Chapter 2

*Luka’s pov*

-One year later-

“Luka, dude, get your ass out of bed!”

I groaned as Caleb tried to get me out of bed for the umpteenth time today.

I grabbed a pillow and chucked it in his direction, hitting him square in the face. A small smile took over my lips as he huffed in annoyance.

“Come on, man. I’m taking you out of town to have some fun. You need it,” He said, and I knew damn well that he’d be back if I didn’t oblige.

Sighing, I gave in to his plea and reluctantly left the bed. I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes at his behavior after he shot me a victorious smile.

Over the past year, he has been with me. I couldn't help but be grateful that he kept me out of my darkest places. Still, that didn’t stop the darkness when he was gone though.

It has been hard—harder than I guessed initially. Every time I was in my and Ella’s room, I felt emptier than usual. Her scent was everywhere, and I couldn’t stand it. I moved out of our room only three weeks after her funeral. It became too hard for me to even sleep, which affected everything.

My mom and little sister, Emma, tried to get me to move on way too fast. I snapped at them one day, and they have been staying away since then, only checking in with me to see if I’m still alive, I assume.

I was never the man that acted tough and emotionless. We all have feelings, and nobody ever judged me for being sad. Still, they became distant. They wanted the old me too quickly, and I couldn’t do that for them.

I don’t even think I could do it for myself… ever.

My dad only sends Caleb to check in on me, since he’s the only one who can get through to me in that sense. Caleb understood and didn’t push me to do things I didn’t want to do. He was here to help me heal, not force me to act like nothing happened and be ‘their Luka’ again.

Maybe I was selfish. But the break of a mate bond is torture.

After throwing on a white tee shirt and jeans, I went out to the living room, not even bothering to fix my messy, dark hair. Ty, my brother, met my eyes as soon as I was at the bottom of the stairs. 

“Hey, bro! You got out of bed today. You look... good.” I scoffed at my younger brother’s ‘bluntness’ as I gave him a hug.

“Yeah, your Beta dragged me out of bed. Probably worried I would wallow in my sorrow or something. You know, especially today.” He nodded, understanding what I meant, but said nothing.

We sat in silence as he looked over the documents in his hands; I assumed it had to do with pack business.

Frowning, I got up and went to the kitchen to get a drink before Caleb returned. I missed being Alpha. Whenever someone calls me ‘Luka’ instead of ‘Alpha’, it tears me apart. I’m not power hungry, but it hurts to give away your birthright. Still, it was necessary for the pack.

After coming to terms with Ella’s death, it took a toll on me and my wolf. We were restless, and I couldn’t behave right. I still can’t.

My pack started fearing me, and it hurt like hell. It hurt that I was failing them. That pain, plus the pain of a broken mate bond, was torture.

So, I told my dad and brother that I wanted to resign as Alpha. My dad wouldn’t have it, though, so he said I would take a break until I’m “Fit to resume my duties”... as if that would ever happen. I wasn’t planning on sticking around for it either.

Walking out of the kitchen somewhat refreshed, I slowly made my way to the living room again, when I heard whispers from Ty and Caleb. I could hear every word, though. That’s what werewolf hearing was for. 

“He needs it, man. I hope it will help get his mind off Risella,” Caleb whispered to my brother. 

My heart broke, or that’s what it feels like, given that my heart was no longer there.  It has been so long since I’ve heard her name; nobody ever mentions her anymore.

“Thanks for helping Luka when he needs it. Sometimes I think he’s gone off the edge,” Ty whispered with something like a sigh.

I scoffed. He didn’t even know how ironic that statement was.

I made my presence known by clearing my throat as I leaned against the doorway, and they looked somewhat taken aback but chose not to say anything.

Caleb and I drove into town—the human territory, as I called it. He refused to tell me where we were going, but I had to make the best of it, given that I won’t enjoy anything again.

After fifteen minutes of driving, we pulled up to a... carnival? You’ve got to be kidding me.

“Dude, are you five?” I asked, shaking my head at his goofy grin.

“Nah, but it’ll be fun! Come on, you used to love the carnival when we were kids, even though you acted as if you hated it because they forced us to go together.”

I chuckled at the memories. I really did like the carnival. And even though Caleb doesn’t know this, it’s where I brought Ella on our first ‘date’, as she put it.

We’re wolves, but she always liked to do things in a human way. I never complained, though.

This will seem like I’m with her one last time.

***

The day ended quickly, but I had fun. It would be hard to say goodbye to everyone, so I didn’t. I was never good at goodbyes.

Caleb and I walked towards the car with our faces painted like seven-year-olds and cotton candy in our hands. I’ll forever remember him for this. He will probably hate me tomorrow, so I held on to the moments today.

“We can either go back or go wherever you want. The night is still young,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows with his signature goofy grin. I smiled and shook my head.

“Actually, I’m going for a run in the woods near the river. My wolf is a little antsy,” I lied right to his face. He didn’t seem convinced, but nodded in understanding.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you later,” he said, sounding more like a question than a statement.

“Ugh... Yeah, sure.” My chest clenched as I lied.

He has had my back, and now I felt like I was betraying him. Call me weak, but I just can’t stay here. I had to leave.

“Oh, and Caleb,” I whispered as he headed into his car. “Um, thanks for everything, man. I couldn’t have made it so far without you. And I ah… I love you, bro.”

I scratched the back of my neck as he looked at me, taken aback, but mostly worried. I took that as a sign to leave before he questioned me, so I raced toward the woods.

“Uh, I…uh, I love you too!” He shouted before I took the turn. I felt slightly at peace as I made my way toward the clearing.

Nothing has changed since my last visit. I had to resist the urge to run away as all the memories rushed back. I sat at the cliff’s edge with my legs hanging over.

The empty spot beside me was where Ella sat the last time I saw her. I smiled, feeling like she was there with me.

“I miss you a lot, Ella. Every day, it gets harder when you’re not here. The emptiness is consuming me. I try, Ella, I try so hard to find peace again and to be the Alpha, son, brother and friend for everyone. But I can’t, babe. I just can’t pretend anymore.” 

At that moment, the tears had escaped, but I didn’t care.

“Caleb has been helping me. He’s kinda the reason I held out so long. And I know I’ve failed you, but I want you to forgive me. Forgive me for not looking hard enough. Forgive me for not being strong enough right now and carrying your legacy with pride. Forgive me for being weak.” 

My voice broke as I tried to hold back another whimper from my wolf. But it was harder than I thought.

“I love you so much, Ella. And I hope I’ll see you again when I join you on the other side, so please accept me. I gave up on this life, but I never gave up on us.”

Call me delusional, but she’s my one true mate. I won’t be happy again without her. Ever.

With a shaky breath, I looked at the sky. The moon was shining in its glory, probably getting ready to welcome me as I left this life.

Looking down, I saw the water splashing against the rocks, calling me to join them. I closed my eyes, welcoming the thrill of being alive one last time. Moving a little closer, I looked down, getting ready to take my fall... I knew there was no turning back.This was it. 

Just one step, and I’d be with Ella. 

Just one…

“Well, would you look at that... Fancy seeing someone here in MY spot,” a female voice said from behind me.

I froze.

Who the hell is that?