Talia's POV




My eyes already hurt from the constant tear shedding. My head was throbbing and simply lifting my eyelids was such strenuous exercise. With my eyes closed, I wondered how long I could put up with this life, this chaotic circus I so often find myself in.

I was tired and was gradually wearing out the only person who still has whatever desire to keep me safe and alive, the only person I know and have got as of now.

With my eyes closed, the dark thoughts started streaming in and there was really no way to fight them. Not only did I not have the strength to, but they were a very welcome distraction from all the pain and discomfort I was feeling, in my body, mind and heart.


The warm exhale of my breath seemed less of a sign of life and more like a cry for help. I could hear my breath sound like some strange musical instrument.

'How are you coping now?" Kael came to check on me again. Time must have passed because I really did not expect him to want to see me sooner than he could help it.


I could barely express how I really feel, but I hope my body could do all the talking. Even though my eyes were closed, he obviously would know I was awake due to the fresh hot tears that started streaming down my face as soon as I saw him.

'Water." I said, more like croaked. He probably took a second to process and realize what I meant as he did not leave right away, but didn't want me to repeat myself. It was a really sore sight.

'Take." He said when he re-entered. I felt him sit next to me as the bed creaked and crooned under his pressure, and the side of my body sunk to touch his, partly.

He held my head up and used his other hand to support my back while he slowly raised me to sit upright and put it to my mouth.

It was warm milk. Really thoughtful of him. The weather had begun to fall, and the once sunny day was now a bitingly cold night. I rushed it like someone who was half dead, before suddenly remembering my lady manners and tilting the cup lower, drinking without as much gasps and throat noises.

I opened my eyes for the first time since he came back to check on me. It was less hurtful as the day had grown significantly darker. My face must be really swollen. I was too scared to touch it. Ignorance is bliss, they say.

'It's really not as bad." He said, unasked. Taking my left hand in his right and just sitting with me in silence.

'Can I rest my head on your shoulder?" I asked him in reply. Managing to look up at his face.

I had barely made the next turn before he guided my head to his broad shoulders. It was really comfortable. I wanted to worry that he wasn't resting his back and was probably really uncomfortable, but I was too selfish to care about anything but me. I could smell the mint and coconut oil smell on his skin, it only made me want to snuggle a little closer, probably fit my whole body into his if it was possible.

'Can it remain like this forever?" I managed to ask no one in particular.

'It can." He replied, and I immediately knew there was a catch to it. ' He began to stroke my hair slowly, 'It can, if we want it to."

I knew not to take the bait.

'You ever heard of anyone who ever left their mates to get with someone else?" I asked him. Not totally deviating from the subject, Kael was no fool, at the same time, I really did not want to have any arguments that would end up making the air stiff and awkward

'Tough or fluff?" He asked, good humoredly. I thanked the stars for aligning in my favor and letting things work my way for once, just once for as long as I could remember.

'Tough." I replied. I was slowly getting back my strength and voice, 'first." I added the caveat with a small chuckle.

'My sister, my late sister, was the only person who I knew was bold enough to go against tradition, everything that made sense to everyone but her.

'Much like you, I assume." I said, hoping he would not take offense.

'Much worse." He replied proudly, to my surprise and amusement.

'She went ahead with a guy she felt more attracted to. More spice to the story is that he wasn't even a wolf. She met him once when he strayed into our pack territory and hid him in the house. After just three months together, she left with him when other pack members began to discover we were hiding a human." His excitement diminished with every single word he said. 'We woke up to her dead body placed in front of the pack house two years later. Till tomorrow no one knows who brought her back." His voice was very flat at the end of the story.

'I'm so so…" I can't lie, I was actually apprehensive of apologizing, because quite logically, it's been years and he has probably healed, but it still was the first thing that came to my head.

'It's fine. Don't make it weird." He said.

There was silence, but it wasn't awkward. I like how we had started communicating freely, less censored and less hindered.

'Fluff now?" He asked, making the atmosphere lighter.

'Yes." I replied, bubbling like a little girl.

'My mom always had a saying " He started, 'She also believed that Luna, or Moon Goddesses was a daring person, and she felt especially drawn towards daring people. She never really believed that one couldn't find love outside their mates, but she was too scared to try." He concluded.

'Hmm." I replied, for lack of something more sensible.

'You did not make me tell this story for nothing, did you?" He asked.

Once again, I was lost for words. But very unfortunately for me this time, I was also laying on him, which meant no escape from the question that hung between us.

It really is a circle