The Eternal Souls

In an instant, I was pinned between my heart and the bed below me. If I had told this wolf I was there for him and only him, I would've lost the battle before it started.

"I don't—" I stopped myself from saying the rest.

I don't want to save the world. No... all I want is to save you, Alijah.

In my dreams, he was happy, and I desired that for him—so much that it hurt. Before I came on this trip, I swore I would accomplish it no matter who told me otherwise. Even if I said everything I wanted to, he would've hated me more for it.

Or call me a liar. No, this grumpy, hurt wolf can never know I fell for him long before this trip began.

Every minute I spent with him was torturous, though.

I accept you, no matter how damaged or angry you are. We're both in the same boat, and I'm not the most stable of minds.

"You don't?" Alijah questioned, gripping my wrist tighter.

He probably wanted to crush them in his hands. It must've been so hard to want something but not be able to take it like he usually did. A soft sigh left my lips as I let myself go onto the bed once again, allowing him to straddle me.

"You won't understand my reasoning." I simpered.

His eyes twitched as he flashed his fangs at me in a sharp growl.

I know you want to be free, but I can't let you destroy everything. I must cage the wolf in you, at least for now. Please… forgive me.

"Then make me understand, Rem." His voice was desperate for answers.

This wasn't his first rodeo as a prisoner, which made my chest ache.

Is there really no other way? No… You can be as chaotic as the curse…

Whoever saw him like a monster knew nothing about him. This outer shell was built to keep in check the constant agony within him—something that I wanted to relieve, but I couldn't go soft on him, or else he would walk all over me.

Even if my actions give me away, I can never tell you my feelings.

"I don't need to." I huffed, triggering his lips to curl downward as his nostrils flared.

"Hah... of course, then tell me this, just who the fuck are you?" Alijah's eyes shimmered as I shifted my gaze away from him.

I'm your captor. A silver blood who's born from the woman reincarnated from your beloved. How can I even say that to you?

"My name is Rem," I answered.

It wasn't like I didn't know what he meant by that, but that information was better reserved for now.

"I know your fucking name, girl. I mean, who are you, really? How did you get this spell to work on me, of all people?" Alijah clarified, narrowing his eyes.

It was almost as if he thought I hadn't understood him before, which was fine. I wasn't the most brilliant cookie, but I wasn't the dumbest.

"What I used on you would work on any Lycan, including once influenced by the red moon. It's a type of magic you can't dismiss or manipulate." I answered his question partially.

The usual wolves had amber eyes, unlike the one before me.

No… This wolf was a blood moon variant born under it, much like my dad was, while my mother is the carrier of the realm of the dead gods.

That was probably why I could affect him while other types of magic didn't. Thanks to my mother's connection to that world, I could see the world of the living and the dead, including those stranded in the in-between realm.

Though my magic was unstable, it was unusable without my dear sister, Vera, channeling it.

"How is that possible?" Alijah asked, grabbing me by my chin.

He made sure I was facing him. I smirked, knowing what I said next would piss him off, but that was a normal thing for him.

"That's for me to know and for you never to find out, Alijah-tan," I stuck out my tongue playfully.

"You little bitch!" He snapped, pushing me back down onto the bed.

In my dreams, we did these many times, but differently. Of course, that would only happen in my fantasies.

I'm not that foolish. All of that is never meant for me. I'll never be the main girl in your heart, Alijah. No, that belongs to another, and that's okay. It must be. All I want is for you to live, love, and be happy, even if it's with another.

I had to figure out how to save his beloved, too, but one step at a time.

"When... I... break out of this spell, I'll..." Alijah threatened, clasping his hands onto my neck.

However, the pressure was nowhere near as the night before.

The band has neutered you, and this is getting boring.

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed onto his arm, "Yes, yes, you'll kill me. I get it. I'm not afraid of death, Alijah. Now get off me." I ordered, triggering him to step away from me thanks to the bond.

He growled at me for a bit, standing on the side, glaring at me as I slowly stood up from the bed and fetched my bag.

This is getting us nowhere. I need some time to cool off, too.

My temper was showing, and the ghosts' sassy attitudes weren't helping either.

"Though I hope you see I'm not your enemy. I'm the only person who'll be by your side, no matter what, Alijah." I reassured the hostile wolf of my intentions.

He glowered at me from where he was. There wasn't a hint of trust in his eyes.

Of course, you'd look at me like that.

"I'll be back. Shower and rest on the bed or something while I return." I announced, heading out the door before he could say anything back.

Even though I walked out to let things cool, I wanted to find something to cheer him up, too.

Anything to try and get closer to you, but how? How can I try to do that in the first place? I'm just another enemy to you. No… I'm worse than that! I'm your captor!

This wolf had gone from one prison to another.

Of course, You'll hate me, but is there another choice? No, I had none! It was that or your death. Or… you could've killed my family. That can't happen!

Mom always said Alijah planned to kill the witches who summoned him into our time. The only person he didn't want to kill was her.

"Damn it, am I wasting my time in trying to do this?" I mumbled, biting my lip before shaking my head.

It doesn't matter. I can't go back now.

Placing my headphones on, I walked outside the tavern and into the busy streets. The last thing I needed was a stupid ghost tainting my negative thoughts. The town seemed well off by itself from the looks of it.

Back home, the purebreds always said Celestelia was full of beggars and robbers, but I didn't see any of that inside the Luxon. It was full of hybrids everywhere, but that was it. There was nothing different about this town from Silverant's busy roads.

This is a typical town full of shops and pedestrians. I don't see why the people back home always say such negative things about this place. It's also the first time no one looks at me like I don't belong.

Back in Silverant, all the purebreds would send nasty comments, usually met by my rowdy brothers snapping at them.

That's right. No one in my family has ever made me feel that way, other than my great-grandfather, who was extremely disappointed to be related to a luma.

Perhaps it was the fact that Alijah hated my guts, but it hit me. I had only been a day away from my siblings and parents, and I had already missed them terribly.

Perhaps I can send them a postcard?

I gazed towards a souvenir shop but quickly stepped away from it.

No... that'll make it easier for them to find me. Are they worried about me, though? They seemed pretty at ease without me around.

Even though I didn't regret my actions, I still wondered if they were all right.

I can't forget how Vera called me annoying and loud! Argh! The nerve on that one!

I pouted, trying to navigate my way through the town. Luckily, I tracked down a shoe store for Alijah and a bakery at the far end.

Hm… Shade is always into sweets, and she's a horrible prude, so perhaps it'll have the same effect on the grumpy wolf back in the room. Yes, let… wait… I don't know how any of these taste!

The tasty treats before me weren't the ones Dad brought from Silverant's stores. They were different, which was typical for continents to have their variety. Before I knew it, I bought one of each they had available.

You probably didn't have any of these back in your timeline, so this will have to do!

A hum left my lips as I prepared to head back into the inn; however, before I could place my headphones, a ghost commented on something that had planted an idea in my head.

It would help if you hadn't left him alone. What if he leaves? They always go in the end. A ghost following me from the tavern complained to a passerby about her boyfriend finding another woman to be a friend.

In that instance, my heart stopped right where I stood.

Wait, Alijah, you won't leave, right? You can't be that stupid.

Then, a worse thought crossed my mind.

What if Edna...

My heart raced as I jolted down the street towards the tavern.

Damn it! I'm so freaking stupid!

I bonded Alijah with me, but that bitch wasn't. He would surely follow her if she found him and whispered her lies. After all, that witch had his beloved's soul in her clutches. Getting to the tavern door, I almost tripped on the stairs, heading towards our room.

Bursting the door open, my heart stopped when I saw him on the bed.

You're still here. You haven't left me.

He was out cold, sleeping like a log after showering. The run had exhausted the poor wolf. Relief washed over me, triggering me to drop the bag full of treats and his shoes onto the floor as I fell to my knees.

My body trembled at the thought of what could have been.

How stupid am I? This isn't about me! It's about his safety! I can't… do that! Stupid so stupid!

Everyone was after this wolf, yet I left him alone. I couldn't let my anger or feelings impede protecting him.

That can never happen again.

Standing up from the floor, I walked to the sleeping wolf to see his peaceful expression. Even the most dangerous Lycan alive could have tranquil dreams. However, those dreams were probably full of the woman he loved.

This entire journey was probably out of my hands. Unlike my mom, father, and siblings, I was weak in real life—pure inexperience. I couldn't fight off shadow beasts or witches if they came for us.

My role on this was meager at best, as all I could do was place everyone in danger.

But perhaps I can try to warm Alijah's heart. Just enough so you won't destroy us all. Hey, Alijah... Do you think I might get a space in your heart? Even the tiniest piece, I'll be happy with that.

This journey wouldn't be easy, but I was determined to make the wildest Lycan in history smile.