Chapter 20 Leave Me So Soon
Alicia’s POV:
Three years had passed in what felt like no time at all.
+8 Pearls
I had returned from the far–off Wimerville, a place I once called home, but now it felt foreign to me. My heart was heavy. filled with a bitter sadness and an overwhelming anger toward the people who had once made my life so miserable.
The years since I left must have been excruciating for them.
I wore a simple trench coat, and my face was mostly hidden by a hat and a mask.
Before I made my way here, I sprayed the potion I had gotten from the witch. It was designed to mask my scent, a necessary precaution.
During these years, 1 had traveled across Winterville, capturing breathtaking photographs that had helped me rise quickly in the world of photography. I had become known for my skill, my work admired by many.
I had met a powerful witch who had healed Nova, and her strength had only grown since then. We had both learned how to protect ourselves, but the pain of the past was never far from my mind.
I had returned to my homeland for one reason: to pay my respects to Margaret. She had passed away, and the news hit me hard.
Not long ago, I had received a video from her. I didn’t know how she had found me, but the elderly woman on the screen had a loving smile, and her voice was soft as she spoke
“Aly, I support every decision you make. I don’t have much time left, and before I go, I just wanted to speak with you. Over the years, they’ve been searching for you tirelessly, but every time they came close, I kept them from finding you. Since you didn’t want to see them, I saw no reason for them to find you. Live your life, Aly. Live it well.”
Her words cut through me like a knife, and the bitterness rose up in my chest.
I had planned to return to see her, but I hadn’t made it back in time before the news of her passing reached me.
So, I hurried back.
At the funeral, I stood at the back of the crowd, my face hidden beneath the brim of my hat, my mask obscuring the rest of my features.
In the cemetery, members of the Frostfang and Obsidian Packs had shifted into their wolf forms to pay their respects to Margaret.
I watched from a distance, my heart aching as I looked at her grave. My fingers clenched into lists at my sides. Three years had passed, and I had returned, but under such sorrowful circumstances.
As my gaze swept over the wolves gathered there, I spotted familiar faces–Charles, Elizabeth, Alexander, and Lucas …… Their fur looked ragged, dull, a sign of the hardships they had endured over the years,
Of course, how could they live without guilt, knowing they had hurt their own daughter, their own sister, their childhood
sweetheart?
But it was the fate they deserved.
In my past life, I had endured unbearable pain. Now, it was their turn to face the bitterness they had forced upon me.
I overheard their conversation from my hidden spot.
“If Aly knew Margaret passed, she would have definitely come back,” Elizabeth said, her voice trembling with tears. “We’ve searched everywhere for her these years, but we’ve never been able to find her. We got so close in the central region three years ago, but we still missed her
9:52 AM
Chapter 20 Leave Me So Soon
I scoffed, my nails biting into my palm.
+8 Pearls
Nova’s voice rang out, full of anger. They were looking for us? Where were they when that little bitch Evelyn framed you- when they pushed you to the edge? Why didn’t they do anything then?”
She was right. I remembered that rainy night when Alexander coldly shoved me down the stairs and Lucas held me down while I burned for Evelyn’s sake.
As the werewolves finished their rites, Lucas started to move to send off the guests, with Alexander following closely behind. Charles and Elizabeth were preparing to return to the Frostfang Pack.
I watched them leave, and as their figures disappeared, I stepped out from the shadows.
“Margaret, I’m back.”
I sat beside the grave, my hand resting against the cold stone where Margaret had been laid to rest. It was as if I could still feel her warmth there.
I’m so sorry. Margaret. I didn’t make it back in time to see you one last time.”
My voice trembled, and tears began to fall freely.
Tve been doing well these past years. You don’t need to worry about me. I’ve traveled to so many places, taken so many photos. You always wanted me to see the world, and now I’ve done it.”
I paused, the bitterness creeping into my words. “I just.. I never imagined you’d leave me so soon.”
