4: His Sacrifice

LIRA’S MIND is confused as she sees the man that she loves struggling to fight for them. She takes all the blame for why he is in this dire situation now.

They never stop running as if they are also escaping from everything. Her, being as an obedient daughter, while he, is from being the alpha king of all the werewolves. She knows how Aro was ready to sacrifice his life for his pack. He’s ready to protect his people with all his might. If it wasn't for her, he wouldn't do this stupidity. Now, she’s questioning herself if it is right for them to run away if their only sin is being in love with each other. 

She doesn’t know…

Lirah couldn’t find the answer to her question.

She wants to ask Aro what they are going to do now that they look like a deer that the hunter catches for fun and this whole field was their hunting ground. But she didn't dare to ask him because she was worried that Aro wouldn't lie to her.

It seems like something bad is going to happen and she felt it.

Lirah looked at the man she loved for the second time around. Aro has a big wound on his arm and it’s bleeding badly but he doesn't look troubled at all. He still focuses on his surroundings and is ready to protect her if something is going to happen at any moment.

Is he really that brave or just acting fearless because he knows that she’s scared?

In their relationship, she is always the one who lets go, and he is the one who keeps fighting for them. Is she that coward? Yes, she is!

This problem wouldn’t go big if she learned how to let go in the first place. If she just gave up her love for Aro, maybe the man that she loves wouldn’t look like this—trying to be brave and willing to fight for their life just for her.

Lirah’s tears flowed again as she remembered all the sacrifices that he had made for her. Aro can do everything for her…

But if anyone would ask her what she is willing to sacrifice for him, what would be her answer? She doesn’t know because she has nothing to offer except her life. She is a woman who lives but the world does not know her existence. She is a nobody. Aro is her only treasure. He is her life and dream.

In the blink of an eye, Lirah once again saw the inexplicable creature that had blocked them earlier. She saw the rage in his enemy’s eyes while looking in his direction. He has fangs and his eyes scream in anger.

“You killed my brother!” the man shouted with rage.

“He killed my pack,” Aro replied with bravery and a blank face like he was tired of this scenario and conversation.

“Aro…” Lirah felt the grip of his hand on her shoulder that tightened. She knows that he is angry.

“I lost my people because of him, Valmir. What makes you think that I will just sit and do nothing?”

“I will kill you!” Valmir has said and is ready to attack.

“So be it!”

When Lirah turned around again, she was surprised as she saw the large blue fireball that was heading in their direction!

It's close to Aro!

She looked at the man she loved for one last time. If this is the answer to her questions, she is ready. She can give up her life for Aro!

Lirah didn’t even think twice. She used her small body as a shield so she could protect her man. But even before she was about to be hit by the blue fireball, Aro was able to block the fireball using his muscular body while choking his enemy. That's the reason why his enemy got hit too.

She was about to sacrifice her life for the man she loves, but why? That fireball was meant for her! Aro doesn't have to do this…

Lirah’s eyes widened. She can’t process the ones she sees.

Aro should not have blocked his body for someone like her. He should have not chosen her over his people. They need him! But for her, no one will worry when she disappears. Also, if it ever happens, maybe her parents will know the importance of her. 

Again, her traitor tears keep on falling to her cheek. She hates herself. She can’t do anything but cry while Aro slowly disappears from her sight. The same with his opponent!

She couldn’t understand what was happening. But she’s scared. She knows that this won’t do any good to them. 

Lirah is shivering while she’s laying down her man on the muddy ground. She uses her thigh as a pillow to support his head. Lirah couldn't help but smile sadly while Aro was trying his best to speak to her. She finds peace in Aro's arms.

She regrets her decision in life. She wished that she hadn’t called him just to feel that there was a person who was ready to understand what she felt. That someone will hug her when she feels alone and scared.

“Sorry for surprising you like this,” Aro expressed his most apologetic words that she heard for the first time to someone.

“It’s not your fault—”

“I’m sorry that I am not normal like others,” he groaned from pain but his eyes only fixed on her. “If you haven't met me, maybe your life is normal—”

“Then I wouldn’t experience this unconditional love,” Lirah tried to smile and wipe her tears from time to time. 

“Lirah, I—”

“You have so many burns and bruises…” she said to him while crying and didn't know what to do. “Y-you’re disappearing…what’s happening? What’s going on, Aro? Please let me understand!”

“Y-you’re crying,” he said in a weak voice filled with sadness. Even if it was difficult, Aro still managed to wipe his tears. “Do you know that I have dreamed of getting closer to you like this again? But because of our differences, I accepted the fact that it would never happen again…”

Lirah wanted to be happy hearing this from Aro up close, but she couldn't because of their current situation. Lirah remembered that she and Aro could only talk whenever his grandparents visited her. That’s their setup when Aro transforms into a wolf for the first time. His pack forbade them to meet again especially when he became an alpha.

She can’t be his Luna because she’s human. That is the saddest realization that she ever heard and it’s hard for her to digest. She couldn’t help but ask herself who she was in her past life. Did she do something horrible to end up like this? If not, why was all her life made for suffering only? Does she really exist just to receive the punishment of the world?

“I can’t believe that here you are, by my side—”

“S-stop talking please…” Lirah begged as she couldn’t take a look at her man.

"Every time that you cry, I want to run away…” Aro said while caressing her hand. “I can forget everything I have just to get close to you. Just to touch you, Lirah. I can do that but you keep stopping me..."

Lirah was worried when she saw that the barrier that had previously prevented their pursuers from getting close had been removed.

“I promise… I promise that I will find you! If not from this life maybe in another life. If the other life wouldn’t allow it, I will find you in the afterlife! If fate allows it, I will be brave, my love…” Lirah says words after she kisses his forehead and lips while the part of his body has turned into dust and seems to be blown away by the wind.

Lirah couldn't even move from her place as she watched her lover disappear. All she could do was tell him how much she loved him for one last time. 

Aro just watched him... 

She knew he wanted to say a lot too but he didn't have the chance to do so. Aro becomes vulnerable for the first time and all he can do is cry too.

Lirah wasn’t aware of her surroundings anymore. She no longer cares if something bad happens to her. What will happen to her now that Aro is not by her side? Will she be able to continue living? 

Lirah answered no. Aro is her air and she couldn’t breathe without him…

His calm face was the last thing she saw until Aro completely disappeared. 

She will never forget his eyes that speak a thousand words just by looking at her. It’s enough for her to understand what he truly felt for.

She never once doubted his love even if there was a time that she was weak and wanted to give up her life. Yes, Aro didn't belong to her world, because the first time that her heart beat for him, he became her world already…

Lirah didn't see how Aro’s enemies also disappeared when his dust was blown away by the wind. At that same time, she felt the weight of her eyelids. Her body weakened, and later on, she lost consciousness.