Vione was sure that there was no waiting more agonizing than this. Time passed so slowly, the days changing at an agonizingly sluggish pace. It was as if she was trapped in the same moment because Usher was not with her.
Day after day passed like an endless circle of suffering. The mornings brought harsh realities and the nights gave her nightmares. Vione suffered. She was tormented by a longing so intense that she didn’t want to count how many days Usher had been away from her.
Vione didn’t want to know. Knowing would only increase her agony during this time of waiting. So, she ignored everything and steeled her heart by clinging to a hope. Usher would be all right. He had promised. He would definitely come back to me.
Her faith in Usher kept Vione standing until now. Amidst the uncertainty of the past, present and future, she could only hold on to Usher’s promise. And that’s what she did-she waited for Usher to fulfill his promise.
Vione spent every day at Mystoria Falls, a routine she never failed to follow. Not only to wait for Usher’s return, but also to calm herself. Always restless and anxious, she miraculously found peace there.
The serenity she felt made Vione feel closer to nature. Her soul was at peace, as was her wolf spirit. It felt like she was in the right place, a place that made her feel safe, a place where she didn’t have to worry about anything, a place like home that would always open its arms to welcome her.
It was a feeling Vione couldn’t put into words. It was just like the first time Rowena had taken her to Mystoria Falls, and she felt a familiar sensation that made her wonder. Her heart was beating strangely, her blood was rushing. Strangely, she was sure she had never been there before, while her heart felt the opposite. Her heart felt happy, as if relieved to finally end a long separation.
Vione didn’t understand the feeling that came over her whenever she was at Mystoria Falls. But what she understood even less was the occasional feeling that the nature around her recognized her.
The wind that blew was more than just cool; it seemed to caress Vione’s cheeks, as if to wipe away the tears that were falling. The rustling of the leaves sounded like a melodious melody, trying to comfort her, occasionally calling her name. Even the usually wild forest animals often showed up and approached her when Ayla and Rowena weren’t around, like friends who didn’t want to leave her alone and lonely.
So, there was no reason for Vione to leave Mystoria Falls. She spent most of her time there, returning to Rowena’s house only occasionally. Mostly, it was Ayla and Rowena who came to visit her, just like that night.
“Luna.”
Vione greeted Ayla and Rowena’s arrival with a heart full of joy. A smile blossomed on her beautiful face, but it was not the same for Ayla and Rowena. Their visit wasn’t just to bring her blankets and food.
“Please, Luna. I just don’t want you to get sick,” Ayla said, begging Vione again. She looked at Vione with a hopeful look. “It would be better if you came home and rested at Rowena’s.”
Vione gently stroked Ayla’s arm. “I understand your concern, but I am well. In fact, I can say that the longer I stay here, the more peaceful I feel.”
Ayla looked forlorn and could no longer speak. She gave up. “Luna.”
On the other hand, Rowena didn’t stay silent. She also tried to convince Ayla. She said, “The journey to the past is not short, Luna. Alpha will need time, and for that you must take care of yourself. Alpha will be sad if something happens to you.”
“Can’t you see that I am fine?” Vione asked and spread her arms. Then she looked alternately at Ayla and Rowena. “Aren’t I fine? In fact, don’t I seem much better?”
Ayla and Rowena could only remain silent. They couldn’t argue because Vione’s words were true. Vione’s condition seemed to improve from day to day. She, who was always sad with a pale face and a thin body, now showed significant changes. Not only was her face fresher and her body fuller, but she seemed to shine like the moonlight.
“It’s not that I don’t want to listen to your advice. I know you’re concerned about me. But I have to say that staying here is really the right choice,” Vione said, looking at the small cave not far away. A smile appeared on her face again. “I really feel at peace.”
Ayla and Rowena exchanged looks. Their looks conveyed helplessness. Once again, they couldn’t convince Vione. Still, they wouldn’t give up. They would try again and…
The sound of something falling made Ayla and Rowena turn around at the same time. They saw Vione moaning suddenly. The blanket and food container she had been holding fell to the ground.
“Luna!”
The pain was sudden. There was no warning. It appeared and struck Vione without mercy.
Vione moaned loudly. Her eyes closed and her hand clutched her left breast. Then she couldn’t hold on. Her body lost its strength. She staggered.
Ayla and Rowena managed to catch Vione just in time. Then they laid her on the ground with difficulty, for Vione was having unexpected seizures.
“Rowena, what’s happening to Luna?”
Rowena quickly opened Vione’s eyelids. She saw that Vione’s eyes were rolling upwards, and at the same time her seizures were getting worse. No, God. Please, no.
Rowena’s face went pale. A chill spread through her body. But she tried to push away the bad thoughts that began to fill her mind.
Rowena took a deep breath. She calmed down and decided to check Vione’s condition immediately. Her assumption might be wrong.
Unfortunately, Rowena’s fear was compounded when she saw that Vione’s skin was undergoing a terrifying change. A blue-golden color appeared along her veins and nerves.
“Rowena.” Ayla’s voice trembled. The terror Rowena felt was shared by her. “What’s happening to Luna?”
Rowena jerked. She blinked and a tear ran down her cheek. “Alpha is dead.”
Ayla froze. “W-what did you say, Rowena?” she asked bitterly. Then she shook her head several times. “No. That’s not possible.”
Rowena wanted to deny reality as well, but there was nothing she could do. For a moment later, Vione stopped having seizures. Instead, Vione stopped moving altogether. Her body stiffened and her breathing stopped.
“Luna!”
Ayla screamed loudly. She hugged Vione’s rigid body and burst into tears.
On the other hand, Rowena could only close her eyes. She bowed her head and grabbed one of Vione’s hands. She kissed Vione’s fingers several times. Forgive me, Vione. Forgive me.
In that moment, time seemed to stand still. Grief and loss had stopped the passage of time. Ayla and Rowena were engulfed in a grief they had never imagined.
Nature fell silent. There was no song of nocturnal creatures. No rustling of leaves. Even the wind stopped. Everything seemed to share their grief. They too cried, wishing it all to disappear.
The silence was broken by the roar of Mystoria Falls. Nature rebelled. Chaos erupted everywhere; everything was in disarray.
The wind turned into a storm, tossing everything around. Trees creaked ominously. Nocturnal animals made a racket.
Rain fell. Lightning struck; its flash blue-golden. Everything was in utter chaos, disappearing one by one.
“Rowena!” cried Ayla as she continued to hug Vione’s body. She shielded Vione’s body from the heavy rain. “What is happening?”
Rowena didn’t answer right away; instead, she stood up. She looked intently at the lightning that continued to strike. She wasn’t afraid at all. On the contrary, a smile appeared behind her flowing tears.
“Thank you, Alpha. Thank you for keeping your promise to Vione,” Rowena said before turning to Ayla. Then she said. “Alpha has succeeded.”
Then everything disappeared one by one. They all disappeared in the rain and lightning.
*