Reyna-We arrived back at Wolf Tech, entering through the back entrance to avoid the angered crowd out front. Neither of us wanted to avoid them, but until we knew what was going on, it was better to not expose ourselves yet. Since leaving the airport, Luka hasn’t said much.He has been on his phone trying to reach out to staff. No one had answered, except for Jake, who had said he would come in to help us figure out what was going on. Kaige and a few members of his pack were also on the way to help.When the elevator doors opened, we were shocked by what we saw. Staff members were running around like crazy. Papers were scattered everywhere. Phones were ringing nonstop. People were shouting left and right. It was utter chaos.“We need to get everyone under control.” I rushed forward to try to get everyone to stop, but suddenly Luka grabbed my arm and pulled me back.“Leave them for now, we should go lock ourselves in my office for now while we figure out what happened. Everyone is in
Reyna-“It has been a week since the CEO of Wolf Tech has gone missing. For those that don’t know, he is the creator of the virtual reality game, known as Arcane Realm. The game has become exceedingly popular since it was first announced to be released a year ago. Many had lined up to purchase the gear needed to play the game. Since it was released the day before CEO Luka Alder went missing, it has been a popular topic. Arcane Realm was created as a fantasy role-playing game…” The lady on the radio continued talking, but I reached over and turned it off.I didn’t want to hear another person talking about how my boss was missing. Most of the time they focused more on the game than the fact that he was missing. It has been a week and still, the police have not come up with any new leads.The acting CEO of the company, previously the Vice President, seems to be looking into the matter, but even he is trying to keep the talk about the CEO limited. I wished that someone would do something
Reyna-Next, I had to choose my username, which I had to think about for a minute. I could choose a random name, but I decided not to. In the end, I stuck with my real name, Reyna. It wasn’t like I couldn’t change it later.Now that my character was complete, I could join the game and explore it as a Fairy creature. Clicking on the start game option on the menu, I was once again transported to the starting point in the game. The game consisted of twenty-two levels, but each level had many distinct aspects to it.I knew that the developing team was working on putting in updates as well. Depending on this game, there could eventually be more levels added in the second version. Personally, I didn’t think adding more levels to Arcane Realm was an innovative idea.I worried that if they did, it would overload the circuits and the current gear wouldn’t be able to handle it. Maybe after some time and a more advanced headgear could be made, it wouldn’t be a bad idea.Then again, I didn’t want
Reyna-I didn’t know what I was expecting, but what he did next surprised me. Before I knew what was happening, he moved toward me and attacked. I hadn’t been fast enough when the blade of his sword sliced across the flesh of my arm.I might be in a game right now, but the pain felt real. In this moment I hated that the headgear stimulated the brain enough to make everything feel real. Gripping my arm, I quickly backed away from him.“What the hell?” I yelled.He still didn’t say anything as he lunged at me again. This time I was quick enough to react and quickly moved out of the way. I tried to get my wings to fly me off the ground, but a message popped up saying that my stamina was still recharging.Frustrated now, I knew that if I wanted to find out what was going on, I was going to need to fight back. Readying my short sword, I prepared to defend myself. I could sense that his level was higher than mine, but that didn’t mean that I couldn’t take him on.With my real-life skills, I
Reyna-After I spoke, he released my wrist and stopped walking. “This map hasn’t been made to the public yet. It is still under development and will be released later in the game. This is the only place in the game where we can speak without being discovered.”I didn’t know what was more surprising, the fact that he actually responded to my question, or that his response was proof enough that he was indeed Luka Alder, the CEO of Wolf Tech, and the creator of Arcane Realm.“Why do we need to be worried about being discovered?”“Because what I am about to tell you, needs to stay between us. Since you are hellbent on looking for me, I have no choice but to trust you.”My eyes widened at his statement, but I didn’t say anything, since I didn’t know what to say. He sounded serious, which meant there was no time for jokes right now. Although, I wanted to laugh about the situation.“Do you promise not to tell anyone that you saw me?” He asked with a stern expression on his face.“I promise.”
Reyna- The kind of excitement I felt at him saying that was difficult to hide. I knew he wasn’t proposing to me because he was in love with me or anything, yet the idea of being married to him was alluring. Even if it was only in the game. Obviously, he was only doing it to complete certain missions that only couples could complete. We would also be able to share items in the game, which I was guessing was his way of helping me level up faster. As much as I wished it was real, I would accept what I could get. Not to sound optimistic, but I hoped that while I was helping him get out of the game, he would finally see me as more than just an employee. Maybe it was wishful thinking on my part, but I was willing to take the risk. Even if he didn’t fall for me, just being able to spend time with him for a bit would be worth it. “I am willing.” I told him a few moments later. I expected him to be relieved that I agreed, but instead, he looked at me as if he couldn’t believe what I said.
Reyna- “What now?” He sounded irritated, but I ignored it. “I think you should change your name. Being known as an unknown player might raise a few red flags. If you want to keep your identity hidden, I think you should choose a player name.” He looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding. “You might be right.” As he pulled up his menu, I waited patiently for him to come up with a name. The name he ended up choosing, caused me to drop my jaw. Of all the names he could have chosen, why did he have to use his real name? “I thought you were trying to keep your identity a secret?” I asked. “I am. What better way to hide, than in plain sight? The person behind this won’t think that I would use my real name. If I am questioned, I can just say that I chose my name in honor of the guy who created the game.” “What about when your name is broadcasted after we defeat a boss? You are just going to be putting a target on your back.” “While I don’t want others to know the truth, I don’t m
Reyna- After waking up, showering, and eating, I logged into the game. Instead of returning to the same spot I logged out at, I headed back to the town. I was on an hour early, Since I didn’t want to disturb him if he was still asleep, I thought it best to get a head start on the game. I still wasn’t at his level yet. While we were grinding through the monsters, he kept pulling ahead, making it impossible for me to catch up. Being that I had an hour before I was meant to meet with him, I wanted to use that time to do a little leveling up on my own. Not wasting any time, I made my way out of the safe zone. My levels were much higher now, which meant I didn’t need to waste time on the lower-level ones. They didn’t offer many experience points and their materials weren’t as good. It didn’t take me long to reach the stronger monsters on this level. Quickly making work of building up, I didn’t keep track of time. Now that I was stronger, I was able to defeat them with ease. It helped th
Reyna-We arrived back at Wolf Tech, entering through the back entrance to avoid the angered crowd out front. Neither of us wanted to avoid them, but until we knew what was going on, it was better to not expose ourselves yet. Since leaving the airport, Luka hasn’t said much.He has been on his phone trying to reach out to staff. No one had answered, except for Jake, who had said he would come in to help us figure out what was going on. Kaige and a few members of his pack were also on the way to help.When the elevator doors opened, we were shocked by what we saw. Staff members were running around like crazy. Papers were scattered everywhere. Phones were ringing nonstop. People were shouting left and right. It was utter chaos.“We need to get everyone under control.” I rushed forward to try to get everyone to stop, but suddenly Luka grabbed my arm and pulled me back.“Leave them for now, we should go lock ourselves in my office for now while we figure out what happened. Everyone is in
Reyna-Over the next couple of days, I let Ameria plan everything according to her vision. I was happy to be included in everything, but I didn’t feel the stress that came with being the bride. If anything, I felt the bliss of being the bride.I was looking forward to when Luka saw me walking toward him in my mother’s wedding dress, which Ameria altered. Instead of having her tweak it to fit my style, I wanted it to be as similar to the dress my mother had worn. Since my mother couldn’t be here, I wanted to feel as if she was with me.During the days leading up to the wedding, I barely spent any time with Luka. We saw each other every day, but planning a wedding in such a fleeting time wasn’t easy. Yet, as I stood in what used to be my living room, I looked around and felt as if a million butterflies were fluttering in my stomach.In the center of the room, there were chairs lined up, with a buffet table in front of them. Instead of having chairs moved when it was time to eat, we deci
Reyna-I was all smiles when Luka and I exited the game together. Well, not exactly together. He asked me to wait three minutes before I left the game. He wouldn’t tell me why though. The moment I opened my eyes, it wasn’t just because Luka logged out successfully.He was kneeling in front of me, holding a box with a stunning diamond ring. The diamond wasn’t too big, but it was large enough that I could see how identical it was to the ring he gave me in the game. My jaw went slack, as I hadn’t thought he had prepared a ring. His memory had only just returned.“What is this?” I couldn’t take my eyes off the ring.“Did you think I wouldn’t give you a ring once we were out of the game?”“I mean, I figured you would, but not so quickly. This had to have taken time to prepare, as it is a replica of the ring I had worn in the game.” Turning my surprised expression onto him, I saw he was smiling. “How is this possible?”“I designed the ring first. It was my inspiration for the game. Although
Reyna- “Everything is now officially over.” Luka’s voice sent warmth through me. Just when I had given up on any hope of having him back, he returned to me. Being in his arms like this was something I had missed and never thought I would feel again. Did he really remember though? Sniffling a few times, I loosened my hold on him. He didn’t let me go, but he unwrapped one of his arms from my waist and reached up to touch the side of my face. The heat from his breath as he pulled back just enough to look at me, helped calm me. “Do you truly remember?” My voice shook slightly as I tried to stop crying. “I remember everything. I remember the first time I met you when you hurt yourself at the park as a child, when I met you again at the hospital, everything we went through in the game, and so much more. I am sorry I made you suffer this last week.” Luka caressed my cheek tenderly. “It isn’t your fault. I should be the one to apologize. I was ready to walk away from you. I shouldn’t hav
Luka-Finally, the press conference was over. Returning to my office, I closed the door behind me. For two straight hours, I had to answer question after question. I didn’t think it would ever end until Jake stepped forward and informed them that any further questions could be emailed to the Secretary.Shrugging my suit jacket off, I hung it on the hook by the door, before going to my desk. I expected to see a resignation letter, but there wasn’t one. Perhaps she had changed her mind. Smiling, I sat down on my chair and turned slightly to face my computer.It wasn’t that I had wanted her to leave, but I was confused. It was clear she was my mate, but I didn’t remember anything about her. I have been racking my brain trying to find any connection to her, but there wasn’t one.Until I was able to find the underlying cause of everything or remember something about her, I needed to keep my distance. Every time I was around her, I was unable to concentrate on anything. That was the real re
Reyna-“I guess.” He murmured.Luka’s hand fell from his neck, and he shoved it into the front pocket of his pants. I could sense that something was bothering him, but I didn’t get a chance to ask him. Jake arrived with a folder for Luka.“Here is the speech you wanted me to print.” Jake passed the folder to Luka.The level of awkwardness in the air was enough to suck the breath out of me. Jake must have sensed it too, because he shifted from one foot to the other as if he were debating on leaving or staying. Forcing a smile, I decided that now wasn’t the time to figure out what was going on between Luka and me.Glancing at the clock on the wall, I moved across the room, stopping briefly to grab my phone off my desk. “We should head down now. The press is expecting us in ten minutes.”Luka grunted his approval as if it were business as usual and walked away without a word. Jake eyed me curiously, but I simply shook my head. Until I could figure it out, there was no way I could begin t
Reyna-“Can you believe it? Luka just walked in as if he hasn’t been missing all this time.” My best friend Ameria sat on my desk, facing the large window of my new office. A full week has passed since Luka left the game and lost his memory. Well, he forgot about me, but he remembered everything else. The most he could remember was that someone had helped him in the game but couldn’t recall details.I tried explaining to him that I was his mate, but he didn’t believe me. He said that he felt something weird toward me, but he couldn’t explain it. I tried to tell him everything about our past, but no matter what I said, he didn’t remember anything.The more I tried explaining, the more agitated he became. It was weird that I was the only one he didn’t remember. He could remember every detail about everyone else, including Kaige. My brother had failed to help me, so Luka ended up leaving his house.I had returned to work and the entire company had been in shambles. An email from Luka w
Reyna-A low growl echoed around the room a second later and I recognized it instantly. Before I could look over at Jake and Luka, a large black wolf slammed into the side of Zane’s wolf. Freed at last, I quickly moved to my feet.Zane and a back wolf were currently in a full-fledged fight. Seeing Luka’s wolf in the flesh, I almost let out a squeal of delight. To confirm that the black wolf was Luka, I glanced over at where Luka had been lying. His body was no longer there. Only Jake remained, looking utterly stunned.Feeling that I would only get in the way, I backed up to give the two wolves room to fight. They moved quickly, but I managed to follow their movements with my eyes. At first, Zane had the upper hand, but it didn’t take long for Luka to overpower Zane.Seeing them fight in the real world felt unreal. When Zane’s wolf lashed out at Luka, blood spurted from a wound. For a split second, I thought about getting a potion but then remembered that we weren’t in the game.For th
Reyna-“It is done.” Luka said a few minutes later.He was now facing me, standing with his arms relaxed at his sides. The world around us was breaking down and disappearing little by little. Even if Luka seemed completely relaxed, seeing everything break apart and disappear was unsettling.“Just like that?” My gaze shifted from one thing to another, before it disappeared before my eyes. “Did you destroy the game?”“No, it is just being reset completely and rebuilt according to my code. Everything will go back to the way it was meant to be. We do need to leave the game before everything disappears.” Luka stepped forward and took my hand in his.“Can we log out now?” I looked at him expectantly. This all seemed too easy.“Yes. Everything will be fine now. I just need you to log out first and I will be behind you shortly after.”A smile lit up his face and I felt a wave of excitement flow through me. Was it truly over? After all this time, was it really that simple? Well, not entirely.