~Ayan Pov~
Chaos was everywhere. The parking lot was on lockdown. The police were swarming like insects.
“Ayan, I know this is hard…”
I could barely hear the investigator. The ringing in my ears hasn't stopped since–
A sob busted from my throat, and I would've collapsed if I wasn't already on the ground.
Cover in blood.
My dead mate's blood.
My dead mate.
Aithne was dead.
She was dead.
My wolf desperately reached for our bond, and his attempt met with nothingness.
She was gone.
I saw it. I saw the bullet go through her head. I saw her collapse and then the pain when the bond broke. I.. I..
“I can't breathe.” My world was collapsing. Oh god, my mate was dead.
“Hey, hey.” Henry grabbed me.“Look at me. Honey, look at me.” I couldn't. I couldn't look at him. My stomach flipped, and my hands went to my stomach.
“She'll never know her mom.” I choke. “She's gone.” Oh god, the pain, the pain, it was becoming too much. “My mate is gone.”
“I know,” Henry said, with tears on his face and in his voice. Henry pulled me close, squeezing me tight. “I know.”
I busted into never-ending tears and clutched Henry to me. I surrender to the pain and let it consume me.
It was all I had left.
****
Darkness.
For a few moments, I was aware. There was nothing but darkness. It was all around the kind that let no light shine through. It was blissful. It made falling back to sleep much more effortless.
For a while. Then it wasn't.
The first thing I noticed when I woke was a ceiling. A wooden ceiling. I was confused. Why was it there? I slowly turned my head to the side. I wanted to examine the rest of what I thought was a room.
My head felt foggy. I couldn’t focus on much. It was all brown with objects here and there, but I couldn’t make them out. I could, however, see a chair. It was the next closest thing to me. It was dark rustic green. It looked like it was vintage. I wasn't sure, but settled for looking at that.
I couldn’t move. My entire body felt lethargic.
What was wrong with me?
I wasn’t given much to mull over before a door opened, and someone walked in.
“You finally made it.” a voice said.
From what I could make out, a man walks up to me.
A vaguely familiar man…..
“Grandpa Jenkins?”
The old man smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. “Hi, my sweet girl.”
“H..how?” I was confused. Grandpa Jenkins died when I was twelve. I shouldn't be seeing him right now.
It was a brutal hit on the family, especially me, because we were close. He was my person; the only person I felt was my family.
He continued to smile and placed a hand on my leg. “What is the last thing you remember?”
“I.. “ I racked my brain. It was fuzzy, but I was in a car, and I was talking to someon—
It hit me like a freight train, and I sat up straight. The fight, the car, the man, the the-
My eyes burned. “Oh god.” I covered my mouth. “Am I dead?”
“Yes, but staying dead solely on you.”
My face twisted, and I faced him. “What?”
Grandpa grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet. “Come with me.”
We walked out of the room and down a familiar hall to a familiar kitchen.
“Are we in the Montana cabin?” I was in awe.
I haven’t seen this cabin in years. The last time was right before Grandpa got sick…
I took a seat on the kitchen stool. “Grandpa, please tell me what’s going on?”
“You died.” He said while heading to frigid.“But for a purpose.”
“And what,” I said with sarcasm. “Is that purpose.”
He chuckled. “Still a smartass, I see.” He pulled a corona from the fridge, broke it open, and took a long drink.
I stared unimpressed at him.
He sighed. “Long story short, you're part of a prophecy.”
“Blood spilled from the human Alpha, who will then rise, signals the start to the fall of the poisoned crown.”
Time stopped itself, and the air was sucked out of the room. He spoke with this erie calm voice. His eyes turned pale white. He stood like a statue for long moments before returning to his old self.
“What.” I breathed, slightly freaked out.
“Sweet girl.” He met my eyes head-on. “Your death was necessary but only temporary.”
“Then why am I still here?” I motioned around.
“Because there are laws with the dead,” Grandpa answered. “You died, but whether you want to return is your choice.”
“That’s a no-brainer. Why wouldn’t I go back.” How could he think I didn’t want to go back? I had a life back home. A child on the way. A pack to protect. I was finally accepting my place, which was snatched away from me. Yeah, no thanks
“Because I watched how you’ve drowned in misery the past six months.”
My chest tightened. “It's different now. I've accepted my place.”
“You don't have to,” Grandpa said softly. “A lot of things have been forced upon you. This would be your way out.”
My way out? I didn’t think of it that way. I know he's right, but it doesn’t matter. It was the coward's way out. I vowed in the forest when I burned my dream life away, I would do what needed to be done.
And this needed to be done. “I want to go back.” I reiterated.
“Understand.” My grandpa warned. “This will come at a price. Will you be willing to pay?”
My stomach dropped. “What price?”
“You will be the same again. You’ve experienced death. Peace. Your soul will yearn for it for the rest of your days.”
“That’s it?” I asked. I could live with that price.
Grandpa stared deep into my eyes. A dead serious expression on his face. “It will eventually drive you mad. It’ll be like a hole you can’t fill. One you will eventually be desperate to fill. Can you handle that?”
I swallowed. “Meaning?”
“Meaning, your second death will be by your hands one day. It could be at any moment once returning to the living.”
“How long would I have after returning?” I asked. This was worrying.
He shrugged his shoulders. “That all depends on you.”
Ever so hopefully, that man. The price was still worth it. I took a deep breath. “I want to go back.”
A slight smile curved his lips before his face went serious. “Are you sure you sure?”
“Yes,” I said firmly. “Send me back the price be damned.”
Grandpa smiled that smile that always warmed my heart. “I’m so proud of you.”
He walked over and hugged me tightly. “I’d missed you.”
I hugged him back just as tightly, swallowing back tears. “ I miss you too every day.”
I pulled back and met his eyes. “Will I see you again when I..”
“Yes.” He said gently. “I’ll be here again to guide you just like now.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
He grabbed my hands. “Close your eyes.”
I did and squeezed his tightly. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Now, hold your breath. Don’t breathe in until you reach the top.”
I felt something touch my forehead, and then everything went black.
******
It was dark, and I was surrounded by liquid. I started swimming up until I saw light. My lungs screamed for air, but I knew I couldn’t inhale until I reached the top. I was almost there.
I gasped when I broke the water surface. I took greedy breaths of air. When my lungs were seated, I looked around.
I was in Lake fucking linear. The famous lake is known throughout the pack as mystical.
I scoff and swim to shore. I shivered when cold air hit my bare skin. I was naked, nice.
“I need to get home,” I muttered to myself.
Oddly enough, Lake Linear was only a 20-minute walk from Ayan and my home.
I blow out a breath. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
This was going to be one hell of a walk home. I hope ayan is okay.
Please be okay.
*****
The front was unlocked. Why? That’s what I’m going to find out. The further I went into the house, the stronger the scent of sorrow became. Ayan.
I followed his scent to our room and slowly pushed the door open. The lump on the bed didn’t move.
“Please leave me alone.” a broken voice said.
My heart broke into pieces. I moved closer to the bed. “Now, why would I ever do that?” My voice was raw, but it didn’t matter. Ayan shot up and stared.
Tears rushed down his face before he clumsily came at me. “Aithne. Aithne, is that you?” he grabbed my face and looked me over before burying his face in my chest.
“Is it really you? Or am I dreaming again?” he looked up. “Please tell me this is real.”
I looked into his wide eyes. I smiled before letting aithne come forward. We leaned down and marked ayan. He grasped and then cried in relief when our bond connected in place all over again.
Once a bond is made, it tells all truth. The bond won’t lie for anyone. Ayan can now see for himself.
“I’m here, Ayan. I’m here.” I whisper over and over.
We were whole again.
****
“Why was the door unlocked?” I asked, cuddling Ayan’s naked body close. After marking ayan, I explain what happened in the goddess realm. That led to more cries and reassurance I wasn't going anywhere for the time being, or at least I hoped, and that led to one thing and then another… and here we are cuddling after consuming the bond all over.
Ayan snuggles closer. “Herny was here until my grief chased him away. I guess when he left, he left it unlocked in case he had to rush in.”
I hummed in acknowledgment.
I smiled. “Telling them I’m back from the dead will be fun.”
Ayan stayed quiet.
“I’m sorry. I put you through that.” I said after a while.
Ayan turned over. “Why would you apologize for that? You didn’t shoot yourself or ask to be a part of this prophecy.”
I opened my mouth, but ayan beat me to it.
“No, whatever your about to say doesn’t matter. It wasn’t your fault. So don’t look me in my face and say it was.” Ayan tone of voice left no room for augment so I didn’t.
“Yes, sir.” I saluted.
“Now.” ayan started and turned over to face me. “As for everyone else and telling them your back, I think they’ll understand once they hear why.”
I nodded. “Not just understanding but concern as well.”
“Concern, Yes, but we’ll face it all together.”
I smiled and cupped his face. “The crown should be very scared of what the universe has in store for them. I’m just tipping stone. The starting point.”
“And you’ve done your part. It is no longer our business.” ayan stated.
I raised a brow. “And you’re so sure of this.”
Ayan nodded. “I am your place in the this is done.”
I smiled. My wonderful omega who unknowingly saved me.
My beautiful gift from the goddess.
The End.
Okay wow. Wow, this took me so long to write, and I don't even know why 😭😭 but I hope you all enjoyed He was my gift from the goddess. Ahh, I can't believe she's done.
Now everyone say your goodbyes 👋🏾
Byeeeeeee
Kazzy out!!!
Comments (0)
See all