"Sweetheart, wake up for me." whispered Angel, as he stroked his thumbs over my cheeks.

I hummed, scrunching my nose a bit. "Mm, Angel?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Where are we?" I asked through my yawn, rubbing my eyes while Angel kissed my forehead.

"At the cemetery."

I blinked, then looked out of the car window. It was nearly pitch black out, but Angel had parked the car under a lamppost, so there was some orangey light cast across our legs through the windshield.

Clyde had apparently taken off, leaving Angel to drive himself. Angel didn't mind, but he had been annoyed that he couldn't hold me while I slept.

I turned my head to look at Angel, who was rubbing the palms of his hands together. "Are you nervous?"

He let out a breath. "Of course I am. It has been eleven years since his death."

I reached over to grasp his right hand. "It will be okay, Angel. If his soul hasn't gone to the afterlife, it's likely not because of resentment, but regret. It's time to let go, to move on, and live your life without guilt. This is your chance to let out all your thoughts, your guilt, your sorrows, and the regret you shared and continue to hold."

Angel looked up with reddened sky blue eyes. "I know, thank you. Will you hold my hand while we walk to his grave?"

I smiled tearfully. "Of course, Ange."

We got out of the car, and I tugged on my jacket before holding out my hand to him. Angel covered mine and squeezed it, bending down to kiss the back of my palm. I smiled and pecked his lips as he drew away. Angel smiled, but anxiety was teeming in his eyes.

He led me past the rows of headstones; some ornate, others plain and simple. I have heard of people getting scared in cemeteries, but I can't understand why. I feel sad more than anything else, especially while reading the notes on the graves.

Angel stopped in front of a squat headstone with a coppery placard screwed onto it. I saw the wilting flowers, but let Angel kneel down and take care of it. I bent down and kissed his head.

"Stay here and talk. Don't be ashamed. I'm going to wander around a bit, so don't hold back."

Angel looked up and pecked my lips, making me smile. "I love you."

"I love you, too. Holler if you need me."

"I always need you, Anwyll."

I blushed, hugging his neck. "I need you too, Ange. I'll be nearby, though."

He hugged me back, burying his face in my neck. "Thank you. See you soon."

"Mmhm." I hummed, kissing near his horn as I stepped back.

I left him to talk it out, walking along the graves. I read the notes on some of the headstones, feeling like I wanted to cry from the sad messages and laugh from the funny ones.

A fuzzy shape became clearer near one of the lampposts along the walkway. It was a dog, so as I came nearer, it twitched awake. I crouched down next to it, looking at the grave with a sad expression.

Anita Monk

March 23rd, 1956 - November 11th 2015

A wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a miracle worker. She helped those who were in need, and those who didn't know they needed help until she arrived. She fostered animals to get them ready for good homes, and had a faithful canine for eleven years during a struggle through cancer that eventually won, but her companion will stay with her for many years to come.

I wiped my eyes a bit. "Your beloved owner is gone, you know."

The dog whined.

"But she's not truly gone." I whispered, then pressed a finger to its head. "She's in there, in your memories, and in your heart. She won't leave you alone, even if she won't be able to hug you in person."

The golden dog whimpered, scooting closer to me.

"It's time to leave this place. This isn't a place for the living, as it is a place of burial for the dead. Yes, you can continue to come here as you have for the past three years, but it is better to move on with the memory of her life inside you and celebrate it, rather than mourn for her until the end of your days."

I hugged the dog, kissing its head. It sighed, so as I let go, the dog kissed the placard and released a mournful howl. It sauntered away sadly, but I knew there would be a spring in its step the next day.

I stood with a sigh on my own lips and yawned, stretching my stiff joints.

"You give advice to everyone freely, huh. Even dogs?" sneered a familiar voice.

I turned in shock. "Mr. Graham?"

Clyde chuckled under his breath. "Why so polite now? It's not like I'm above you."

I tilted my head, then raised my hand to gesture to our height differences. "Actually, you are quite literally above me."

"Quit being a smart-ass and reveal your true self to Angelique. You slimy weasel, using dirty tricks to gain favor from everyone. Even the Lucaon's fell for your wickedly slick charms."

I quirked my lips down. "What are you doing here, Clyde?"

Clyde smirked. "There's a tracking device on the car, in case it ever got stolen, so I logged into the app and followed it here."

My expression was filled with confusion. What was he talking about?

"In any case, I followed you here. I knew I would catch you alone eventually."

"I would not recommend attacking me, Clyde. It will only be returned to you."

This time Clyde was confused. "What?"

He shook his head and drove his fist towards me. His eyes widened when I neither moved nor flinched. He groaned when the force of his punch hit him where he was aiming at me. He wheezed, the lack of air forced out of him coming as a great shock.

"What did you do to me?" he growled, reaching for my throat.

I remained stock still as he choked himself to unconsciousness. I took his body and dragged it to a sheltered overhang of the nearby building, tucking him underneath it. I zipped up his warm looking jacket, tucking various things back into place. At the end, I cupped his cheek with a soft smile on my face.

"Anger, jealousy, and hatred burn away at your soul. Don't let it consume you, a good man, and don't let yourself turn into a monster. Until next time, Clyde Graham."

I walked back towards Angel, and he was already standing to look for me. I jogged over and hugged his waist, causing a yelp to burst out of him. I giggled while he glared at me, but squealed with laughter when he began to twirl me around. Angel looked exhausted, but the burden had clearly been lifted.

"I want to introduce you to him, Anwyll."

I dipped my head with a small nod. He tucked me into his side, turning ourselves around with a single step. I looked at placard on the grave.

Paul Hart

May 11th, 1996 - July 14th, 2007

He was a kind boy with a good heart; well-loved, rambunctious, playful, sometimes annoying, but he was ours.

- Hart Family

I chuckled a bit with tears in my eyes. "I guess he had an older brother or sister."

Angel squeezed my shoulders. "He did."

I knelt in front of the grave, pressing my hands to the granite. "Hello, Paul. My name is Anwyll. I'm currently the one loving Angel, and I want to do so for the rest of my life. He's in no way perfect, which is the same as me, but I think we fit well together. I want you to know that I will do my best to take care of him and treat him how he should have been treated and loved all along.

"You didn't know about our kind: the Emerged. Normal people can't see our attributes. I am a wolf, and Angel is a unicorn. I know it sounds crazy, but you felt his horn once—twice, I guess—and here we are now. Every one of our stories is different. Angel wholly regretted everything that happened around you, aside from your friendship. He even told me if he hadn't existed, you'd still be alive. I don't believe that's true. Anything could have happened; a car accident, a robber with a gun or knife, or even an abusive household that may have caused you to commit suicide.

"In any case, as much as I love Angel, I want him to be happy. But he never truly would have been happy had he not faced his fears to come here. I hope that wherever you are, your peace will come and you will sleep with a smile." I said softly, sliding my fingers over the placard.

I stood up, then felt a ghostly chill slide through my body. There was no wind at all. Angel felt it too and stiffened.

I wiped my eyes and turned, feeling Paul leave. As he completely disappeared, the cemetery was entirely still. A soft breeze started up, tinkling the wind chimes in the tree by the mausoleum.

"What was that?"

"That was Paul." I said with a smile, hugging Angel's side. "He found peace, so now it's time for you to find your own."

Angel looked down with a mixed expression of confusion, awe, and happiness for about a minute. "C'mere, sweetheart." he finally said, picking my body up to tuck into his arms.

I snuggled into the warmth, but pursed my lips for the kiss Angel was offering to me. He smiled after it, petting my hair while he walked back to the car. I remembered Clyde once Angel settled me inside. I told him what happened while he buckled himself in.

"This has gone too far. I will call one of my men to get him and take him home, however, he will have to find a new job."

I nodded. "That would be for the best, but my guess is that he'll retaliate and try to slander your name with mine. I hope that can be avoided."

"I hope it will be, Anwyll." muttered Angel, as he texted someone.

He placed the phone down and started the car, warming up the interior. I yawned softly, snuggling into the warm seat. Angel drove away from the cemetery with a scowl on his face. I leaned over and gripped the side of his thigh, making him chuckle and relax.

"I love you, Ange."

"I love you too, Anwyll." he smiled towards the road, moving one hand to mine. "Thank you for being here with me today. You helped me in so many ways."

"It's my pleasure, Ange. And besides, I had fun today with you. I even got the chance to meet my aunt and uncle."

Angel grinned. "That is true. I hope you have a good day with your uncle tomorrow."

"Thank you!" I beamed, feeling and hearing my tail smack the door.

He laughed, squeezing my hand with a bright smile on his face.

__________________________

After we got home, Angel escorted me to my room and kissed me goodnight. He went back to his own room, and I got ready for bed. As I wrapped a towel around my shoulders, a knock came on the door. I cocked my head to the side, but exited the bathroom.

Zaire was on the other side of the door, holding up his phone and a blanket. "May I spend the night?"

I grinned. "Sure! Wanna help me pick my nighttime clothes?"

Zaire stepped inside, gathering me into a hug as soon as I closed the door. I giggled, squeezing his waist. He shivered, curling down to kiss my lips. I tilted my head back more and mewled once our lips met. Zaire hummed, licking his lips once he pulled back.

"I missed you, Anwyll. Did you have fun today?"

"I missed you, too. And mmhm, I did. I even met my aunt and uncle by pure coincidence!"

Zaire petted my wolf ears, making me giggle when he pressed kisses on them. He chuckled, then teased the base of my skull to make me weak. I mewled, my knees crumpling. Zaire swept me up and deposited my body on the bed.

"I'll pick your clothes, Anwyll. Stay here, okay?"

I nodded weakly, letting go of the towel to recover from the pleasurable tingles. Zaire gulped when the towel slid to reveal more of my upper thighs and chest. He hurried into my closet while I giggled at his cute expression. I hummed to myself, curling my small hands into fists and tucking them under my chin.

Zaire came back when I was almost asleep, so I yawned while I sat up. His cheeks turned red, and I draped my arms over his shoulders as he leaned over me. I pressed kisses to his collarbones, giggling sleepily when I felt his chilly fingers slide up my warm skin. Zaire nuzzled my head, kissing my cheek on his way down.

I mewled softly when he pressed his lips to my left nipple. His fingers tightened their grip on my waist, making me shiver.

"Zaire..." I breathed, watching his cheeks flush pink. "Zaire, please kiss me?"

He eagerly met my lips, hungrily devouring what he could. I mewled and gasped, but loved the feel of him and his heat along my body, his hips between my thighs. Zaire shivered when I tugged him closer.

"Mm, Anwyll. Let's get you dressed." he murmured, kissing down my neck and chest.

I moaned softly when I felt him grasp my ankles, but whimpered when he moved away. My cheeks flushed a bright red when I realized what he was doing. He was putting my underwear on for me, sliding the boxers up my thighs. I moved to sit up, but Zaire gave me a look that told me to stay. I lay back and lifted my butt as he moved my underwear into place. I blushed again when he pecked my lips and helped me onto my knees.

"Arms up."

I did as told, giggling when he nuzzled my jaw. He maneuvered my arms through the oversized t-shirt's holes, then my head popped through. It was a caramel color with mint green stars over it. I hugged Zaire, tugging him up onto the bed.

"Cuddle time?" I asked with a big grin.

He chuckled. "Yeah, and a bit of game time before bed. Does that sound good to you?"

I pecked his lips and squeezed him. "It does. I love you, Zaire."

Zaire hugged me back, tucking my head close to his chest. "I love you too, Anwyll."

I beamed, my tail whirling a million miles an hour.

Fan Art/Covers Made for My Works