Second Mate

35

Jeongguk waited anxiously in his tent while looking at his mate that sleeps on shift make bed. He made sure she fully asleep as he was going to meet that someone. Suddenly, he smelt something alluring, he decided to sniff and went out to find its source.

He then find something outside the barrier. He looked elsewhere and was surprised there's actually no one even a guard on his way. Or is this some spell?

"Follow me, Jeongguk." Voice penetrated his thought and he looked at his front. He saw Yeoni from the other side of barrier.

"How do you know to break the barr-. Ah, oh well.." Jeongguk quickly dismissed his word. He knew already. He just followed Yeoni outside going somewhere. 

Didn't even realize that someone was following them secretly.

----------------------

After quite a while, Yeoni stopped and Jeongguk was sure they were at some place deeper in the forest. He saw a huge tree and Yeoni did some sort of spell when suddenly the tree cracked into two sides which Yeoni than slipped inside in the middle of it and asked Jeongguk to come in too.

Jeongguk hesitated a while but still followed her in. Again, he was surprised what was inside those tree. It was some sort of space that actually look like a small cabin but only table and chairs were there. Yeoni already sat at one chair and gestured Jeongguk to sit on the other one.

"Why are we here?" he asked once he sat.

"This is the safest place I can meet you. You know how danger it is to be seen outside, Jeongguk." 

Jeongguk looked around the place. "Did you made this?"

"Yes. And only me knows about it. I've been using this place for a while."

"For what?"

Yeoni silenced for a while before continued to speak. "I'm going to tell you once and fast Jeongguk. I don't have time and I know you wanted to know so much. So, I'm asking you to shut your mouth for a while and listen. You need to be prepared for what I'm going to tell you."

Jeongguk felt offended by the way Yeoni told him to shut but he shrugged it off knowing what Yeoni said was true. They don't have much time.

"Okay. Tell me now." 

  -------------------------

Jeongguk got out from the tree looking much different from before. It was too overwhelmed by all the information he heard just now. He looked confuse and lost.

He jerked a bit when he's being grabbed back.

"Don't let it consume your thought too much, Jeongguk." Yeoni whispering to his ear. "You need to go back fast and quickly organize your plan. Try to listen to what I said and go back to Crystal Snow pack quickly. Bring Yaejin with you. Take care of her carefully. Don't leave her side. She still in danger. This time far more dangerous."

Jeongguk's eyes met Yeoni's. "What about you? Is that the same with you too?"

Yeoni smirked. "Still care about me?"

Jeongguk didn't faltered with her words. "I'm cared of course but with different reason. You and Yaejin are the Diamonds. The last survivors. Your life worth so much to let you die without us protect you."

Yeoni let go of his arm that Jeongguk didn't realize she was holding it till now. She let out a smile though through Jeongguk's eyes this time it more honest than he always saw before when they're together.

"I can take care of myself. Do not worry about me. I know what I'm doing. Just promise me one thing, Jeongguk."

"What is it?"

"Keep this as a secret. Don't tell anyone even to your mate."

"Then..then how am I going to tell them when they ask me where did I get this information." Jeongguk looked so unsure.

"Tell them anything. Now go. I need to vanish this place."

Jeongguk tilted his head. "Why?"

"I can't use it anymore. I've been watched lately."

"You made us into this danger?!" Jeongguk growled. "No one can't see us now.." she stopped him. "I already made sure of it. Now, go. I hope this is the last time I saw you secretly. Pretend we never saw each other."

"Yeah, pray we can see each other in better circumstances. Don't you want to see your family again?"

Yeoni looked away. "I always wanted to. Hopefully, I can meet that moment."

Jeongguk suddenly felt the he wanted to touch her face but when he lifted his hand suddenly both of them heard rustling sound. He quickly looked at the source and turned immediately at Yeoni. "We've been watched, dammit." He quickly ran to the source leaving Yeoni behind who stood still. Fear conceived her body but nevertheless she observed her surrounding. 

Feeling save, she continued do her thing so fast and fled on different path from Jeongguk only to be met with someone on her way. 

"You." She said.