Patience, The Time Shall Come.

The world has so many wonders in store for us, even with all the horrors and evil lurking about. You have a whole lifetime of adventure, growth and memories ahead, why would you want to go through it alone. It would be so much more pleasurable, exuberant and riveting to have someone who will be there through every step you take. Regardless of how they affect your life, whether they act as a rock to ground, comfort, guide, motivate you, or they simply make you laugh or smile. As a friend or lover they may greatly impact your life and change you for the better.

As a supernatural, it was much more than that, everything about you was intensified after being with them, they were like the key to your happiness and unlocking the full capacity of your powers. As a hybrid between a witch and hunter, my mate would help me increase the strength of my witch magic. It would also reinforce my affiliation with nature and heighten my senses as a paranormal hunter. I have an eternity ahead of me and I really hope I find him. Or her, I just wish it would be soon.

When I was younger, my mother would tell me the enchanting tales of kings, queens and brave young boys and girls from all walks of life. Each story, no matter how different the plot or setting was, always had one moral in common. She taught me that no matter how powerful, influential or wealthy you are, it will all amount to nothing if you do not have love. Be it love for yourself or for another person, you shall never truly prosper without pure intentions and a loving heart. 

She inspired me to become the determined, dauntless, compassionate woman 

I am today. The love that she shared with my father made me long for someone to share such a bond with. I started my quest when I was 16 000, now at 17 000, just a bit over a thousand years later I am still searching. I have traveled to so many places in search of him. Disappointment was heavy in my heart, the longing had created a gaping hole within my soul. Oh how I hoped I would meet him soon. 

Some days were better than others, there were times where the longing was subdued to a not so subtle but dull ache, and there were some where it was a searing, incandescent pain that drove me mad with the urge to tear every town apart, seeking the other half of my heart. How could the goddess of nature be so cruel as to give my heart away to someone and not offer me a single clue, to let me writhe in agony with nothing anyone could do. Is he suffering like I am too?

I sought advice from the council of wise and noble elders, most of them speaking in tongues and riddles with an immense amount of intensity. I went to every member of the council, each discussion leaving me more perplexed than the other. My veins were burning, filled with frustration, I couldn't understand why I wasn't as fortunate as others who had already been united with their destined companions.

I had never really been a patient person, so the whole 'you shall meet when the time is right' speech did little to put out the flames of smouldering anticipation ablaze deep within. One day as I was walking, wallowing in the abyss of depression inside my mind, I stumbled into The Widow's house. She too was a member of the council of elders, though she was more of an outlier. I think she had drawn me to her.

Celeste, The Widow, was a very beautiful woman, people were always talking about her enchanting looks, her boldness and courage and most of all her kind soul. Out of all the elders she was the youngest but she was wise nonetheless, I had a very enlightening encounter with her. This time around I wasn't asking her to tell me how I could speed up the process, I was there to listen and learn about it. She shared with me the beauty of having a mate, she told me how hard it was for her having lost her mate.

I was so enthralled as she spoke about her, you could feel the pain in her voice and her eyes were glistening with tears but nothing but love and adoration shone in them. She shared with me the memories that she made with Sylvia, it warmed my heart. I admire how the spark in her soul is still burning bright, how she is still so vibrant despite all the grief that could have consumed her. I wish I could be like her, she makes me want to better myself.

We continued to meet after that day. I sort of became her little apprentice, I helped her with her duties and as I was also training she helped me with controlling my magic. She said she saw a great deal of potential that she could not let go to waste. Celeste taught me how to manipulate the elements, how to draw more power from within my being. Out of all the valuable lessons she taught me, a few really affected me greatly. She taught me that I shouldn't seek out my mate so obsessively, that I should be focusing on myself, building, nurturing and discovering myself. I agreed with her, it didn't even surprise me that she indoctrinated me in self introspection and maturity with sagacious patient spiritual growth. 

I wandered off during one of our meditation/ training sessions in the woods. I came across an opening in the forest. It was such a picturesque scene. The animals in this meadow seemed to live cordially amongst each other. Small, large, fluffy, furry or feathered they interacted graciously. As a placid person I acted completely out of character, the garden kindled an enormous elation in me. It drove me to a hysterical liveliness which was a great contrast to the calm and tranquil nature of the meadow. Iwas frolicking through the light grass, it was lush and damp against my bare feet. I smelt the fragrances of the brightly colored flowers, I realized that my aura felt pure. It was then when I knew that I had found my safe haven, something in the relaxed ambiance must have called out to me and I followed unconsciously.

Not long after I started visiting the meadow frequently, more so at night. There was something about the eerie atmosphere that aroused something within me, it drew me to the lake and I would sit there relishing the ataraxy I found in this secluded place. It was always easier to concentrate on my incantations here, the magic flowed through me effortlessly. It felt great, I felt powerful. It's quite amazing how comfortable I was, there were quite a number of occasions when I felt as though I was being watched. I sensed a presence even though I was sure nonone was around.

It was a dark night, there was no light save for the razor-thin sliver of the silver crescent moon's light . Humming a tune, I sat on a tree branch, eyes closed meditating. Off in the distance by the forest line I heard something. I started to panic, I hadn't sensed any unfamiliar presence but I hopped down and started to search. It was late at night so I used my advanced vision and my connection with the elements to find out what it was, I saw and felt nothing. 

I was just about to continue my meditation when I saw something twinkle. I looked up and saw a wolf. It was quite the sight, magnificent I tell you. Power and dominance radiated from the ethereal being. Black and navy blue flames adorned it in place of fur. Red luminous orbs seemed to analyze me. His eyes were a striking contrast from his inky body. He was literally glowing, his eyes gleamed and glimmered as he scrutinized me, I stared back mesmerized. I should have been apprehensive, petrified but I was paralyzed. Oddly enough, despite all the uncertainty, I had never felt safer than in that moment. 

He howled and I sat down awestruck. I observed him in all his glory and majesty, had it not been the authoritative, cogent and compelling air that surrounded the being or the magnetic pull surging from it I would have been convinced I was hallucinating. I was so enraptured that I only snapped out of my trance when I saw him move. I watched in anticipation as he approached me, I was not afraid, not even in the slightest. I let my guard down and held my hand out, I don't know what possessed me to do it but it felt right. 

He nudged me with his muzzle, the flaming fur didn't burn me, it actually tickled. He laid his head on my lap, a warm, pink tongue protruded through a toothy grin and licked my leg endearingly, at least I thought it was meant to be endearing. I was still unsure, I thought I was dreaming. It's tongue on my leg felt like a kiss from the wind, oh so light, airy and gentle like the tickle of a cool breeze. I prayed to the goddess above, it felt so surreal but I wished it wasn't just a figment of my imagination. I felt at ease in the feeling of contentment and I sighed.

"Open your eyes." The voice was smooth and velvety , I heard it from deep within my mind. I did as I was told and I gasped in shock. Gone was the wolf, in place of it was a handsome man. With skin a sparkling blue, I almost thought he was a hologram.

He was angelically beautiful, a work of art. He was sculpted to look like the Greek gods that once ruled this earth. Draped in prussian blue robes that accentuated the supernal aura that practically oozed out of him, his confident manner had an underlying hint of danger but all in all I loved it. I stood up on shaky feet. I gazed into his mossy eyes confused. A quick flash of crimson took over the green and it was then that I understood. He was the wolf, they were one. That only justified the conclusion that I had come to, he was my-

"Mate." He finished for me in a low tone, almost inaudible but nonetheless certain. I averted my gaze flustered, my cheeks burned rosy even as the frosty air nipped at my skin. Two large arms enveloped my body, pulling me to a muscular chest. It was like a phantom touch, he was so close but oh so painfully out of reach. Indulging in the warmth of the embrace I listened to his heartbeat, it was a staccato rhythm at a slow pace, he was in repose. We stood there frozen for what felt like hours, a thousand emotions communicated through this intimate moment.

Amber light started to trickle into the bleak, obsidian sky, time seemed to move again. Dawn was fast approaching, the golden, glowing medallion right on its tail, a new day accompanying it. Although he didn't say it, I could tell our moment was short-lived so I held on tight. I did not wish to let him go even if he was here only in spirit. Tears began to cascade down the planes of my face in a steady rhythm. I couldn't bear the thought of letting him go, I just met him. My heart shattered as I wept silently. I cursed at myself inwardly for appearing weak before him.

"I'm sorry," he began and shook my head to stop him, I understood what he was saying. "This isn't goodbye, it's more like a ‘see you later’. I promise I will come and find you." He spoke with such conviction, not leaving any room for me to doubt his words.

"Tell me your name, love." He reached for my hand and held it in both of his as he spoke.

"Veronica." My response was just above a whisper, you could barely hear it over the winds that were picking up.

"By the time the full moon reaches its apex, we shall be united." He kissed my hand and began to back away. 

"Wait," I called after him. The winds were stronger, blowing my hair all over the place. " You never told me your name."

He turned around and smiled down at me. "When we meet again, my milea." (my love) He winked with a playful smirk. I saw his eyes turn red, I blinked and he was gone. I held the hand he kissed to my throbbing heart, his small action of affection had sparked something wild within me. My spirit had been ignited, I would wait patiently in this peaceful meadow in the forest, where my soul is calm and my heart is purest. Just a little while longer I thought to myself. I watched the sunrise and headed back home.

As the days passed, I went about my life as normal. I was yet to tell anyone about what had happened, but the knowing look Celeste gave me told me she had an idea. She never asked about it, but indirectly she made it clear that she was curious but wouldn't push me and for that I was grateful. I would tell her and my parents all in due time, for now it would be my little secret. On the day of the full moon, to say I was ecstatic would be an understatement. I did my meditation in the forest meadow as per usual. I was feeling jovial, I picked some berries for a snack. I also sang, it had been quite a while since I had. I sang a song that my grandmother used to play for me on her piano. After her passing I stopped singing all together, it was too painful for me, but now it seemed a little easier.

It had been a couple of hours since I arrived, the sun was about to go down so I went for a swim to cool off. I played with the little animals till dusk and the water was a bit too cold so I stepped out. I stood in the wind admiring the dazzling beauty of the landscape. I stared at the cool pool of water with my feet dipped in, watching as the wind that was whispering a soft melody made ripples along the surface. The creatures and critters were about, busy with their late night affairs. I looked serenely at the moon, at its reflection mirrored by the lake. Reminiscing our first encounter, curious to know his name was. I sat on a rock awaiting my reply.