The One That Got Away

PROLOGUE

The young woman was walking down the paved street, reveling in the glorious sunlight of the early days of spring. Along the way, people recognized and greeted her, and she rewarded their attention with a magnificent smile.

She was on her way to purchase a dress for her birthday in the forthcoming week. Her parents insisted on having a ball to celebrate her reaching adulthood, as it was customary. How much she adored her family! She could not have wished for a better mother and father, even if she wanted to.

The love they shared for one another arose a sight to behold on its own. Would she ever be so lucky to find a love like that? About to turn twenty-one, such thoughts occupied her mind more often, even though, mother stated, there was plenty of time to worry about it later. But most of her friends were already in a serious relationship. Was there something wrong with her?

Of course, she did have a fling or two. But nothing like what she saw when her mother and father looked in each other's eyes. A love, so deep and intense and yet, flowing so smoothly, so naturally, like it was always meant to be. As if, the natural order of things demanded this love to exist.

Mother called it soulmates. Destined to fall in love each and every time, wishing, bleeding, begging to unite and become one. A connection so profound, that knows no limits, boundaries, or borders, that if need be, can and will defy space, time, and even death itself.

Yes, her mom was a hopeless romantic. But she had every right to be!

Who wouldn't be when confronted with a passion like theirs? Even she, although rational, cynical, and strong-headed, would believe in fairytales of love and devotion if the heavens ever blessed her with such a gift.

Lost in thoughts, she realized a smile emerged on her lips when a passerby winked and wished her to "always be so happy." Blushing, she hurried to compose herself, doing her best to look as serious as possible, finally arriving at the dress shop.

On opening the door, a melodic tune welcomed her. The owner turned. Mrs. Smith, a short and thin woman, sold some of the best dresses in town. A bit pricey, but her parents could afford it.

"Good morning, dear! How are you? Your parents?"

"Good morning, Mrs. Smith! We are all very well, thank you!" Her eyes drifted around the shop. "I am looking for a dress for my birthday ball next week."

The news seemed to excite Mrs. Smith quite a lot. "Oh, dear, oh, dear! But of course"-she clapped with enthusiasm- "you are turning twenty-one, aren't you?" She began moving around, taking down dresses of different fabrics and colors. "We need something special now, don't we?"

"Actually," the young woman interrupted the frantic merry-go-round, "I have something in my mind."

Mrs. Smith looked at her with anticipation. "You saw a dress to your liking?"

"Yes, the green-silver one at the shop window" -she glanced in that direction- "I think it will match my eye-color."

Half an hour later, she exited the shop, the satisfaction evident on her face. Having tried on the dress, it looked perfect on her, minus a few needed adjustments. Mrs. Smith said it would take an hour tops to finish the job. Better to head for the pub and wait there instead of returning all the way home and back again. Maybe they would even let her have a beer since she was so close to becoming of age.

She entered the pub, heading straight for the bar, and positioned herself on one of the stools. The bartender was occupied. She started pondering on what to order, and if she dared to ask for a beer. Suddenly, she sensed someone's gaze and turned to the left.

He was sitting two seats away, resembling a lord and a wolf at the same time.

She would never be able to describe with words the feelings that overwhelmed her the moment she set eyes on him. The turmoil inside her stomach, the sudden, demanding desire, the hunger, the heat, the pain -yes!- the pain. Pain because they were apart when it was obvious they should never be apart, even if he was nothing but a mere stranger. The same pain that was flashing in his gaze as he bored into her, the craving, the need for something long-lost, for something long forgotten.

An aura, dark and ominous, surrounded him. It should have frightened her, but it didn't. She should have turned the other way, but couldn't. Because under the layers of darkness and blackness, she caught a glimpse of his longing. A longing so deep, it broke her heart. Behind the shadows and the shades enveloping him, she caught a glimpse of his despair.

Desperation for dawn.

Desperation for morning.

Desperation for light to come shining in.