Reincarnated Soul

Four : Loss

It’s her again.

The woman who had tried to kill me before, the one who had struck Dylan’s arm. She was back. But this time, she wasn’t alone. Behind her were five others, all armed with bows. She had brought reinforcements. They weren’t here for anything else but my blood.

Swoosh

Another arrow zipped past, narrowly missing me, embedding itself in a nearby tree. My mind raced. What was happening? Why was she so desperate to kill me?

“Cyprus, do you know her?” I cried, panic seeping into my voice as I pointed toward the woman.

He didn’t hesitate. His expression was hard, cold, almost like he was shutting something out. “She’s Ethenia. One of the strongest wolves. That’s all I know. Now run, Cassandra. I’ll handle them.” His eyes were fierce, his resolve unyielding, even as blood continued to drip down.

“Are you sure?” I asked, reaching out to touch his hands, my heart torn between wanting to help him and needing to escape. “I can heal you—”

“No need,” he interrupted, his voice firm, but there was an edge to it that made my heart ache. “I’m the alpha vampire, remember? This wound will eventually heal though not as fast as you, I can still handle this. You need to go. Take care of yourself. Please... don't die.”

With that, he shoved me away, a forceful, desperate push that sent me stumbling backward. I looked into his eyes one last time, seeing the determination in them.

That was the last glimpse I had of Cyprus before I turned and ran, my heart pounding in my chest. I could hear the sound of the arrows slicing through the air behind me, but I didn’t dare look back.

I ran through the magical forest, the path blurred by tears and fear, until finally, when the forest gave way to darkness, I knew one thing for certain:

That was also the last time I would see my lover’s grave.

–

“No! Wait, please… what are you doing?”

I arrived at the city where Dylan lived, my heart heavy with dread. It was already five o’clock in the afternoon, and nothing made sense. The landlord was taking away everything from Dylan’s apartment, piece by piece, as if nothing mattered.

“Dylan hasn’t paid the rent in two months. It’s time to clear out his things,” she said, coldly, as though it was nothing more than a routine.

How can this be happening? Why is everything falling apart? It’s been a hellish week, and now this?

“Please, don’t take his things. I’ll pay for the rent. I’ll find a way, just… please stop,” I begged, my voice trembling. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing this place. This apartment held all the memories of Dylan—his laughter, his warmth, the life we were supposed to build together.

“Do you have money?” she asked, her voice indifferent.

I paused, the weight of her words hitting me like a stone. I didn’t have anything. Not now. Not after everything that had happened.

I stood there, desperate, trying to find a way out. “Uhm… can you please give me an extension? Just a month or two? I’ll get a job and—”

“Sorry, but no,” she cut me off, turning away from me. She motioned to the two men carrying Dylan’s things out, as though they had no idea what they were doing. I could only watch, helpless, as they continued.

I sank to the sidewalk, tears blurring my vision. What was I supposed to do now? I’ve lost Dylan—he’s gone, never coming back—and now I’m losing the last piece of him. This apartment... it’s the only place where I can still feel him. His scent, his presence, his life.

And it was slipping away.

I looked down at my hand, at the engagement ring Dylan gave me. The sight of it sent a wave of memories crashing over me, flooding my chest with both love and pain.

“Marry me, Cassandra.”

I could still hear his voice, so clear, so full of hope. That night, I thought I was the happiest vampire alive. I thought nothing could tear us apart. But now... he was gone.

“Miss, if you really want to stay in this apartment, maybe you can give me that ring as payment.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I froze, unable to comprehend what I had just heard. The ring. The most precious thing Dylan had given me, his promise, his love—everything I had left of him. It was slipping through my fingers, and the reality of it nearly crushed me.

I looked down at it in my hand, my fingers trembling, my breath shallow. The weight of the ring felt like a thousand pounds, suffocating my chest. How could she ask for this? How could I let go of something that symbolized everything I had lost? His touch.

His warmth. The future we were supposed to have.

“But... this ring is very important to me,” I whispered, barely able to speak, my voice breaking with the weight of the decision I knew was coming. It was all I had left.

The landlord’s expression didn’t soften. She looked at me, as indifferent as ever. “Then you need to find somewhere else to stay.” Her voice was final, cold, dismissive.

I felt my heart fracture. The apartment. The one place where everything of Dylan still lingered. The echoes of his laughter. The warmth of his embrace. Everything here was a piece of him. Without it, I’d be even more alone.

But as I stood there, trembling, I realized what it would mean if I didn’t make a choice. No place to stay. No home. No family. Just the silence of a life slipping away, piece by piece. I couldn’t even cry anymore; the tears had already burned me dry.

The ring glinted in my hand, its golden surface mocking me. It was the symbol of his undying love, the last connection to him, the final thread tying me to the love we’d shared. And yet, I had to choose.

I closed my eyes for a moment, taking a shuddering breath, the weight of the decision tearing at my soul.

“I’ll… I’ll give you the ring,” I whispered, barely able to speak the words. “Just… please… bring back his things. Let me stay here. Please.”

I could barely stand to say it. My heart screamed in protest, but what else could I do? The apartment, Dylan’s things, everything I had clung to—it was slipping away, and I had to choose. The ring... the symbol of our love… it had to go.

It was the hardest thing I’d ever done, to part with the one thing that held all his love and dreams of our future, the one thing that connected me to the person I had lost.

But they left me no choice.

I may let go of the ring, but Dylan’s love, his memory, would never leave me.

It will stay with me always, engraved in my heart, no matter the cost. Even if I couldn’t hold the ring anymore, his love was something I would never lose.