The Concealing

Panting, running and stumbling a few times, I was sprinting through the forest. I didn't know where I was going I just wanted to get away. Get away from the nightmare that just turned into a living reality for me.

I didn't want to meet him. I didn't want him. How did I ended up in his choke hold while on a rescue mission? What was he even doing there? Does he live there? Who is he?

Putting my thoughts and body on hold, I crouched low, putting my hands on my knees. I took deep breaths closing my eyes to calm my rapid breathing. But even when I was thinking of absolutely nothing, an image of dark chocolate brown eyes flashed before my eyes and they snapped open.

I couldnvividly remember, as if happening right now, his piercing gaze on my face. I could nfeel his calloused hands holding my wrists as pleasurable tingles shot up my hands to all the way to the end of my spine. I could smell his heavenly scent of pine and sandalwood on myself.

But what I couldn't feel, that everyone else experienced was, love. They say that you feel an instant bond, a longing for your mate when you meet them for the first time. Father said that he felt like he would give up anything for my mother when hebsaw her the first time. Melisa was very happy and deep in love with her mate.

But why I didn't feel anything for him? Was there something dysfunctional about me? Or him? So, did that mean that even he,didn't possess any feelings for me? Well why does it even matters, he was going to reject me anyways. Why would he want someone like me?

I looked up to see how far I have came and found myself on the trail which led to the path to Grandma's coven. I decided to give har visit, I have reached this far, after all. Sighing, I continued on the trail and reached the black stoned building. I knocked on the door and Linda welcomed me as usual.

She served me the afternoon meal and asked me about the reason for my sudden arrival. Nobody else knew about my real intentions to go in the town, except Grandma. So, I made the excuse that I was wandering into the woods and ended up here.

"Don't mind me but, I was not expecting you, Sera." Grandma appeared at the base of stairs, curiosity written all over her face.

I stood up and nodded at her, " Well, I just stumbled here." She raised an eye brows at me in question. Huh... she could read my face and tell if I was anxious.

Should I tell her? Surely, I didn't want anyone to know about that incident but I needed someone to guide me through this, though. I knew she will, no doubt, tell me to go to him but, it was my decision to make. I weighed my options and reached the conclusion that I didn't have anything to lose either way.

Releasing a breath I made my decision. "We need to talk Grandma." I said. She motioned for Linda to give us some privacy. After we got alone, I told her everything from me intruding the dungeons to me running away from my mate, and in the end her expression was between delight and confusion.

"But why did you run from him, Sera? I have never ever heard of someone shirking away from their own mate. What were you afraid of?" I huffed out a breath in annoyance.

"I am not afraid of anything." I was afraid of the consequences. "I just don't need a mate. That will serve just as a distraction. And we don't need that, right now." I was not going to pour my heart to her about this. Or anyone for that matter. I didn't want anyone to mock me for my hesitation.

"The knowledge I have attained from several experiences, mates are your meant to be. You met him not before or later in the future. You met him now for a reason." She said capturing my hands in hers. "Everything happens for a reason in our life, Sera. He plays an important part in your life and now he was supposed to make his presence known. So why would you deny him?" Her reasoning was right I know but, I just don't feel like having a mate by my side, holding me back.

Everyone knows mates make you do things you didn't think you would. They make you selfish and weak in a sense. Father always says, 'If you need to question your own heart twice about something, then don't do it.' Maybe in the future I would like to have a partner to share my life with, but not now. I could be selfish for once, right?

"I understand your ‍stand reasoning but, please. I don't want to be forced in a relationship I'm not ready for, right now." I argued and she sighed in defeat.

"Okay. But what are you planning to do when you meet him again? It is inevitable, more so because, you know? You still have a deed to get done. You can not always run away like that." She said giving me teasing smile.

I giggled at her mocking then an idea came to me and I sobered up. "I know," I nodded in determination. "And I have a solution for that." She wouldn't agree with me easily, I will have to persuade her.

"And what is that?" She asked with a tilt of her head. I looked her in the eye to show her how serious I was about this.

"I need you to help me with this Grandma." She nodded at me to continue. I took a deep breath and let the havoc raise. "Do the concealing spell on me."

Save me goddess.

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My mother was supposed to be the next high witch after my grandmother. She always practised and practised her magic because she wanted to be perfect. She wanted to be like her mother. It was her dream to lead her coven peacefully just as her mother did.

One day, when she and her friends were in town for a festival, she ran into my father and found that they were mates. My father was over the moon but my mother wasn't that happy. She didn't want to leave her position in the coven, so she ran and never told anyone about the encounter.

After a few days, she went again in the market and saw that father was still there. Mother didn't want to explain herself to him, because she knew he won't understand. So that night, she casted a spell on herself which concealed the tingles when they touch and hid her scent from him. The concealing spell. For him, it was like the bond was never there but, she could feel everything as it was.

So the next day, she went to meet him and told that she had broken the bond. At first, my father laughed thinking it was a joke but after touching and not feeling anything, he shattered. After that incident, my mother was satisfied but she felt the void of guilt eating her. She started to sneak and check on him daily.

Watching him interact with others, helping everyone at daylight and suffering by himself at night, my mother's heart broke. She went to her mother and told her everything. Grandma advised her to confess her lies to father and wait for the future to unfold. She did as advised and broke the spell.

So that led my Grandma to freak out at me. The minute the words left my mouth she stormed out of the room and I chased her out. "No, no, no, no. Do you really think I will allow you to do something like that? This is the most stupid way of handling things! This never does any well!" She turned to face me and started ranting.

"I'm doing it differently. I'm not telling any lies, I just want to stay hidden for a while. You know it is important so, please Grandma, understand me." I pleaded.

She rolled her eyes at me but I can see She was caving. "But you have to promise me that whenever you think that you are about to get exposed you will tell him and end the spell."

I smiled in triumphant. "I promise."