guard again.

As the strides got nearer and nearer, she stayed quiet and still while slowly grabbing a branch near her, planning to use it as a weapon if ever the person who was approaching her direction will hurt her. She was prepared to strike, like a predator hunting its prey—quiet and steady---waiting for the right moment to attack. Until, suddenly, her phone rang.

It was Alicia.

For a brief moment, Luna thought how dumb she was because she didn’t think of what Alicia thought, she could’ve just called her and asked her where she’s at. Nonetheless, Alicia’s timing was off, not when Luna was trying to be discreet and quiet. Not when Luna was still unsure if she’s safe or not. A reunion wasn’t something she needed at the moment.

Luna hurriedly turned off her phone, trying to focus on what was instore for her, only to be stunned. She wasn’t prepared for what she saw in front of her—a handsome young lad with a toned and lean body.

Still amused by him, her eyes were slowly scanning the handsome man’s visage. She started from his handsome face--prominent jawline, long nose, silver brown eyes with a tinge of green like the forest or the woods, and kissable lips. Down to his broad shoulders and then his perfectly toned biceps, until to his six-pack abs. She was stupefied and mesmerized at the same time.

"He's glowing." She thought to herself. She was lost in trance just gawking at the guy in front of her as if she was taking mental notes on every part of his face and body, she didn’t even hear him speak at first.

“Excuse me, Miss.”

“Hey.”

“Uhm. Miss?”

Not getting any response, he reached out for Luna’s shoulder and started gently shaking her.

“Uhh, you know it’s normal to wear a shirt, right?” Luna finally responded with a shaky voice, as if she was caught off-guard. Her face was starting to get hot and red.

“Yeah, sure, but I think you like what you are seeing.” He retorted, giving Luna a wink and grin.

“Don’t get too cocky, I didn’t like what I saw.”

“That’s why you stared at me for quite so long. Hmmm. Sure. Sure.”

She was sort of annoyed at his brashly self-confidence, so she said while rolling her eyes at him at the same time, “It’s not like you’re innocent, you were staring at me, too.”

“I am actually staring at your foot. Seems like you need help.” He said, while winking at her again.

He was starting to get on Luna’s nerve, but she couldn’t really stay mad at him and she was unsure why. There was something in him that she couldn’t explain, there was something in him that beckoned her towards him. Nonetheless, she remained obstinate.

“I don’t need your help. I’m fine.”

“Nope, you are not. Come on, let me help you.”

“Don’t you dare touch me again. I said I am fine.”

“Can you stand up without any support?” He asked with utter sincerity and concern.

He felt like it was his fault that she was injured, if she didn’t see him in his werewolf, she wouldn’t have freaked out and ran. At that time, he was also shocked and not prepared of being seen by someone, his initial reaction was to approach her—he was too eager to calm her down that he forgot to shapeshift into his human form. She started running and he was chasing her with good intention, on the contrary, he thought that to her it must’ve been like she was going to get eaten. If she didn’t fall, then it wouldn’t knock some senses out of him that he was still in his wolf form. So, he then decided to back away and shift back to his human form to, at least, help her.

At first, his reason was just purely to help, but when he finally saw her up close, he was attracted at her. And right when he met her silver blue eyes, it brought calmness into him and power. Attracted wouldn’t even do justice to what he felt. However, he was still confused as to why he felt a strong connection and feeling to a woman he just met for the first time.

”I can. You can also go on now and leave me.” Luna answered.

Adamant at helping Luna, he told her, “If you really can, why don’t you do it now.”

“Ugghhh. Fine. I can’t. I have a twisted ankle. It’s painful to walk, but I can manage if I can rest for a bit.”

“I’ll carry you back to the main trail. We need to get that checked; we need to go to the hospital.”

The thought of a hot stranger carrying her made Luna’s mind into a whirlwind, she got butterflies in her stomach same as when her crush, Ciro, will help her with her cases, like gathering evidence and information for her. However, her and Ciro had been friends for like 5 years now, she couldn’t believe she would have the same reaction to someone she just met. She didn’t even know the name of the guy.

Trying to get more information from the guy, but, really, she was just trying to get his name “I don’t even know you. Why would I trust you?” Luna told him.

On the contrary of her words, her instinct told her to trust the guy. She can feel it in her that the hot stranger was trustworthy and had no ill intentions.

“You want to get to know me. Don’t be shy, you can ask me questions.” He teased and Luna was blushing again because of his response. BUSTED, she thought to herself, but she didn’t answer back.

They both went quiet for a while. He was sensing that Luna won’t talk to him anytime soon, so he decided to tell her about himself.

“Let me introduce myself then.” He started, finally seeing Luna shifting herself towards him.

“Hi, I am Clell Zion, but you can call me Clell or Zion. Whichever you prefer.”

Luna bit her lower lip as she heard his name. Even his name screamed MANLY, she thought to herself, trying not to give any signs to him that she’s kind of crushing on him. So, she maintained a poker face and just nodded in response, gesturing him to continue introducing himself.

He picked up right away what she was trying to tell him to do like they’ve known each other for so long, hence, he nodded back and continued.

“I am a business man. Right now, I am managing my parents’ companies. I just came by here to hike and know if the notorious stories about this trail are true, then I stumbled upon a beautiful injured lady that, for sure, needs myself, but very stubborn.” He finished, giving her a warm smile, which made her smile, too, and made her cheeks pink again.

“Sorry, uhmm. Hi, I am Luna. A lawyer specializing in abuse cases. Nice to meet you.” She shyly answered him.

“Beautiful name for a beautiful lady.” He said with his deep voice, smiling again at her.

All she could say was “Thank you” in return and tucked her hair behind her ears, showing him a full view of her face.

“Now you’re staring.” She teased with a soft giggle.

“Uhhhhh. Sorry. Hehe. Let’s get you to the hospital.”