Camellias - Part I

When the soul returns to where it came from, the matter of the body belongs to mother earth once more, and here in the cemetery, we honor this cycle by sensing those we love through the soul-ether. Amid the gently bowing branches, amid the bonny kin of flowers, a sense of hollowness crushes her chest as she slowly walks closer to the cemetery. Her gaze was fixed on one specific headstone at the far end of the cemetery wall as she walked through the hundreds of headstones. It was separated from the rest of the graves, under the shade of an oak tree. The gray stone headstone read

In memories of Lorcán Crius Rolf, 26.06.1922 - 15.02.1954.

The area was spotless, with not a single dried leaf in sight. As she sat next to his headstone, she placed the camellia and anemone bouquet on his grave. Her eyes closed as she inhaled deeply.

"I'm sorry," she whispered as her voice cracked up. Her nostrils were filled with the ghostly scent of citrus and woods. She could sense her beast calling out for her mate, her grief along with hers is so overwhelming, as a lone tear trickled down her cheek as a light breeze surrounded her and she could feel a soothing presence beside her. The soothing presence leaned closer to her as he rested his forehead against her.

"I wish things had been different, that you were here. Only for a split second. I wish I could have you back, to hold you for a moment. For one final time."

For a while, everything was quiet, but then an eerie feeling crept into the cemetery. Then it came, a gentle breeze that caressed her hair, kissed her neck and forehead, engulfing her close as if to assure her that everything would be fine. That was all she could take, she broke down, she cried, sobbed over his grave. Her screams filled the cemetery as she begged the Goddess to bring him back for just one more time.

When she calmed down, she found herself laid beside her mate's burial place. She sat up and rested her forehead on his headstone.

"I shall avenge you and after that, I shall join you. There is nothing left for me in this world. We shall be at peace." When she stood up, the breeze became ferocious, as if pleading with her not to carry out her plan. But she was adamant that she would avenge him and herself. For all the turmoil they put her through, they shall suffer. She picked up her swords from the ground near the Vidurnakčio Pack's cemetery gates and slipped away into the dense forest.

-

-

"You didn't do the right thing by sending that letter to her!" Malcolm snarled as the female in front of him continued to thumb through the paper in her hand.

"I did what I deemed right." She said curtly as Malcolm nears her and slammed his fist on the table.

"He'll be absolutely livid when he finds out what you did, Matilda!" She lifted her gaze from the paper and responded monotonously "That's my concern, Malcolm. You go through yours and get your troops ready. I feel the storm brewing."

-

-

"Faye?" He knocked on the door, calling her name.

"Are you in there, Faye?" He called for her again, but there was no response, which made him wary.

"I'm coming in," he announced as he pushed open the door and entered. His gaze scanned the entire room for her, but she was nowhere to be found. His gaze was drawn to the bathroom door, which was slightly ajar. He pushed open the door with his palm and peered in,

"Faye?" His voice was calm as he called for her. When he noticed her drenched under the showerhead, his eyes widened slightly. He dashed up to her, and she lifted her head as she heard his footsteps. Her eyes were puffed up from crying, and the never-ending tears streamed down her cheeks.

"What are you doing here! You will get ill again!" As he attempted to scoop her up, his voice was tinged with concern. To his surprise, she pushed his hand away ferociously, and he came to a halt. He looked at her with wide eyes.

"You deceiving male!" His eyes widened as she growled.

"Is this the reason why no one likes me? Because I'm taking her place?" She growled at him once more, and pain flashed through his eyes.

"You'll become ill again. I'll dry you up." He tenderly said with a straight face as he tried to scoop her up in his arms once more.

"Don't touch me!" She thrashed in his arms, her fists slamming into his hard muscles, but he didn't even flinch.

"You vile male! Let me go!" As tears streamed down her cheeks, she screamed.

"I'm sorry, Faye. I truly am. I promise to explain the truth. But first, please allow me to dry you off and dress you in something warm." He sat her down on the soft bed and began drying her wet hair with a warm towel. She sat silently with her head bowed, soft hiccups overtaking her as her sobs faded.

"I found her in the infirmary of my pack about two years ago. I felt an instant connection, and she did as well. Even though I was ecstatic, she loathed having me as her mate. As the year progressed, I began to fall for her, and she began to fall for me. But it turns out that what we thought was love was actually a cruel game played by someone else. So she left, and so did our allure to each other." He spoke softly as she peered up at him through her long lashes. He smiled down at her and kissed her forehead.

"Change out of these clothes. I'll be waiting for you here." She nodded and entered the closet, where she changed into something warm before exiting to find him standing by the balcony door, staring out at the blue sky. The rattle of her feet seized his attention and he turned around. He moved closer to her as she sat down on the bed. He knelt in front of her and took her small hands in his large ones.

"I don't want to lie to you, and I don't want to repeat the mistakes I've made in the past. But I'm also bound by my father's orders. He didn't wish to hurt you so he forbade everyone from telling you about this." He paused and lowered his gaze.

"She was a wonderful female, Faye. The pack adorned her as she is the heir of Auhesraivia. And before she left, she declared that she would never set foot in this soil again and that irked everyone. They do not despise you, my camellia. They aren't just over her or the fact that their Queen left the Kingdom to us." She raised her head and glanced at him.

"Are you?" She asked and his breath hitched.

"I am," he said, pressing her forehead against his warm lips. With a smile, he drew back and said.

"I never wish to see you cry again. If anything distresses you, just talk to me." She gave him a gentle smile and nodded.

"You must be starving. Let's go." He got to his feet and led her out of her chamber.