Yes you do
She looks scared. You shake your head.
“Yes. I do.”
The wolf growls in frustration, but squeezes your hand tighter rather than letting go.
“I've been an idiot, this past week. Selfish. I know you didn't choose to replace Serrin. I know you didn't ask for any of this. But I blamed you. I... I acted like you were at fault for taking him away from me. The man I know. The man I love. But this? It's worse. I'm becoming my own worst enemy. Making you leave. Forcing whatever is left of Serrin to go away. F-for all I know... if you leave now, I'll never see him, or you, again.”
You try to reply.
“Lira, I...”
Before any more words can slip through your muzzle though, her hands lets go of yours. Her strong arms reach up and wrap around your neck. She pulls you in close, and kisses you. A kiss so strong, so deep and familiar that for a fraction of a second you forget that it's the first time you've kissed this woman. You forget that you haven't known her and loved her for years, because within that kiss is all of that affection, all of that intimacy, and so much more than you can possibly conceive.
She pulls back after almost half a minute.
Panting.
Weeping.
She stares at you. Expectant. Hoping that maybe somehow a miracle would happen. A fairy-tale ending would come to pass, and you would be restored to your former self. Or rather, Serrin would be restored to his former self, and your mind... goodness only knew where that would end up. Buried. Cast aside. Forgotten, if only he could come back again.
Written by Jeeves on 25 September 2017