Chapter Four

They claim that the more you try not to remember something, the more you remember it. I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to forget...

I sat quietly on the wide leather recliner, staring at the fire that burned above the hearth, casting a red-orange glow around the large study. My gaze was drawn to the flames as they danced over and around the burning wood, slowly, meticulously, and ruthlessly eating everything until all that remained was dark grey ashes.

The wind blew fiercely outside the enormous glass windows, forcing them to rattle sometimes. The sound of water dropping on the window sill outside resonated in the quiet room.

The rain, which began at 12:00 a.m. that morning, continued to fall continuously, drowning the countryside in various shades of drab and black. But it would soon come to an end when the clock struck 12:00 a.m. tomorrow.

As I laid back against the recliner, I imagined what it might be like to have a mate.Memories come back to haunt you with a vengeance. Everything about this place was achingly familiar.

The bookcases lined the walls of the big room, which had books of every kind ever written, the polished light brown oak floors, and the musky fragrance of wet soil that lingered in the space all made me feel tremendously nostalgic--a emotion I rarely dwelled on.

Being surrounded by all these familiar things caused the memories of my past to resurface with formidable strength--memories that I had locked away so deeply within myself that I couldn't reach them even if I tried, except on one day--today, August 23rd.

On this dreadful day, my entire family was massacred, wiped out with nothing but ashes. They were murdered in cold blood by the very people my family trusted the most in the world 14 years ago today.

The 23rd of August was the only day of the year when I allowed myself to remember, recollect, and relive everything that occurred on that cursed day.

A pledge to live.

I knew there was no turning back once I made that promise. No matter how difficult things became, no matter how painful it became to continue living, I had to keep going; I would never give up. As a result, I never want anyone to get close to me. I didn't want that day to happen again. Loss of something I adored and deeply cared about

The pain was excruciating, but I was used to it.But I couldn't imagine how painful it would be to lose a friend if losing a family felt this way. So I resolved to reject her and chase her away whenever she appeared. There was an indescribable pain in my heart every time I had such thoughts.

It was as if I was pierced by thousand of needles at the same time.

My reason for living was simple and clear until that dark day when my family was murdered. I lived each day hoping to see my family happy, healthy, and alive.

But after I had lost everyone I had ever loved, I realised that without another purpose, I would be unable to keep the promise I had made to my parents.

So I gave myself a new reason to live: to fulfil my parents' dream. Their ambition was for me to succeed them and ascend the throne as the next High Ruler of all Werewolves.