Chapter 4: Under the Apple tree
Regina couldn't help but toss and turn in her bed. She was feeling so restless and confused. Her mind was running wild with so many thoughts. How did the werewolf manage to get past the castle guards? How did she know how to find her? This could be troublesome. A werewolf roaming around in her parents' kingdom. If her parents find out or the public, it will cause panic and hysteria among the kingdoms. She had to figure something out before the werewolf decided to come back again.
She threw the blankets off her and quickly got up to get ready. She dressed in her leather pants, boots, and a top. She grabbed the black cloak and draped it over herself, covering her head with the hood. She slowly opened the door and looked around the hallway to make sure no one was around.
She tiptoed quietly around the hallways to the kitchen room, from where she sneaked out at night. The backdoor was always left unlocked, and she decided to take advantage of this discovery.
She picked up her pace once she was sure no one followed her as she left the castle. She once again made her journey into the dark forest, where she anticipated meeting the werewolf again.
This night was a little different from the last time. There was a hint of wind, and the moon wasn't as bright as she liked it to be. This made it a little harder for her to keep her fast pace. She knew that she shouldn't be in the forest at night, but her emotions were leading her back to the same place.
She managed to reach the meadow without any incidents. Once she was there, she stood still in her tracks for a moment to gaze at the apple tree in the middle. It was such a beautiful sight, she loved gazing at the big tree with its grown dark red apples hanging low. As her gaze moved further down, she noticed a shadowy dark figure under the apple tree. She now started to walk towards the shadowy figure.
When she was only a couple of feet away from the figure and the tree, she noticed the red bright eyes glowing brightly in the darkness. Again, a deep growl could be heard. But the sight didn't stop Regina from moving forward again.
"It's you, isn't it?" Regina inquired as she took another step forward. The figure only growled deeper and deeper.
Regina took a few more steps and finally she was face to face with the young werewolf. The young werewolf couldn't help but slightly purr a little when she noticed Regina looking at her so intensely.
"Why aren't you afraid of me?" Ruby finally asked the one question that had been troubling her. She looked the woman up and down and finally rested her gaze upon the beautiful face in front of her. The wolf in her went wild at the sight of such beauty. Her heart felt like it was about to jump out of her chest.
Regina was taken aback by such a question and the intensity of those red eyes. She didn't know what to feel, was she feeling uncomfortable, scared, or just confused at the whole scenario happening right now?
Before she could answer the question, the young wolf took a step closer and bared her fangs at Regina. Instead of running away, Regina's whole body tensed up. The young werewolf brought her hands around her hood and pulled it off. Before she realized what was happening, her cloak was on the ground again and the young wolf's nose on her neck. Ruby took in a long sniff and breathed out. She grabbed the woman by her arms and pushed her away from her.
"I am sorry, I can't help myself. Your scent is too strong to ignore." Ruby spoke as she started pacing back and forth in agitation.
Regina broke out of her stupor and looked at the restless werewolf. 'Am I having a conversation with a werewolf?' she asked herself still not believing that this werewolf hadn't devoured her yet.
She cleared her throat and spoke. "And here I thought you wanted to rip off my throat." Regina couldn't help but be amused at the whole situation.
That stopped Ruby in her tracks, "Oh… trust me you wouldn't want that to happen, princess" Ruby said as she advanced towards Regina again. Ruby was slightly taller than Regina. Once again, they were face to face with each other. They both stared at each other for a moment not knowing what the next move should be.
Regina cleared her throat again to break them out of the moment. "My name is not 'Princess', it's Regina".
Ruby raised an eyebrow at her, "Hmm, that is a nice name for a beauty like you" Regina couldn't help but blush at the comment.
"What do they call you?" Regina asked as she tried to avoid eye contact with the werewolf.
"Ruby…or Red but you can call me Ruby." Ruby introduced.
"Hmmm….so did you know about this place as well or did you just happen to find yourself here?" Regina asked as she looked at the tree and the field in front of them.
"I found myself here one night, I am sure you know about that, don't you?" Ruby stated as she glanced at the ground next to the tree.
"Then what are you doing here tonight?" Regina asked out of curiosity.
"I am here for the same reason you are here…. princess." Ruby gave her a sly smile and winked at her.
"If you are thinking I am here because of you then you are sourly mistaken," Regina said as she turned away from the wolf and turned around to look at the big apple tree behind them.
"I am here because of this. This apple tree." Regina spoke softly. "I have been growing it since I was a little girl." Regina shared as she touched the tree with the palm of her hand. She smiled a small smile and looked happily at the tree. Ruby couldn't help but look at the beautiful smile on the woman's face in front of her.
"You are really beautiful, you know that?" Ruby spoke out loud without meaning to, still lost in the moment in front of her.
Regina glanced quickly at Ruby and looked away. She could feel the hot blush on her cheeks.
"Thank you, uh Ruby," Regina said as she turned her attention towards Ruby again who still seemed to be lost in her thoughts.
A deep purr was let out again and broke Ruby out of her haze. She sheepishly looked at Regina who looked concerned for a second but then laughed a small smile.
"I guess the wolf in you agrees as well," Regina said she turned away to face the tree this time and took a couple of steps forward.
"I should be leaving now. I don't want my mother to find out about me disappearing at night." Regina spoke again and turned around to notice a confused look on the wolf's face.
"If you like…. if you like we can meet again…here." Ruby was still processing the last statement. She didn't want Regina to leave. 'Meet again…here' Ruby's brain picked up.
Before she could reply, Regina added, "I know you tracked me down to the castle, but I would like it if you didn't do that again. The castle and the kingdom are full of soldiers and royal guards. Your life could be in danger if you were caught by them."
"Sure, why not." Ruby finally said with a goofy smile on her face. She tried to contain her emotions. She couldn't believe Regina wanted to see her again. Regina had already started walking towards the trees when Ruby added.
"Regina…. let's meet every other night or whenever it is convenient for you. I wouldn't want you to get in trouble because of me."
"Good night, Ruby. I'll see you soon." These were the last words Ruby heard as she saw Regina disappear into the forest. She thought about following Regina to make sure she got back safely but decided against it. She didn't want to push her luck.