36: NOTHING CAN BE SAVED

36: NOTHING CAN BE SAVED
36: NOTHING CAN BE SAVED

Meridian

The surrounding air was heavy, as if shadows were weighing on my shoulders. Everything seemed too loud, and I felt suffocated inside that room with only the window to give me a bit of free air.

The sound of dry leaves being crushed under boots rang in my ears; there were creatures roaming the forest; nothing about the place made me feel comfortable. I felt like an intruder; the smell of the damp earth, the sound of the distant streams, and the occasional howl—everything gave me an uneasy feeling…

The sound of the door opening drew my attention, and then he appeared, making me narrow my eyes. What was he doing there?

“Hi…” Her voice came out low and longing, her blue eyes sparkling.

I didn't answer. He stopped a few meters from me, his jaw clenched, his hands in his pockets, I guessed in a tight fist. As if he were trying to contain something that was boiling up inside him. His presence was as suffocating as that room and reminded me of how vulnerable I was. Naked, in front of those people.

"I told you we'd see each other again." He said, but lowered his gaze. "I just don't know if this is as good as I thought it would be." There was pain in his voice.

"It's terrible for me." I replied in a low growl.

He cracked something like a smile, but I could see the fury in his perfect teeth and canines.

"You really don't remember me, do you?" He asked more to himself than to me. "None of us."

"Should I?" I asked thoughtfully.

"At least five of our people were injured, two of them seriously, but they didn't die for this." He said, his gaze now turned to the moon.

"Well, that's what happens when you ambush enemy territory; try to kill the prince and kidnap a protector." I rolled my eyes. "It wasn't supposed to be exactly like that; I wasn't having a good day; it was my weakest night."

Something shone even brighter in his eyes; I could see the fury mingling with something heavier, like mourning. I had to mask how intrigued I was by this. I couldn't lose control. He took a step forward. I straightened my posture, automatically putting myself on the defensive, then he stopped and raised his hands, understanding how tense I was.

"I'm not going to hurt you," he said. Her voice is not angry but tired, to my surprise.

"That's what I don't understand." I clucked my tongue in response. "Are you sadists or what?"

He laughed, pointing to the empty seat next to me. I gave in. Relaxing my body next to the window, I really wanted to understand which weapons I should play with.

"When I heard about you…" He swallowed. I've heard that speech before… "When I heard you were alive, I didn't believe it. Your reputation didn't live up to the girl who left here."

"And what girl was that?" The words came out of my mouth, as if my unconscious was eager to listen.

"A sweet, gentle, kind girl." He leaned his head against the wall; he was leaning in the same way as me, only with his hands in his pockets and about five paces away from me. He seemed to be respecting my defensiveness. Something in his face confused me: "Mel never tired of helping the pack; she was always with us; she did everything with such pleasure." He smiled, and something stirred inside me. "But at the same time, she was fierce… She fought for her own with whatever weapons she could; she was loyal; she was continually trying to resolve the pack's conflicts."

"And something tells me you were in love with her." I said, studying his features.

"I was…" He sighed, and his eyes met mine.

"I'm sorry…" I said. "I don't know what you expected or what you want… But I'm definitely not that girl."

He sighed and gave a painful smile. He lowered his head for a few seconds and then raised it again, adjusting his posture.

"I had a hard time believing everything they said. That really couldn't be my Mel. When I saw you from afar for the first time, something lit up inside me. Alive, you were alive, and we could finally bring you back to your home. It was you." He thought for a few seconds. "When I saw you at that party, when you spoke to me and seemed to recognize me, and I know you felt it… I thought, Man, she's still there."

I snorted in response.

"But… I was wrong. If I thought Mel was there, somewhere, waiting to come home. My hopes died when you conjured, when you hurt your family, and looking at you now… I can see it." His eyes bore into mine, and he seemed to read my soul, which gave me goosebumps. "I only see shadows and darkness; there is nothing that can be saved. And although everyone in this place is willing to die for you, I'll be apparent; if you hurt one of mine again, I won't hesitate; I'll tear you in half, and it will only take two seconds. At least this way, we'll be able to mourn once and for all and move on.

Before I could answer anything, he left the room. Leaving me alone with my thoughts. Audacious. Those words sent a rush of adrenaline through my body. He was someone I would fight, a fair fight, the two of us and no one else… I'd like to see his potential, since his threat was great.