A Wolf Of the Sun

Nineteen.

Seven Months Later

It felt suffocating, maybe even worse. It took her a few months, but Drew finally adjusted and had her name changed legally to Arianthe. There was no sign of Caysen, no sign of any of the gods either. Life had become mundane for her. She lived in a large loft with Kaloni and Walker, who were now expecting their first pup.

Arianthe felt so… out of place. She felt empty without her mate. She spent most of her time either sleeping or reading. She wasn’t really eating right, finding it hard to swallow any sort of food with the knowledge that her mate was probably dead. Her heart sent shooting pangs through her body at the mere thought. She barely knew Caysen, but she felt like he was part of her.

That Christmas morning, Arianthe got out of bed and showered, albeit reluctantly. She tied her long brown hair up in a messy bun and went about making her bed. She could hear Kaloni and Walker out in the living room exchanging presents, Kaloni was squealing excitedly and Walker was laughing at his mate’s antics.

That sent another pain shooting through Arianthe’s heart. She closed her eyes and sat on the edge of her bed. It was getting harder to convince herself to get up. She was certain that was because there wasn’t really anything left for her.

Caysen must’ve been killed. There wasn’t any news about whatever had happened. Not even in the werewolf community. The only thing that was said was that the title of Queen Alpha had been passed on to Kaloni. The human world had always been oblivious to the werewolf world, so she didn’t expect there to be any news on that front.

She sighed and laid herself back down on the bed, eyes scrunched up and tears starting to form at the corners of her eyes. She’d lost everything on that day seven months ago. She lost her true parents, she lost who she thought was her mate, and she lost her mate himself.

The loud chime of the doorbell momentarily stirred Arianthe from her thoughts. She glanced at her bedroom door, but then rolled over. Kaloni or Walker would get the door, of that she was certain.

Then there were loud footsteps. Arianthe let out a dramatic sigh as her door flew open and Kaloni stood in the doorway with her growing baby bump.

“Come downstairs and open your presents.” Her hands were on her hips as she stared at Arianthe, providing the ‘i ain’t taking your s**t’ attitude.

Arianthe sighed and shook her head. “I’d rather not.” She mumbled.

Kaloni rolled her eyes. She walked over to the bed and grabbed Arianthe by the arm and dragged her from the room.

“I’m still in my nightgown.” Arianthe whined.

Kaloni ignored her. She dragged Arianthe down the stairs and into the expansive beautiful open floor planned kitchen-living room-dining room, where a large blue spruce stood in the middle, decorated with beautiful ornaments. Under the tree were stacks and stacks of presents.

This was also Arianthe’s first ever real christmas. She had never gotten presents back in her old pack.

A pang of guilt crept through her body. Caysen didn’t get any presents… but he was… gone.

She moved to sit down on the couch, but Kaloni pulled her around the side of the tree. They came around the right side towards the kitchen and Arianthe stopped in her tracks. She pulled her arm back from Kaloni’s grasp as she stared at the man sitting at the kitchen counter.

His once immensely pale skin had more color to it. His silver-blue eyes had more warmth to them than before. His dark blonde hair was still a mess, looking as if he hadn’t stopped running his hands through it. He was holding a present in his hands, but that barely registered for her at all.

Arianthe pulled her arm from Kaloni’s hold. She took a few timid steps forward, towards the man standing by the seated at the kitchen island, facing her. She inhaled sharply before breaking out into a full run.

He dropped the present onto the counter and stood up immediately, accepting her embrace as Arianthe threw herself to him. He buried his face against her neck and inhaled deeply.

Arianthe noticed there was a warmth from his body that hadn’t been there the last time. Tears streaked her face as she held onto her mate. She squeezed him tighter, and he returned the favor.

“I’m sorry.” Caysen whispered to Arianthe, as she had started to cry. “After the fight, I was summoned to Mount Olympus. I had to take care of family matters, and it took longer than I expected…” He attempted to explain but was cut off, as Aria’s lips crashed into his. He pulled her closer and tightened his grip on her body, relishing in the sparks and warmth that she gave him. 

They barely knew each other, but they were in love; of that, they were both certain.