Chapter 108 The closing ceremony
>>Killian
The moon hung heavy in the ink-black sky, casting an eerie glow over the forest. A silence, broken only by the rustling leaves and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures, enveloped me. But within me there was a storm of emotions that thundered in the depths of my being.
My mind was filled with the thoughts that Amara had left. She probably wasn't going to come back either considering she was reluctant about this whole thing right from the start.
I tried, I've done a lot but if she doesn't want me, what am I supposed to do?
Does it get better if we reject each other?
I tore the neck of the deer with my fangs, ripping it away and spitting it in the other direction. Since the moment Amara left I've been hunting like crazy. It's sort of a desperate distraction for me because I can't seem to keep myself calm.
Each hunt was a desperate attempt to fill my brain with something. I stacked hunts upon hunts, a grim tower of pelts and antlers that mirrored the weight of my solitude. The satisfaction that should have accompanied each successful kill was replaced by a bitter aftertaste, a reminder that no amount of hunting could fill the emptiness she had left behind.
Misery became my companion, and I never would have thought that the mate-bond could be this heart-wrenching. The blood on my paws and mouth made me feel even more bitter and I shifted back, walked to the river, and jumped in to clean myself a little.
Then I took the hunts to the collection point.
"Wow," The person there had his eyes wide open, "You're here again..." He stared at the pile behind me, "I don't think anyone's ever brought this much hunts back..."
"Shut up," I let out a low growl, "And do your job," I really wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone.
"Yes..." He sealed his lips and took the things from me. After I was done, I turned around and jumped back into action. That's what I've been doing till the point I tire myself out.
And so, the hunting spree continued,
The stage loomed before me, a sea of faces in the dimmed hall, their murmurs fading to a hush as I stepped into the spotlight.
The hunt had ended and I was forced into the party hall since I came back with the most kills and points. I did all that to distract myself but I ended up winning too.
I didn't want to be here, I wanted to spend the rest of my time sleeping but my family was awfully persistent even though they noticed my foul mood.
"And here's the star of the Hunt!!" The announcer did his work, "Welcome! Killian Blair!!" The weight of the moment settled on my shoulders, the air charged with a mix of nerves and anger.
What am I doing here? I have nothing to say...
I went and stood on stage where all the lights focused on me. I was presented with the golden flower that I took reluctantly and stared at,
"Well, Killian, you said you had someone you wanted to give your hunts to! Please! As the star of the event, enlighten us!" The chattering of the crowd died down and all eyes were on me while I continued to stare at the flower.
Right,
The winner can propose with this gold flower. It's supposed to be a grand event but Amara left, didn't she? When I came out of the forest, I asked Nico and he said she had gone back home.
I rolled my eyes.
Doesn't that mean she's gone for good? Is this her answer?
"Here," The mike was presented to me and I looked at it, then grabbed it.
Fine, I'll at least say what's in my heart.
"Tonight," I began, the microphone amplifying my words, "There's someone special on my mind" The crowd let out a mischievous hum
"Before the hunt, I mentioned someone, my fated mate."
"OH~!" I looked at the flower as the crowd got excited.
"The moment we saw each other we felt the bond and I've wanted her since."
"What's her name?!?" The crowd asked, "Name her!!"
"Amara," I said, "Amara Alma," I named her, "She's an artist from my college."
"OH!!!" It was like the whole world was excited except me.
But as I spoke her name, as if the universe conspired to turn this into a grand narrative, the hall lights dimmed. The hall seemed to hold its breath and I wondered what was happening.
Another spotlight emerged, going around in the crowd, narrowing its focus.
Ah... They're trying to find her
I shook my head
But she already left.
It was turning my mood further sour and I was ready to throw the mike away and leave when suddenly it illuminated her.
"OH!" The announcer exclaimed, "We found our girl!!!" The crowd cheered and I froze up
WHAT!?!?!?
I shot my head to look at the spotlight, and there she was, bathed in a gentle glow, a surprised smile playing on her lips as the spotlight captured the essence of her presence.
What....?
Didn't she leave? Why is she standing there?
My heart skipped a beat, the world shrinking to just the two of us. It was a moment suspended in time, and in the spotlight's glow, her eyes met mine. She was there, and the realization washed over me like a tidal wave of joy.
OH! HOLY!?
She's really there? Did she come back?!??! Why?
My heart skipped a beat
For me?
I was frozen still and I might not have come out of this stance if it wasn't for the commentator poking my arm.
"Sir," He whispered and I snapped back to reality, "You still have something to do."
AH!
I straightened up. Half of the eyes were on me while the other half focused on her.
OH! GOSH...
I wasn't prepared for this.... I thought it was done and gone...
"Will you," I hesitated, a breath caught in my throat,
SHIT!
Get it together Killian! Don't miss the chance! If she's back! I have to take this chance!!!
"Will you take my hand, Amara?" The question hung in the air, a delicate melody waiting for her response, "Accept the hunts I present to you?" I almost forgot about the gold flower in my hand but the corner of my eye caught it and I raised it up, "And be mine?" I leaned it towards her
For a heartbeat, the hall held its breath, and then her answer, a delicate yet radiant nod of yes came with a peaceful smile that was plastered on her face.
The applause that followed was a thunderous symphony of celebration, which also lined with my heart rate.
She nodded??? She said yes???
It was making my eyes go wide in surprise.
She accepted???!!!
"Woooo!!!" The crowd cheered.
"Go to her!" The announcer was acting like a cupid and it was the second time he brought me back to reality.
"Ah!" I moved, "Yes!!" The whole of my mood had done a 180-degree turn.
The spotlight dimmed, and the applause became a distant hum as I stepped off the stage, my heart thundering in my chest. The air was charged with a mix of exhilaration and nervous anticipation as the spotlight followed me.
She was there, my mate, her eyes sparkling as she waited for me and I couldn't wait to reach her, to wrap her in my arms.
SHIT!
I still couldn't process it in my mind
She said Yes!?!??!
Every step felt like a leap, the distance between the stage and her narrowing with each heartbeat. I could see her smile, radiant and beautiful, as I approached. The world around us seemed to blur, leaving only her in sharp focus.
OH MY God...
When I reached her, I couldn't contain the rush of emotions.
She said yes.
It finally registered in my brain and without a word, I enveloped her in a tight embrace, lifting her off her feet for a spontaneous spin. Laughter bubbled between us. She was weightless in my arms, and for that fleeting moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the universe.
Setting her down gently, I cupped her face in my hands, my gaze locked with hers. Her eyes, a universe of emotions, mirrored my own. "You said yes," I whispered as if confirming the reality of the moment. And with those words, a tidal wave of happiness surged within me.
She let out a soft chuckle that made my heart melt
Without giving her a chance to respond, I pulled her into another hug, as if trying to meld our beings together. She laughed, I could tell from the way her body shook. The scent of her, the feel of her warmth against me, grounded me in a reality that surpassed the euphoria of the stage.
Oh My God... How did this happen...?
In that embrace, time seemed to suspend. The world could have stopped turning, and I wouldn't have noticed. It was just us, wrapped in the cocoon of a love that had just taken a monumental leap forward.
Well, I don't care how it happened. I'm just happy she came back and said yes
As I held her, I marveled at the serendipity that had brought us to this moment.
With her in my arms, I could feel her heartbeat drumming against mine and I didn't want to let go but I felt like I also had to confirm it so I pulled us apart.
"Really?" I looked into her eyes, "You're accepting?"
She smiled widely, then nodded and moved her hands to speak to me, 'I've decided I want to give us a chance.'
"What made you change your mind?" I asked as our wolves connected with each other.
'I went to talk with my Dad,' She replied, 'I'll tell you all about it.' She smiled at me.
Oh..
So that's why she left.
"Okay," I hugged her tightly again.
OH! Finally! She's said it herself! Everything else can wait! For now, I just want to hold her!!!
>>Amara
I hugged Killain back and let ourselves get lost in the embrace. That's when I noticed Nico, he was surrounded by people and seemed to be having a serious talk.
"Hey, isn't that Alpha Logan?" I heard someone say and turned to look at the stage. While Killian and I were lost in our own world, the rest of the people moved on and went ahead with the event.
We didn't even notice when the spotlight was taken off of us.
Logan?
Oh!
It was that gentleman who helped me when I went into the forest alone. He was the runner-up in the competition.
"Well," Logan wasn't sure what to say at his acceptance speech, "I don't have anyone to dedicate my hunts to." He scratched his back,
"Isn't he like thirty?" I heard the people whisper.
"He still doesn't have a mate?"
"Maybe he doesn't want to settle down."
Hmm? Don't like to settle down? He doesn't really seem like that.
"The public is curious," The commentator said, "You come to The Hunt every year but you've never dedicated your hunts to anyone."
Logan just quietly nodded, "Someday," He said, "When I meet her."
"Meet who?"
Logan just smiled, "Well you'll find out if I do," He just let out a soft chuckle and left the stage.
When I stared at Logan, I felt like he was talking about something with a deeper meaning.
This is just my thinking, but perhaps a fated mate?