Sila's story
You never know what you have until you've lost it. Sila had never known how true that had been until the night her mate, Axel, had died. The shadowy memories flooded her mind as she lay on her bed crying, allowing every apology she ever had wanted to whisper in his ear before bed overwhelm her with sorrow. Cold chills were sent up her spine causing her to shiver as she felt as the air conditioner blasting. The sound of a soft knocking filled the silent room as she lay there, staring off with blank emotion as the tears slowly slid down her muzzle like the delicate kisses Axel had given her so many times before. Sasha, an arctic fox and one of Sila's closest friends, opened the door and slowly walked in.
"Hey." She said in that soft shy voice she always managed to have around Sila. Sila remained there staring off into space. Sasha frowned slightly at the sight of her once happy friend lying there with her world shattered. She completely entered the room holding a plate of still warm cookies and a glass of milk. "I brought you some cookies. They're chocolate chip, your favorite." Sasha looked her friend over. She had really lost the once luminous charm she held in her physical appearance. Her once silky and shiny black fur now looked dull and lifeless. Her brilliant lavender eyes lacked the luster and joy they once held. Her arms were wrapped in an almost defensive way with no evidence that she had been one of the strongest Wiger (wolf/tiger) she had ever known. Sasha couldn't say she blamed her, losing a mate would cause any of the strongest people to feel reduced to this. She gently put the cookies onto the dresser and sat next to her friend. "You can't stay in here forever you know. Some day you will have to leave this room."
"I.....i can't." Sila said the first words out of her mouth since Axel's funeral. She teared up beginning to feel the sorrow return. "I just...cant."
"Why not?" Sasha said, obviously not hiding the deep concern for her friend. Tears rolled faster and heavier down Sila's muzzle.
"Axel....he'll.....he'll hate me!" she said finally springing to life, her lavender eyes going to a darker violet because of the tears.
"No he won't! He wants you to be happy! He always has!" tears began to well up in Sasha's eyes.
"Go to hell. You have no idea what he wants." Sila curled back into the position she began.
"Sila I'm...."
"I don't even care. Just.....go away and don't ever come back." Tears sprang to Sasha's eyes as she ran out of the room, hating herself for causing this.
The next few days past quickly for Sila. She got up only when she needed to but never left the house, his memory. She laid on his side of the bed inhaling what was left of his musky scent. The memory of his charcoal fur brushing against hers as she smiled at his toned wolf body. She looked away thinking of her dear friend Sasha who had tried so hard to make her get out of this lonely isolation. She needed to see him. Slowly she slipped her legs off of the bed and walked.
It wasn't long until her legs brought her to the place where he was laid. She fell to her hands and knees and slowly crawled to the grave crying. She placed her paw on his grave and read the words "Axel Liebe, 1989-2010. Loving husband and gentle friend who blessed the lives of all who knew him. Rest in Peace." Sila began to cry.
"Why?! Why would you leave me alone?! I needed you!" the tears fell heavier and harder. "You said you loved me, and if that was so true why would you leave?!" she laid there crying, wishing it would all just leave. Then, wishing she could stay forever she got up and walked home leaving him a single rose with the ring he gave her on it.
Minutes became hours, hours became days, days became weeks, and weeks became a year. It was the anniversary of Axel's death and Sila had become herself again. She slowly walked to the grave of her beloved Axel and laid a crimson red rose on his grave, grateful she had decided to keep the ring a long time ago. She tenderly touched her paw to his grave and whispered, "I love you." She walked away and yelped into surprise as she ran into the large body of a dark wolf.
"Oh god ma'am I'm so sorry!" he said as he slowly helped her to her feet. She dusted herself and smiled slowly looking up at him.
"It's o......" she didn't finish. She simply stared in shock at the strangers face, a face she had seen so many times before. "I'm Sila." She said dazed. "Sila Liebe." The stranger smiled in return.
"I'm Axel. Axel Richards." He curiously raised an eyebrow. "Have we met before?"Sila smiled softly and looked down.
"No. No we haven't." she whispered.