A Parting Without Proper Good Byes

“I…” Rationality had left my system as I tried to convey my thoughts. Earlier, we were just chatting idly about my future as a nun. And this…this happened.

“How could you give her THAT choice, Lord Varick!” Father Gossep bellowed as he held firmly the stinging pain of his waist. He stood up, ignoring the worrisome look of Sister Anette.

 “I am the one you should despise! Rosaria’s whole life is in the church!”

“Time’s ticking, church maid.” He coerced with gritted teeth, my Father’s words were now in deaf ears. “I don’t have time.” 

“I…” Tears continued to fall and I looked down, biting my lower lip. 

I should be a nun by now. But h-he arrived to take it away. 

Why now? Why did it have to happen before my ordination?!

“LORD VARICK!” The voice that once sounded like Father Gossep changed into a monstrous seething growl. 

A large white wolf, thrice as big as most werewolves in the pack, pounced straight to the alpha leader in a blink of an eye. 

It growled as its large nails pierced all fours on the Alpha Leader’s limbs, pinning him without giving him a chance of escaping. Though Lord Varick remained still, unfazed as the wolf’s mouth widened, showing off his sharp fangs. 

“Are you really going to do it, Gossep?” Lord Varick mocked showing off with his nonchalance as the wolf growled. 

I recognized this wolf  when I was a child, a wolf that I had seen only once in my life. 

I had forgotten that Father Gossep was in the line of powerful alphas. 

Yet, I was stricken with worry when he struck the current leader of the pack…all for my sake. 

“FATHER, STOP!” I screamed as I stepped forward, raising my hand to reach him but I got pulled back by Sister Anette.

“Sister, I need to stop him!” I yelped, then my face turned pale. “If we don’t, Father will be punished!”

Her lips trembled  as tears streaming in her eyes, Her strong grip on my wrist wavered its tightened grip as she let go.

“SISTER ANETTE, ROSARIA, DON’T INTERVENE!” A exploded roaring voice that was synchronized with his monstrous growl. 

“B-but, F-Father—!”

“STAY AWAY, ROSARIA!” 

I stopped myself as the kind gentle priest I knew wouldn’t normally order us. His attention was still directly to the Alpha leader as the glint of his eyes were the solid proof of his intention. 

“F-Father, please don’t!” 

Father Gossep’s fangs dove for an attack, aiming directly at his neck. And it was just a second away before reaching for his skin when Lord Varick swiftly moved his head aside. Gossep continued with his attempts, giving ferocious attacks while the latter effortlessly dodged his strikes. 

It was as if he predicted his movements. 

Gossep entrapped his dominant hand with his claws pierced in between his armor and he didn’t stop his smite. He knew the risks so he continued attacking him with futile attempts. 

“If YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER AWAY, YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH ME!” His wolf cried yet he never stopped to strike each second.

Lord Varick didn’t say a word and I could see it, from the way his eyes were scanning Father Gossep’s movements. The way he calmly protected himself from father’s monstrous speed attacks…didn’t faze him at the slightest.

At that moment, I had forgotten that Varick was a war hero before claiming his rights as the leader.

He instantly grabbed his neck, gripping with just his bare hand. Father Gossep gasped as the air lost through his system. 

He clenched his throat hard. 

“GAAAH!!!” Father Gossep growled in agony. 

The huge wolf was easily lifted  as he stood, bringing him in the air. 

My eyes widened at the sight.

“You have deemed yourself a fool, Gossep. You shouldn’t have struck me knowing our differences in strength.” He rolled his eyes. 

He briefly released his throat before the Alpha leader raised his palm facing the wolf while its in mid-air and slammed its head directly on the floor.

The loud impact echoed my scream of his name as I watched helplessly of his instant defeat. Now, defeated, Gossep laid  there in pain. 

It wasn’t enough for Varick as he raised his arm, his fist clenched tight, preparing for the finishing blow—

“STOP! STOP!” I pushed Sister Anette aside—which I regretted not apologizing, before I stood in the way between Father Gossep and the Alpha Leader.

“Please don’t hurt him any longer! He’s already at the peak of his age to even fight!” I cried while lifting my arms sideways to protect my father. 

“It is logical to strike back.” He simply stated as he lowered his arm. “The old man wanted his death wish and I wanted to get what was mine.”

That meant the Alpha Leader could have taken me either he killed Father or not.That thought alone made my whole body tremble. 

I had never stood next to a male alpha aside from Father Gossep. And his height and intimidating aura made me nearly wet my undergarments.

“I-If  I g-go with you, w-will you leave the church alone?” 

“Rosaria, no!” I couldn’t turn to face Sister Anette. I didn’t want to see her mortified look as the last thing in my memory of her.

“R-Rosaria…” A pained voice and a groan that belonged to Father Gossep. My eyes widened as he coughed loudly.

I instinctively turned and I regretted doing so.

My parental figures were on the floor, the Father, now back in his human form, the man whom I cherished was weakened from the alpha leader’s strike, the Mother figure who was always so strict and serious had tears in her eyes as her worries directly towards Father.

My breath hitched when I caught sight of the blood trailing from the corner of his lips. 

I regretted turning around and I hate it that this would be the last memory of them. 

I didn’t want to see this ever again.

“I won’t let this slide. Striking the leader of the pack should be considered treason,” the Alpha Leader growled while clenching his fist. “Move aside.” 

He shoved me aside and I fell from his strong push. He marched closer to my father with his intent of killing him. 

My feet stood up on their own and I tried to think fast, anything for him to stop! 

I won’t let him touch him again! I won’t let him touch a single strand on him! 

I DON’T WANT TO LOSE FATHER GOSSEP! 

“I WON’T COME BACK HERE!”

This made him stop and turned his attention to me. I could hear the sobs and woes of Sister Anette from behind and I c-couldn’t bear to look again.

My own words slowly sunk in my mind and I wish there was another way to stop this. 

But this was the only way.

“I’ll g-go with you and I won’t come back here again. T-That means no one would know of Father Gossep’s attack. If I do as I promised, don’t hurt any of the Hatiists of this church.” 

The Alpha Leader didn’t utter a word as he lifted his arm reaching for my neck.

I shut my eyes, frightened of an incoming attack but instead, I felt his cold yet oddly comforting touch directly to my cheek.

“You swear in your so-called god that you wouldn’t return here no matter the given circumstance?”

I nodded, quick and firm. Then, there was a silent exchange with the exception of Father Gossep’s bellowing voice begging not to take me and the wailing woes of my Sister Anette.

I felt myself tearing up but I still wouldn’t stop staring at the Alpha leader.

“Now that you’ve accepted your fate, we shall leave this wretched place and start our wedding vows.” 

He wouldn’t allow me to say another word as he swept me off my feet and I was now in his arms. 

If that was what you called romantic, it was far from it. 

Neither of us were in love. And the alpha leader wouldn’t have done this unless it was an obligation.

Because now that he achieved getting me, his eyes were set at the exit door. 

“P-Please let me talk to them one last time!” I begged him, trying not to show any tears as I knew it would only irritate him more.

He only stared at me—cold without a care and I already knew the answer. 

He started walking, the sound of his metal footwear were only visibly heard along with the cries of my foster parents.

I cried again. “Lord Varick…I want to hug my Father and Sister Anette once more!”

He didn’t even falter and he continued his way to the exit.

I turned my head behind him, lifting my arm as if reaching out to them. 

I wanted to scream, I wanted to tell them I loved them. I wanted to…I wanted to…

My hand slowly dropped, finally conceding myself to my fate.

And I decided to stop wishing for something that wouldn’t happen eventually. 

As soon as we left the room and right before the large church doors closed, I looked at the sight one last time.

One last time…at his image….

….Of Hati’s smile shining ever brightly,  before my “fated mate” shut the door.