Happy anniversary

I woke with a smile.

For one brief, blissful moment, I forgot everything.

The storm, the empty bed, and the ache that had settled inside my heart.

I reached across the mattress, expecting to feel the familiar warmth of Kael’s body.

My fingers met nothing but cold sheets.

The smile slowly faded from my lips.

He hadn’t come back, not even after the storm had passed.

I closed my eyes for a moment, willing the disappointment away.

Perhaps he had fallen asleep in Lily’s room after calming her. Perhaps he hadn’t meant to stay the entire night.

There was no point dwelling on it.

Not today, especially not today.

Today was our mating anniversary. Three years.

Three years since the Moon Goddess had bound our souls together beneath the full moon.

Three years since Kael had stood before the entire pack, taken my hands in his, and vowed that no force on earth would ever come between us.

Every year since then, he had celebrated it.

No matter how busy he was, and no matter what demanded his attention.

The first year, he had surprised me with a picnic beside Moon Lake and he had taken me horseback riding to the hill where we had first confessed our feelings.

Last year…He had spent weeks secretly learning how to carve.

The little wooden wolf he gave me still sat safely inside my bedside drawer.

It was terribly uneven.

One ear had been larger than the other.

I had laughed until tears rolled down my cheeks.

He’d looked so offended.

“I spent three weeks making that.”

“I know.” I laughed.

“It’s supposed to look like you.” His smile withered.

“Is that why it’s so stubborn?”

He had chased me around the room until we were both breathless with laughter.

The memory made my chest tighten.

I wondered what he had planned for this year.

************

I had just pushed the blankets aside when the bedroom door creaked open.

Kael stepped inside. He looked exhausted.

His hair was slightly disheveled, and dark shadows rested beneath his eyes.

He didn’t even seem to notice I was awake.

“Good morning,” I said softly.

He barely glanced in my direction.

“Morning.” His voice was hoarse.

Without another word, he pulled off his boots and collapsed onto the bed on top of the blankets.

I frowned. “Kael?”

He closed his eyes. “Hm?”

“Are you alright?” I asked.

“I’m fine.”

He didn’t sound fine. He sounded utterly drained.

I shifted closer. “You look exhausted.”

“I didn’t sleep much.” He mumbled.

“Were you with Lily all night?”

He sighed quietly. “She had nightmares.”

I looked down at my hands.

“I see.”

Silence stretched between us.

Usually, mornings like this were filled with conversation. He would tease me for stealing the blankets.

I would complain that he snored.

We would argue over who had to leave the bed first.

Today…Nothing, only silence.

I studied him carefully.

His breathing had already begun to slow.

He looked as though he might fall asleep at any moment.

Then I remembered.

A smile found its way back onto my face.

“Happy anniversary.”

The words came out softer than I’d intended.

Kael’s eyes slowly opened.

For a moment…He simply stared at me. Almost as though he had forgotten.

Then realization crossed his face.

“Oh…” He pushed himself upright immediately.

“Elara…”His expression filled with guilt. “Happy anniversary.”

I waited. I didn’t know what I was waiting for.

The smile, the excitement, and the way his eyes always lit up whenever this day came around.

Instead…There was only exhaustion.

“I…” He rubbed a hand over his face.

“I’m sorry.”

The knot in my stomach tightened.

“You forgot.”

“No.” His answer came quickly. “I didn’t forget.”

“But…” He looked genuinely ashamed. “I completely lost track of the days.”

I searched his face.

He wasn’t lying and that somehow hurt even more.

“You’ve never forgotten before.” I complained.

“I know.” He reached for my hand. “I’m sorry.”

His fingers felt cold. “I wanted today to be special.”

“So did I.” The words slipped out before I could stop them.

His shoulders slumped. “I’ll make it up to you.”

I smiled. Or at least, I managed something that looked like one.

“I’m sure you will.”

He looked at me for another long moment.

Then his eyes drifted closed again.

Within seconds…He had fallen asleep sitting beside me.

I watched him quietly.

The man I loved had spent the entire night comforting another woman.

And now…The little energy he had left belonged to sleep and not to me.

Carefully, I pulled the blanket over his shoulders.

He didn’t stir.

I brushed a loose strand of hair away from his forehead.

“I hope you’re dreaming peacefully,” I whispered.

Because one of us should be.

I climbed out of bed and walked toward the window. Outside, the world glistened beneath the morning sun.

The storm had passed and the gardens sparkled with droplets of rain.

Everything looked fresh, renewed, and beautiful.

Behind me, Kael stirred slightly.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured sleepily.

“I know.” I smiled.

He opened his eyes just enough to look at me. “I really am.”

I turned to face him.

“It’s alright.”

The words came easily like they always did.

He smiled faintly before exhaustion claimed him once more.

I looked at the man who still held my heart, then I looked away.

Because if I kept staring at him…I might start believing my own lie.

It was alright, but it wasn’t.