Chapter 114: Chapter 114

/Aiden's POV/

I ran a damp hand through my ruffled hair while staring at the thick layer of dust around the bench, subconsciously hoping that it’ll come crashing down and bury me with the rest of the weight I carried. Panic curled in my chest, something I hadn’t felt in years, not since that one fateful day my mother walked out on me. My mother promised to be back, and that has haunted me my entire life, clinging to every inch while I grew up.

Making up every inch of me.

I refused to break down on the way to the training ground while my mind seemed dangerously close to the edge. It’s not the time to be melodramatic about things I cannot change anyway. There has to be a reason why she came back after all these years, some hidden agenda. Despite that thought looming in my head, I had no idea where and how to begin, so out of depth that my body felt this close to completely losing it.

When Liam called this morning to give me the shocking news, I couldn’t believe it. For a whole minute, I thought that he was kidding, waiting for him to burst into laughter. It never came. I knew that he would not have bothered to call me if the issue was not serious. That’s why I packed everything and asked Rose to accompany me on the way back.

Suddenly a flash of memory made me still in my spot.

As I shivered under the blanket, one eye-opening at the sliver of light, I saw my mother. She was standing in the doorway, wearing her fuzzy robe over grey pyjamas, dark grey hair tied up in a loose knot, light from the corridor outlining her figure and falling right up to the carpet in front of my bed. Taking a step further, she cocked her hip, placing a hand on her waist.

“What’s wrong, love?” She asked with a calm and quiet voice.

I wiped my face defiantly because I didn’t want her to know that I cried, pulling my arm out from underneath the duvet and pointing to the large double windows that show nothing but darkness.

“Mom, I think there’s someone outside my window.”

Peeking at the window, she took a good look but didn’t switch on the light. My mother walked up to my bed and sat down on edge. With a soft and gentle touch, she brushed my hair off my sticky forehead and kept her palm placed lightly against my cheek.

“I checked for you, and trust me; there is no one outside the window.”

“Really?!”

“Yes. I can check again if you want.”

“Please.”

She stood up for my sake and went towards the window. Opening them, my mother pointed out. “See? No one. Be a good boy and go to sleep now. All right?”

I slowly nodded my head, squeezing my eyes shut, chest deflating. Rushing towards me, she kissed my cheek and sat by my side until I fell asleep.

A week later, she left me.

Shaking my head, I blinked back the wetness in my eyes, focusing on the rocky path ahead. It’s not raining, but the clouds were hanging low, and it’s bitingly cold. I zipped up my jacket and flipped the collar up against the wind.

“Where is Liam?” I burst into the training room only to see Caden doing push ups. The other few betas were sitting on the benches, lounging comfortably.

The Alpha trainer lifted his head, eyes widening as he got to his feet. “Alpha Aiden…when did you come back? Where is Rose?”

My jaw clenched tight at the question, a flare of annoyance settling in the pit of my stomach. Of course, he would ask about Rose the moment we saw each other. I tried not to scowl at him.

“Have you seen Liam?”

“He went back to his cabin.”

I hummed and abruptly turned on my feet, not bothering to answer him. Caden called my name behind my back, but I was already rushing out of the ground. On my way, I heard a few of the omegas gossiping about the sudden decline in Pack Alphas health. It made me still the spot.

They were quick to tell me everything upon my further questioning. My heart thudded the entire time I sprinted across the pavement and towards the packhouse. Rushing into my father's room, I halted by the doorway, watching him lying on the bed, eyes fluttered shut. Beth was sitting next to the chair by the bed, wringing out a wet cloth to place on his clammy forehead.

“Aiden?”

“H-How is he?” I asked, my chest tightening at the frail lump in the bed, duvet almost swallowing him up.

“Slightly better than yesterday. The pack doctor came and gave some medicines to take after lunch.”

My father suddenly blinked his eyes open, trying to sit up, digging his elbows into the mattress, palms slipping over cotton, still too weak to manage on his own. He coughed, and his entire body shook with it, lungs still battered, and when he opened his eyes, his gaze remained blurry for a moment before it locked on me.

“My son.”

“Dad!” I said with a watery smile, my lashes clumped together. “H-How are –you’re all right. You’re fine, I’m right here.”

“Beth, please excuse us for a moment.”

The housekeeper nodded her head before standing up and making her way out of the room. She shut the door behind her softly, the dull thud echoing around.

“Come sit.” My dad patted at the edge of his bed, and I immediately rushed to his side. “I am sorry that you had to come back so soon.”

“No, it’s alright. What happened?” I gritted my teeth together, fingers curling into fists by my side. In these past few days, the Pack Alpha appeared to have aged ten more years drastically. “Why did that woman come back in our lives? Did she come to see you?”

He hummed, shoulders sagging. “Yes. We had a long chat yesterday evening. She’s a Luna now, has a pack of her own and betas on her whim.” My father bitterly chuckled. “There is a reason she came to see me after all these years.”

“Huh?”

“She has been planning this for a long time and will not stop at any cost.”

My brain was scrambling to catch up with the rest of his words, reminding myself how to breathe because for a few seconds, I couldn’t remember. For a brief moment, I didn’t know how my lungs worked.

“W-What do you mean, dad?” I breathed out, ignoring the spots that were dancing in front of my eyes.

He looked me in the eyes, taking in a sharp breath, lines marring his face and the skin around his cheeks sagging. “She challenged us for a war.”

***

With my heart in my throat, I made my way towards Liam's cabin, mindful of knocking. His pregnant mate must be nesting, and I had no intention of startling her. The beta opened the door, rubbing his eyes tiredly before inviting me in.

“Am I interrupting?”

“No. Don’t worry, I sent my mate to her mothers for the delivery.”

I winced, looking over my shoulder. “Given the situation now, I think it’s a good choice.”

He nodded his head, and I followed him into the kitchen, the only room, thanks to the range, that wasn't damp and freezing. I plopped on the barstool, my head slumping on the cool island.

“Did you go and see your father?” Liam called out over his shoulder, already rummaging through the refrigerator.

“Yes.”

“Do you want something to drink?”

“Whiskey would be nice. Thanks.”

“Isn’t it too early for that?” With that, Liam handed me a beer bottle and sat down opposite me, raising his brows.

“I don’t think so.” I groaned before taking a sip of the beer, my face scrunching as the cold liquid touched my tongue. It tastes fucking disgusting, but then again, it’s not like I had any choice.

“How are you holding up?”

“I am fine.”

“You don’t look fine.”

I could feel the start of a headache prodding at the base of my skull. Lifting my head, I met his eyes, lips pressing in a thin line. “Of course, I don’t look fine, Liam. Or have you forgotten that the woman who abandoned me years ago is back and practically declared war on us?” I emptied nearly the entire bottle and slammed it back down onto the table, trembling fingers flying to the label and starting to tear at it.

He made a pitiful sound before leaning further and patting on my shoulder. The beta cleared his throat, “I know that you might not want to hear this now, but there has been an attempt on our patrol border. Also, your mother…I mean, that Luna told me that she wants you to see her as soon as possible.”

***