Elliere Braim

Epilogue

Elliere leans against a lone tree... the only tree that happens to be on the cliff he's upon. He stares at the red hot cherry on his cigarette, watching it burn down before taking a drag and tossing more than half of it away. He still wasn't into smoking cancer sticks so much now, knowing she wouldn't like it. His uncovered two-toned eyes gaze out to see the twinkling lights of the town below and he releases a sigh. He wishes she were here, with him to enjoy the view. Elliere knew that she would love it just as much as he himself.

He inhales the cool night air, happy to be away from the city for awhile though even if it was for this stupid event... he was sure with her he would've liked the event more.

His primal side enjoys it too, it makes him feel less tense, less caged and able to ease into his animal form if he wished. He didn't wish that though, even if it was a full moon and even if the breeze tugged at him to release his inner self. No, he wanted to remain in his human skin because it made him feel close to his mate... his beloved, his Mercy.

Elliere wonders if she would've made a strong Lupus like himself if the bite had taken to her and she survived, but most days he wonders what it would've been like to just have....her. His mind is often on the little, but precious time he had her.

Talking to her.

Kissing her.

Staying with her that one night, giving her pleasure.

Meeting her family.

Trying to keep her safe.

The bonding...

That day in the meadow, the peace before...

Before Marcus came with his horde awful fúcking Vampires and took his revenge.

He had got what he came for and he even got death, something Elliere longed for because he could join Mercy as Marcus had joined his Evelyn.

He gritted his teeth, his fur pricking through his skin as he fought against the wave of grief. Mercy...my love.

Elliere ran a hand through his hair, gripping it roughly - almost to the point of ripping it out - and let out a deep sigh. His heart would always ache and long for her. He just didn't get enough time. His eyes rose to the glowing moon framed in beautiful twinkling stars, his eyes blurring as he remembered memories he wanted to forget.

**

Rori had come back that next morning with Roman in tow. But Elliere wasn't leaving her side, he had remained there all night while his eyes leaked and his heart continued to break over and over again. While his human and animal side struggled to grasp the fact they had lost half of themselves.

He had snarled at them as they first approached, not knowing who they were because he was so blinded by grief. He had apologized quickly, but when they had urged him to come back he turned hard and unforgiving. He wouldn't leave her.

"Elliere... that isn't Mercy anymore...that's merely her shell. She's gone now," Roman had uttered softly, speaking to Elliere as if he were a vicious animal about to attack. He was right to treat him that way too, then.

"I know!" He roared, canines cracking through his gums as a crushing wave of grief slammed into his heart again, breaking whatever pieces may be left. "I know she's fucking gone! You should be telling your mate that! She's the one who thought otherwise!"

Rori flinched, her eyes welling with tears and looked away. She had merely been hopeful, wishing he had a way out of his lifetime of suffering. Now she could see he was to suffer and she knew how she would feel without her Roman. Elliere just wasn't so lucky and he never would be now.

"Elliere, please. You can't stay with her like that forever... she needs a resting place," Rori whispered, her voice completely choked with sadness.

"Leave me alone..."

And his voice had been so broken, so weak that they had vanished and allowed him more time to grieve.

He had to pull away eventually though. When her body was frozen, her lips blue, and her hair so dull, he finally accepted their help because he couldn't stay with her body any longer.. it wasn't her. It wouldn't be her any longer.

**

Elliere's heart squeezed and he was battling so hard to remain in human form. The memories weren't welcome ones in the slightest. After he accepted their help, he had stayed locked in his room for a week at the pack house. Many pack members tried to coax him out, though none succeeded. When he did finally come out though, it was surprisingly Rori and Roman's pups who did him the most good in healing him as well as Rori's witch friend, Bree.

The whole pack had eventually become a great support, especially after he broke the saddening, crushing news to Mercy's family and he had never been more grateful because they now hated him. He was sure they would for life.

Elliere still longed for his death though... to be with her. He knew one day he would be, but apparently Fenrir had different plans for him.

Elliere blinked as a familiar sensation came over him. It was warm and welcoming....similar to the mate bond, but much, much more faint. It made him settle, the beast in him no longer battled to come out but stilled... the grief he was feeling ebbed some and his tears slowed.

These were the reasons he fought to remain in human form more often.

His eyes gazed out, into the open space and he swore he could see her presence. He could certainly feel it like he had a very few times before. She was wrapping around him so comfortingly, letting him know she wouldn't leave him even still. Death had taken her and she still proved to want him. His hands shook with the same amazement he always felt when Mercy was near. This wasn't the first time and by Fenrir, he hoped it wouldn't be the last.

He inhaled and exhaled slowly as he calmed, catching her faint, floral scent. He felt whole in these moments, he felt as though his soul was never shattered and he could almost pretend she was alive.

"I love you..." Elliere whispered, knowing he never got the chance to tell her though he told her now every chance he could, even if she never heard it.

'I love you'

He jumped, eyes round as his ears rung with the faint sound of her voice in his ears. His heart skittered to a halt and his breath caught tightly in his throat. That hadn't happened before.

Did she just...? Even in death? Was that possible...?

"Elliere!" The voice calling his name jolted him out of his thoughts and had his heart and breath restarting once more.

He whirled around, feeling Mercy's presence leave and making him question if he'd imagined the lovingly whispered words. He began walking to where Rori waited, the look on her face saying she knew why he was out here avoiding the Gathering. He glanced back at the tree, hoping to see a figure but there was only air.

He shook his head, a feeling of longing sweeping over him as he brushed past Rori. This was his last night with her and her pack. He would go back to living alone, maybe not the same apartment...but alone. He'd visit Rori's pack more often, that was true, but there would be no one to fill the void in his soul except for Mercy. He would spend years remembering her and their time until their souls met once again in the afterlife.

A/N: That's it guys! Quite a bit of a twist from my usual writings but I'm both sad and happy with it. I hope you all enjoyed!