Usher dramatically closed his eyes. His face flushed red; his jaw clenched to contain his rising anger. But a second later, his right hand balled into a fist and he slammed it down on the table with full force.
The rage that consumed Usher was beyond measure. The hope he had come so close to realizing vanished in an instant, all because of Mireya’s presence.
Usher’s plan had failed. The Past Usher did not take the antidote Rowena had prepared. On top of that, another fight broke out between The Past Usher and The Past Vione. Everything was a complete mess.
Despair was creeping in and threatening Usher’s resolve. It seemed that all his efforts so far had been in vain. A question popped into his head: What if the past really can’t be changed?
As soon as the question appeared, Usher shook his head. He dismissed the negative possibility and took a deep breath. He knew the only thing he had to do now was to stay calm. He couldn’t afford to be swept away by a wave of emotions that could blind his vision and cloud his clear thinking.
Usher opened his eyes a moment later and saw on the monitor The Past Vione leaving the dining room, holding back her disappointment and anger. He realized that his immediate priority was to make sure The Past Vione forgave him. Only then would he plan his next steps.
*
It was certainly not a good morning for The Past Vione. On the contrary, it was probably one of the worst mornings of her life. It was so bad that she didn’t even know how to express her feelings. On the one hand, she wanted to scream and destroy everything around her. On the other hand, the tears kept fighting to break free.
With quick steps, The Past Vione made her way through the palace corridor in no time. She ignored the greetings of the Omegas and went straight to her room. She entered and stopped in the middle of the room, feeling completely helpless.
The Past Vione’s body shook violently, a combination of anger and sadness that made her almost unable to stand. But she held on, her eyes scanning the room, a silent witness to all the sweet memories between her and Usher. Sadly, the familiar walls now felt suffocating.
Frustration overwhelmed The Past Vione. She let out a long scream and then collapsed to the floor. She buried her face in her hands and finally the tears she had been holding back flowed freely down her cheeks.
The Past Vione’s sobs sounded heartbreaking. All the feelings and emotions that had shaken her were poured out in a deeply agonized cry. The pain had engulfed her so deeply. She felt as if her world had crumbled as the memories of past events replayed in her mind, making her heart ache even more.
The past Vione was wounded again. Just last night this wound had been healed by Usher’s sweet words and gentle touch.
The Past Vione’s expression changed a moment later. Her crying stopped as she realized an ironic truth that had happened to her again and again. How could you be so heartless, Usher? How could you toy with my feelings like this? You truly have no heart.
The Past stopped counting how many times the same scenario had played out with Usher. She was always hurt, often humiliated in front of Mireya, and then Usher would come to her, apologize and shower her with affection, making her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.
The foolish thing, The Past Vione thought, was that she kept getting caught up in Usher’s game. She always got caught up in Usher’s sweet promises and charming words. Every time Usher approached her with that smile, her heart would surely melt.
Vione couldn’t resist the past. She always believed, always hoped that this time would be different, that their relationship would return to its warm state as before.
But reality always hit The Past Vione hard. It hit her hard enough to open her eyes. Maybe she had never really known Usher all this time. She always hoped that Usher would change and return to the way he used to be, but all she got was disappointment.
The awareness of Vione’s past surfaced along with the growing feelings of despair and heartbreak. She knew she couldn’t be a victim of Usher’s game anymore. So, she wiped away her tears and made a decision. She would not be swayed by Usher’s charm and unfulfilled promises.
Unfortunately, this resolve only highlighted the weakness of The Past Vione. For as night fell, just as she was about to fall asleep, Usher arrived.
The Past Vione had reminded herself again and again. She said to herself. Do not be fooled by Usher’s sweet words. He’s only here to hurt you. Don’t give him the chance.
But something unexpected happened. Usher came with red eyes and pale lips. He arrived with a sad face, his gaze revealing a deep wound.
The past Vione forgot everything. Her body moved on its own, out of pure instinct. Her concern for Usher far outweighed her anger.
“Usher,” The Past Vione whispered as she cupped his face. She could feel how cold his skin was. “What has happened to you? Why do you look so devastated? Did you…”
Usher grabbed The Past Vione’s hand and held it tightly. He looked at her with tear-filled eyes. “Forgive me, Vione. Please, forgive me.”
The Past Vione was stunned. “F-forgive?” She swallowed hard and felt a lump in her throat. “Forgive you for what, Usher?”
“For everything, Vione. For all my helplessness. For my weakness,” Usher replied in a choked voice. He was truly tormented. “Please, give me time to make things right.”
The air lingered in her chest, swirling with a mix of emotions. The Past Vione smiled bitterly. “How long, Usher?” she asked in a flat tone, a reaction that suggested she could no longer trust him. “You keep doing this.”
Usher closed his eyes. Then a single tear rolled down his cheek. “I’m sorry.”
“You know? This is really torturing me. So, tell me, what is really going on?” The Past Vione shook her head, feeling that there was a more pertinent question to ask. “What exactly are you doing? Why do your actions and behavior keep changing?”
Usher was in turmoil. His heart’s desire was rebelling. The urge to tell The Past Vione everything kept trying to cloud his mind.
The Past Vione could sense it. Usher’s reaction confirmed her suspicion that something was indeed happening. “Tell me, Usher. What are you keeping from me?”
“I can’t, Vione,” Usher whimpered, lowering his head. His helplessness weakened him. He fell to the floor, then clasped The Past Vione’s legs as if he were kneeling. “Forgive me.”
The Past Vione’s eyes widened. She shook her head as she tried to lift Usher’s body. “Please, stand up, Alpha.”
An Alpha shouldn’t lower himself in front of another werewolf. The Past Vione didn’t want to see Usher do that, despite the immense sadness and disappointment she was holding in.
The Past Vione embraced Usher. She hugged him as tightly as she could, then helped him to his feet. “Do not kneel before me, Alpha. Forgive me. I shouldn’t have doubted you. Forgive me.”
At this point, The Past Vione didn’t know if she was being extremely stupid or something else. She tried to ask her wolf soul, and the answer she got contradicted her rational mind. Usher always loves you, Vione.
This conviction contradicted the reality that The Past Vione experienced again and again. It didn’t make sense, and unfortunately love never knew logic.
The Past Vione realized this once again, even though she had been crying all day. The heartbreak when Usher betrayed her and defended Mireya was unbearable. But none of that compared to the pain that was now squeezing her heart so hard that she could barely breathe.
In the end, The Past Vione understood that her love for Usher could never be stopped. She was truly both weak and strong for the same reason.
*