Ivan sat at the counter with a glass of vodka before him. He traced his finger over the mouth of it, reminiscing about everything that had happened so far.
He couldn’t think about Xoe’s death; it would be too painful, but he could think about the little time they spent together and how she made him feel while she still lived. It wouldn’t change reality, but it would make him feel better, even if for a little while.
He had never felt this much pain. The loss of the wise one was one thing, but the loss of Xoe was another.
Today had changed everything, and now he felt fate had robbed him of the sacred things in life. After meeting Xoe, he thought he would experience what the other “normal” Harts experience: being with someone, but he never got the chance.
He wasn’t like the rest of the Harts; he was different, and that made him keep to himself. He was the only human among them. He felt different for a long time, but his siblings did their best to not leave him out of anything they did. Being human meant he was slower and more vulnerable, and he stayed that way until he became the wise one at eighteen. That gave him a sense of belonging, and that was ten years ago.
He has dedicated his entire life and existence to the Dominio pack as the wise one; that was what was expected of him. He had told himself that being a wise one was worth it for as long as he could remember. The pack always came first, and so it has, but now he wonders if it was worth it. He never learnt emotions such as love and attraction because he never thought they were important, and even if they were, the pack came first. Xoe would have changed that, but fate took her away.
He hasn’t even gotten his first kiss. He would have gotten his first kiss ten years ago, when he was eighteen. Shelly was her name, and she was beautiful and nice, and they were out together on her brother’s birthday. They had a good time, and he would have kissed her if he hadn’t experienced the awakening of his powers as the wise one that very night. Since then, he hadn’t had the opportunity to, and honestly, a part of him gave up on it.
Being the wise one came with its own burden. He couldn’t live like the rest and had to be on high alert. He had to be ready and receptive to every pack member and their troubles, not just his siblings. The wise ones also had to have balance, so they learnt to keep a sober mind. Being sober didn’t help his wise siblings, though.
Getting drunk wasn’t the wisest choice to make tonight, but Ivan didn’t care; he wanted a proper way to mourn the loss of his wise siblings and Xoe. He couldn’t remember when last he drank; he always loved being in control, but now, for the first time in a long time, he didn’t want to be in control. Besides, what better way than to raise a glass to them in their honour and celebrate them?
“Is this seat taken?” he heard a familiar voice ask from behind him, and turning around, he saw Daniel, and he drew a shaky breath.
Was he dreaming, or was this real?
Daniel has been gone for over two years, and the few times he has seen him were when he dream-walked to him. A part of him wanted to check up on him and make sure he was safe, but even then, he didn’t let Daniel see him. Standing before him now meant he was back, but for how long?
“When you’re done gawking, let me know.” Daniel said cockily.
Ivan cleared his throat and said, “Daniel! Um, I didn’t think I’d see you here. This is so unexpected.” He chuckled nervously. “Please sit.”
Daniel did as he was told and placed his hands on the counter, double-tapping to signal the bartender.
“You’ve been gone for two years.”
Daniel paused and turned to him. “It’s been over two years,” he corrected.
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“What are you doing in a place like this? Aren’t you the wise one of your brother’s pack?”
“I am.” He nodded.
Daniel’s brow furrowed. “I thought you were to be vigilant and keep a sober mind always.”
Someone knew a lot. Ivan thought, but chuckled painfully and said, “Yes, true. That’s true, but I’m taking a break.”
The bartender came and took Daniel’s order, which was a shot of whisky, and he told him to keep it coming.
“Is that possible?”
“No, but I’m taking one, regardless.”
Daniel gave him a reasonable look and said, “Rebellion was the last virtue I saw in you. Nice to know.”
The bartender returned with his glass and a bottle of whisky and poured it for him. Daniel wrapped his hands around the glass and lifted it, tilting it a little towards Ivan before taking it to his mouth and emptying the entire contents.
“What have you been doing in the last two years?” Ivan asked, as if he didn’t know.
“Hunting,” he replied. “I’ve been around twenty states so far.”
Ivan nodded. “And you’ve killed supernatural creatures.”
He nodded and spoke, “Those that are a threat to humans and those that try to kill me.”
Two years ago, he didn’t think he would be seated and discussing with Daniel his work in such a calm and coordinated manner. Daniel didn’t like him, and he didn’t blame him; after everything they did to him, it was only natural that he wouldn’t. If Daniel had his way, he would have killed him the first chance he got, but that chance never came. Here now, he felt as if he spoke to another Daniel, but it was the same Daniel.
“Fair enough.”
“So, what are you looking for here?”
Ivan’s grip tightened around the mouth of his glass. “Honestly. I came here to mourn,” he blurted out before turning to Daniel. “I lost someone very important.”
Despite the bad blood and horrible circumstances that brought them together, he knew he could trust Daniel. Something about him, which he couldn’t explain, told him that he could.
Daniel’s eyes dropped. “Oh, I’m sorry about that, but isn’t this place the wrong place to pay your last respect?” He turned around to the ones seated around the bar. “I mean, it’s not the most quiet.”
“You’re right, it’s not the most quiet,” he answered. “I just wanted to drink and forget the great loss.”
“Well, have you?”
“If I had, I would not be talking about it.” He groaned, and his head dropped.
“I am sorry. I know that whoever they were, you must have really cared about them. You do not have to tell me more than you already have.”
Ivan appreciated his words because he didn’t want to talk anymore. “Why are you back? Last time I checked, you were in Rayfield.” The words left his mouth before he could bite down on his tongue.