LOVING IN THE QUEST

Episode 2

ANASTASIA'S POV

I yanked out of bed, beads of sweat rolling down my forehead. Squinting my eyes, I stared at my surroundings, taking deep breaths.

“It was just a dream," I assured myself as images of Darius leaving me for dead with Hazel filled my mind.

Who has nightmares about their husband having s*x with someone else?

Shaking my head, I got out of bed, trying to put the images behind me. It was already five in the morning and even though we had fought some hours ago, that wasn't going to stop me from trying. I was going to get my husband back. I took a shower and put on a nice dress.

“Maybe he's going to want me today," I told myself but the lie tasted bitter.

Shrugging my shoulders, I headed for the kitchen in hopes of making breakfast before he woke up. Humming a light hearted tone, I pulled the vegetables out of the fridge and got to work.

As I chopped the onions, I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the stinging sensation and an image of my dad appeared. I peeled my eyes open as sadness overwhelmed me. Thoughts filled every corner of my mind.

“If my Uncle was still alive, would I be living better?" I questioned, staring up to avoid tears from sliding down my face.

My heart ached and I felt more lonely than I did since he died. He was the only one who raised me since my parent died in a car crash.

I missed him so much and deep down I couldn't help but feel like he might be a little disappointed. Just like my husband, he was a beta and had died during the last war.

"Maybe he'd still hope I'd be on the battlefield and not a housewife," I whispered, clutching the knife in my hand.

"No need to cry. We have to prepare breakfast for mate," Rea, my wolf advised and I shook off the heavy sadness.

I resumed cooking but memories became a serious distraction and I began to miss my old life.

Before I got married, I was a warrior and I loved it. The training and combat made me feel alive. But it all went down the drain seven years ago.

All because of the man I called my mate and husband. Darius owed a huge amount of money. I was never sure how or why but he did and marrying him meant I was in debt too but I didn't care. He was my mate and I could do anything for him.

So I took several meagre jobs in hopes that I could meet up, but the payments barely made a difference and I found myself getting exhausted.

So exhausted I could barely fulfil any of my duties either as a wife or a warrior. So I quit picking his needs over mine.

Now I still had to work odd jobs, unable to get a proper one but I never held it against him.

‘He was my mate after all and I could take a bullet for him,’ I thought, my lips stretching into a smile.

The sound of footsteps caught my attention and I turned towards the stairs to find him walking down.

The house was filled with tension and he gave me an awkward smile which I returned.

Without saying a word, nor giving me a kiss, he walked towards the dining area. I let out an empty sigh picking up the tray of food.

Placing his food down, I tried to ignore how his gaze burned holes into the side of my head. I turned, about to walk away when he held me by the arm.

He dragged me down, planting a kiss on my forehead and I stared at him in shock. My heart raced and before I could think of what to say, he took the opportunity.

"Join me for breakfast," he muttered and I nodded, grinning sheepishly.

I brought my plate and we ate in silence, throwing glances at each other. "Do you have any plans today?" Darius asked and I stared at him with wide eyes.

"Um...yes, I have a shift this morning," I told him while taking a sip of my orange juice. He nodded and I studied him, my curiosity getting the best of me.

"Why the question?" I asked, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

"Oh. It's not important. I just thought we could go out on our anniversary," he said and I froze in disbelief.

I had completely forgotten. It was our anniversary two days ago.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" He asked, his expression changing to one of annoyance.

"Oh no. I'm sorry. I was just taken by surprise. I never thought you'd actually want to celebrate me, especially after what happened to our child," I muttered, looking down at my plate.

"Well I want to," he said, placing his hand on mine and I stared at him, my face painted in doubt and confusion.

"You're not joking right?" I asked, my gaze not leaving his.

"Why on earth would I do that? She was my daughter too. So it wasn't your fault. Let's go out. Okay?" He said and I nodded, my tummy growing warm.

We ate the rest of the meal in silence but I felt lighter than I had in years. Tanya was my still born, she came out of me dead and the doctor had said it was due to my overworking.

I had spent countless nights blaming myself for her death and being diagnosed with infertility after her death only made me fall deeper into depression.

I couldn't help but feel like Darius had grown ashamed of me too and even though he never said so, I still felt it. But now he wanted to go out with me, everything seemed like a dream.

"Ana," a voice called and I yanked my eyes open to find him staring at me. "Are you okay?" He asked, but his face held no emotion.

I stared at him like a deer in headlights, trying to conjure up meaningful words. "Yes, I'm fine,” I managed to say and he slowly nodded, looking away.

Breakfast ended and I stood in front of him, fixing his tie.

"I'll be ready by twelve noon. I'll send you the address,” I muttered, earning a grunt from him.

I planted a kiss on his cheek watching him leave the house. He turned to me with a smile. "Don't worry. I'll make it and maybe we can go clean the grave after,” he assured and Rea purred in excitement.

I had made a grave for Tanya and memories of him yelling at me in hopes to stop me from visiting it played in my head.

"Stop going there!” he yelled and I squeezed my eyes shut at the harshness of his voice.

"Investing too much emotion in a child that didn't exist will only make me a lunatic like you," he added.

"We have to move on."

He finally wanted to come along. I nodded with a grin and he gave me a peck, walking out.

As I watched him drive out, I couldn't help but feel that just maybe my husband still cared deep down and there was hope for our broken marriage.