AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We sit in silence for a moment, both lost in our thoughts, processing the things that have reshaped our understanding of the past. The crackling fire offers a comforting backdrop to our conversation, a reminder of the warmth that still exists between us, even amid the complexities of our history.
But then Mahalia starts laughing again, and this time, I can’t help but let out a bewildered laugh, the absurdity of it all sinking in. “Well, this just keeps getting more interesting by the minute.”
She smiles at me, her eyes filled with a hint of mischief. “Tell me about it. So, where do we go from here? Everything is really strange now, right?”
I reach out to take her hand, a newfound sense of understanding and connection forming between us. “It looks that way. But at least now we’re being honest with each other, right?”
Mahalia squeezes my hand, her smile warm and genuine. “Right, Vaughn. No more secrets.”
The weight of our shared history, the revelations that have reshaped our understanding of the past, and the warmth of our connection all converge in this moment. I can’t resist the powerful urge that surges within me, and without hesitation, I lean in and gently press my lips to Mahalia’s.
The kiss is tender and filled with unspoken emotions—apology, forgiveness, understanding, and a rekindling of the feelings we once had. As our lips meet, it’s as if time stands still, and I’m acutely aware of the woman in front of me, the woman I never stopped loving.
Mahalia responds to the kiss, her arms wrapping around me as if to hold onto this newfound sense of closeness. We share a moment of quiet intimacy, the worries and complications of our pasts momentarily forgotten.
But our peace is interrupted when the others return. Lars and Kit walk back into the room, both wearing expressions of mild annoyance. It seems that whatever business they had with Professor Maddox has concluded, and they are now faced with the unexpected reunion of Mahalia and me.
Lars raises an eyebrow and smirks. “Well, well, what do we have here? The bride and groom back together?”
I shoot him a playful glare, but there’s a warmth in my eyes that belies any true annoyance. “Very funny, Lars.”
Kit, on the other hand, looks decidedly less amused. He eyes me warily, clearly still harboring some tension from our earlier confrontation. It’s clear that there’s no love lost between us.
Mahalia, ever the peacemaker, attempts to defuse the situation. “Let’s not dwell on the past, guys. We’ve got enough on our plates as it is.”
Lars nods in agreement, his mischievous grin fading into a more serious expression. “She’s right. We’re here for a reason, and we should focus on that. We have this mission, right?”
“Yeah, a mission that I don’t yet understand.” Mahalia glares at all of us. “Is someone going to tell me what’s happening here?”
“We’re here to fight the Rift,” Kit snaps, anger lacing his tone. “You know that. I told you that.”
“No, you told me some story. Not the truth. I want to know everything now. If I’m here, a part of some year-long mission that will take me away from my life, then I think I deserve to know why.”
Professor Maddox sighs and takes a seat to begin explaining the intricacies of the Rift to Mahalia. Her eyes are wide with a mix of curiosity and apprehension as she listens intently. I stand nearby, silently supporting her as Maddox delves into the details.
“The Rift,” Maddox starts, his tone serious, “is a phenomenon that occurs every so often in the forbidden forest. It’s a tear in the fabric of our world, a portal to another realm. This realm is inhabited by creatures of immense power and malevolence. Creatures that will steal from people everything that makes them, them.”
Mahalia’s brow furrows as she absorbs this information. It’s a lot to take in, especially for someone who had no prior knowledge of the supernatural world.
Maddox continues, “The Rift has the potential to unleash chaos and destruction upon our world if left unchecked. It’s a source of great power, and it must be closed before it falls into the wrong hands. Our packs, chosen for their unique abilities and connections, have been selected to undertake this mission.”
Mahalia’s gaze shifts from Maddox to the rest of us, her expression a mix of uncertainty and determination. I can sense her inner turmoil, but I know that she’s not one to back down from a challenge.
“And this… has something to do with the wolves?”
I know she’s asking me because me and her have the deepest connection and I’m the one who kept the secret from her.
“The link between the Rift and wolf shifters is a deep and ancient one,” I begin, choosing my words carefully. “We are the only ones able to close the Rift, to stop the Rift monsters from breaking free.” I see Mahalia’s eyes widen with intrigue, and I continue to unravel the history of our kind. “We basically have to save the world.”
“Well, I’m not a wolf,” Mahalia declares with a frustrated shrug. “So why am I here?”
Mahalia’s question about her role in our mission lingers in the air, and it’s Lars who steps forward to offer an answer. “You see, Mahalia, in the world of wolf shifters, unity is our greatest strength. We are bound by our shared heritage. But it’s not just about the blood that connects us; it’s the bonds we form, the trust we build, and the unity we embrace that truly define us.” He takes a moment to let his words sink in before continuing. “Your role in all of this, Mahalia, is to be the emotional bond that strengthens our pack.”
“And how am I supposed to do that? I mean, I want to help out if this is to save the world, but what do I do?”
“You just need to be here.” Yep, it really is as simple as that. I hope that puts Mahalia at ease. I offer her a welcoming smile which I don’t get back.
She rolls her eyes. “I don’t want to just sit around and do nothing. That’s stupid. I can’t do that, I have too much going on in my life, you know what it’s like.”
