Chapter 4 Weight of Dreams - Part l

• With the flowers that were like dancing rainbows, I rush to the packhouse with a gentle smile on my lips. As the gentle summer breeze flows through my hair, my wild brown hair dance with the wave of breeze.
• My feet bounce with excitement against the soil as I stroll across the yard of my home and reach the packhouse. A slight scowl forms on my brows as I notice wolves run to the packhouse with huge grins and excitement. I, too, move towards the packhouse's door, protecting the blossoms from being crushed by the crowd. As I ascend up the foyer, the wolves shift slightly to make way for me. I drew a deep intake of breath and my eyes widen as the final row of the crowd scurry aside, revealing the wolf they were so enthusiastic about. My lips slightly open as he whirls around on his heel to face me. In front of me stands a fully grown Alpha male in place of the lean juvenile I knew, long gone the childhood friend of mine. His lean muscles are now toned, his shoulders are flared up and he has grown taller. I stiffen in my spot as I feel his eyes skim down my body. He has grown and so did I. Despite the fact that I am not as strong as the other females, the Goddess has blessed me with curves. My bosoms are fully developed, my waist is curved, and my hips are broad. My body has matured to a woman and even if the males don't dare to look at me the wrong way, I know I am somewhat desirable. His eyes slowly skim down my body and the intensity of his gaze is too much for me to bear. My head bows slightly and the crowd behind me bow their heads as well. My lips curve into a faint smile as my chest tightens in anticipation just to hear that one word.
• As his raging head nears mine, his musky scent floods my senses. I couldn't help but lift my eyes to look up as his warmth reached me. I look up into his lovely hazel eyes. My gaze moves across his features. His features have become more defined, and he looks more mature. The juvenile has truly vanished, and the future Alpha stands in front of me. His keen hazels meet my gaze with a gleam of hope, and he comes to a halt barely a foot in front of me. I gulp, moistening my parched throat, and look up at him with anticipation. But I knew the answer when a wave of disappointment sweeps through his orbs. He attempted to disguise his disappointment, maybe because the grief flashing through my eyes is not discreet enough to go unnoticed, but it is futile, and I bow my head in an attempt to hide my sorrow.
• "I hope you are well, Nesta. It has been a very long time." I glance up at him as his deep hoarse voice booms and reaches my ears. His tender eyes look down at me with a loving smile on his lips. For a moment, he looks like the friend I once knew.
• "Yes, thank you. Welcome home." With a smile of my own, she says and Ciro's smile grows bigger and he gives me a nod. I watch as Ciro turns around and approaches his parents, who are looking at him with expectant eyes. I look up and notice Ciro gently shaking his head, as well as Luna Croía's shoulders sagging and her face sinking in disappointment. My grasp on the flower's delicate stems tightens, and I avert my gaze. Feeling the sympathetic and sorrowful gazes of my parents on me, I glance up. Mother smile at me with welled up eyes, and I walk out of the packhouse.
• Running through the same path I had taken before, I return home. One of my hands is grasping the delicate fabric of my midi white dress, while the other is clutching the flowers. I could feel my eyes well up as I step within the walls of my home, which greets me with warm arms and the scent of belonging.
• I lay the flowers on the table at my front door and ascend the stairs to my room after washing my muddy feet in the downstairs restroom. I sit on the hardwood floor of my room, closing the door behind me, and lean my head against the door. My knees are clenched against my chest, and my eyes are staring straight ahead blankly into the distance. My sight gradually blurs and my eyes well up. He doesn't belong to me. He isn't mine; he belongs to someone else. In my thoughts, these phrases keep repeating themselves. After all those years of waiting and dreaming solely of him, harsh reality and fate slammed me in the guts. I had hoped, yearned, and begged for the Goddess to pair me with him. But as always, the Goddess had different plans. And he was not and is not meant to be mine. As the hopes and dreams of all those years shattered to pieces, I could feel tears trickling down my cheeks slowly.
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• The flowers are on the table, their once beautiful petals curling at the edges from the summer heat, their stems were already limp, and as he lifted them up, their heads dropped to the table with gravity. Ciro cursed inwardly as his gaze wandered throughout the hall. His gaze was drawn to an empty vase, which he filled with water and set it down on the table next to the flowers. He delicately picked up each flower and put them on the vase with Incompetent hands. The flowers, like the rainbow, appear beautiful no matter how they are arranged. Flowers are just stunning on their own, and they can be used to adorn and transform something unpleasant into something lovely. Ciro sighed as he stared at the vas with a frown and uncertainty. He spun the vase on the table till he was pleased. He eventually nodded to himself, satisfied with his accomplishment.
• Ciro looked up towards the staircase and with a glance at the flower arrangement, he walked towards the stairs. He climbed the wooden stairwell and, after passing through the very familiar narrow corridor, came to a halt in front of a wooden door that he recognised as Nesta's. Ciro lifted his hand and knocked on the door.
• He could hear her feet shuffling and it wasn't long until Nesta opened the door. He noticed her eyes flitting. Her cheeks were flushed, her dark grey eyes were somewhat crimson, and her lashes seemed to be lengthy. He could tell she had been crying, and she was hurt. Perhaps it was the weight of dreams and expectations that crushed her. He was also wounded and disappointed that she did not turn out to be his female. But it is the Goddess who determines the bond, and they have no choice but to accept it.
• "May I come in?" Ciro asked with a smile and without hesitation, Nesta opened her door wide with a smiling face.
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• Ciro steps in and his gaze wander over my room as I stand by the door. My room was not as large as his, but it was cosy, with off-white walls and a queen-size bed draped in a hand-woven blanket identical to the one I had left for him in his room. The little windows on both sides of my room are open, and the light white curtains are swaying in the summer breeze. I attempted to neatly organise my room, and one thing that I feel would catch anyone's attention the most is the flower arrangements and green plants that I have put around the space to make my room look like somewhat a miniature version of my garden. I watch as his fingertips run over the delicate petal of a wildflower, and a grin blossoms on his lips. I was correct, the flower arrangement did catch his attention. Abruptly he turns around to face me, and I instantly glance away trying to not meet his gaze directly.
• “I have heard that you have decorated my room by yourself?” His voice is delicate and soft as he asks and I only nod my head.
• “Yes, I hope you liked it.” I meekly say a lovely smile adorns his face.
• “I certainly did. It is beautiful. Thank you.” Hearing that he liked how I decorated his room made me smile. Ciro once again glances around my room and returns his attention to me.