The Awakening of the Flame

Between Silence and Answers

We're still standing in front of the village entrance, watching it, when I feel someone grab my hand. It's Aron: he takes my hand and leads me in. We walk down a narrow white marble cobblestone street that branches off in all directions from the village.

When we enter, I feel everyone's eyes fixed on our joined hands. I don't know why Aron took my hand, but I didn't let go, because if I did, it would feel wrong, though I can't explain why. I'm also afraid that if I let go of his hand and ran, the people watching us, who I believe are all werewolves, would chase me.

We arrive in front of a house a little more imposing than the others, and we stop in front of it. The building stood in the heart of the village, dominating the surrounding houses. It was made of light stone and dark wood, with large exposed beams that gave it a solid, majestic appearance. The sloping roof was covered with gray tiles, while large, brightly lit windows offered glimpses of the welcoming interior. In front of the entrance was a spacious portico supported by sturdy carved wooden columns, decorated with symbols reminiscent of wolves and ancient runes.

Aron: "This is my home, the Alpha's home... and, from today, your home too."

He looked at me, and I stared at him in surprise. I couldn't understand why his home would become my home, too.

Then he ushered me in, holding the door open for me to pass. The decor was simple yet elegant: the wooden furniture, the stone walls, and the warm light filtering through the windows made the space welcoming and pleasant.

He led me to the living room, which was beautiful and spacious, with a large sofa, a coffee table, several soft ottomans, and several shelves filled with books.

Aron: "Sit down. You must have a lot of questions, but so do I."

Tessa: "Okay. I'll start, then, if you don't mind."

Aron: "Okay."

I sat on the couch and looked him straight in the eye before asking my question.

Tessa: "Aron, it's clear to me now that I'm no longer on Earth. So tell me: where am I?"

He snorted.

Aron: "Yes, you're no longer on Earth. You're on Losorn, the world where magical creatures live. However, humans also live here, bonding as companions to some creature..."

I looked at him curiously. I wanted to know how humans were brought to Losorn, but I realized this wasn't the right time. So I just nodded.

Aron was silent for a few moments, then his gaze became more serious.

Aron: "Tessa, tell me how you got here. How did the vampires bring you to Losorn?"

Tessa: "Well... so... I was in a park. It was snowing because it was Christmas Eve, and as I looked at the moon, I noticed it was turning green. As I gazed at that unnatural color, I heard a noise behind me and saw silhouettes emerge from behind the tree trunks and approach me. They grabbed me and dragged me to the center of the park, where there were no trees, just snow and nothing else.

Then something strange happened: the ground shook, and a c***k opened in the air, widening until it became what I believe was a portal.

We passed through it and found ourselves in a forest near the vampire castle. From there, they took me to the castle..."

Then I looked at Aron. Since I'd started telling him how the vampires had managed to take me to Losorn, he hadn't said a word. He seemed lost in thought, as if he were carefully considering every detail of my story.

After a few moments of silence, he looked up at me.

Aron: "Tessa, do you know what 'Mate' means to us wolves?"

I slowly shook my head.

Tessa: "Honestly? No. I've read a few books about werewolves, and I've heard of Mates, but I've never really understood what it means."

Aron nodded, as if expecting that answer.

Aron: "Well, a Mate is much more than just a companion. They're a wolf's perfect half, the one meant to be with them. You might call them a soulmate, but for us, it's something even deeper."

I listened carefully.

Tessa: "And how do you know they're truly your soulmate?"

A slight smile appeared on his lips.

Aron: "We recognize them by their scent."

I frowned, confused.

Tessa: "The scent?"

Aron: "Yes. Everyone smells different, but their mate's scent is special. Once we smell it, it's impossible to ignore. It's more intense, clearer than any other scent, and it's unique. Somehow it draws you in and makes you immediately understand that that person is important."

Tessa: "And that's enough to be sure?"

Aron shook his head.

Aron: "No. It's not just the smell. There's also the wolf that lives inside us. He's the first to recognize Mate."

I stared at him for a few seconds, trying to understand.

Tessa: "The wolf that lives inside you?"

Aron: "Yes. All werewolves have a wolf inside them. It's not easy to explain to someone who's never experienced it firsthand. It's like having a second part of your soul, an instinctive part that sees and understands things the human mind can't perceive."

He paused briefly.

Aron: "I know it may seem strange, but it's normal for us."

I paused for a moment, then looked him straight in the eye.

I paused for a moment, then gathered my courage and looked him straight in the eye.

Tessa: "Aron... can I ask you something? I... am your mate? Because since we met, you've done nothing but protect me, save me... and deep down, I feel like I can trust you. It's as if something is telling me I'm not wrong. And then you said that this house… your house… from today onwards would be mine too.”

For a moment there was silence.

Aron looked away, as if my words had caught him off guard. His cheeks flushed slightly, and he lowered his head slightly.

Aron: “Yes… you understood correctly.”

He said it softly, unable to look me in the eye, clearly embarrassed.

Then, after a few seconds in which neither of us spoke, his gaze returned to me, softer and deeper. The awkwardness slowly melted away, giving way to a different kind of silence… warm, light, as if something invisible but already alive had formed between us, something neither of us dared to say out loud yet.