Barely Breathing

Xyrus bowed his head low, something which surprised me. And as if knowing I was staring at him, he caught me. A strange
emotion played in his eyes. Was it shame? Regrets? and perhaps more? He didn't even try to hide it.
"No one can stop him. Not even us. We had to shoot him with sedatives many times. And when it did not work anymore. We had
to poison his wolf with silver just so his wolf will be weakened and Xyrus can come back in human form."
"That's enough!" His voice boomed through the forest. There was so much power laced on it that everyone bowed their heads.
"She has all the rights to know, son. Stop protecting her already."Luna Fae was frustrated.
Xyrus shook his head and walked out. He went to the forest, but not before sending me a look once.
Luna Fae continued. "The council agreed to stop the war seeing they were almost losing it. An agreement was made, Xyrus is
forbidden to kill anyone or else, he will be labeled as dangerous again. And a new war will come. Back then, the palace was
destroyed and so is everything. So we moved here to start a new life and a new pack."
"Tell me, Willow, do you not remember my son?" She inquired, tilting her head.
"Is there anything that I should remember?" Confused I was.
"Do you remember a palace high above the mountains..."
"And enormous as the valley..." I unconsciously added, remembering a palace once I was a kid, but it might be just my childish
imagination.
"Yes..." Alpha Caden nodded. "You and your mother used to visit us."
"You know my mother?" I was shocked, the revelation slowly sinking in.
"The moment Xyrus brought you in the pack that day, I knew who you are." Alpha Caden confessed.
"You look exactly like your mother, Willow. But your eyes are from your papa, my good old friend Mason. I would never forget
those eyes." He continued.
"Why didn't you tell me?" I demanded.

"You weren't ready dear..." Luna Fae smiled sadly. "We have so much to asked you but seeing your condition and your lies that
you were an orphan from the war...we didn't want to pressure you."
"Is my mom's a royalty?" I blurted.
"No, she wasn't. But she also came from the direct linage of the strongest of ancient wolves, that's why her fur was red. She was
a dearest friend. And she used to take you with her."
I gulped as she continued rather in a slower storyline, enjoying her time.
"And Xyrus being our only child was so fond of you. His face would always light up when you're around. He cared for you then,
maybe not the way he cares for you now but... He cared more than you have ever known."
"But why can't I remember him?" I desperately whispered. Tash soothingly rubbed my back.
"I don't blame you. You were too young then." Alpha Caden interjected.
"Willow...there is another thing you should know too" Luna Fae called out, softly. Worry clouding her. She seemed like she wants
to say something but she took a deep breath first. He looked at his mate and nodded her head.
Alpha Caden resumed. "Even the rarest of wolves and the most powerful ones has their weakness. You have to understand
Willow, that my son may have chosen you even before the mate hunt, but that, he is taking so many risks just to be with you. You
are his weakness, Willow."
"His weakness?" I repeated.
"Yes. To each has been given a mate, and my son is not an exception. Once the mating process has been completed and
solidified by the moon goddess, the two will become one. It means if the other died, the one left wouldn't able to stand it. It will kill
his wolf and spirit."
"Just like what happened to my parents," I murmured. "My mom died during the attack of the Darkwood. Then my father...he...he
lived a dead life."
"I am sorry to hear that Willow." alpha Caden said sincerely. "But your papa is exceptional. It must be because of you. Usually,
when a mate dies, the other dies too, not long after.
"Did you mean now that I am his mate, he will die if I die?"

"Exactly. His wolf might not favor anyone, however, his human spirit wants you. My son wants you and if something happened to
you his wolf will die." He explained.
I gasped.
Shame was all I could feel. Xyrus sacrificed everything for me, and I never even gave him a chance at all. Swallowing in guilt and
remorse, I didn't notice a figure walked in front of me not until his feet reached my line of sight.
"Xyrus...I..."
"Come, walk with me." He said and walked away into the woods. I need not be told twice as I followed him.