The initial shock of what was happening felt like I had just been drenched in ice water. I was frozen. My lips remained tightly sealed.

It wasn't until he moved his mouth the slightest over mine did I react.

My pencil went flying out of my hand and my easel slipped from my knees when I pushed him away. He grunted at the force I applied when shoving his shoulders. Looking at his face his eyes were as wide as mine. Yet I didn't know why he was so stunned, was it because I stopped it, or that he kissed me in the first place?

I quickly looked away, down to the ground to find my easel. The parchment with Zachan's portrait was slightly bent at the corner from the fall, but I was too much in a hurry to cuss over it.

"Aleenia-"

"Don't." was all I could say, my eyes closing shut for a brief second, forcing myself not to look at him. I couldn't deal with it. Not now.

I scrambled off the log, gathering the easel. I was cursing in my head as I struggled to find my pencil in the overgrown thicket on the forest bed. All the while I could feel his gaze on me. It made it worse.

Giving up on finding it I make my move to leave.

"Aleenia!"

I hear him stand up behind me, and I stop. I didn't have anything to say, really because I didn't know what to say.

When I hear him take a step towards me, I bolt like a timid animal. And for once I was happy that Zachan said nothing.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

A few minutes in the journey back to the haven, tears were leaking from my eyes. They were tears of frustration and confusion. Zachan and I weren't what one would consider friends, but we, or I at least thought, were becoming comfortable around one another. But maybe he thought it was something more, or I was conveying the wrong message?

A hot wave of tears come streaming out at the thought. It felt like everything was ruined between us. My whole image of my husband has slowly began to form in my head and been erased completely. It was if the portrait I was carrying was of a man I know longer recognized... one that potentially had feelings for me. The thought had me scoffing out loud.

Thankfully the haven was quiet, as many people were in there tents for the upcoming evening, preparing dinner. Yet I could not escape to the confines of my tent with out Seanne noticing me. She was walking with another female warrior, spears at their sides, patrolling the haven.

When spotting me she frowns at my distressed state. I only saw a glimpse however as I continued my hurried walk back to the tent. She must have pulled away from her companion as I suddenly heard footsteps behind me. She called my name but I didn't acknowledge it. I wanted right now to be alone.

But my wish would not be granted as stepping through the flaps of my tent, I was followed. I went straight for the dining room, dropping my easel on the low table.

"Aleenia, what is wrong?" Seanne asks from behind me.

That was a very good question. What was wrong? My husband had actually shown affection towards me, should that not be a good thing? Isn't that what any marriage should try to be? Yet did my husband only do that because he felt obliged to? Does he want something from me?

My fists were clenching so hard at my sides my nails dug into flesh, my knuckles jolting at the pressure.

"Aleenia!" the stern voice behind me shocked me out of my thoughts. Hesitantly I turned around to Seanne. Her spear now lay across the floor at her feet. A sign of respect, and also a sign she would not be leaving anytime soon.

"Yes..." I whisper, my eyes wandering to the corner of the room. My arms cross against my chest in defense.

"You have been crying. Why?"

I was going to deny it, but my red eyes and my annoyingly timed sniff was a giveaway. "It is nothing. It is not important."

"Where is Zachan?" She asks. My body flinching at the name was a tell sign. My gaze wanders back to her, and I see her eyes darken at my reaction." Did he hurt you?"

"No." I say strongly, making sure her mind shuts down the thought. There is a long pause that follows. "He..." I was debating in my mind to tell her. Would she understand my affliction?" He kissed me."

Seanne didn't answer straight away. And I waited in agonizing silence for it. Yet her answer was not words... only laughter.

My head whips up at the sound. Her eyes were crinkled and her mouth full of chuckles. I stare at her with wide eyes and red faced as she is clearly amused by the whole thing.

"Aleenia... you are the first woman I have ever met-" She says as she catches her breath." That has cried because the next chief has kissed her. Most women would cry because of joy."

I was staring at her openmouthed as she was composing herself. At my shocked, and very much not amused face, Seanne's eyebrows cave down.

"You are married, he has kissed you. Are marriages different from across the water?" She gestures to the left with her hand, pointing to the direction of Fellshore.

"No..." I sigh, trying to dilute the anger and frustration wanting to rise." But how do I excuse the way he treated me when I first came here? How do I forget the way he looked at me as if I was a curse. How do I not question that he is doing what he thinks is expected of him?"

Seanne's mouth turns into a straight line." They are fears Aleenia, only in your head."

I shake my head." You don't understand..." my frustration was returning." I thought you would understand..."

"Why?" a clipped reply by Seanne.

I bite the inside of my cheek, cursing myself for saying my last words. I eye her cautiously as I speak." Because of Saria. Zachan loved her, I thought you would not like the idea of him wishing to be with someone else."

All that amusement Seanne has showed disappeared with the mention of her late sister. Her face turns hard as she eyes me down." I knew my sister well enough to know she rather Zachan be with someone, happy for the rest of his life then be alone."

I turn my head away; embarrassed I had thought such a thing. But I was stubborn enough not to apologize.

Movement in the corner of my eye lets me know Seanne has picked up her spear. She hesitates before leaving.

"I know Zachan not to do anything unless he wants to." She tells me." And I think you know that to."

She leaves. I was left again in the same predicament. I felt in my gut I wasn't overthinking things. Zachan had apologized for arranging the marriage, but never for the way he treated me.

I saw our relationship as a bridge being built over a river. Little by little we were making progress, but he has all of a sudden jumped to the other side. He has forgotten the water under the bridge. I certainly have not, as the river is frozen solid until we work it out.

Hello my lovelies, I have updated. I thought I would give you a little treat for Halloween. So Happy Halloween!!! What do you think of Aleenia's reaction?

I know it has nearly been a month and the resonating for that was Uni and starting a new job. But after a month at said new job, even though the staff were lovely after very very poor training and the store being way understaffed, I quit... I realized my anxiety levels were getting so bad, and I was dreading a shift compared to looking forward to it or least feeling fine about going. This also effected my writing time because my anxiety took over. But now I am back and on the job hunt once again. So if you using the Wattpad app reading this and see an add (as I am on the Wattpad Futures Program), please watch, it really helps!

Alright, sorry about that venting, just needed to get it out. Anyways please Vote and Comment! We are on the Werewolf hot list again, lets see if we can keep going higher and higher!

Next update latest will be next Friday the 10th as I will be Exam and Uni Free!

Love U All.