RD

mulberry trees that would beckon birds and their melodious songs, our garden flourished with colorful bougainvillea an

y the solemn resting

to me, I was raised solely by my father who later ma

e, I could lose myself amidst the blossoms, chasi

ul pursuits, I would find solace

g trees brought a sense of tranquility that was s

ette there, where his most severe

nd the haunting paintings upon its walls proved too unsettlin

garden with an air of impor

Luna to the Alpha of Alpha s - a

tomary calmness and tidin

able chase, an activity I still relished despite my ag

a

's grave, her hands gently

inscription on the plaque or

me as I approach

cherished our individual secrets – a

e refrained from divulging every det

ing certain to be the fir

me with a smile g

d before turning her g

re?" I inquired with cu

an affinity for gardens or frequent

eign to her, reminiscent of chi

and contemplating the horrors of cremation,"

de her and mirroring her cont

ht when consumed by fire and reduced to mere ashes

fter all, I would often sneak into my father's study, pilfering books that I never managed to return to their

ut what compels the living to burn the deceas

had veered into peculiar territory

y, Mary," I interjected, cutt

mine, a hint of worry t

eking solace in sharing her burdens

spreading my hands in

inhaling a deep breath as

ttered, her voice laden with emotion

dn't help but wonder

women distraught by their inability to find a mate during the mar

for death?" I inquired with an arched eyebrow

ze, a tremor passi

a moment," she pleaded, her voice he

were standing in the garden that had become my sanctuary, a realm of vibrant petals

et mine, pleading

ied a hint of sisterly sternness, refusing to coddle

ve older sister, rejecting the no

ir soulmates," she sobbed, her

ks, marking the first time I wit

nted child, showered with endl

rved for the antics of a naive younger sibling. However, her tear-b

?" I posed the question with a tinge of sarcasm, borrowing it fr

ed the day I snuck into his study

his hidden diary. Amidst its worn pages lay his convers

knew better than to risk him discovering its a

ontinuously raided hi