The Gate of Shadows

Fear consumed me as I thought about Fenris coming near the house. The sisters wouldn’t hesitate to kill him.

“I really can’t,” I mumbled, shaking my head.

With a chuckle, he casually discarded my concerns as if they were insignificant.

“Well, it’s too late. You can’t remove it. Mom told me to give it to someone I wanted to keep safe, and I chose you. Oh, and don’t worry. The bracelet looks like any normal piece of jewelry to anyone but us.” He casually informed me, leaving me stunned.

What?! You can’t?!

“Meaning only the wearer can see it glow when activated. And if anyone tries to remove it by force, let’s say it won’t be pretty.” He smirked.

I never vocalized my worries, yet he seemed to address most of them accurately.

But why do you want to do this for me? I don’t understand why you care when everyone else ignores me.

“I...” I couldn’t finish.

My voice quivered as he again grabbed my right hand with his left.

Fenris pointed dramatically towards the ever-changing hues of the sky. “Look, the sun’s finally setting.”

I let out a weary sigh, realizing that he was completely unaware of the gravity of the situation. Despite his determination, I was equally committed. It was becoming increasingly evident that he hadn’t been dishonest when he claimed he couldn't remove it, even if he wanted to.

His determination to save me fueled my resolve to keep him safe. I was adamant that my coven sisters would never touch my light.

Leaning close, I whispered, “Thank you,” feeling comfortable resting my head on his shoulder.

In a fleeting moment, he tensed up, then gradually, he eased, leaning his head against mine. Together, we stood in awe as we watched the breathtaking sunset unfold. I had seen one before, but this time, its full splendor captivated me like never before.

As the sky transitioned to a dark shade of blue, we sat there with our hands intertwined, mesmerized by the glowing stars in the deep blue expanse above. A question weighing on my mind escaped from my lips without realizing it.

“Why are you so nice to me?” I asked, which caused Fenris to grip my hand tighter.

He embodied the essence of tranquility, a wolf with a gentle spirit.

“When I saw you in that alley, your face looked like the world was about to end. So, I took your hand, and that was it. And it turns out you’re worth it. These past days have been the most fun I had in a while.” He simpered, not moving from our tender moment.

His words lingered in my mind, leaving me feeling exposed and defenseless. Despite my reservations, I yearned to trust in them wholeheartedly.

“It always looked like you had fun.” I couldn't help but point it out, feeling a bit of a giggle escape me, utterly unaware of Fenris's situation.

Behind his warm, inviting smile lay many hidden emotions and experiences. Ones I had no idea existed in his world.

“Maybe everyone has monsters in their lives,” he informed me, closing his eyes.

I sat there, softly humming, savoring our precious time together. We lingered momentarily, unwilling to let go of the blissful tranquility. Yet, as much as I longed for it to last, all good things must come to an end.

“Are you sure you want to go home?" He paused Why not come with me to Cerberus?” he questioned, leaving me shivering upon hearing their name.

The thought of leaving filled me with dread. If I departed, my grandmother would unleash her fury on the town or him. I couldn't bear the idea of that happening. For the first time, I felt an overwhelming desire to return and protect him from the dangers posed by those creatures.

Lycans were formidable, but they weren’t invincible. An impact on his heart or head could potentially prove fatal for him. As a young boy, he lacked the strength to alter his circumstances, much like I, as a young girl, was also powerless.

Neither of us could influence our situations. I was never curious about the sisters' intentions for the town. Even so, I had to ensure that whatever it was wouldn't threaten his home.

“Fenris, can I be brave like you?” I hushed, basking in the warmth.

I should’ve accompanied him. Maybe it could have changed everything. But I was young and foolish. No, I dreaded the consequences if she didn't have me to blame.

“Brave? I’m not brave. Just headstrong.” Fenris chuckled.

A gentle smile graced my lips as I softly hummed a tune. “I’ll try to be headstrong then.”

He gently nudged me softly, ensuring he didn't cause discomfort or harm.

“You can be brave. Don’t think of what could be, and do what you think’s right. At least that’s what my dad says. And it works for him. He has gotten out of a lot of trouble doing stupid things. Yet he ends up being the hero most of the time.” With a warm chuckle, he cheered me on to embrace my most authentic self.

I couldn't comprehend what had piqued the interest of this wolf in me. It seemed possible that I was either someone to rescue or in need of assistance, but it was the first instance of someone showing genuine care for me.

“I see,” I whispered.

The evening stretched on as we sat side by side, the stars glimmering above as the moon ascended to its place in the sky. The streets gradually emptied as we finally rose from our spot and approached my home. Fenris walked alongside me as we made our way to the outskirts of the town.

There, I thanked him for his companionship and bid him farewell. Concealing the bracelet beneath the fabric of my dress, I set off towards the grand manor, where my sister eagerly awaited my arrival at the entrance. Her gaze, in contrast to Fenris, was icy and almost lifeless.

“Did you get the ingredients?” she asked, leaving me to nod.

Letting me into the house, she guided me toward my grandmother, who grabbed the bag of ingredients and checked for quality. Pleased with the goods I brought, she sent me to my room before I left. I promised her I wouldn’t fail another test.

“You better, child. If you know what’s good for you.” She let out a menacing growl and promptly ordered the other sister to escort me back to my room.

I dedicated the entire night to studying in preparation for retaking the test I had failed the day before. True to my word, I excelled in the retake. Unfortunately, my sore back prevented me from sneaking out for the next few days, but I knew it wouldn't be long before I could.

I was determined to see them, no matter how much physical pain it caused me. My days were filled with lessons, afternoons with the boys, and nights spent studying. I attempted to eavesdrop on the sisters' plans during their teachings, but my efforts were mostly in vain.

The discussions about the ritual seemed to have faded away, leaving me wondering if it had already taken place, rendering my worries unnecessary. Failing to uncover any further details, the subject gradually disappeared from my attention.

Three weeks passed, and I was happier than ever before. Fenris and his friends introduced me to chocolate. One of the most delicious things I ever had. Not only that, but I had also come close to beating Fenris in a serious match.

His impending birthday weighed heavily on my mind. He was on the brink of turning twelve, while I was turning eleven the following month.

Fenris made a deal with me that if I drew him a picture, he would bring me a slice of cake from his birthday celebration. I was at the beach with the boys when, somehow, I let slip that I had a talent for drawing.

After a day spent alone with Fenris, he and his friends made it their mission to introduce me to the world's wonders. Despite our exploration, we still found time to engage in playful activities after they showed me a few new experiences.

With determination fueling my actions, I endured the discomfort and snuck back home. I hastily seized a nearby canvas and began to sketch my interpretation of my hero as I remembered them from our time at the beach.

I couldn't suppress a smile as memories of Fenris and his genuine kindness enveloped me in a comforting warmth. Lost in reverie, I failed to notice the subtle creak of the door opening and closing. Unbeknownst to me, the words that followed would mark the ominous beginning of the end.