The Gate of Shadows

Two full days went by with Fenris alone before I finally found peace. We talked about everything that happened, although I didn’t fully tell him what I saw during my dream or what I truly felt about it, dismissing it primarily as stress or warped fears already present within me.

Though I didn’t know if he believed anything I said, he didn’t push me to say more; instead, he studied me while I tried my best to act normal, waiting for me to slip up. For these two days, he didn’t let me out of his sight or the room, constantly holding me in his arms, leaving little room for anything else.

On the third day, Fenris finally let Melody know I was well enough for her to visit. Much to our surprise, she rushed over with treats that could last a lifetime. She didn’t even let my wolf open the door fully, shoveling him out of the way and hurrying into the room, slamming the door in his face because of her haste to reach me.

The entire thing left me giggling where I was; it was the only reason he didn’t go off on her.

“Why are you standing there, Fenris?” She asked, narrowing his eyes as he sighed.

Melody came in with gifts and an explosive entrance. I couldn’t help but avoid her gaze when she addressed me, shivering at the thought she’d judge me like Layla had.

Upon noticing my insecurities, the black wolf turned Fenris. “How about you leave us alone for a bit?”

He glanced at me for me to simper and nod back.

“Fine, there’s a few things I need to do. So, call me if anything happens. Got it?” He huffed, picking up his bag.

“Roger, boss!” She grinned, saluting him like a soldier would.

He probably wouldn’t have left the room if it were anyone else. Ben visited me after Ryker told him what had happened, and while he was there, Fenris never left my side. Maybe it was the 'girl talk' he wanted me to have space for.

I had never had a girlfriend before. Cora tried to become one for the longest time, but I always categorized her as overly friendly. Grabbing Shade, I placed her between us to be a shield of somewhat, bracing myself for what was coming next and fiddling with her fur like a stress ball.

"Lilith." Melody reached out to me.

I refused to face her, even pulling back from her approach. What she witnessed that day was something that could never be unseen. Even though Fenris made sure to make me feel desirable, I knew my body wasn’t any of the sort.

My silver wolf is just a silly and kind soul, to say otherwise.

It hurt to even think of losing this black wolf; even if she had only been with me for a week, she had become something I wanted, a new feeling, coming with an unfamiliar ache I had never felt before.

"I’m sorry you saw that," I mumbled.

Melody huffed, shaking her head. "Lilith!"

I kept my eyes planted on Shade, who tilted her head. Lily, it’ll be okay. This wolf isn’t like the others.

The little cat saw Melody as the least scary person in this building, probably because of her runt nature.

"Look, I won’t pretend to know how your body got to that state, especially since I wasn’t there, but it had to be painful, right?" she grabbed my hands, facing me straight on.

Her sudden touch caused me jitters, shifting my gaze to her. She wasn’t afraid of touching me, even after what she saw in that bathroom. Even Tania, who knew everything that occurred to me, treated me like something brittle.

Yet this wolf held me, just like any other day.

How can your hand be so warm?

Everyone who found out about my body's condition always expressed pity toward me. My eyes widened upon seeing her expression.

"Of course, it had to be so painful for you! I’m sorry that ever happened to you! I wish I could’ve been there to protect you from it!" Melody cried, tears streaking down her cheeks, leaving me stunned.

She wept for me, and I didn’t know what to do with that. I was used to rejection and prejudice, and this was something else entirely.

"Melody," I whispered, mystified by her.

Fenris showed only anger when he first saw my body, and she presented only sadness. I couldn’t even understand them both.

These two wolves will be the end of me.

"I’m so sorry!" she continued, apologizing for something she had no control over.

She was the same age as Liam, meaning she would’ve been twelve when Silverant's fall happened. There wouldn’t have been any way for her to stop it. Not even Fenris could convince the adults that something was wrong with me back then, even though he had tried so hard.

According to Ben, on the little wolf’s birthday, he sulked before the tragedy, not wanting to open his gifts. He didn’t even care when they cut the cake or wanted to do anything with his friends. All the little silver blood wanted was to look for his friend.

While many blamed themselves for

"Don’t cry." I tried to comfort her by placing my hand on her shoulder.

It was almost as if my words were ignored.

She continued to bawl, shaking her head.  "It isn’t fair! I hate those who did this to you!"

I shook my head before doing something I had never done to anyone but Fenris. I threw myself on her, hugging her ever so closely. Smothering herself into my chest, she continued to shed tears for me.

"It’s okay... Thank you... For shedding those tears for me. You don’t know how much they mean to me." I whispered, holding her close to me.

In an instant, she had become an irreplaceable existence.

You don’t know how good you’ve been for this broken heart of mine. But will you accept the real me, Melody? Or will you…