Fantasy Fiction Short Story

It had been almost five months since anyone had last seen or heard from the alpha of The Fire Stone Pack. Five months since SHE had last seen the man that she loved. No one had known where he had gone, or why. He had simply just disappeared. But recently, rumors started to pop up that he had been seen skulking around an abandoned Jack Daniels warehouse in Lynchburg Tennessee. Rumors were all that was needed for an investigation to be launched and a search team sent out to find him. As the alpha female of the pack, she was the leading member of the search team that had been sent out.

At first, she had been angry and confused. She wondered why he had left, and why he never tried to contact her, or let her know he was okay. She felt as if he had abandoned her. But now that she stood before the warehouse where the rumors said he had been spotted, she felt nervous and apprehensive. She did not know what she would find when she walked through those doors. Would she find him here, in this place? Would he even want to see her? Or talk to her? What words would there be to say that could right this entire situation? She suddenly found herself questioning whether or not she would be able to face him.

Despite the fact that the warehouse was empty, it was dark inside in the late hours of the night. And yet, a voice in her head told her that something was amiss here. Something did not feel right and before long, her suspicions were confirmed. “I knew you would come after me when the rumors started.” The familiar voice echoed through the emptiness, and a young man stepped out from the shadows on the opposite end of the building. It was Rhys, she had found him. He gave her a dark and evil smile, and it was then that she noticed the moonstone dagger that he held in his left hand. The translucent edge gleamed in the moonlight that filtered in through the holes in the roof of the building.

“Rhys.” She took a tentative step forward, raising a hand before her. “Please...put the dagger down.” He chuckled, twisting the blade in his hand before turning his eyes back to her. “What is the matter, Grace? Are you afraid of me?” His dark smile grew wider, and for the first time in her life, she was truly afraid of him. She had never seen him like this before. Before she could say anything else, a shrill female laugh echoed through the darkness. “Oh, Grace. You were always so easy to insult, injure, and scare.”

Grace recognized the voice almost immediately. “Hello Gwen. I should have known you were responsible for his disappearance.” The young woman stepped out from where she hid in the shadows. “Hello Grace. It has been too long.” Grace chuckled. “I would have preferred longer.” The girl’s smile disappeared into a nasty snarl. “You really do have a lot of enemies, Grace.” she smiled softly at Rhys as she ran her fingers through his hair. His shoulders tensed and his hands balled into fists. “It would be a shame to add this...specimen of a man to the list.” She knew that Gwen was serious in what she said, and she had no doubt that she would turn him against her.

“Rhys, this woman is tampering with your mind. This is not you. I know it is not.” His smile turned into a scowl. “You do not know me. You mean nothing to me.” The words hit her so hard that she felt as if her heart had been torn out of her chest. “Please...listen to me.” She stood before the man that she loved, backed by her friends Frederick, Tanya, and Erik. “This is not you. I know you.” His eyes turned a bright red, and she knew his wolf was now in charge. “Do not talk to me like you know me.” She took another step towards him, and she could feel herself shaking.

Her throat felt tight and she could feel tears stinging her eyes. “Listen to me...two years ago, you captured my heart by being exactly who you are. The sweetest, most loving, and compassionate person I have ever known.” He took a step backwards, and she could see the darkness in his eyes flicker. “You have been my best friend through the good and the bad. You have been the reason that I smile and you have given me comfort beyond measure when I have cried.” The tears that stung her eyes, now flowed down her cheeks.

The look on Rhys’ face softened as he looked at her and she shook her head. “You believed in me when no one else would, and you have shown me how to love with passion, purity, and unconditional acceptance.” She finally stood in front of him. “I am not sure if a lifetime is enough to return all that you have given me, but I can be sure that it sure as hell is a start.” He snarled, and came at her. She found herself on her knees with the moonstone blade at her throat. The stone burned her skin where it rested, but she did not care. “If you have to kill me, then go ahead and kill me. But know this…” She took a shaky breath and a single tear streamed down her face. “I did not fall in love with you. I walked into love with you, with my eyes wide open, choosing to take every step along the way.”

The darkness in his eyes faltered, and they came back to their hazel color. “I love you. No matter what you do. No matter what you may choose, I will always love you.” His eyes studied her, and she realized that he was himself again. Her breath was still shaky when she spoke, but her voice was barely above a whisper. “Do what you have to do.” His eyes softened and he managed a small smile before winking at her. “I will.”