3. Destiny
858 Words
THE whole archipelago was divided into islands. Each island had its own ruler. During the Spanish exploration, the islands in the center of the archipelago were the first to be visited.
On the southern part, people were freely interacting and trading with the Malays and Chinese traders.
They would then sell them off to those central islands in exchange for root crops and livestock. These were simpler times when everyone was more concerned about putting food on their table from a day of foraging and farming.
The Sultan was the most powerful and the Datus were part of the influential family. They make up the royal family and up to this day, they still rule the southern islands.
Eli read to his younger cousin Carmelita. She was around eleven years old but she was fond of reading stories just like his Tia Edith.
"Hermano is it true? The sultan and his family would visit us?" She was a curious little kid. She was taller than most kids her age which was a mystery to everyone given her Papa wasn't that tall.
"Stop pulling my camisa chino. It would tear down easily. You don't want Hermano to be scolded right?" He let out those brown puppy dog eyes.
"Aw Hermano, you really are the best. Can I come when they arrive? I want to see them. I always imagined how they would look like. Now, I get to see them." She was jumping up and down in the sala.
"Sure, I will ask permission from your Mama," he told her. She then went off outside singing a melody he wasn't familiar with.
"Aw such a cute little girl. Is she your sister?" a woman who stood on the door spoke?
He was dumbfounded. It was the same woman he saw earlier while he was looking out from the window.
"She i-is. S-she is my cousin." He stuttered. "May I know your name, lovely lady?" He smoothly interjected.
She wore a dress that covered her whole body. He can only see her hand and head. Even her hair was covered by a sort of scarf.
"The name of this lovely lady is Danah. May I know who I am talking to?" She glanced at the floor. Shy was too subtle to describe her expression. Not once did she make any eye contact with him.
He wasn't used to such mannerisms as he was surrounded by strong women.
He stood up and grabbed her hand to kiss. Such a thing was a tradition for the men to show respect. "My lady, it is nice to meet you, Danah. My name is Joselito but you may call me, Eli." he dropped her hand looked at her face.
She had a strong face with a square jaw and long eyelashes. It was like he saw an angel.
"Nice to meet you, Eli." She placed her hand in front for a shake.
He took it and they looked at each other in the eye. It was then that his wolf howled in his head.
'She is the one we have been looking for.'
He wanted to jump in joy but as well as terrified. She was a visitor, a human, and the worst of all a southerner. They don't usually have the same traditions and beliefs. How would he be able to tell her that he was a werewolf?
"Can I help you with something, Danah?" He offered as he wasn't sure what to do next. His heart was pounding while his mind was at a loss. The most beautiful woman stood in front of him and she was his mate. He wanted to kiss her right there but tried to suppress his urges. After all, Carmelita was with him.
"I was looking for the sala. I was to prepare the place for the arrival of the sultan and his family," she replied casually.
His heart broke apart to hear her words. She was part of the preparation team. He was to escort the Sultan's daughter that means they won't have any time to get to know each other.
"Well, you, my lady are staring at it. This is the sala." He pointed where he sat a while ago.
"Thank you. I should start now. I have tons to do afterward." She walked towards the sala while he just stared at her.
He wanted to sweep her off her feet but wasn't sure how to do it.
He began to move out. He needed to talk to his Papa and Mama as this was a serious matter. It was a delicate matter and he had to tread lightly or the whole meeting would be in jeopardy.
He wanted to confess right there but he couldn't not when his Mama gave him an important mission.
His mate was finally here. It all made sense why he hasn't found her all these years. She was islands away from him and was a human as well. Only werewolves from all over the archipelago meet up every year to find their mates in a ball.
He aimlessly walked away from the packhouse when he bumped into someone else.
- Writer
