Chapter 44 I Hope It's You

Gelya's POV

I stared at the boy who was sitting at the edge of a cliff, overlooking the town where the Crescent Moon Pack resides. He has been there for hours, so long in fact, that the sun was about to set already. I’m pretty sure his skin’s all burned and he’s probably hungry.

I would love to have brought him food and maybe something to cover him, but I couldn’t leave the shade of the tree beside me.

Unlike popular belief, vampires can step out of the sun. We don’t shimmer, we don’t burn and disintegrate to dust.

We can easily walk around and stuff like that, but being a half-breed, I have limits. My body didn’t stop altogether, it's just working slow, really, really slow. Yes, it’s just in slow motion, so my body can’t protect my skin like a normal vampire, I'm not as immortal as Yuri and Anton.

Just like how Yuri killed mother... our heart is still our weakness.

“You should go home…”

His dead tone broke into my thoughts. I frowned not hearing his perky and lively self.

“Sorry?” I said not understanding what he was saying.

“I said you should go home.” He shrugged, “I don’t think that I’ll be home for a while.”

I stepped out from where I was hiding, “Well, I don’t think that’s such a good idea with vampires popping in and out.”

“You mean your kind?” he asked.

I frowned, “Well, yeah, I guess.” Pushing aside the disappointment I felt hearing the disgust in his tone. “Anyway, you can’t just stay here. You’re probably hungry-“

“Nope.” He popped.

“Thirsty?”

“Uh- uh.”

“Tired?”

“Not a bit.”

“Burned, I’m sure the sun’s-“

“I’m not a vampire.” He snaps.

“Well, you obviously are not, cause if you were, you would totally slap your face by using that against me when it’s obviously not true.”

“It’s not?” he looked up at me.

“Myth,” I said, matter-of-factly, “I’m still in one piece aren’t I?”

“Yeah, but you’ve been hiding under that tree.” He pointed out.

“Just because I value my looks,” I said smugly, “I’m still a girl last time I checked.”

He rolled his eyes and turned away, “Just go away, Gelya.” I sighed and sat beside him, he turned to me, glaring. “What part of go away don’t you understand?”

Instead of answering I looked away and admired the view of the town. At first, he kept glaring at me, after a few minutes of silence he gave up and just stared far away, lost in his thoughts. I kept an eye on him from my peripheral view.

I know he wouldn’t kill himself, he has other responsibilities in the wolf pack, he’s as important as the King. And the king knows that.

I shrugged, “When I realized that I was never gonna meet my mate on my first lifetime, I turned to suicide.”

He gave a groaned, “If this is about that, I’m not-“

“I know.” I cut him, not looking his way. “Neither did I, well, until I thought that I was alone.” I looked down at my hands that were set on my lap. “In the end, not finding my mate made me see how alone I was. Not even a friend to say that everything was going to be alright. That it was common for a shifter not to find their mates during one lifetime.”

I know he was staring at me now, his face reflected the full interest of my thoughts.

“You don’t know how much I regret doing that now.” I continued. “Trying to kill me lead me to Yuri, and now look at me.” I glanced his way and chuckled before I rolled my eyes, “Sorry, I forgot, you can’t even look at me cause all you see is the vampire.”

“Gelya…” but I raised my hands up to stop him.

“I completely understand.” I said, “I can’t really blame you. Vampires had brought nothing but problems to wolves, my father tried to kill Serenity, he had kept a certain interest in every daughter that had passed. Then there’s the alliance with the hunters. Of course, I supposedly betrayed our kind when I slept with the princess’ human mate, sided with the vampires and be one of them… I’m a monster. Half wolf, half vampire, immortal… it’s not as cool as it sounds. Not even all the power and strength that it brings could make me accept who I am. What more by other people.” I paused, “I tried to escape that old life, but all I really did was imprison myself in a much worst life.”

I looked up and saw the houses were starting to turn on their lights.

“The worst part is, I’ve left my mate alone and waiting for hundred years and more.”

“You could still look for him, can’t you?’

I chuckled, “And what?” I glanced his way, “Say hi, I’m your mate and I’m a half-vampire and half-wolf?” I shook my head, disgusted. “I can’t even accept what I turned out to be.”

“If you don’t then who will?” he asked.

I turned to him, surprised. “What?”

He shrugged, “I won’t lie. I’m not comfortable with you around.” He said. “It’s like I know you are an enemy, even after everything you’ve done, all this time that you’ve been with us, and the fact that Serenity trusts you, it's all so awkward to me. But for some weird reason, I’m not really mad or scared, it's just weird. I mean, it’s not like every day you meet the princess of the vampires who happens to be half-wolf.”

I chuckled and looked back at the view.

“I know I’m in no position to say this, but…” he continued, “It's not too late, you know you made those mistakes. You regretted those choices… but you’re still here, alive and breathing. You still can do something about it.”

“Do you think he’ll accept me?” I asked.

“Well, if the bond of mates is indeed that strong like they say.” He says, “Then maybe he’ll see past all the weird stuff and just see you as his mate. The person especially made for him.” he looks away and dropped his voice into a whisper. “The one that completes a whole.”

I smiled as I stared at him and we fell into another silence.

“Aaron?” I smiled.

“Yeah?”

“It’s far from too late for you too, you know,” I said.

He turned to me, surprised.

“Not because everyone found their mates means you should too,” I said. “Fate has reasons of why they are holding both of you back. You never know, maybe they’re trying to prepare you for a shocker.”

“What do you mean?” he asked, “Like maybe she’s ugly or a guy?”

I threw my head back, laughing. “Well, maybe that’s the case. Would it matter?”

“Well,” he scratched his head, his face blushing, “now that I think about it, yeah it does.” Then he raised his hands, “Don’t judge” he quickly adds. “The thought of being mated to a guy, me? The King’s delta? Not really something that people even our kind are open to, you know.” He looked down at his dangling feet. “But if that’s what the fates have for me, then I can’t be more grateful. At least I’ll never be alone, right?”

I stared at him, with a smile. Admiring him not just a wolf but as a man, as a thinking individual.

“No wonder she loves you…” I said.

“What?”

“You are as dense as your friend Liam, aren’t you?” I laughed.

“What?” he repeats.

“Jean.” I pointed out, “She really does love you, I saw that.”

“You did?” his eyes widened.

“She fought with that feeling just so you wouldn’t make the same mistake as her mate,” I said. “Cole was a monster that she can never surpass, but I think she was more scared to fall for someone not meant for her. Someone who can leave her again, and she wouldn’t be able to handle it when it’s you who leaves her.”

“I’m not going to “

“What do you plan to do once you did find your mate then?” I asked.

He looked away again, “I never really thought of that.” he says, “All I know is that I’m the one meant for Jean and not that *sshole. Now she’s gone and I wasn’t even able to say goodbye.”

“Cause it’s unnecessary,” I said, for some reason, talking him out of his guilt of not being able to stop Jean brought discomfort to me. “’She did say she will come back.”

“Not enough.” he said, “I need to know that she’s safe. That she’s eating and taking care of herself- she’s stubborn like that, especially when she’s caught up with things.”

I watched him as a smile crept onto his face while he spoke about Jean. In an instant, his mood turned to a happier one, the one that I loved about him. He continued to speak, but I wasn’t hearing any of his words. I just sat there watching him looking amazed and awed by a woman who wasn’t even there.

At that moment I admired him more.

In the past, all the man I have met was never this vocal about their feelings. They lie about their intentions. Then they keep on taking but never giving.

But Aaron… all of them, as a matter of fact, took pride in what they felt.

They are strong and brave young men who wore their hearts on their sleeves, and I will always admire that.

“And what I hate the most is that I understand Cole.” He said, “I know what it feels. I know how it is to be the one waiting for no one. Expecting nothing in return but just attention and time, and Jean gave me that. She made me see how to be different is good. I’m no alpha or beta, I’m nothing special-“

“Cause you’re so much more than that Aaron.” I cut in, “You are more than special… more than amazing…” I stared at him as he looked away shaking his head, obviously disagreeing.

The next thing I did, I promise, I debated and thought well before doing it. But I guess even good ideas can backfire.

I cupped his face and made him look at me, his eyes met mine and in an instant, he was in control, but my thoughts never left me, just the control of my sanity.

“In the short period that I have been with you, I saw that each of you held something that is beyond expectation from someone your age and status,” I said, my eyes buried deep into his. “You are the bravest of them Aaron, fearless and selfless, even your fear of loss makes you strive and push yourself to the limit. I know that I know nothing about you, you know nothing about me… but believe me when I say…” I pushed down the lump that was hanging on my throat, “If I was to chose who my mate would be… I’d choose you.”

He stared at me for a few seconds longer before he smiled and reached for my hand that was holding his face, he intertwined his fingers with mine and gave it a squeeze, “Thank you.” he says and kissed my knuckles before setting it on his lap.

I smiled back, fighting the tingling feeling that was coming up and down my spine.

He frowned and let go of my hand, the moment he did, I frowned.

But then he started to take off his button-up shirt and set it over my shoulders.

“Slip your arms through the sleeves.” He instructed, “I know that vampires were supposed to be cold, but you aren’t like them.” he gave me a smirk, “You’re a wolf.”

I smiled back and then he proceeded to pull the folded sleeve down to my wrist then rubbed my arms to heat me up.

“Yeah…” he says as if talking to himself. “You are special.”

I chuckled, “Don’t you mean weird?”

He chuckles as well as he sat back, “Yeah, well, it’s a good kind of weird I guess.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, one that I like.” He says as his mood change drastically, now, he was just lounging around the ground, looking at the view

“Well, I’d take that as a compliment.” I teased.

“I’d be offended if you don’t.” he teased back. “As long as you don’t bite then we’re all good.”

I laughed and playfully punched him on the arm, he groaned and reached right where I punched him.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” I repeated again and again, “I didn’t mean to, I mean, I forgot, I haven’t… I’m so so so sorry.”

Then he raised one brow and smirked, “Got you.”

My mouth dropped open and hit him again and again, knowing now that I can’t really hurt him.

“C’mon Gelya, you hit like a fly.” He teased, laughing. And I can’t help but laugh along with him.

“Jerk,” I said giving him one last slap on the arm.

“You forgot, you said it yourself…” he says as he rubbed the arm that I’ve been hitting the last minute. “I’m amazing.”

I groaned and threw my head back, “Serenity is right, people should stop complimenting you or your egos will blow up to the size of the moon.”

“Yeah, well, I did say that you’re special too.” He said.

“No, the nearest to the compliment that you’ve told me is maybe he’ll surpass all the weird stuff and see me as his mate.” I chuckled, “Yeah, thank you for stating the most obvious fact.”

“Which one? that you’re weird oooooorrr…” he says thinking, “That you’re weird?”

I nudged him but he blocked my hit.

Then we looked up as the moon made its appearance.

“I wonder what Serenity and Eric have planned.”

He laughs, “You wouldn’t want to go there.”

I grinned and rolled my eyes, “Perve.”

He chuckled and leaned back, propping his arms to lean on, and looked back up. I glanced at him and watched him stare at the moon as a smile slowly crept into my face.

Somehow, I was no longer afraid, this lifetime… at this generation, I found my mate.

He may not know it yet, but I do.

And whether he accepts me or not, I will not give up on him.

“One thing I do know,” he broke the comfortable silence around us, “eloping was the best idea they had. I wish I did it with Jean.”

I’m glad you didn’t, I thought.

At that very moment, I heard my wolf’s howl again after hundreds of years.

The howl of calling for her mate.

With me hoping.

Hoping it’s you.