RAIN
I am seated under a big tree, watching the clouds, and a book on my chest. It's a tattered copy of a thousand autumns. My peaceful time is disrupted when I hear footsteps approaching.
I know them, I have come to anticipate them, a thrill coursing through me as I pretend to sleep.
"Only you can sleep while cloudwatching," his scent envelops me and makes me sigh, forgetting that I was supposed to be asleep.
"I am only resting my eyes," I respond, my eyes still closed, a smile on my face.
"You carry this book everywhere and you still can't read it," Dante lies beside me and I finally open my eyes.
I turn my head to look at him, our faces two inches apart. "I knew you would come and read it for me," I smile when he turns to look at me.
He kisses my nose lightly, like a butterfly landing on a flower petal. "Hi."
"Hi."
"I don't understand this genre, it's too long and it's tiresome to read to another person," he mumbles, even as he takes the book and goes through it.
"It's stimulating and the best book you have ever read to me," I giggle and he humps.
"It's the only book I have ever read to you."
"It's still the best."
"If I had known you would ask me to read it to you, I would have chosen another gift for your birthday."
He starts reading it to me, and I sigh, feeling at home and content. If it was only Dante and I in the whole world, I would not feel lonely or afraid. I want to lie on his chest like the other night and hear the rumble of his breaking voice on his chest.
But Luna might catch us again and say that boys aren't supposed to be that close to each other, and then send me to sleep without food.
I shake my head to disperse those thoughts, wanting to bask in the now.
"This next chapter is too long. I am not reading anymore," Dante complains as he closes the book.
I smile, already knowing today was lucky because he has read me two chapters.
"I need you to stay indoors tonight," he cradles my cheek with his left palm.
I bite my lip, eyes snapping open, feeling the looming doom tonight. When I turned sixteen a month ago and didn't turn, this is the first month where I will be experiencing my wolfless state. That can invite other wolves to prey on me.
I don't know how it will go, but Dante is here with me.
"I can't stay with you the whole night, but I won't let anyone come near you. You have to hide out for the night."
"I do not have to hide, I-"
"You have to hide. They are all uncontrollable tonight. I can't bear to know you are hurt or worse …"
He doesn't end the sentence but I know what he means. Our whole lives, we were together when the full moons came when the wolves shifted and hunted all night long. They can shift any other time but full moons fully embrace the wolf gene and they can't control their wolves throughout the night.
In the past years, Dante and I would take the nights as movie nights, and we would cuddle and watch horror movies, eat popcorn, and drink soda.
Tonight is going to be different because Dante shifted. He is an alpha and I am a wolfless omega. I am a red dot for preying.
"I understand."
Suddenly, I see myself huddled in a shack, far from the woods growls and snarls all around me. I am scared and trembling, eyes wide as I look at the flimsy door that's keeping me away from the predators outside.
A commotion rings out, and the howls grow louder. I press my back on the wall, hands sweating.
There appears to be a fight and the wolves start retreating after a heated five minutes. There is a snarl, coming closer from the door as the others retreat.
When they are all gone and only one is remaining, I dare to peek outside only to come face to face with yellow eyes and I jump back, a yelp escaping my lips. A huge wolf is standing at the door.
The rest have gone and no matter how long I wait for the other one to leave, it doesn't. Perhaps it could be Dante.
Gingerly opening the door, the wolf towers above me, snarling and looking at me like it wants to tear me apart.
But it lowers its head and nuzzles me, inhaling my scent and then looking at me once again.
I know who it is, without a doubt.
Dante came to protect me. An emotion washes over me and I throw my hands around the huge neck, burying my face on its face. It's dangerous, but I know he would never hurt me.
He came to protect me, and I know without a doubt that Dante likes me too. All this time we have been toying at the edge of our friendship. I have been wondering whether he likes me as much as I like him, or if he is beside me for protection and as a friend.
But his wolf is here and he is here, protecting and scenting me. He likes me!
The moment doesn't last long before an alpha's howl rings through the forest and he perks up, ready to answer his alpha's call.
Before he leaves, he looks at me, nuzzles me once more, and then disappears into the trees.
I suddenly feel like when he leaves, I won't ever see him again.
No! I don't want him to go! No!
"Dante!"
"Come back! Please don't leave!"
"Dante …"
I sit up, sweating and breathing hard, as I find my bearings. I expect to find myself still in the woods but I am in a dark room, on a huge bed with grey covers and sheets.
It was just a dream.
I gulp air, as I push wet hair out of my face, as I come back to the waking world, gathering my bearings.
Only, it's not a dream. It's one of my memories with Dante. My chest is hurting and I rub my palm over it, trying to soothe the mixed emotions I feel.
It felt so real like I was sixteen again and I was with him, back at home. Back in the good days when I felt like the world was my canvas, for me to paint however I liked as long as Dante was next to me, directing and guiding my painting hand.
I don't realize I am crying, until I feel the wetness on my lips and I sniff, wiping it away. It doesn't stop.
God, it hurts so badly. I don't want to feel this way. I don't want to remember Dante like this, I don't want to remember my childhood love and the sweet memories because it's too much.
I look around the room I am in, tears still streaming down my face. I try to think of my new life and the goodness of it. How good I have it but the ache is still there. I am hurting so much, I can't breathe.
Dante is gone. He is dead.
A sob escapes my lips and I fall on the bed, twisting and curling, to ease the pain I feel.
The door opens and a man strolls in.
The man who killed Dante, looks at me, worry marring his beautiful features.
"What's wrong baby?"
You.