My Long Lost Mate

We were only apart for two days, and yet it felt like a century has passed. So much has happened in that short moment, so many emotions emerged from inside me. Though many washed over me, the one emotion that was the most prominent was fear.

Fear crept up to me the moment I saw her lying on the cold prison floor. She was so weak and helpless. There was an ounce of hesitation when I saw her bloodied back. I was scared, scared of the possibility of losing her. What if when I walked over to her, I will come to know that she was gone? It was the greatest fear that I've ever felt in my whole life. How can I be apart from someone whom I love so much, someone who has given me so much happiness?

While I saw her bloodied state, I knew that fear was nothing but an illusion I created for my own self. I knew that I should not give in to that fear and focus on what was in front of me. She needed me, and for that reason, I went to her.

The first time we met, I thought we will always be together forever. She was the light on my darkest days, the sunshine that never fades even at night. She brought me peace and happiness, everything about her was just so perfect. When everything goes wrong, she was the only thing that was right. She grew flowers in me—she was my greatest treasure.

But after what happened, I realized that there was also a possibility of parting. The world we lived in posed so many dangers, dangers that might pull us apart. I was so busy living my dream life that I've forgotten about it. I promise I will do whatever it takes to protect her and to keep her by my side. Everything.

I was holding her delicate hands in my own, ċȧrėssing them gently as I waited for my beautiful mate to open her eyes. She was not as pale as she was before, thankfully. From what I heard from the human doctor, apart from her injuries, she was also poisoned. It was not enough to cause death, but more than enough to weaken her already frail body.

I sighed as I brought Violet's hand to my lips, planting a soft kiss at the back of her hand. It really broke my heart to see her hurting. I didn't want her to experience such pain. If only I could take her pain away, I would. And if I was given one wish to be granted, it will be for her to only feel happiness in her entire life. If only those sentences didn't start with an 'if'.

If... such a hopeful word, and yet at the same time, so meaningless.

I closed my eyes, hoping for a little rest after all kinds of shits I've been through these last few days. It was pretty easy falling asleep knowing that I've missed a few days of sleep and also owing to the sweet scent coming from my mate.

As sleep came, my dreams awoke.

"Luke..." the woman ċȧrėssed my cheeks weakly, using the very last strength she had in her to do so, "Promise me... to be happy."

"Don't leave me," I placed my hand over hers, tears streamed down my face vigorously, "Please... please don't leave me."

She simply smiled at my words, as if she knew this day was coming. She was ready to leave, to leave me in this world even when I myself was not ready to be left alone.

"It's okay... you will soon find her, your true love," she ȧssured, her voice was getting smaller and smaller by the minutes, "When the time comes, you won't even remember about me. I'm sure she will bring you much more happiness than I've ever given you."

"No... you are wrong. I will never be able to forget you."

"I don't know if I am supposed to feel happy or sad about that," she laughed, despite having only a few minutes left to live, "When you find your destined partner, promise me to love her just like how you love me—no, even more deeply. No matter what happens... you have to protect her and cherish her, give her all of your love, all of you." Her eyes gleamed with tears as she said, "Even if it will cost you your life."

"Just like what I did to your father," she smiled, "That is how... you will be happy..." those were her last words... before she left me.

I fluttered my eyes open, feeling a single drop of tears descended my face after experiencing such a vivid dream. A dream... it has been so long since I last got one. Even after all of these years, whenever I think about my mom, my tears would always flow out unfailingly.

I knew that she no longer felt any pain, that she would be happier up there. But was that really the truth? Or was it only my way of relieving the sadness I felt after losing her? Some people said that death means the end of our sufferings while being alive means we have to endure more of them. If so, then why do we mourn for deaths when we should have celebrated them instead?

Why do we fear death so much?

I wiped my tears and glanced at the woman in front of me, still unconscious. When will you wake up, Violet? I longed for your voice, for your endearing smile, for your touch. These last few days had been hard for me. It was hard living a life without you.

On second thought, maybe it was not death that we fear—we feared partings.

The door made a knocking sound as the people on the other side knock on it, asking for permission to come in. Even without opening the door, I knew just perfectly who was standing outside the room. It was my two most trusted men, having completed their task.

"We have successfully brought him here," Jack lowered his head, followed by Andrew.

I rubbed my two eyes to wipe the drowsiness away, readying myself to meet the man who was so eager to kill me. "Why do you both smell burnt?"

"Oh, it's nothing much really," Andrew snickered, "We just roasted a few bad dogs," he shook his head, "Bad, bad, dogs."

"But we spare the worst one for you," Jack added and Andrew nodded in agreement.

I smiled at the two men, giving them a pat on the shoulders, "Good work," I said as I stood up from the chair I was sitting in, "Jack, you stay here and watch over her, got it?"

"Got it," he nodded, then asked in a shaky voice, "...is she okay?"

"I sincerely hope so."