Vione felt a sense of unease as the sun rose on the eastern horizon. Her consciousness came suddenly and she awoke immediately. She was panting and sweat drenched her body as if she had just run hundreds of miles.
The discomfort grew throughout the day, making Vione increasingly tired. She tried to calm herself, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t help but try to find the source of the fear that gripped her, but she couldn’t find it.
The air felt suffocating. Vione grew restless, so she decided to just walk through the forest. She emerged from the cave and at the same time the man appeared.
Vione’s steps stopped instantly. For a moment, she just stared at the man without saying a word. Then her focus shifted to someone behind the man.
Vione’s eyes widened. “Ayla.”
Ayla approached Vione immediately. They embraced in a longing and relief that words could not express. Finally, they met again after so long, although Vione was sure that something bad had brought them together.
“Ayla, what happened to you?” Vione asked after their embrace loosened. She saw Ayla’s disheveled and chaotic state. She was immediately worried. “Why are you here?”
Ayla held her breath against Vione’s chest for a moment. The relief she felt immediately vanished because of Vione’s question. She couldn’t give Vione an answer. The only thing she could say was, “It’s over, Vione.”
Vione’s body froze. A bitterness rose in her throat. “What do you mean, Ayla? What’s over?”
Ayla wanted to tell Vione everything, about the slander and the bad fate that had befallen Garth, about the fights within the pack. But the man anticipated her and said the opposite.
“No, Ayla. It’s not over yet.”
Ayla and Vione both turned to look at the man who was still standing. He stood still, then alternately looked at Ayla and Vione. His demeanor and voice spoke of conviction and steadfastness.
“Everything will be better soon. You don’t have to worry. Take care of yourselves.”
Ayla and Vione looked at each other. They remained silent, but they seemed to understand each other’s thoughts.
The reactions of Ayla and Vione alarmed the man. So, he said, “I’m going.”
The man left quickly. He entered the forest and continued to walk faster. Suddenly he heard a rustling in the bushes. His eyes widened as he had a premonition.
It was too late to escape. The man’s hand had been grabbed by someone. His steps stopped and he turned reflexively.
“Vione.”
Vione looked as she tightened her grip on the man’s wrist. For a moment, she tried to regain control of her erratic breathing from chasing after him. “You.”
“What are you doing?” the man asked, noticing Vione’s grip. He wanted to release his hand but couldn’t. “Please, let me go. I have to go now.”
Vione shook her head. Her gaze sharpened, her eyes showing determination. “I won’t let you go until I know who you are. You want to leave now? Fine.” She nodded once. “Answer my question and I’ll let you go. What are you really doing? Why did you slander me, but now you’re helping us?”
The man remained silent. Behind the mask he wore, his face stiffened. “I can’t answer your question, Vione, but please believe me. I have no ill intentions toward you or anyone else.”
Sensing sincerity, Vione nodded. “I know, but I still want to know who you really are.”
“I’m sorry.”
Vione knew a simple apology would have no effect. So, she made a rash decision. Unexpectedly, she quickly extended her other hand. It aimed for the mask that covered the man’s face.
The man’s eyes widened. Vione’s fingertips reached the mask. Backed into a corner, he had no choice but to dodge. The man’s free hand grabbed Vione’s waist.
Vione’s fingertips slipped. The man’s mask slipped from her grasp. She also found herself trapped in an embrace that crushed her.
“Please, Vione,” the man whispered into Vione’s ear. His voice was deep, almost a whisper. “Don’t.”
Vione froze. She couldn’t even react to the man’s words, let alone move. Her body stiffened with a quickening heartbeat.
Slowly, Vione’s eyes closed. Her strength faded and her hand fell helplessly. Her grip on the man’s wrist loosened, as did the fingers that had tried to remove his mask.
Vione took a deep breath. She filled her lungs with a familiar scent that her sense of smell recognized. Then something surged in her chest, making her bite her lip hard.
The embrace loosened. Then the hands left Vione’s body. But this time she stayed still, doing nothing as she felt the man leave.
Vione fell to the floor. Now she could no longer hold back the turmoil. Warmth filled her eyes. Tears began to flow.
The reason? Time would never be enough to make Vione forget the most important thing in her life. She might not have seen the owner of her heart and her love for a long time, but her soul and her body still knew their owner very well. Even without seeing, every part of her could feel every signal. The gentle touch, the sharp look of security, and the warm embrace were always etched in her memory, creating an unbreakable bond even as the days passed. For her, true love was not only limited to time and space, but also tightly bound in every beat of her heart and every breath.
Just like Vione had felt a moment ago. Her lungs recognized the scent. Her body recognized the embrace. Most of all, her wolf soul recognized that peace.
Vione’s tears flowed even more. Her crying was truly unstoppable and she found herself squeezing her chest as hard as she could. There was a tightness that made her unable to breathe. There was pain that forced her to clench her fists, and then she hit her chest again and again.
“Usher.”
Vione wouldn’t be wrong. She was sure that her suspicion was not wrong at all. I know his embrace, I know his touch, and my heart beats only for him.
*