“Maybe. I always feel like she can. I talk to her a lot, just in case.”
“I miss her, too. It’s weird...”
“I know. Like, she’s there, but... An empty shell. Even her wolf’s gone, too. I miss her voice.”
I miss you, too, and I want to come back... I must keep going. No hesitation, no looking back. Just this long, blind search for a way to return. A fog of unconsciousness, trapping me then and again. When will I finally wake up?
“I need you... I’ll wait, Nora, no matter how long. I miss you, I miss you, Love... Can you hear me? ...Or maybe you’re dreaming? I want to join you in your dreams. I miss you so much... I... I...”
A silence breaks and something painful holds my heart. A memory choking me, overflowing me with emotions. Did I lose you? Will you be able to wait a bit more, when you’ve already waited so long? What are you going through?
“I’m so sorry, Nora. I wish you were here... I wish I could tell you goodbye in person. I... I hope you’ll be back soon. They all miss you. I’ll miss you the most. Do you know how much you’re loved, Nora? He is coming every day to see you... Liam and Bobo, too. Everyone loves you. They are all waiting for you... I hope you will be back soon. I’m so sorry we have to part this way. I hope you’ll understand, Nora. We will see each other again, I promise. Forgive me.”
Lips softly press against my forehead, and there is a gentle caress in my hair. Footsteps going away... Where areyou going? I need you again. Where are you leaving? Why are you leaving me alone...?
The smell grows stronger. Fresh roses.
“Hey, Nora... Done playing sleeping beauty yet? We miss you, you know. Don’t worry about us, but you got to come back. Damian misses you. Again. My poor brother deserves the price for most patient boyfriend, don’t you think? Well, he’s not your boyfriend anymore now, but still. I can’t wait for when you’ll be back... I’m bored here. I miss Sylviana, and Nate is...”
“Do you have no one else but her to talk to behind my back?”
“What are you doing here, mister blockhead?”
“Fuck you, Liam.”
“In a good mood again, I see. What are you doing here, anyway?”
“What, I can’t even visit Nora now?”
“As if. You don’t give a shit about Nora; you were hoping to know about them. Well, I don’t know a thing, and as you can see, Nora’s not giving you a hint either, so fuck off, Nate.”
Trapped in darkness again, I breathe slowly. When will this be over? It’s getting more and more painful now... A heavy sleep catching me, a consciousness it’s hard to come to. Words coming back to me, and sounds reaching my ears again.
“I know I said I’d wait but... it’s hard without you... Can you hear me, Love? As long as you’re not suffering again... I don’t know how I’m getting by every day like this... I just wish you’d wake up... I miss the color of your eyes, Nora. The sound of your voice, too. I don’t know how they keep going with their lives while I’m stuck here. I want to be by your side every day, every minute. I think of you every second. I...”
Fingers running through my hair, and something gently brushing the back of my hand. A smell I love. A familiar warmth, and that voice... A deep sigh.
“I just keep going. I wake up, go to work, talk to people, live every minute... And I come back to you. I’m the Alpha they want me to be, but... Everyone’s waiting for you. For the Luna. They never mention you when I’m in the room. Do they think I’ll break if they call your name out loud? They don’t get it. I’m waiting for you, my Love. I’ll wait, Nora, as long as it takes for you to come back.”
How long will it take? How long has it been? I feel like I’ve been here forever... I have no idea. Days? Weeks? Months? Years? I’m so sorry... I keep fighting, looking for my way back, trying again. Why is it so hard? Why am I so weak...?
Moon Goddess... How did I lose my way? How do I go back to them? I’m scared I’ll be too late, I’m afraid I’ll be trapped in here forever. Eternity isn’t for me. I want to feel again. Life is waiting for me, but I’m a step aside from the world, in-between.
Tell him I love him. I’ll be back. Tell them I love you, I love you so much. I’ll tell you when I’m scared again, I’ll let you know when I’m in pain. I’m coming back.
I’m tearing down the wall, I’m screaming again. I’ll let you feel my pain, Damian, I promise this time I’ll share it all with you. I’ll be a wolf again, I’ll be your mate, forever.
I will cry, I will laugh, and I will share it all with you. Your Luna is coming back to life, your Luna is finding her way back.
I’m right there, where Love was waiting for us.
Where you’re waiting for me.
I’m back. I love you.
Chapter 18
“Are you sure?”
