Chapter 47: Old Wounds - Mei

I’m pulled from my unsettling train of thought when I hear an approaching heartbeat and gentle footsteps that soon carry with them the scent of oolong tea.

“My Luna used to love sitting there at sunset and watching how the sun would cast so many beautiful colours across the water,” says Alpha Shen. I look up to see him staring out at the water with a faraway look on his face. His eyes still look tired, and his clothes are just as dishevelled as when I first saw him. “I apologise, I shouldn’t have intruded,” he mumbles, about to walk away.

“You’re not intruding,” I call out. “You can sit with me, if you like,” I offer.

He turns back to me with a look of surprise. “You wouldn’t mind?”

I shake my head. “It’s your home after all,” I say, scooting over to make room for him.

He tentatively walks over and sits on the bench beside me letting out a sad sigh. “This hasn’t felt like home since…” he trails off as a look of pain comes over his face. He doesn’t have to finish that sentence; I