Who’s Lenora?
1100 Words
Asher’s POV.
I wake up early, excitement thrumming through my veins. I don’t know if she’ll be there again, but I have to find out. The thought of seeing her—if only for a few moments—drives me out of bed faster than usual. I’ll wait all day if I have to. Anything for a chance to see her again.
I race through the shower, barely giving the hot water time to wake me up. Grabbing a white and purple dress shirt, I pair it with black pants. The shirt feels too restrictive, so I roll the sleeves up above my elbows, letting a bit of air hit my skin. I glance in the mirror, admiring how Carter cleaned up my hair—short on the back and sides, just a little longer on top. I run my fingers through it, making sure it falls just right, not too perfect but not too rough. My stubble is just enough to add a shadow, and it makes me feel… grounded.
Without wasting another second, I grab an energy fruit from the kitchen, eating it on my way out the door. Once I’m outside, I shift to my wolf form, embracing the sensation of Lenora’s wind against my fur. It makes me run faster, more purposefully. The trees blur around me as I dash through the woods, heading straight for the river.
When I arrive at the spot, I shift back to my human form, scanning the area. There’s no sign of her at first, but then, like a breath of fresh air, her scent fills my lungs—fresh rain, calming and intoxicating. My heart races.
She’s sitting by the riverbank, her feet dipped into the water, her back turned to me. Her long hair ripples slightly in the breeze, revealing a deep scar across her beautiful skin. The sight makes my blood boil. Who dared to hurt her?
I clear my throat softly, not wanting to startle her. She jumps slightly, her head turning slowly to meet my gaze. The moment our eyes lock, time seems to freeze. There’s fear in her eyes, mixed with something else—recognition, maybe? Hope?
“Can I sit with you, sweetheart?” I ask gently, keeping my voice as soft as possible.
She hesitates, her eyes scanning me as if searching for something. Then she nods but points to a rock a meter away from her. “Yes, but sit there,” she says firmly, her voice uncertain but cautious.
I nod, moving to the rock she indicated. Strange, but I respect her boundary. She smiles faintly before introducing herself. “My name is Lorena. What’s your name?”
Lorena? My heart sinks. She doesn’t remember me, she looks down sadly “I’m sorry, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to”.
I see a glimmer of hurt in her eyes “no, no, no. Don’t be sorry Lenor… Lorena, my name is Asher, have we met before?” She looks deeply into my eyes for a long time before she responds, “I don’t think so, I don’t get to come down here often, it’s so beautiful here though”.
Her voice carries a sadness that tugs at me.
I almost say something, but my attention is pulled to the bruises on her arms, the fresh bite mark on her cheek, and the multiple wounds scattered across her body. Rage boils within me, my wolf growling ferociously inside. I clench my fists, fighting to keep control. Who did this to her?
I reach for her hand instinctively, but she flinches before relaxing slightly. She’s been hurt so badly. My heart aches, but I know I can’t push her. I take a deep breath, struggling to stay calm. “Who hurt you, sweetheart?”
She looks away, her voice barely above a whisper. “Don’t worry about me, Asher. It’s nothing.”
A tear escapes her eye, and before I know it, my hand is wiping it away. She leans into my touch, and the world seems to melt away for a moment. But then, I see it—a blazing red mate mark on her neck. My wolf goes wild.
My breathing becomes ragged, and I clutch my chest, fighting the urge to shift right then and there. Someone… someone else marked her. My mate. The one I’ve waited for, longed for. My vision blurs as rage takes over. I can’t see anything but the red haze clouding my mind. Who the hell did this?
Suddenly, I feel her hands on my face, her soft voice breaking through the chaos. “Asher? Asher, are you okay? Breathe. Please, just breathe.”
Her touch pulls me back to reality, her hands soaked with my tears. I force myself to focus on her, letting her voice ground me.
“I’m sorry, Lenora,” I say, the name slipping out before I can stop myself. “I don’t know what came over me.”
She looks confused. “Lenora? I’ve heard that name before… Who’s Lenora?”
My heart shatters at her question. She truly doesn’t remember. I hold her hands gently, trying to keep my voice steady. “Lenora is my queen. You remind me of her.”
A soft smile plays on her lips, and it sends butterflies racing through my stomach. “Is Lenora a kind queen?” she asks, her eyes filled with curiosity.
I nod, holding her hands tighter. “The kindest queen in the realm. Everyone loved her. We still do. She disappeared two years ago, and we’ve never stopped searching.”
I search her face, hoping—praying—for a flicker of recognition, but there’s nothing. Just sadness in her eyes. “I hope you find her, Asher. She sounds wonderful.”
Before I can respond, a dark shadow passes overhead, and I look up to see a massive dragon descending. It has a cage hanging from its ankle.
Lenora gasps, pulling her hands free from mine and washing them along with her face in the river. “I have to go,” she says, panic in her voice. “It was nice meeting you, Asher. Maybe… we can meet again.”
She runs toward the cage and jumps inside, ascending into the sky. “Wait!” I shout, desperation clawing at me. “Will you come back tomorrow?”
She yells something as the dragon carries her away. “I’ll try.”
I watch her disappear into the blue sky, feeling my heart break all over again.
- Writer
