HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF
1694 Words
NATALIA
History repeats itself for those who don’t learn from it.
I told myself that I would change my fate by stopping the wedding, but what if something had already changed just by me going back in time? What if I had this feeling that I would forever regret if I let him go?
It took a lot of talk, and passive aggressive remarks from people in my pack after I went back, but the wedding pushed through as it should be. This time, it felt more real.
Everything else that happened after the wedding was different from what I remembered. It felt lighter to the heart, but even though I was already given the choice of whether to continue the wedding or not, and I agreed, I still couldn’t put myself to be fully happy and contented. There was a constant gnawing feeling in my chest that wouldn’t go away no matter what I did.
Did I already change my fate? Is it really that easy? Those were the questions that played in my mind every single time I woke up.
“Talia? Are you okay?”
I felt my face heat up, both with the nickname he called me and the worry he showed.
We were on our way to another pack for a pack visit, and I shouldn’t be thinking about this right now. The first thing I did after our marriage was to check on Lorelei’s pack, only to learn that it suddenly didn’t exist.
That alone should have me at peace, but it’s doing the opposite.
“I’m fine.” I quickly dismissed his worry, not wanting to burden him.
Tristan’s eyes are focused on the road but I know that he was stealing glancing at me.
“Okay…” He let go of the topic but still looked bothered.
“Say, what is the name of the pack again?” I asked, just to change the topic.
“It’s Sunwood pack. It’s a fairly new pack at the edge of the city. They just moved in and the alpha of their pack sought new allies and invited us for a talk.”
It wasn’t the name of Lorelei’s pack, but my heart was still unsettled with worry. I forced a smile and nodded just so he wouldn’t worry.
We sat there in complete silence for a good moment until he stopped the car. I lifted my gaze, thinking that we were already here, but we were nowhere near a werewolf pack.
“What’s the matter?” He turned to me, looking at me with intensity in her eyes. “Be honest with me. Am I doing something wrong?”
My eyes widened. I didn’t expect that he’d notice my distance from him. It’s not that I don’t appreciate what he does or how he tries his best to make me comfortable. I’m simply terrified that history will repeat itself, and then I’ll get hurt again.
“No. You’ve been nothing but good to me. I guess I’m just overthinking about things, but it’s not you.” I kept my response vague. I wanted to be honest with him, but I don’t think I’m ready for that.
Tristan leaned closer until we were seeing eye to eye. His eyes changed into his wolf's, reflecting his desire. His stares were intense, as if staring right into my soul. I lowered my gaze, but it only made it worse because, this time, I was staring at his lips.
“I’ve been wanting to kiss you since earlier.” He mumbled, which quickly made me lift my eyes again.
“What?”
He chuckled and leaned further, pressing his lips onto mine ever so gently. My face heated up in surprise.
“That’s what.” Tristan grinned mischievously.
I ended up laughing. I’ve never seen this side of him before. Even back then, it took a lot of effort for us to open up to each other.
“Tristan, can you please promise me one thing?”
Tristan looked confused but eventually nodded. “Sure, what is it?”
“Our marriage, can you not regret it no matter what happens?”
It was a huge and selfish request, given what I’ve made in efforts to stop the wedding and how I’ve been acting for the past weeks in fear of tragedy happening again.
Tristan looked at me with a sincere smile. “Didn’t I tell you that our marriage isn’t just for the pack alliance? You’re my chosen mate, Natalia. I’ll never regret marrying you.”
The Sunwood pack welcomed us warmly. They’re smaller than our packs, but everyone seemed enthusiastic.
“We moved from the countryside to the city for a new opportunity. Thank you for letting us settle.” Roy, the alpha of the pack, quickly thanked us.
“About that. Welcoming a new pack ally is not a problem, but this is such a huge change. Not many packs do this because it is hard to settle with humans’ peering eyes. What prompted this is what I wanted to know.” Tristan didn’t beat around the bush and asked.
Roy heaved a sigh, lowering his head in humility. “We were used to a simple life, away from the loud noise in the city. The problem is, we were alone and shameful to admit, but we were vulnerable to hunters. I tried my best to protect my pack, but I still lost the people I cared for. It was a huge change like you said, but I figured settling in this city would give us a new opportunity and a safer place to live.”
“I see. Then I’ll help you get through with the other packs in the city and others of our allied packs. As long as you follow the set rules all packs in our alliance follow, then you’ll have our aid. I’m also willing to help you financially.” He didn’t hesitate and offered.
It never ceased to amaze me whenever he was like this. I’ve met a lot of alphas, being part of our pack’s alpha bloodline, but being with Tristan in a short time immediately made me realize how different he was from them. I wouldn’t dare say that those alphas don’t care about their pack, but many of them were bound to a fate imposed on them upon birth. I don’t think many of them were genuinely willing to lead such a life if given another option.
Tristan, on the other hand, seemed to be really enjoying his duties. Sometimes, I feel exhausted for him, but he doesn’t seem to get tired of helping his people.
He truly cares for his pack and has always been a kind-hearted person. It’s how I see him even in the past. That is why I couldn’t grasp that he would frame me for something I didn’t do. I had no idea or connection to the rogues that attacked our pack.
“What do you think, Talia?” Tristan turned to me, wearing a curious face.
I pointed at myself in surprise, “Me?”
“Of course, you’re my Luna. I’d like to hear your opinions, too.”
I think this was the first time he called me his Luna aside from our vows during the wedding. It was heartwarming. At the same time, I still can’t erase my worries.
Roy chuckled. “What a sweet couple. I definitely chose the right people to ask for help.”
I couldn’t help but get flustered. I don’t think we’ve got such comments from anyone in our packs because I was still awkward about it. That, or I was too worried and couldn’t care to hear people’s comments.
Now, I realize that it was unfair for Tristan. He was trying his best to make this relationship work… much like how I did in the past.
I gave my opinion and engaged with the conversation. Soon after, the topic shifted from business to something more personal.
“Right, do you have a partner?” Tristan asked.
Roy looked like he was just a little bit older than us. Most alphas marry in their early twenties to produce an heir as soon as possible.
He gave a warm smile and chuckled, “I guess larger packs have stricter rules with marriage. As ridiculous as it sounds, I’m actually waiting for my fated mate. I know that it was a one-in-a-million chance, but my instincts tell me that my mate is near.”
My heart skipped a beat. It was believed that everyone has their fated mates, people the goddess specifically chose for us, but the timing of this conversation felt like a punch in the gut, especially since I was worried about the exact reason.
“I don’t think it’s ridiculous. I hope you meet your mate soon.” Tristan responded with a smile.
I was about to respond when someone suddenly rushed inside. “I’m really sorry to interrupt the conversation, but we have a situation outside.”
Roy was quickly alarmed and stood, “What is it about?”
“We’ve been scouting around the territory and found hunters nearby. We managed to hide and didn’t engage, but when we checked the surroundings after they left, we found a she-wolf. The woman is gravely injured, and we don’t have the means to help her.”
The first thing Tristan did was to hold my hand. We got out to check on the injured she-wolf. Tristan held my hand tightly all the time, but everything changed when we saw who it was.
I let out a gasp, both for seeing her condition and figuring out who she was. We weren’t supposed to meet this way and not this early, either.
Tristan was as stunned as I was. His hand slowly let go of mine, and that’s how I knew that I lost him again.
“I need to bring her back to my pack,” Tristan uttered. His eyes have changed into his wolf, barely being able to stop himself.
I was wrong to believe that I changed my fate. If anything, I have worsened it.
- Writer
