It was late at night and Sepehr was still taking care of Cecilia. Sounds of the leaves ruffling were heard from outside along with the chirping of crickets .
Ever since the morning , the two wolves kept talking with each other about various topics . Cecilia got to know that Sepher wasn't just an exceptional fighter but also a painter. Most of their time went in Sepehr narrating stories of the novels he had read to her.
Even though Cecilia knew how to read and write, she never bought any book except the poem book for herself . Her mother never allowed her to read or spend any money on her own choices. But Cecilia loved books , and she found herself lost in the tales of the lovers , which Sepher told her.
The clock which was hanging on the reception was quite loud and it struck loudly , indicating it was now 12 am. After hearing that loud voice , Cecilia realized that she needs to go , from here as soon as she can , before her family finds her. She completely forgot about her plan , due to talking with Sepher.
"What are you thinking about so deeply Miss Everette?" Sepher asked her. Cecilia looked at him with an uncertain look , doubtful , if she could trust him with her secret plan of escaping away.
She knew that she couldn't go very far away in this condition , she needed someone to help , and Sepehr could be a person who could possibly help her.
"Sepehr, can I ask you for something" She asked while ignoring the question which Sepher asked before. She knew eventually after the conversation ended , Sepehr would know what was in her mind.
The alpha looked at her , with determined eyes. He was ready to give Cecilia whatever she asked him for. She took the silence as a gesture for her to continue .
"Can you please help me in escaping this pack?"
The question caught Sepehr off-guard . He expected a materialistic thing , or a pet not this.
"Why Cecilia? Is this because of what my mother said about your mother or because of me ?"
"Neither of you. The whole time , while I was fighting for my breath, I realized how little things I have done in my life . If I stay in the pack , I can never make memories. Everyone here is focused on either becoming the richest or marrying someone they love . But these are not my priorities. I want to discover the world , go on some adventure , form a friendship bond and have the best time of my life " She told him with a soft smile lingering on her lips , at this exciting thought.
"Not love ?" Sepher asked her . It made Cecilia think for a while , if she actually desires romantic love.
"Sepehr....I don't know . It's not my priority or something I would want to find. You know , once Mr Hyacinth told me '๐๐ฆ๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ค๐ถ๐ด ๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ท๐ฆ , ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ค๐ข๐ถ๐ด๐ฆ ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ท๐ฆ ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ด ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ข๐ต ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ณ๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ต ๐ต๐ช๐ฎ๐ฆ . ๐๐ญ๐ญ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ด๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ค๐ถ๐ด ๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐ช๐ด ๐ฉ๐ข๐ท๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ง๐ถ๐ฏ' . At that time , I was too naive to understand his words but now I do . I want to focus on myself and have fun. I hope love finds me on its own . You are understanding my point right?" Cecilia explained to him.
"Yes I am . What Mr Hyacinth told you was absolutely right and you should definitely focus on yourself first . If it's your wish , I will help you in escaping it all . But just promise me that once you find yourself having free time ,you will come to meet me once and tell me about all the adventures you did" Sepehr told her.
It hurt him to know that Cecilia would go far away from him , he was possessive and the connection he had with Cecilia in this short time wasn't helping him in leaving her so easily either . But he knew it would be the best for Cecilia. He wanted her to have all sorts of fun in her life .
"I promise!" Cecilia cheerfully exclaimed. It made Sepher break into a smile too.
"Great then , but I won't help you right away . First get well properly"
"ButโBut my parents will find me and they won't let me go" Cecilia told him in worry.
"In that case , I will take you to my cottage . It is a little outside of the pack . No one comes there. You can be free and heal there . After you get healed fully , you can go okay ? I won't stop you" Sepher told her.
"It will be a lot of favors then. I won't be able to repay it"
Cecilia was hesitant to accept so much help from any single person . No one has been this helpful to her in her entire life . It was a little strange for her.
"You don't need to . It won't even be a favor honestly. After all , I can help my friend right?" Sepher asked her , making her surprised .
"We are friends?" She asked him with wide eyes and a smile upon her lips .
She had never had any single friends in her . It was exciting for her.
"Aren't we?" He asked.
"Oh we are, " Cecilia happily exclaimed.
"That's great then . So...what can I call this friend of mine ? After all I don't know your real name yet" Sepehr asked her , making Cecilia's cheek turn into a crimson red color out of embarrassment.
Amid all this ruckus , she forgot to introduce herself to Sepehr.
"My name is Cecilia. Cecilia Everette"
"Your parents named you Cecilia?" He asked her , as a frown formed on his face.
" Yes . What happened?" Cecilia asked clueless.
"It's just that most of the parents name their kids something bright , or with a good meaning . But your name means 'Blind' " Sepehr informed her . How ironic was it to name someone with such a beautiful pair of eyes , blind ?.
"It doesn't really matter right ? what could a name do to us anyways?" Cecilia asked.
"I don't know honestly but I have heard that a long time ago, people used to name their kids anything which sounded good even if those names meant bad stuff . Later , those kids used to suffer a bad fortune , to avoid it , every parent started to name their kids the most beautiful things as it was believed that bad names give off bad energy and destroy any positive thing coming into our lives.
At least that's what the myth says , so it was pretty new for me to see someone with a name like this. I won't deny it , it certainly sounds good , but I just didn't expect someone to name this to their child" Sepher explained to her in detail.
Cecilia's heart clenched after hearing it. She thought her parents hated her after she grew up , but it seems that their hate for her was ever since her childhood. It sounded impossible to her that despite living in the pack, her parents never heard of any such myth.
"Oh dear Cecilia, don't feel bad, okay ? I believe they didn't know much before keeping your name. Why don't you change it ? After all, you want to change your life right ? Start with a new identity with a bright name. How does that sound?" Sepehr suggested, after noticing how sad she became, after hearing his words.
'I should certainly learn to control my mouth,' Sepher thought to himself.
"But...what can I name myself ? I have no idea. Can you suggest some names ?" She asked Sepehr.
"Sure . How about....erm Blair?" Sepher asked her after thinking for a few seconds . Cecilia liked the sound of the name but she was searching for something different.
"Not good I see," Sepher added . He then stayed silent and looked at Cecilia for a few seconds. If he was given the task to name her , he found it better to name her something, which suits her personality. She was bright , wonderful , beautiful, unique and just like a fire.
"Pyralis" He exclaimed, after looking at her ginger hair and citrine eyes. Cecilia looked like a fire and had the brightest flame of fire , hidden inside her. She seemed to be made up of fire , so what was a more perfect name than Pyralis for her .
Cecilia smiled brightly showing her gums . She loved the name . It was the first time , she fully smiled in front of him, and Sepehr realized that she got a gummy smile making her appear more cute than ever.
"I like it . Thank you so much Sepher" She told him and hugged him from the side. Carefully , Sepher pulled her closer to his own self and sighed in content at the warmth of her skin .
She got a new name and all she needed was to get healed properly , so that she can start her new life.
'Pyralis...how cool it sounds!' Cecilia thought to herself.
"But wait...what does it mean?" She asked him.
"It means , made of fire," Sepher told her.
"Fire...I love fire. I love this name too. Thank you so much" She again thanked him.
"Geez...stop thanking me little one . It's just a name" He told her while gently pecking on her temple as a gesture of adoration. Cecilia touched her temple while backing away a little , making Sepher realize what he just did.
"Look..I am sorryโ" Sepehr apologized with a horrified look on his face , not knowing how the omega in front of him would react. Cecilia broke into giggles .
"My head was muddy!!" She laughed.
"Huh?"
"You pecked my muddy head!"
"Oh right...I am โ"
"Wait you pecked me" Cecilia stopped laughing and stared at Sepher while the crimson color again formed on her cheeks.
"Yeah..."Sepehr agreed while scratching his nape.
"It was a platonic one right?" She asked him and he stared at her for a second and softly smiled and nodded.
"Yes...a platonic one" He told her. He didn't want to put his feelings in the middle of her way. Her dreams were far more superior than his feelings.
"I see...you don't need to be sorry . Friends do peck each other. I have seen Miss Hyacinth pecking her friends on the cheek and temple . I am quite aware of this"
"But still , I didn't took your permission"
"It's fine Sepehr. Out of all the alphas , I have realized that you mean no harm. You are different"
"....."
"Are you not?" Cecilia asked him with a smile and Sepehr nodded.
"If that's what you feel. Then I must be, "he said lovingly.
Cecilia was looking outside the window while sipping the green tea which was presented by Sepehr in a small painted Victorian style tea cup. Birds were chirping happily and the voice of the waterfall nearby added more to the comfort of this place. It was a small cottage with almost everyone a person could need . It even included a sauna too .
Cecilia has been here for one month and was focused on recovering . Sepher visited her on a daily basis with some flowers and chocolates.
The bell rang and Cecilia walked slowly towards the door to open it . She was still healing from her wound . She opened the door only to find many werewolves outside carrying huge boxes . Her eyes widened in fear and she stepped back a little .
'Are they sent by my parents?' She thought to herself.
'Probably not . They are too broke to even afford a new dress , so how can they send so many people'
"Step aside people" Sepher said from behind and the men stepped aside only for Sepehr to properly appear , behind them. He started walking towards Cecilia with his charming dimple smile.
He was wearing a dark blue coat with a white shirt and dark blue pants. Cecilia smiled at the sight . He always looked good in dark blue . It suited him so well.
"Good morning Pyralis" Cecilia smiled at the name.
"Good morning Mr Winslow" She said with a cheeky smile , well aware that Sepehr doesn't like her addressing him like that.
"You still didn't respond to me Pyralis...Good morning " He repeated as if he had not heard the previous sentence and Cecilia giggled at that.
"Good morning Sepher" She told him only to receive a victorious smile from the side of the male.
"Look what I got for you today" Sepher passed her a basket while saying so. It was a woven basket covered with a white cover. Cecilia frowned with a curious glint in her eyes.
"What's in this basket?" She asked him.
"That's for you to find out"
Cecilia walked inside the cottage and Sepher went inside following her . Cecilia put the basket on the top of the table while carefully removing the cloth from it. She was surprised to find a Kifery inside it. Kiferies were magical creatures which had the body of a kitten attached with tiny wings . They came in all shades of colors and due to this , they were often called rainbow pets. This one was orange with white stripes .
Cecilia gasped and quickly hugged the creature as it snuggled in Cecilia's neck. Kiferies were known to be the best friends of the omega . Omegas were soft and shy werewolves who excelled in nurturing and making a good family. Not only this , but Most omegas were naturally cheerful and enjoyed the company of friendly pets who could cuddle with them in their difficult times . Kiferies were absolutely those kinds of playful creatures .
"Thank you so much!" She squealed and threw herself in Sepher's arms who quickly held her . He held her tightly in his arms while pulling her as close to his chest as he could . He knew that Cecilia was almost healed now and in a few days , she would be going away to her journey , so he should start valuing the little moments he gets with her.
"It's my pleasure"
"No..No it's my pleasure to have this Kifery ! Thank you so much ! I always wanted one" She squealed .
Whenever , Sepher gave her any gift , she would usually deny it but not today. How could she even refuse such a cute magical creature.
She then pulled back and pecked the head of the Kifery .
"What will you name her?" Sepehr asked her with a flustered smile which was due to the hug.
"How about Bibble? or Boba ? or..Pica ?"
Sepehr was surprised at the weird choices of names.
"You sure you want to name this creature any of the above names?" He asked her and Cecilia smiled and nodded.
"Why not? Are they bad"
Cecilia picked up the Kifery in her arms .
"Meow"
Cecilia smiled with adoration at the tiny squeaky voice.
"Look..It likes the names"
"She" Sepehr corrected.
"Oh..my baby is a female. Pica is the best name for her then . Pyralis and Pica ! doesn't that sound great Sepehr?" Cecilia asked while pressing her cheek softly against Kifery's cheek who pushed her face back on Cecilia's cheek with adoration.
Sepher smiled at this cute sight and nodded.
"It will sound great"
"That's decided then . I will call you Pica" Cecilia told the small Kifery in her arm who mewed in an agreement.
'Why can't this moment last forever? Why can't this time stop ? Why does it go ? Why do people go,' Sepher thought with sadness.
'If only I get one more life Pyralis , I will find you soon , so that I can spend more time with you . But for now , these memories will last forever in my mind'
Goodbyes were the most difficult for Sepher and in this case , it was even more, afterall it was not anyone but Sepher's first love.
Noticing that Cecilia is busy with Pica , Sepher walks outside to ask the werewolf men to bring all the boxes inside. They had more things which Sepher thought Cecilia would need in the journey.
The men came inside while carrying all the heavy boxes . The whole room was filled with cartons , making Cecilia surprised.
"Is someone coming to live with me here?"
"No. These are a few gifts for you" Sepher told Cecilia while leaning on the wall with arms folded across his chest .
"These are not few Sepher" Cecilia told him while putting the little Kifery inside the basket . Pica was snuggling against her palm and Cecilia kept petting it.
"On top of that , I don't need any of them . I already have got enough gifts from you" Cecilia added while looking at Sepehr.
"Just have a few more tokens of my friendship" Sepher insisted.
"It's just you who keep showering me with gifts . I feel so bad for taking even one of it , so please don't burden me with favors" Cecilia told Sepher, who gestured to the men to go away.
Sepher pushed Cecilia lightly against the wall . He caged her between his arms and stared at her deeply in her eyes.
"Please don't reject Cecilia. This money doesn't mean anything to me" He told her.
"But it does to me okay ? so please just take these all away . Return these. They are from the hard earned money of your parents" Cecilia told him.
"About 2 weeks ago , I took over one of the companies , so basically these are from my money . My hard earned money which I want to spend on you . I want to spend every single penny on you . It gives me happiness" Sepher confessed as his breath fanned over Cecilia's face, making her clench the sides of her dress nervously.
"Why? Just buy something good for yourself"
"I don't want to . Moreover" Sepher started and his eyes fell on the hands of Cecilia who were clenching the sides of the dress nervously. He pulled away with his dimple smile and roughly opened one of the boxes , while pulling up one of the dresses from it.
He threw it in a playful manner towards Cecilia, who catched it in a swift motion , to make sure it didn't fall on the floor and get dirty.
"You touched it right ? So it's yours" Sepehr completed his sentence.
"Butโ"
"It's the law , little one . You touch it , it's yours" Sepehr quickly cut her sentence mid way.
Cecilia put the beautiful emerald-colored dress on the chair and walked towards Sepehr with a witty playful look.
"I touched this too" She told him while poking her index finger on his blue coat. Sepher removed it swiftly and put it on Cecilia's shoulder .
"It's yours then"
"I touched this too" Cecilia told Sepher while poking on the white shirt he was wearing inside.
"You really want it?" Sepehr asked with a chuckle.
"I do . After All isn't it the rule that I touch it , it's mine ?" Cecilia asked with a raised eyebrow.
"You got a good point" Sepher told her and started unbuttoning his shirt revealing his tan skin . Cecilia shyly covered her face with her palm.
"You are unbelievable and shameless!" She told him while her cheeks again turned crimson.
Sepher started to button up his shirt with a smile.
"Don't blame me , you are the one who asked me for it. Didn't you?" Sepehr asked her .
"I โ I โ I di-dn't kne-w you would do it!" Cecilia stuttered shyly.
"You can look at me now . I am dressed now" He told her and Cecilia slowly removed her palm from her face . Sepher was now fully dressed up.
"Now that you listened to my words of removing your hand from your face, then please accept these too" Sepehr convinced her.
Cecilia thought for a second .
"Fine , I will accept only one then . What will I do with these many dresses ?" Cecilia told him and took the emerald green dress which was put on the chair.
"All of these hundred dresses are non-refundable "
"WHAT A HUNDRED DRESSES?!!!"
"Yes, didn't I promise you earlier that I will get you a hundred dresses?" Sepher simply said.
"When ?"
"In the hospital... remember it carefully" Sepehr told her.
"I-I thought it was to just console me" Cecilia told him while remembering the words Sepher told her in the hospital while she was crying.
"It wasn't. I was being nothing but truthful . So just accept these please . I chose them all myself" Sepher pleaded.
"You chose them all yourself?" Cecilia asked while feeling flattered at his words.
"Yes I did. Now take them all okay ? Wear them one by one on different occasions . This way , maybe not me , but my choices can be a part of your journey too"
Cecilia hugged Sepher at these words. She didn't know how she could ever repay Sepher in her entire life. She wanted to move on in her life and have an adventure, but now it was difficult for her , because she knew she had to say goodbye to her newfound friend, with whom she had gotten very attached .