Chapter 119: Chapter 119

The next morning, the sun's warm rays filtered through the curtains of Alex's bedroom, gently coaxing him awake. As he slowly emerged from his slumber, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation tingling in the air. He turned and gave the still-sleeping Mia a peck on the head and a soft kiss on her lips.

As he rose from his bed and began his morning routine, Alex couldn't shake off the thought of his mother's message. "She sent for me," he murmured to himself. Alex's mother had sent for him, a simple message delivered by a nurse who had become a familiar face during his past visits when Heartman was there.

A mix of curiosity and trepidation brewed within him. Although he had never been close to his mother, the fact that she had reached out to him felt significant.

With a mix of apprehension and hope, Alex made his way down the hallway towards his mother's room. As he neared the door, he paused, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He wasn't sure what to expect or how this encounter would unfold, but he knew that it was an opportunity he couldn't ignore.

Mia had always talked about her mother to him, but when asked, he didn't know or have anything to say. Thinking about Mia's mother made his heart ache for Mia, knowing that she had lost her mom in the process of saving him.

With a hesitant knock, Alex entered his mother's room. The space was filled with the sterile scent of antiseptic, and the white walls seemed to magnify the seriousness of the situation. His mother lay in the hospital bed, her once-vibrant spirit dimmed by the illness that had taken hold of her.

"Mom," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I'm here."

His mother turned her head slowly, her eyes searching for his face. When she finally found him, a flicker of recognition sparked within her weary gaze.

"Alex," she whispered, her voice frail yet filled with a hint of longing. "Come closer."

He approached her bedside, feeling a mix of emotions bubbling within him. Her eyes met his, and in that moment, he saw not only the pain she was enduring but also a glimmer of regret and longing for connection.

"I'm sorry, Mom," he choked out, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm sorry for all the times I've been distant, for all the years we've spent apart. I never wanted things to be this way."

Tears welled up in his mother's eyes as she weakly reached out to clasp his hand. "Alex, my dear, I've made mistakes too. I should have been there for you, especially during the hardest moments. I let my own pain and insecurities drive us apart, and for that, I am deeply sorry."

Alex knelt down before her and cried like a baby as he let out his regrets.

"I'm sorry you're in this state because of me; you all risked your lives just to save me. I'm really sorry for everything, Mom. Please heal quickly. Mia needs a mother, and so do I. I need my mom too. It's not too late to feel my mother's love," Alex said amidst tears.

Their hands intertwined, forming a fragile bridge that spanned the divide between them. In that tender moment, years of hurt and resentment melted away, replaced by the power of forgiveness and understanding.

Nathalie asked Alex to stand up from the floor.

"Stand up from the floor, child. You're an Alpha, a husband, and a leader now. Stop crying like a Mama's boy, Alex."

Alex let out a chuckle and stood up from the ground as instructed. He sat close to Nathalie, held her hands, hugged her, and pecked her. Nathalie laughed hard; she had never experienced this with her child.

"I love you, Alex; I have always loved you," Nathalie said.

"I love you too, Mom," he whispered, his voice filled with tenderness. "And I forgive you."

For hours, they sat and talked, recounting stories from the past and sharing dreams for the future. There were tears, laughter, and the quiet acceptance of their flawed but resilient bond. In that confined hospital room, they found solace and redemption, rebuilding the bridge that had long been broken.

Heartman came into the room at noon to meet them still talking and frowned at Nathalie.

"Is Alex trying to take my place now? He has spent more than twelve hours here; that's what I should do. So, Alex, please stand up; your time has been over for the past seven hours," Heartman complained.

Alex and Nathalie couldn't help but burst into laughter at Heartman looking at his facial expressions while he complained about Alex and Nathalie's conversation taking too long.

"Heartman darling, how are you doing?" Nathalie asked him in a mockery tune.

"Obviously, I'm not okay. How will I be when Alex is occupying my space right there, and you've been okay with it? Why didn't he sit in another place and reserve my space?" Heartman complained again.

Alex started laughing at him, and Heartman laughed too. He hugged Alex, and the now-sitting Nathalie together. He was really happy his family is whole now.

The doctor walked in to attend to Nathalie and told them she'll be fine by the next day, that the injury and infection sustained are good now.

As Alex left his mother's room that day, he couldn't help but feel full; he couldn't feel that longing within him anymore, and he felt fulfilled.

When he got inside the room, he kissed Mia again and went inside to take his bath. Coming out from the bathroom, he met Mia sitting on the bed.

"Alex," Mia called out.

Alex moved fast to where Mia was sitting, holding her close to himself. He crashed her into a tight embrace and planted kisses all over her face. He didn't have the time to talk the last night when Mia woke up. Mia giggled and looked downward shy.

Then again, Alex started scolding her.

"Mia, I told you not to come close to me when I'm not myself. Didn't I tell you that?"

"You almost got yourself killed. How was I supposed to take that? Why did you sacrifice your powers for me? What if it has gone beyond that? Please, Mia, always look after yourself for me. I missed you so much," Alex said, hugging her again.

"Alex, are you okay now? Is everything over?" Mia asked weakly.

"Yes, Mia, you saved us all, and I'm grateful to you. Mia, I'm also sorry for your dad and mom; it all happened because of me," Alex said sadly.

"It's fine, Alex. My mom is in a better place; she's there with the moon watching over us, even if she didn't get to see her little Cubs," Mia said smiling.

"Mom is worried about you, Mia; she has been disturbing me about your health."

"So many things happened in your absence, my love, but I'll tell you all of it while you eat," Alex concluded.

Alex sent for the maids to bring in food of different varieties without telling them Mia was the one that's having it.

The moment the tray of food arrived, and Mia, starving, started eating in a rush. Alex couldn't help but mock her, teasing about her voracious appetite. He shared that he was at peace with his mom and planned to visit her the next noon when she would be discharged from the hospital.

Alex kept Mia's awakening a secret from everyone, spending time with her until late at night. He urged her to go back to sleep to regain her strength. Mia felt overwhelmed by the love and care Alex showed, noticing the excitement in his eyes when he spoke about his mother. She was content that everyone was doing well and at peace.

***********

Mia and Alex got dressed and headed to the pack hospital to meet Nathalie as she would be discharged that day.

Upon reaching Nathalie's room, she screamed in excitement to see Mia on her feet again. Nathalie hurriedly embraced her and planted kisses all over her face. Mia was overjoyed by the show of love from everyone. Heartman hugged Mia and welcomed her back to the pack.

They all went back home together and had a great family meal, warmly welcoming both Mia and Nathalie back to the pack.