Chapter 20: Chapter 20

It is important that we maintain balance

Some feelings can hurt us

While some can soothe us

Some feelings can be good

While some can be terrible

In all, it is vital that we find the chance

To put it all behind us

And keep running with faith

- PenaciousShewa

“Happy birthday, Mom!”

“Happy birthday, Luna!”

“Happy birthday, Baby!”

Kayola, Petra, Mira and Milos chorus in unison. It is Wanda’s birthday, and they have succeeded in sneaking into her room while she is still asleep. The sounds of their voices make her jump from her sleep, and she is confused for a few seconds before her brain is able to process what is happening.

“Hey guys…” she drawls, still very sleepy.

“So, how are my babies doing today?” Milos asks, referring to Wanda and the baby growing in her womb.

“I, we are fine, thank you,” Wanda replies, stretching.

“Well, get up, Luna we have decorated the house and prepared a lovely breakfast for you. Also, here are your gifts,” Petra chirps.

Excited, Wanda opens all her gifts; Mira gifts her with a beautiful maternity gown, Kayola gifts her a pair of sunglasses to shield her eyes from the sun, while Milos gifts her a pair of beautiful lilac sandals. Petra gifts her with a very sexy nightgown, and this makes Wanda giggle.

“Thank you so much, guys” Wanda thanks them, “I will freshen up and come downstairs for my special meal, okay? With this, they all file out of the room, leaving Wanda. Kayola comes back to kiss her mom goodbye before leaving for school.

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“I really want Kayola,” Sebastian confesses to his friend as he sees her walk into the school.

“Seb, you should not even want someone like Kayola. Have you forgotten that she is the daughter of the Alpha of this entire territory and that she will one day rule us all? How on earth could you desire someone like this?” his friends question him.

“I am aware of all of these factors, but I really don’t care. I want Kayola and I will do all that it takes to get her!” he snaps at his friends and walks out angrily, leaving them open-mouthed.

************************************

Kayola walks home from school feeling alone and sad. This is one of the times when her human instincts take over and she feels lost. It is the last year of school and she can’t wait to be finally done with school so she can work on her feelings and put all her energy into her combat training.

On getting to the house, she sees that Wanda’s birthday celebrations are in full gear, and her mood is lifted immediately she enters the arena and sees that everyone is happy, excited, and well-fed, thanks to Mira and Petra. All the maids and servants are here, relaxed and jovial. Kayola joins the party and tries to put aside her worries, but this doesn’t work out well.

When she cannot take it anymore, she excuses herself and leaves for her room. In a few minutes, she falls asleep with a very heavy heart.

Wanda comes up a few hours later to check up on her daughter. Satisfied that the latter is fine, she kisses Kayola on the forehead and leaves the room. She retires to her room with Milos beside her. As they lie in bed, Milos mentions that he has noticed that Kayola has been distant lately, even though she does a lot to hide it. Wanda confirms this and they both agree that something is definitely eating their daughter up. Moving on, they decide that the next morning before Kayola goes to school, they will sit her down and have a heart-to-heart talk with her. Contented that they have taken the right choice, they fall asleep.

*****************************************

Wanda wakes up with a very sharp pain in her belly. She breathes heavily and tries to wait till the pain subsides. She screams when another pain hits her belly. She digs her long, well-manicured nails into his arm and he jerks out of his deep sleep.

“Baby, what is wrong?” He questions, looking straight into her eyes.

“I don’t know what’s going on, Milos,” she replies, sweating profusely.

“Let me get you to the…..” He pauses as the distinct smell of fresh blood hits his nostrils.

“Wanda……” he calls as he yanks the heavy blanket off her body. Even in the dark, he can see the pool of blood on the side of the bed where Wanda is laying. He gets over his initial shock and lifts her into his arms, and out he goes. Soon, they reach the clinic, and Wanda is put on a stretcher and pushed down the galley into the emergency ward.

“Alpha Milos, please wait outside, let us help the Luna,” the nurses urge him. He listens to them and sits in the empty waiting area. He does not want to believe his instincts.

No, Wanda cannot lose this baby, she just cannot.

His worst fears are however confirmed when the Chief Medical Examiner walks up to him, defeat weighing his shoulders down. He looks a Milos and the Alpha gets the message loud and clear.

“I am sorry, but we tried all we could, but we could only save the Luna. The fetus was too weak. We could not save him.

“Him?” Milos asks.

“Yes, Alpha. It was a male pup. I am so sorry. Please accept my condolences.”

“Can I see her now?” Milos asks.

“It is advisable that you let her rest. She is unconscious right now, but you will be notified once she wakes up. Again, I am sorry”. The C.M.E pats Milos on the shoulder and walks away.

Milos bursts into tears and sobs for a long time. His heart bleeds for his unconscious wife, and for his dead child. After a while, he summons some strength and goes home to make provision for Wanda’s eating before she comes out of her unconsciousness. When he gets home, he gently breaks the terrible news to Kayola, Petra, and Mira. The trio is devastated and they break down in tears.

They however stop weeping after they realize that they have to be strong for Wanda. They, therefore, get to work and get food, pads, and fresh clothes for her. They visit her at the hospital and soon, she recuperates enough to be discharged from the hospital. Although her body heals fast, her heart heals slowly, as she is devastated by the death of her baby. It was not just a fetus, but it was her baby. Now, all hope is lost. However, because she has a strong support system, she is able to recover from her emotional pain.

Kayola on the other hand is in a lot of pain, and she cries at the slightest opportunity that she gets to be alone. She is pained because of her mother, and most especially for her sibling whom she never got the opportunity to meet.

Five days after the incident, she wakes up around 10 am feeling so down, and all she wants to do is have a talk with her father and she knows she’ll get better. She knocks on the door of her parents’ room.

“Good morning Papa, good morning mom,” she greets her parents. “How are you feeling today, mom?” she asks.

“I’m fine, baby” Wanda responds rather brightly.

“Thank goddess; Papa, can I talk to you for a few minutes?” she asks her father.

“Darling, can we talk later? I have to keep taking care of your mother; you know she just went through a traumatic…..”

“Dad!” Kayola snaps, I am also going through my own issues. I am sorry, but just as mom lost a child, I also lost a brother, I lost him before I could set my eyes on him!” She storms out of the room, slamming the door so hard that it shivers on its hinges.

She runs out of the building and into the forest and lets out her wolf. She howls and howls until she can do no more. We can almost hear her as she sings:

I’m gonna take my wolf

To the old town road

I’m gonna howl

Till I can no more

Extremely tired, Kayola walks slowly back into the mansion. She goes into the kitchen to get some cookies and milk for strength. There, she finds her father sitting patiently, obviously waiting for her. It is like he knew she would come into the kitchen.

“Hi, Papa”

“Hello, darling” Milos responds.

“I am so sorry about the way I reacted earlier, Dad”

“I am sorry too, baby girl. You were right. I have not been emotionally available; I focused on your mother so much that I became blind to your pain. I have trained you to be a tough woman and you are, but that doesn’t mean that I should not be there for you when you need me.” Milos says and stands up to hug his daughter.

“Thank you, Papa, and I promise not to ever act in that manner.” Kayola sincerely promises.

“It’s okay darling. I have some work to do around the pack, I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

“Okay, Dad, I’ll go see mom. Bye”

Kayola sneaks into her mother’s room and finds her on the bed, facing the wall. Kayola turns to leave but her mother’s voice stops her.

“Kayola, wait.”

“Mom, I am so sorry about this morning, please don’t be mad at me,” Kayola apologizes.

“I am sorry too, baby. I want you to know that I am here if you want to talk. Come here,” Wanda urges her daughter.

Kayola goes to the bed and lays beside her mother.

“I want you to know that you are my joy and my crown, and I love you more than anything in this world,” Wanda says.

“More than Papa?” Kayola teases, chuckling and sniffing.

“Kayola, laughing is painful right now,”

“I am sorry mom” Kayola says.

“It’s okay darling. Now let’s sleep, we’ve both had a long ass day.

They drift to sleep, with Wanda’s head on her daughter’s brawny chest.

Wow! we hit the first twenty chapters! I am so excited. Thank you for all your support!