5.
482 Words
Lana
Everything is numb.
Staring at the crimson red hands I had cradled my scorching mug of tea with confirms it. I cannot feel a thing.
The chattering voices around me sound so muffled, almost as if my head is under water, but the seconds hand on the wall clock is deafening. I watch it now as it ticks, steadily moving past the 12. A warm hand touches my arm gently as it reaches the 5.
'Lana my dear, please talk to us'
Turning to face my mother, I watch her lips move but the words don't compute.
'I think I need a lie down'
One foot in front of the other, I manage to drag myself to my room. Sinking into the soft mattress, my eyes close and I submit to the darkness.
My eyes flutter awake, the sound of hushed voices emit from the next room.
How long have I been lay here?
Lying perfectly still, I listen intently. I hear the velvet tone of Nial's voice.
He's here! He's actually here, was it all just a terrible dream?
Rushing out of my bedroom, I fall into him and cuddle him tightly. His arms fold around me, but this time it feels different. This time he's holding me loosely, hugging me out of habit.
Pulling away my face drops at the sight of his deflated expression.
'I thought it was just a dream, but it wasn't, was it?'
Shifting awkwardly, he opens his mouth but nothing comes out.
Sensing his remorse, my mother interjects
'Lana, honey. You know this isn't Nial's fault. He has no control over this'
He lifts his head to look at me and sighs.
How can I possibly love someone so much, but hate them at the same time?
'I'm so sorry Lana, I didn't expect this to happen, I don't have a choice in this'
His face full of anguish and sorrow.
Pondering this for a moment, an idea enters my mind. A dark thought, but an idea none the less.
'You do have a choice' my voice is so quiet, almost inaudible. 'You could reject her'
My faint suggestion was greeted with faces of horror. A wolf rejecting their mate was almost unheard of, extremely difficult, but entirely possible. The connection between mates is unequivocal, an invisible rope binding them together. Severing the tie is exceptionally painful and potentially dangerous.
'Lana, you cannot be serious', my mother is filled with outrage now.
The cogs are turning in Nial's head as he processes this proposition.
I wish I knew what he was thinking.
Reaching for my hand, he grasps it tightly. His grey eyes darken as they bore into my soul.
'I need some time'
He drops my hand as he turns to leave, I stand motionless as I watch him walk out.
- Writer
