My Long Lost Mate

"Isn't this too much?" I was wearing four layers of clothing, a bonnet on my head, and a fur scarf on my neck. I looked two times bigger than usual, also two times warmer. The cold won't be able to bother me anymore, that's for sure. 

"Nonsense," he replied, fixing the bonnet on my head, "I don't want you to catch a cold."

Contrary to my clothing, he was only wearing his usual suit. He dressed like the weather was not cold at all when it was actually really freezing. Then again, werewolves had a high body temperature, so there was no need for thick clothing when the cold never bothered him. 

"Wear this too," he put on a pair of gloves on my hands, keeping me warm in all parts of my body. He placed his hands on both of my shoulders, turning them slightly to the side to scrutinize my whole appearance. Satisfied, he nodded his head, "Let's go." 

He took my hand in his like it was natural, something that had turned into one of his habits. I followed behind, taking the same steps that he took. A long hallway greeted us when we stepped outside of the room, the place quiet as day.

The ceiling must be twenty-feet high, with designs of birds and nature carved upon it. Vases of blossoms followed us along the way, the smell fresh and sweet. The windows were large and tall, welcoming any ray of sun willing to enter. 

We passed rooms after rooms, with Luke so expertly explaining the use of each room. It was tiresome, as the manor itself was immense in size but at the same time fascinating to see. He was a perfect guide, for he was very much familiar with the place. 

"How can you know so much about this place?" I asked, walking a step forward and turning to face the man. He was a few feet taller, so I needed to crook my neck slightly upwards to meet his eyes while he, downwards. 

"I used to come here a lot as a child, mostly on holidays," he replied, his hold on my hand still, "Also a few times when I was running away from my training," he chuckled. 

"Training?" I repeated. 

"I was born as the next alpha, so I was pretty much obliged to train myself to be worthy of that title," he explained, taking a step ahead to walk beside me, "I think I grew up spending more of my time outside rather than inside." 

"While I spent more time inside than outside," I laughed sourly, laughing at the irony. I sighed, thinking that I shouldn't have said that as the mood turned gloomy.

"Well, now you have an eternity to go outside," Luke smiled, his free hand ruffling my hair, "You can go anywhere you want, and I will take you there in every chance I have, anytime." 

Hearing his offer, I couldn't help but smile, "Promise me?" 

"I promise," he pinched my cheeks softly. "Do you think a kiss will do to seal the promise?" he quizzed as he leaned closer, his head lowered while his eyes closed.

Taken aback, I took one step astern, "I-I think a simple word is more than enough." I placed my fingers on his lips, pushing him slightly away. He opened his eyes at the touch, and his mouth curved into a smile when his red meet my green. 

"Your cheeks are red," he claimed, the smile on his face getting wider for his pearl white teeth to show. I quickly used my scarf to hide my cheeks, but he stopped me from doing so when his hand grips my other hand, "Don't hide," he directed, "It's very lovely."

Upon hearing it, something in my ċhėst felt funny. The weather also felt warmer, not as cold as the minute before. My eyes wandered around, not sure where to look. I settled for the big window behind him, exclaiming when I saw the snow falling, "Oh, it's snowing!" 

"And?" he asked, not falling for my trick to shift the conversation. He didn't even bother to turn his back to look at the window. 

"You said you promise to take me anywhere I want," I appealed, "I want to see the snow, for starters."

"Come," he chuckled. Standing upright, he pulled my hand to follow his lead. We passed the long hallway, turning a few times to finally arrived outside. A well-kept garden came in sight, its green turning white from the snow. A few flowers of color survived the harsh weather, the trees deep in their slumber. The manor had its way of belonging to the earth it graced, starting with this garden.

I stared at the breathtaking view before my eyes, staring at the winter trees with their nȧkėd branches adorned by the snow. Do trees dream of spring in their sleep? It was hard to imagine them re-clothed in their finery when seeing their current appearance. A cluster of dried twigs extended their hands to catch the soft falling flakes, letting them fall only when they could no longer bear the weight. 

Snow came as heaven's glitter, bringing shine upon our world. I held out my hand, allowing the white flakes to rest against my palm like a soft cushion.

"Do you like snow?"

"Yes, because we can only see them at certain times of the year. I think that's what makes them special," I replied, smiling at the snow on my palm, "Moreover, don't you think they are really pretty?" I turned my face towards the man, curious to know his opinion. 

For the past few years, waiting for the snow to come was my favorite part of the year. In the small world I lived in, the round window in my room was my best friend. I could see a lot of things from behind the window, observing whatever was taking place downstairs. In fact, I could see the first snow faster than anyone because I lived in the attic. The sight of everything covered in white was always so mesmerizing to see. The best thing about winter was snow, while the worst was the cold. 

I was always behind the window, watching people went by with their busy schedules. Watching people could be so very engaging sometimes, especially when I found something fishy. Despite being locked and having no one to talk to, I knew many secrets that many tried to hide. I knew who was the thief of the stolen bicycle, or even the secret affair of the lady next door. They tried to hide their secrets from society but failed to hide them from me. Not like I would spill their secrets, but it was quite a show to see. 

Luke opened his mouth to answer but closed it right back. Instead, he used some time to stare at me before finally opening his mouth again, smiling, "I don't know what's prettier, you or the snow."

I froze in place, my eyes slowly drifting to anywhere else but him. He was always saying things like this, things that made my ċhėst felt funny.

Seeing my frozen state, he laughed, "It works out well then. I planned to take you to the garden, that's why I asked you to dress warmer," he said, pinching my cheeks again, "It's good that you like to see the snow."

"D-don't you like to see the snow too?" I asked, letting out a really, really awkward laughter in between. 

"Not really, they are not all that special to me," he shrugged his shoulders, "But if you like them, then I have no choice but to like them too, right? After all, we will be spending a lot more of our winter together."

At times like this, I wonder if my mouth had lost its ability to reply to his words. No words sounded right to answer, and I couldn't seem to meet his eyes.

"L-let's go there!" I pointed at the opposite direction, not knowing where it leads. Turning my back, I pulled on his hand and he gladly followed. The path we were going was almost covered with the snow, our footsteps trailing in every step we took. I was walking two steps ahead but stopped my tracks when an exclaim of a woman was heard from behind. 

"Luke!" 

I turned around, seeing a woman hugging Luke from behind with her legs lifted off the ground as she jumped on his shoulders. She took both of us by surprise with her sudden appearance and Luke quickly shoved her off his shoulders, "What do you think you are doing?" 

"What? It's me, Kiera," said the woman, her mouth curved into a smile, "Have I changed that much that you didn't realize it's me?" 

"Kiera?" he confirmed, "Kiel's sister?"

"I am," she nodded, her golden eyes stared fondly at Luke. "I heard you are here so I came here searching for you," she twirled a lock of her brown hair, her smile unwavering, "I missed you."

I felt my eyes tremble and my mouth agape when I heard her words, my eyes busily moving back and forth from between the woman and Luke. My ċhėst felt heavy when I look at the two of them. 

With Luke saying nothing, the woman added, "Do you remember the last time I see you, I was learning the piano?" 

"What about it?" he asked. 

"I have perfected it now," she boasted, a proud smile on her face. She took Luke's other hand, pulling him to follow her, "Let us go to the music room. I will show you how good I am at it."

It was my first time seeing her, but there was something in me that didn't like her. Seeing her hand on Luke annoyed me, and I didn't want them to go together. It didn't seem like she noticed my presence so I hunched down, shouting on the spur of the moment,

"Ow!" I shouted, "My feet hurt."